Jump to content

User:Prince of Erebor/sandbox2

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In
Traditional Chinese九龍城寨之圍城
Directed bySoi Cheang
Screenplay byAu Kin-yee
Chan Tai-lei
Lai Chun
Based onCity of Darkness
by Andy Seto
Produced byJohn Chong
Peter Lam
Wilson Yip
StarringLouis Koo
Raymond Lam
Terrance Lau
Philip Ng
Tony Wu
German Cheung
Sammo Hung
CinematographyCheng Siu-Keung
Edited byCheung Ka-fai
Music byKenji Kawai
Production
companies
Media Asia Films
Entertaining Power
One Cool Film Production Limited
Sil-Metropole Organisation
Lianray Pictures
HG Entertainment
Distributed byMedia Asia Distributions
Release dates
  • April 25, 2024 (2024-04-25) (MCL Movie Town)
  • May 1, 2024 (2024-05-01) (Hong Kong)
Running time
126 minutes
CountryHong Kong
LanguageCantonese

Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In is a 2024 Hong Kong martial arts film directed by Soi Cheang and co-written by Au Kin-yee, Chan Tai-lei, and Lai Chun. Featuring an ensemble cast including Louis Koo, Raymond Lam, Richie Jen, Terrance Lau, Kenny Wong, Philip Ng, Tony Wu, German Cheung and Sammo Hung, the film is loosely adapted from the Hong Kong manhua series City of Darkness authored by Andy Seto, which is based on Yu-Wing Leung's 2009 novel of the same name. Set in the demolished ungoverned enclave of Kowloon Walled City in British Hong Kong, the film revolves around a troubled youth named Chan Lok-kwan (Lam) who seeks refuge in the walled city and is enlisted by the city's guardian leader, Tornado (Koo), to resist the invasion of the crimelord Mr. Big (Hung).

Having been in development since the early 2010s, the film underwent changes in directors and writers and was stuck in development hell for almost a decade. Cheang was attached to the project in February 2021, along with Koo and Jen as the leading cast. Principal photography began in November of the same year and wrapped in April 2022. The film had a budget of approximately US$39 million, which included the construction of a replica set of the Kowloon Walled City, making it one of the most expensive Hong Kong productions of all time.

The film premiered at MCL Movie Town on April 25, 2024, followed by a theatrical release in Hong Kong on May 1. It was also selected for screening at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival.

Synopsis

[edit]

Cast

[edit]
  • Louis Koo as Cyclone: a martial arts master who strives to protect the safety and stability of the residents in the Kowloon Walled City.[1][2]
  • Raymond Lam as Chan Lok-kwun: a refugee who settled in the walled city but became entangled in the chaos within and faced the imminent demolition of the city.[1]
  • Terrance Lau as Shin: the loyal second-in-command of Cyclone's outlaw gang, who later becomes a companion to Lok.[2]
  • Philip Ng as King: Mr. Big's unhinged and indestructible right-hand man.[1]
  • Tony Wu as Twelfth Master: a katana-wielding member of Tiger's mafia and Cyclone's outlaw gang, who later becomes a companion to Chan.[2]
  • German Cheung as AV: a medic and kickboxer in Cyclone's outlaw gang, who later becomes a companion to Chan.[2]
  • Sammo Hung as Mr. Big: a crimelord rival to Cyclone, who solely focuses on maximizing his wealth and personal interests.

Also appearing in the film are Richie Jen as Chau, a mafia boss-turned-landlord and blood brother of Cyclone, who lost his family at the hands of Jim;[2] Kenny Wong as Tiger: a mafia boss based in Temple Street and an acquaintance of Cyclone, who lost an eye in a fight with Jim.[2] Residents of the Walled City include Fish Liew as Yin Fan, a fishmonger with affiliations with Shin;[3] Chu Pak Hong as a drug addict;[4] Law Wing-cheong as Uncle Lang, a grocery store owner; Sean Wong as a child who nearly falls victim to King;[5] and wuxia novelist Jozev Kiu cameos as Double Blade, a restaurateur and skilled swordsman loyal to Cyclone.[2] Cecilia Choi appears as Jim's deceased wife;[4] and Deon Cheung appears as a government official.[6] Additionally, Aaron Kwok makes a cameo appearance as Chan Jim, the Killer King, a martial artist and Chan Lok-kwun's father, who serves as Cyclone's enemy but is secretly acquainted with him.[2] Chung Suet Ying was initially cast in a role, but did not appear in the film.[7]

Production

[edit]

On 13 April 2013, Media Asia announced the project was to be titled Dragon City and set to be directed by Derek Kwok and starring Donnie Yen, who would also serve as action director and producer through his production company, Super Hero Films, and was set to begin production in September of that year.[8][9]

