Lockdown (2022 film)

Last updated

Lockdown
Directed byBizhan Tong
Written byBizhan Tong
Produced by
  • Bizhan Tong
  • Philip Ma
Starring
Edited byMitchell Tolliday
Production
companies
  • Phoenix Waters Productions
  • AMM Global Media
CountriesUnited Kingdom
Hong Kong
LanguageEnglish

Lockdown is a 2022 global pandemic thriller film written and directed by Bizhan Tong. The film stars Xander Berkeley and Kevin Leslie, with an international cast including Anita Chui, John Savage, Alix Wilton Regan, Pamela Nomvete, and Mike Leeder in supporting roles.

Contents

Lockdown tells the story of an actor who enters an audition and is forced by the casting director to pass a series of tests or else someone around him will die. Despite challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic the movie was written, financed, and filmed around the world including Hong Kong, the UK, USA, Italy, and Japan entirely during that period.

In September 2021, Lockdown made history as the world's 1st hybrid NFT feature and Asia's 1st NFT feature film with 5 copies minted as NFTs in advance of a traditional release. [1] [2] [3]

Plot

While the world continues to grapple with the COVID-19 pandemic and much of the world is in lockdown, actor Larry Boyle enters an audition where casting director Joel forces him to pass a series of tests in order to keep those around him alive.

As events escalate and more people around the world are trapped in Joel's web Larry must confront his past, overcome his present, and answer the most pressing question about this game - Why?

Production

Following a partnership between Asia Television and Phoenix Waters Productions whereby Bizhan Tong would develop several Films, Series, and Variety shows for the Hong Kong broadcaster as its Executive Producer, Lockdown was the first project placed under development. [4] Principal photography commenced in September 2020, with Bizhan Tong directing a screenplay he had written in response to the passing of his mentor and the George Floyd protests which took place in the weeks after. Filming wrapped in November and was announced in December 2020. [5] The film is an international co-production with scenes shot around the world including the UK, Hong Kong, USA, Italy and Japan. It is also the launch of a new international franchise with plans for the sequel to expand to South Korea with Tong already in talks with a Korean star. [6] In January 2021 amid a corporate restructuring, AMM Global Media was formed as part of the ATV Group in order to devote itself entirely to creative entertainment with international appeal, with all 19 of Tong's creative projects including Lockdown (2021) shifting there, and Tong's remit expanding to act as its executive director. An eclectic cast was hired for the production ranging from Do the Right Thing actor John Savage and The Walking Dead actor Xander Berkeley to AV Idol Meguri. [7]

On March 15, 2021 the trailer and poster for Lockdown was released to coincide with FILMART. [8]

The film was shot between September and November 2020. In order to minimize risk of COVID-19 infection, separate production teams were hired in the UK, Hong Kong, and Japan with the director being the only member of the production who would fly between sets. In other cases the actors were directed remotely.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">TVB</span> Television broadcasting company based in Hong Kong

Television Broadcasts Limited is a television broadcasting company based in Hong Kong. The company operates five free-to-air terrestrial television channels in Hong Kong, with TVB Jade as its main Cantonese language service, and TVB Pearl as its main English service. TVB is headquartered at TVB City at the Tseung Kwan O Industrial Estate.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Asia Television</span> Online media company in Hong Kong

Asia Television Limited is a digital media and broadcasting company in Hong Kong. Established as the first television service in Hong Kong as Rediffusion Television on 29 May 1957, it shifted to terrestrial television on 30 November 1973 and was renamed Asia Television on 24 September 1982. ATV operated two main over-the-air channels: the Cantonese-language ATV Home and the English-language ATV World.

Disney Networks Group Asia Pacific was a Hong Kong–based commercial broadcasting company operating multiple specialty television channels. The company was founded in 1991 by Hong Kong businessman Richard Li.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Simon Yam</span> Hong Kong actor and film producer

Simon Yam Tat-wah is a Hong Kong actor and film producer. He received international acclaim for his performances in international film festival and box office hits such as Naked Killer, SPL: Sha Po Lang, Election, Election 2, Exiled, Lara Croft: Tomb Raider – The Cradle of Life and The Thieves.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stanley Tong</span> Hong Kong film director

Stanley Tong is a Hong Kong film director, producer, stunt choreographer, screenwriter, entrepreneur and philanthropist. He is known for directing action-adventure films, including several with Jackie Chan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Peter Chan</span> Hong Kong filmmaker

Peter Ho-sun Chan, also known as Peter Chan, is a Hong Kong-born filmmaker best known for directing films that span a wide range of genres, including romantic comedies, musical dramas, and historical epics. He is recognized as one of the most prominent directors in Chinese cinema, being the first director to win Best Director awards at the Hong Kong Film Awards, the Golden Horse Awards, and the China Golden Rooster Awards.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gordon Lam</span> Hong Kong actor and screenwriter (born 1967)

Gordon Lam Ka-tung is a Hong Kong actor, film producer and screenwriter. Initially known for his supporting roles in films directed by Andrew Lau and Johnnie To, Lam eventually became a lead actor in the Hong Kong film industry, appearing in the 2013 box-office hit Firestorm and the Hong Kong Film Award-winning 2016 film Trivisa, which also netted him the Hong Kong Film Award for Best Actor.

Kelvin Tong Weng Kian is a Singaporean film director, screenwriter and producer. He was a former film critic for The Straits Times.

Peter Loehr is an American film producer and executive who spent the bulk of his career in Asia.

The 9th Asian Film Awards are the 2015 edition of the Asian Film Awards. The ceremony was held at the Venetian Theatre in The Venetian Casino and Hotel in Macau.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Viu (streaming service)</span> Hong Kong streaming service

Viu is a Hong Kong-based over-the-top video on demand streaming service from PCCW Media Group's Viu International Ltd. Operated in a dual-revenue model comprising subscriptions and advertising, Viu delivers content in different genres from Asia's top content providers with local language subtitles, as well as original production series under the Viu Original initiative.

<i>Where the Wind Blows</i> 2022 Hong Kong film

Where the Wind Blows, previously known as Theory of Ambitions, is a 2022 Hong Kong crime thriller film written and directed by Philip Yung and starring Aaron Kwok and Tony Leung Chiu-wai respectively as Lui Lok and Lam Kong, two notorious corrupt Hong Kong police officers during the 1960s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anita Chui</span> Hong Kong actress (born 1988)

Anita Chui is a Hong Kong-born actress and singer. Chui has acted in both local and international films, and is the author of two books. Her debut single, Get it Right, was released in 2022.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Philip Keung</span> Hong Kong actor and film producer

Philip Keung Ho-man is a Hong Kong actor and film producer. Keung began his acting career as a television actor in 1985 for Asia Television (ATV), and also began appearing in films from