After seemingly stuck in development hell for several years, Media Asia once again announced the project on 28 February 2021, with Soi Cheang set to direct while Koo, Richie Jen and Zhang Jin are set to star.[10] Principal photography for Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In officially began on 22 November 2021, as was revealed in a post on the film's official Facebook page, although the cast was not revealed yet until the film held its production commencement ceremony on 30 November, which was attended by Cheang, producers John Chong and Wilson Yip and cast members Koo, Sammo Hung, Jen, Raymond Lam, Terrance Lau, Kenny Wong, Tony Wu, German Cheung, Philip Ng, Chu Pak Hong and Chung Suet Ying. There Koo revealed that two replica sets of the Kowloon Walled City were built for filming, while actual magazines, record albums, televisions and commercials from the 1980s will be used as props.[11][12] All the main cast spent a year training to prepare for the film's fight scenes.[13]

Filming

[edit]

Principal photography began on November 30, 2021.[14] The crew initially planned to film in mainland China but changed to Hong Kong due to the constraints of the COVID-19 pandemic.[15] The production crew spent over HK$300 million on set construction, building three major on-scale replica sets: one in an unrented land in Kowloon Bay, another in the abandoned Tat Tak School in Yuen Long, and the third at the Shaw Studios and Shing Fung Studios in Sai Kung. These sets covered approximately 80 to 90% of the actual size of the Kowloon Walled City.[16][17] Set decoration was overseen by art director Kenneth Mak.[18] Mak and the crew conducted extensive research using photos and archives that documented the Kowloon Walled City, aiming to replicate the residents' way of life.[16] They gathered vintage antiques such as household goods, electrical appliances, as well as metal gates and window grilles salvaged from buildings slated for demolition, which were used as props on set.[16] Numerous three to four-story buildings were constructed, paying close attention to the chaotic entwinement of electrical wires and water pipes.[17] Additionally, wheels were added to most of the set, which featured over ten interchangeable stage sceneries.[16][18] Mak described the entire set as a "moving castle".[16]

Filming commenced in the replica set in Yuen Long, which included scenes set in the temple, bamboo theatre, Double Blade's two-deck cha chaan teng, and Mr. Big's lair.[17] The production crew then moved to the Sai Kung set, featuring a 200-meter long main street.[17] Scenes shot there included Chan and the outlaw gang taking vigilante action against a drug addict in an alley.[17] Originally scheduled to wrap up after the Lunar New Year of 2022, filming was briefly paused on February 25 due to COVID-19 spreading on set, resulting in actor Deon Cheung and several crew members getting infected.[19][20] Production resumed in March in the replica set built in Kowloon Bay.[19] On March 23, action scenes of Raymond Lam being chased and fighting on a bus near the set were filmed.[19] Additional scenes were shot at the Yau Ma Tei Fruit Market and on Nathan Road.[15] Filming concluded in April 2022.[21]

M+ engaged in discussions with the crew regarding the possible purchase and preservation of the entire replica set for exhibition purposes, but the negotiations did not succeed and all three sets were demolished after the production wrapped up.[16] A day was reserved for aerial shots of the entire Kowloon Bay replica set before the demolition.[16]

Release

[edit]

[6]

Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In is set for theatrical release on 1 May 2024 in Hong Kong and China. The film was also selected to be in the Official Selection (Midnight Screening) of the 2024 Cannes Film Festival which will run from 14 to 25 May 2024.[22]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c Lee, Edmund (May 1, 2024). "Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In movie review – Kowloon Walled City reimagined in Soi Cheang martial arts spectacle". South China Morning Post. Archived from the original on August 19, 2024. Retrieved May 1, 2024.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h 莫匡堯 (May 1, 2024). "九龍城寨之圍城｜劇情角色介紹　戰力寫實拳拳到肉洗走都市武俠風" (in Chinese). HK01. Archived from the original on May 1, 2024. Retrieved May 1, 2024.
  3. ^ "劉俊謙廖子妤恨去康城參與影展 港產片事隔11年再入選為《九龍城寨之圍城》自豪" (in Chinese). Sing Tao Daily. April 18, 2024. Archived from the original on August 19, 2024. Retrieved April 19, 2024.
  4. ^ a b "九龍城寨之圍城丨首條宣傳片發布　古天樂演龍捲風造型曝光" (in Chinese). TOPick. March 29, 2024. Archived from the original on 4 April 2024. Retrieved April 19, 2024.
  5. ^ "哇~这个惊喜彩蛋终于被发现了，"杰仔"将会在电影九龙城寨之围城中继续发光发热哦[打call][打call]五一一起看九龙城寨！#电影九龙城寨之围城# #电影九龙城寨今日上映#". Weibo (in Chinese). Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In Official Weibo. May 1, 2024. Archived from the original on August 19, 2024. Retrieved May 1, 2024.
  6. ^ a b "九龍城寨之圍城丨郭富城驚喜現身撐港產片　蔡思韵大力摑古天樂感抱歉" (in Chinese). TOPick. April 26, 2024. Archived from the original on August 19, 2024. Retrieved April 28, 2024.
  7. ^ @entertainingpower (November 30, 2021). "今日《九龍城寨•圍城》正式開鏡" – via Instagram.
  8. ^ "Hong Kong's Media Asia Announces Two Donnie Yen Action Vehicles". The Hollywood Reporter. 12 April 2013. Archived from the original on 8 December 2021. Retrieved 10 February 2022.
  9. ^ "ACE COP FIGHTING CRIME IN DRAGON CITY". Archived from the original on 8 December 2021. Retrieved 10 February 2022.
  10. ^ "Media Asia launches second Hong Kong omnibus project". Archived from the original on 21 September 2021. Retrieved 10 February 2022.
  11. ^ "【九龍城寨】古天樂回味80年代香港 洪金寶高興可繼續拍香港電影". Archived from the original on 6 January 2022. Retrieved 10 February 2022.
  12. ^ Chan, Ilsa (2 December 2021). "Sammo Hung, 69, Makes Acting Comeback In HK Movie, Says It's Because He Has "No Money"". 8days.sg. Archived from the original on 25 October 2022. Retrieved 24 October 2022.
  13. ^ "HK actor Sammo Hung to star in new Louis Koo film because he has 'no money'". Archived from the original on 8 December 2021. Retrieved 10 February 2022.
  14. ^ 沈洛嘉 (November 28, 2021). "《九龍城寨·圍城》開鏡卡士曝光　古天樂林峯劉俊謙演「暴力團」" (in Chinese). HK01. Archived from the original on March 17, 2022. Retrieved May 1, 2024.
  15. ^ a b "鄭保瑞重塑寨城日常 三不管以外老香港故事" (in Chinese). Ming Pao. April 19, 2024. Archived from the original on May 1, 2024. Retrieved May 1, 2024.
  16. ^ a b c d e f g 鄭天儀 (April 30, 2024). "【城寨專訪系列 4】還原城寨移動城堡 另一夢幻「big 貴完」麥國強：「拆景時像失去一個家」｜2024 香港電影" (in Chinese). The Culturist. Archived from the original on May 1, 2024. Retrieved May 1, 2024.
  17. ^ a b c d e Wong, Nic (April 27, 2024). "《九龍城寨》原著作者余兒專訪｜小說是原點，漫畫發揚光大" (in Chinese). Jet Magazine. Archived from the original on May 1, 2024. Retrieved May 1, 2024.
  18. ^ a b 許育民 (April 16, 2024). "九龍城寨之圍城｜3億重現80年代景象　古天樂︰似媽媽的餸難忘" (in Chinese). HK01. Archived from the original on August 19, 2024. Retrieved May 1, 2024.
  19. ^ a b c "慌死疫襲妻女！林峯匿車廂開餐　Cut機光速笠罩" (in Chinese). Oriental Daily News. March 23, 2022. Archived from the original on May 1, 2024. Retrieved May 1, 2024.
  20. ^ "張松枝確診求助無門在家隔離" (in Chinese). Sing Tao Daily. February 26, 2022. Retrieved May 1, 2024.
  21. ^ "林峯首亮相ViuTV 唔怕娘家不滿 稱跟無綫冇約：乾乾淨淨" (in Chinese). Ming Pao. April 18, 2022. Archived from the original on August 19, 2024. Retrieved May 1, 2024.
  22. ^ Cite error: The named reference cannes was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
[edit]
This page will be placed in the following categories if it is moved to the article namespace.
Categories:
  • Louis Koo as Cyclone: a martial arts master who strives to protect the safety and stability of the residents in the Kowloon Walled City.[1]
  • Sammo Hung as Mr. Big: a crime lord who is solely focused on maximizing his wealth and personal interests.[2][1]
  • Richie Jen as Chau: a mafia boss-turned-landlord and the blood.[3]
  • Raymond Lam as Chan Lok Kwan (陳洛軍): a refugee who settled in the walled city but became entangled in the chaos within and faced the imminent demolition of the city.[2][4]
  • Terrance Lau as Shin (信一): the loyal second-in-command of Tornado's outlaw gang who later becomes a companion to Chan.[5][2]
  • Kenny Wong as Uncle Tiger (Tiger叔)[5]
  • Philip Ng as Wong Gau (王九): Mr. Big's right-hand man.[1] Cheang modified the settings of Wong in the comics from a martial artist in Qing Dynasty attire with the ability to conjure a canopy aura to a modern hooligan with the power of Chinese spirit possession.[4]
  • Tony Wu as Twelfth Master (十二少): a katana-wielding member of Tornado's outlaw gang who later becomes a companion to Chan.[2][6]
  • German Cheung as AV (四仔): a kickboxer in Tornado's outlaw gang who later becomes a companion to Chan.[2][6] Cheang revised AV's backstory and replaced his iconic face-mask in the comic with a medical gauze mask.[4]
Once Upon a Time in HKDSE
Traditional Chinese公開試當真
Directed byLeung Yik-ho
Produced byHui Yin
Neo Yau
Man Wing-cheung
Chan Yat-long
StarringHui Yin
Tang Ngai-hong
CinematographyLeung Yik-ho
Edited byWilliam Chang
Music byJan Curious
Production
company
Distributed byGolden Scene
Release dates
  • June 23, 2024 (2024-06-23) (Elements)
  • July 4, 2024 (2024-07-04) (Hong Kong)
Running time
90 minutes
CountryHong Kong
LanguageCantonese

Once Upon a Time in HKDSE is a 2024 Hong Kong documentary film produced by the YouTube channel Trial & Error. Starring the channel's founder, Hui Yin, and a secondary school student, Tang Ngai-hong, the film documents their preparation for the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education examinations and focuses on the exam culture of the city. Originally released on YouTube as a video series, it went viral on the internet and received positive feedback, leading to the production of an expanded and re-edited version as a feature film.

The film premiered on June 23, 2024 at Elements, Hong Kong, followed by a theatrical release on July 4.

Cast

[edit]
Cast Episode 1 Episode 2 Episode 3 Episode 4 Episode 5 Episode 6 Episode 7 Ref.
Sylvia Chang Wu Yuenu Wu Yuenu Wu Yuenu Wu Yuenu Wu Yuenu Wu Yuenu Wu Yuenu
Lee Kang-sheng Tang Niansheng Yong Tang Niansheng
Michael Huang Guo Boxiang Guo Boxiang
David Wu Guo Liren [7]
Tracy Chou Guo Xinyi Yunxin Madame Hong [7][8][9]
Kenny Yen Guo Qichao [7]
Eleven Yao Xiaosu Limin Police officer Zian Zian
Duan Chun-hao Wang Changsheng Police officer Police officer Hao Duan
Hsueh Shih-ling Mourning Hall Mysterious Extra Yunlong Yunlong [10][11]
Nikki Hsieh Red Light District Extra Sijie /Sichun Wu Yuenu Wu Yuenu [10][12][13]
Jason King Baoqiang Duan's father [7]
Garfield Chung Wenjian [7]
JC Lin Guan [7]
Tony Yang Liu Changkun Liu Changkun
Runyin Bai Lun Lun [14]
Buffy Chen Wen Wen [15]
Aileen Tan Yu [16]
Romeo Tan Alun [16]
Ryan Tang Ping [7]
Sean Huang Ayuan / Axiang Axiang
Rima Zeidan Detective Police officer [12]
Heaven Hai Ping's wife [17]
Prince of Erebor/sandbox2
Directed byRiley Yip
Written byRiley Yip
Sze Ling-ling
Produced byFruit Chan
StarringMarife Yau
Sheena Chan
CinematographyRick Lau
Edited byLee Him-ming
Music bySara Fung
Production
company
The Wonder Film Production
Distributed bymm2 Entertainment
Release dates
  • 18 October 2024 (2024-10-18) (Hong Kong Asian Film Festival)
  • 21 November 2024 (2024-11-21) (Hong Kong)
Running time
97 minutes
CountryHong Kong
LanguageCantonese

Blossoms Under Somewhere (Chinese: 寄了一整個春天) is a 2024 Hong Kong drama film directed and co-written by Riley Yip, marking their directorial debut as part of the First Feature Film Initiative, and produced by Fruit Chan. Starring Marife Yau and Sheena Chan as a pair of schoolgirls, the film explores their experiences while selling lingerie they have worn online and the unexpected attention they attracted.

After initially leaving the film industry following her work on Weeds on Fire (2016), screenwriter Riley Yip developed the screenplay in 2019 and was subsequently selected for the First Feature Film Initiative. Principal photography took place in 2023, primarily at the Ebenezer School & Home for the Visually Impaired. The film also features two theme songs performed by Marife Yau.

The film had its world premiere as the opening film of the 21st Hong Kong Asian Film Festival on 18 October 2024, followed by a theatrical release in Hong Kong on 21 November.

Synopsis

[edit]

Ching, a secondary school girl who struggles with stuttering, begins selling the lingeries she wears online for extra pocket money, encouraged by her best friend, Rachel. As she attracts a group of regular patrons, Ching enjoys their compliments and starts chatting with them regularly. Following Rachel's suggestion, they decide to expand their business by creating a fake account posing as a flight attendant, realizing that such pants can fetch several thousand dollars online. Several patrons also request face-to-face transactions. However, during her first meeting, Ching gets her menstruation and tries to cancel. The patron pressures her to proceed, insisting on buying the stained pants, and her stuttering prevents her from saying no. Although the patron pays her an extra thousand dollars, the experience frightens Ching and exacerbates her anxiety about stuttering.

Ching grows closer to another patron, finding their conversations enlightening and his social media photos appealing. She discovers his real identity as Gabriel Lau, a university physics professor, and begins skipping classes to attend his lectures. She is increasingly attracted to him, especially by his humorous teaching style, but soon learns he is married. Despite this, Lau continues to suggest face-to-face meetings while chatting online. After discussing it with Rachel, Ching agrees to meet him, but her concerns about her stuttering resurface before the transaction. Eventually, she asks Rachel to meet Lau in her place while she observes from a distance. The meetup goes well, and Lau exchanges contact information with Rachel. They start chatting frequently and meet up to trade lingeries. After witnessing Lau treat Rachel to lunch at a hotel, Ching feels jealous. She bakes a cake and tries to find Lau at university but fails to present herself again. Lau awkwardly accepts her cake but quickly tries to leave, finding her strange. In an impulsive move, Ching pulls out her worn lingeries and attempts to gift them to Lau, triggering Lau and causing him to throw both the cake and the pants to the ground in rage.

Hurt by his reaction, Ching seeks revenge by posting photos of Lau and Rachel's meetups along with their conversation records about selling lingeries on an online forum. The post sparks backlash, revealing Lau's personal information and severely damaging his reputation. Lau desperately calls Rachel, asking why she betrays him, but she has just realized she has been victimized as well. She confronts Ching, leading to the end of their friendship. In retaliation, Lau prints Rachel's photos with defamatory slogans and displays them near her school. The next morning, the school notices the incident and gathers all students in the hall, with the discipline master demanding to check everyone's schoolbags to identify those involved. Due to Ching's stuttering, classmates exploit her inability to refuse and hide their lingeries in forbidden colours or patterns in her bag. The search produces no results, but the discipline master recognizes Rachel and confronts her. In a moment of distraction, Ching rushes out of the hall and throws her schoolbag full of pants onto the playground, laughing and reconciling with Rachel.

Cast

[edit]
  • Marife Yau as Ching, a high-achieving school girl from a prestigious secondary school who struggles with stuttering[18]
  • Sheena Chan [zh] as Rachel, Ching's best friend who sells lingeries with her[18]
  • Shin Cheung [zh] as Ben, a delivery boy acquainted with Ching[18]
  • Adam Pak as Gabriel Lau, a university professor and a patron of Ching[18]
  • Paisley Wu as Lady Snape, the discipline master of Ching and Rachel's school[19]

Also featuring cameo appearances by George Au as Ben's delivery colleague;[20] and producer Fruit Chan as one of Ching's patrons.[21]

Production

[edit]

Development

[edit]
Sheena Chan (left), Marife Yau, and Riley Yip at an early screening at Langham Place in November 2024

After co-writing Weeds on Fire (2016), screenwriter Riley Yip initially decided to leave the film industry to study aviation in Adelaide and pursue a career as a pilot.[22] While awaiting her pilot examination results, she learned that the First Feature Film Initiative had increased its budget and winner quotas, and producer Steve Chan [zh] encouraged her to join the project.[22] She began developing the screenplay in 2019, aiming to create a story about stuttering inspired by Yukio Mishima's 1956 novel The Temple of the Golden Pavilion.[23] In the original script, both protagonists were physically disabled, one with a stutter and the other with dyslexia, but Yip found it challenging to portray their communication and subsequently changed their character settings.[22] The film won the Initiative under the working title The Wonder and was selected as part of the sixth wave in 2020.[24][25] After winning the Initiative, Yip refined the screenplay with producer Fruit Chan during the COVID-19 pandemic, changing the ending from tragic to comedic in order to create a "lighter and more energetic" film that contrasted with the prevailing social atmosphere.[22] To conduct field research, she joined Telegram groups selling second-hand lingeries while disguising herself as a patron.[23]

Due to the controversial subject matter of selling used lingeries, Yip described the film as focusing on "a business surrounding subculture" while advertising for the auditions.[23] Casting lasted two months, during which some participants dropped out upon learning the film's true context.[23] After struggling to find an actress for Rachel, Yip approached Sheena Chan [zh] after her friend showed her a music video of a Taiwanese singer featuring Chan.[22] The film marks the feature film debuts of girl group Collar member Marife Yau, Sheena Chan, Shin Cheung [zh], and singer Paisley Wu;[21] with Yau, Chan, and Cheung having previously collaborated in the ViuTV thriller series Left On Read [zh] (2023).[26] Before reading the screenplay, Yau and Chan were unaware that people sold their worn lingeries online.[26] To prepare for her role as a girl who stutters, Yau watched documentaries, communicated from real stammerers, and trained with a speech therapist, where she had to learn how to speak with a stutter.[26][27]

Filming and post-production

[edit]
The school scenes were filmed at the Ebenezer School & Home for the Visually Impaired

Principal photography began in late March 2023,[25] shortly after the controversial release of the school girl-themed documentary To My Nineteen-Year-Old Self [zh] (2022), and the school that had initially leased its campus to the crew withdrew permission on the second day of filming due to the controversy.[22][a] On the fifth day, the crew also lost the apartment used as the set for Ching's home, when the entire building changed ownership, and the new landlord refused to allow filming.[22] The crew found a substitute location at the Ebenezer School & Home for the Visually Impaired for the school scenes on the seventh day, but since the facilities were designed for visually impaired students, the hall and playground scenes were shot at Ying Wa Girls' School and a gymnasium instead.[22]

Yip initially opposed filming close-up shots of the lingerie, but she proceeded at the advice of Fruit Chan and later found that footage very useful during post-production editing.[23] The film's title was changed to Blossoms Under Somewhere after production was completed, as Yip had originally envisioned it as an art-house film but found it less dramatic after filming wrapped, prompting a title change following discussions with Chan.[30] In May 2024, the film was presented at the Marche du Film,[31] and mm2 Entertainment acquired worldwide distribution rights that same month.[32] In October, it was also presented at the Asian Contents & Film Market.[33]

Music

[edit]

Blossoms Under Somewhere was scored by Sara Fung [zh].[34] Its theme song, "Laki Kaki", was composed by Fung, with lyrics by Yvette Wong [zh] and Chow Yiu-fai [zh], and performed by Marife Yau.[35] It also featured an interlude titled "Something About You", co-performed by Yau and Sheena Chan.[36]

Release

[edit]

Blossoms Under Somewhere had its world premiere as the opening film of the 21st Hong Kong Asian Film Festival [zh] on 18 October 2024,[37][38] and was screened in competition for the NETPAC Award at the 2024 Golden Horse Film Festival.[39][40] The film premiered at Causeway Bay, Hong Kong on 14 November,[41] and was theatrically released in Hong Kong on 21 November.[42]

Reception

[edit]

Box office

[edit]

Blossoms Under Somewhere debuted with a gross of less than HKD$100,000 on its opening day,[43] and accumulated HKD$597,000 by the sixth day,[44] with HK01 described the figures as "so-so".[45] Due to its unsatisfactory commercial performance, cinemas began to reduce showings of the film starting in its second week of release.[45][46]

Critical response

[edit]

Edmund Lee of South China Morning Post gave the film 2.5/5 stars, describing it as "a fairly unrealistic tale of misguided youth" while emphasizing its "perilous undertaking for young girls", and criticizing the writers for failing to fully utilize the "juicy premise", as well as calling the third act "contrived and out of character and remains largely unresolved", although he acknowledged Marife Yau's "charismatic performance" in her debut role, which he felt was "lessened by a story this lightweight and inconsequential".[18] Alan Chu of United Daily News found the film to be a "clichéd commercial comedy" that lacks depth in its social commentary on female growth and empowerment, while also failing to deliver a light and amusing tone.[47]

Calvin Choi, reviewing for my903.com, argued that while films can effectively tackle morally ambiguous subjects and praised Sheena Chan's performance, Blossoms Under Somewhere fails to develop character motivations and explore moral dilemmas, particularly criticizing the protagonist Ching's "absolutely selfish" personality and noting that the story concludes in "a naive and contrived manner", suggesting that "the creators were incapable of wrapping things up".[48] Ho Tak of Harper's Bazaar also offered a critical review and noted that although the theme and premise are intriguing, the narrative is imbalanced due to an excessive focus on Ching and Rachel's friendship, neglecting important elements like Ching's motivations and background, and rendering Adam Pak's character one-dimensional, ultimately resulting in an unsatisfying and incomplete ending marked by a slow pace and overlapping plot points.[49]

Amy Mullins of China Daily described the film as "a surprisingly assured and astute debut" from director-screenwriter Riley Yip, presenting a feminist coming-of-age story that features strong character agency, natural performances, and a straightforward narrative style.[50] Keith Ho, writing for HK01, also commended the film's unique exploration of teenage emotions and highlighted the impressive performances of Yau and Chan, but noted that it fails to fully leverage its themes of personal struggle and moral ambiguity, resulting in an open ending that may not resonate with all viewers.[51]

Awards and nominations

[edit]
Year Award Category Nominee Result Ref.
2024 2024 Golden Horse Film Festival NETPAC Award — Nominated [39]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ The documentary film To My Nineteen-Year-Old Self [zh] focuses on six schoolgirls, documenting both their secondary school experiences and personal lives, but it was theatrically released without the consent of the interviewees, leading to significant online backlash, especially after the film was awarded Best Film in the 41st Hong Kong Film Awards.[28][29]
  1. ^ a b c "九龍城寨之圍城丨動作篇製作特輯揭演員訓練過程　古天樂與洪金寶首拍對打戲獲讚賞" (in Chinese). TOPick. April 9, 2024. Archived from the original on 9 April 2024. Retrieved April 19, 2024.
  2. ^ a b c d e "John Chong on Making 'Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In' an Authentic Dive into Notorious Kowloon Walled City and Yet Emblematic of Hong Kong's New Wave (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. March 14, 2023. Archived from the original on 23 March 2023. Retrieved April 19, 2024.
  3. ^ 莫匡堯 (March 30, 2024). "九龍城寨之圍城︱龍卷風古天樂型到炸裂　電影VS港漫造型終極對比" (in Chinese). HK01. Archived from the original on April 19, 2024. Retrieved April 19, 2024.
  4. ^ a b c "鄭保瑞重塑寨城日常 三不管以外老香港故事" (in Chinese). Ming Pao. April 19, 2024. Archived from the original on 18 April 2024. Retrieved April 19, 2024.
  5. ^ a b "【九龍城寨】古天樂+林峯演經典港漫角色　監製莊澄：100%還原城寨面貌" (in Chinese). TOPick. March 16, 2023. Archived from the original on 30 March 2024. Retrieved April 19, 2024.
  6. ^ a b "《九龍城寨之圍城》5月1日上映 重現城寨舊貌 瘋狂打鬥活現漫畫角色" (in Chinese). Ming Pao. March 29, 2024. Archived from the original on 19 April 2024. Retrieved April 19, 2024.
  7. ^ a b c d e f g Chou, Inna (25 March 2022). "《良辰吉時》張艾嘉、楊祐寧、謝欣穎黃金演員齊聚！故事劇情、角色介紹". Vogue Taiwan (in Chinese). Archived from the original on 26 May 2022. Retrieved 17 September 2024.
  8. ^ "【開箱】《良辰吉時》 故事多謎團不乏佳句 佳章或爛尾待結局揭盅". Ming Pao (in Chinese). 18 April 2022. Archived from the original on 18 April 2022. Retrieved 17 September 2024.
  9. ^ 陳郁文 (14 October 2022). "金鐘專訪／周采詩遭酸「演技爛」如針扎心　入圍比被求婚還激動". TVBS News (in Chinese). Archived from the original on 17 September 2024. Retrieved 17 September 2024.
  10. ^ a b "《良辰吉時》1-2集劇評：腦洞大開的異度空間". Catchplay (in Chinese). 23 October 2022. Archived from the original on 17 September 2024. Retrieved 17 September 2024.
  11. ^ 劉衛莉 (18 June 2022). "【專訪】薛仕凌向《良辰吉時》同劇演員賠罪道歉　都是因為他". Mirror News (in Chinese). Archived from the original on 17 September 2024. Retrieved 17 September 2024.
  12. ^ a b Hsiao, Angeline; Lee, Christine (22 October 2022). "《良辰吉時》劇情太難懂？「生死的議題太大，可能一生都在持續摸索。」讓導演、楊祐寧與謝欣穎為你解析". Harper's Bazaar (in Chinese). Archived from the original on 17 September 2024. Retrieved 17 September 2024.
  13. ^ Huang, Yves (27 February 2024). "《良辰吉時》完結篇！謝欣穎、張艾嘉神秘關係是？姚以緹嘆比演死屍難". Marie Claire (in Chinese). Archived from the original on 17 September 2024. Retrieved 17 September 2024.
  14. ^ Deng, Christy (29 March 2022). "【專訪】《良辰吉時》劇情探討生死幕後卻超歡樂？楊祐寧為戲遭路人側目，謝欣穎演屍體被薛仕凌戳鼻孔". Elle (in Chinese). Archived from the original on 17 September 2024. Retrieved 17 September 2024.
  15. ^ 廖福生 (9 April 2022). "專訪／陳姸霏自爆「香菜控」　宅家靠媽媽牌外送當軟爛女兒". TVBS News (in Chinese). Archived from the original on 7 May 2024. Retrieved 17 September 2024.
  16. ^ a b "赴台隔離拍《良辰吉時》 陳麗貞 陳羅密歐：美好回憶". Guang Ming Daily (in Chinese). 11 April 2022. Archived from the original on 17 September 2024. Retrieved 17 September 2024.
  17. ^ "《良辰吉時》劇情、演員名單、播出時間、最新預告花絮搶先看". Catchplay (in Chinese). 10 March 2022. Archived from the original on 27 September 2024. Retrieved 17 September 2024.
  18. ^ a b c d e Lee, Edmund (19 November 2024). "Blossoms Under Somewhere movie review: Collar's Marf Yau shines in lightweight youth drama". South China Morning Post. Retrieved 13 December 2024.
  19. ^ "《寄了一整個春天》獲選為亞洲電影節開幕電影 Marf@Collar期待新片與大家見面". Ming Pao (in Chinese). 14 September 2024. Retrieved 13 December 2024.
  20. ^ mm2 Entertainment [@mm2hongkong] (8 December 2024). "被刪減片段公開 663工作日常". Retrieved 13 December 2024 – via Instagram.
  21. ^ a b "寄了一整個春天︱ 邱彥筒演活口吃少女獲觀眾激讚". East Week (in Chinese). 19 October 2024. Retrieved 13 December 2024.
  22. ^ a b c d e f g h Wong, Gary (21 November 2024). "【專訪】《寄了一整個春天》導演葉鈺瀛 主演陳書昕". Film Pilgrimage (in Chinese). Retrieved 13 December 2024.
  23. ^ a b c d e 華疌 (22 November 2024). "2024金馬影展 │從天而降的內褲雨，閉翳青春的風景線：專訪《寄了一整個春天》導演葉鈺瀛". Golden Horse Film Festival (in Chinese). Retrieved 13 December 2024.
  24. ^ 郭靖言 (23 November 2024). "《寄了一整個春天》：文青魔幻戲 陳書昕出色". Yahoo! News (in Chinese). Retrieved 13 December 2024.
  25. ^ a b Wong, Silva (14 March 2023). ""A ripple will become a force": Hong Kong's fresh wave of rising filmmakers". Screen Daily. Retrieved 13 December 2024.
  26. ^ a b c Wong, Nic (20 November 2024). "《寄了一整個春天》邱彥筒、陳書昕專訪｜盛夏萌芽，春天綻放". Jet Magazine (in Chinese). Retrieved 13 December 2024.
  27. ^ 莫匡堯 (18 October 2024). "寄了一整個春天︱Marf為演出逆向練口吃　清場拍除底褲：少少尷尬". HK01 (in Chinese). Retrieved 13 December 2024.
  28. ^ 李若如 (7 February 2023). "港紀錄片《給十九歲的我》無事主同意即公映　引未成年人私隱爭議". Radio Free Asia (in Chinese). Retrieved 14 December 2024.
  29. ^ Loh, Nina (17 April 2023). "紀錄片《給十九歲的我》奪香港金像獎最佳電影惹爭議". SBS Australia (in Chinese). Retrieved 14 December 2024.
  30. ^ "【寄了一整個春天專訪（上）】邱彥筒戲中賣二手內褲　陳書昕：一種心靈寄託". Entertainment on Line (in Chinese). 20 November 2024. Retrieved 13 December 2024.
  31. ^ Wong, Silva (16 May 2024). "Cannes 2024: The hot projects from Hong Kong and China". Screen Daily. Retrieved 13 December 2024.
  32. ^ Wong, Silva (15 May 2024). "mm2 boards Fruit Chan-produced 'Blossoms Under Somewhere' (exclusive)". Screen Daily. Retrieved 13 December 2024.
  33. ^ Wong, Silva (5 October 2024). "Hong Kong's First Feature Film Initiative showcasing projects at ACFM". Screen Daily. Retrieved 13 December 2024.
  34. ^ "《寄了》流動車宣傳 陳書昕首度Busking 偕導演謝票感觸落淚". Ming Pao (in Chinese). 25 November 2024. Retrieved 13 December 2024.
  35. ^ "Marf 邱彥筒新歌《㪐㩿（電影《寄一整個春天》主題曲）》｜歌詞＋新歌試聽＋MV". Weekend Weekly (in Chinese). 8 December 2024. Retrieved 13 December 2024.
  36. ^ 許育民 (25 November 2024). "寄了一整個春天｜陳書昕流動車唱主題曲　謝票時突感觸落淚". HK01 (in Chinese). Retrieved 13 December 2024.
  37. ^ Cheung, Catharina (9 October 2024). "21st Hong Kong Asian Film Festival 2024". Time Out (in Chinese). Retrieved 13 December 2024.
  38. ^ "《寄了一整個春天》亞洲電影節開幕禮首度放映 Marf首次大銀幕演出獲觀眾激讚". Bastille Post (in Chinese). 18 October 2024. Retrieved 13 December 2024.
  39. ^ a b 祁玲 (15 October 2024). "跟著「青少年標章」看電影　金馬影展精選35部闔家共賞片單". Mirror Media (in Chinese). Retrieved 25 October 2024.
  40. ^ 江昭倫 (9 October 2024). "2024金馬影展公布亞洲及華語強片 坎城評審團大獎名單在列". Radio Taiwan International (in Chinese). Retrieved 13 December 2024.
  41. ^ "邱彥筒首擔正賣二手內褲 與柏天男拍親密戲安心不尷尬 已向男友報備直言對方想演文青戲". Sing Tao Daily (in Chinese). 15 November 2024. Retrieved 13 December 2024.
  42. ^ "寄了一整個春天｜Marf陳書昕化身學生現身謝票 監製陳果變身訓導主任". Bastille Post (in Chinese). 4 November 2024. Retrieved 13 December 2024.
  43. ^ 李國樑 (29 November 2024). "寄了一整個春天｜Marf新戲謝票因身體抱恙射波 自爆家中大玩化妝Cosplay捱轟". U Lifestyle (in Chinese). Retrieved 13 December 2024.
  44. ^ "桂綸鎂《台北通緝令》香港票房僅25萬，黃子華《破地獄》達9594萬". 163.com (in Chinese). 26 November 2024. Retrieved 13 December 2024.
  45. ^ a b 鄧穎琪 (1 December 2024). "寄了一整個春天｜Marf病癒復工　與團隊打游擊謝票到凌晨有求必應". HK01 (in Chinese). Retrieved 13 December 2024.
  46. ^ 文佩卿 (4 December 2024). "寄了一整個春天". Ming Pao (in Chinese). Retrieved 13 December 2024.
  47. ^ Chu, Alan (19 November 2024). "2024金馬影展奈派克獎11部入圍影片總評：最愛《青春末世物語》《白衣蒼狗》與《黎明時道別傷感》". United Daily News (in Chinese). Retrieved 13 December 2024.
  48. ^ Choi, Calvin (13 November 2024). "《寄了一整個春天》——為了陳書昕，有需要入戲院睇". my903.com (in Chinese). Retrieved 13 December 2024.
  49. ^ Ho, Tak (29 November 2024). "《寄了一整個春天》影評｜Marf 與陳書昕交織的少女夢，以賣內褲道出青春迷思". Harper's Bazaar (in Chinese). Retrieved 13 December 2024.
  50. ^ Mullins, Amy (22 November 2024). "Honest depictions of pain and raw emotions". China Daily. Retrieved 13 December 2024.
  51. ^ Ho, Keith (24 November 2024). "《寄了一整個春天》綻放如花　獨特手法窺探少女心事". HK01 (in Chinese). Retrieved 13 December 2024.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=User:Prince_of_Erebor/sandbox2&oldid=1262904844"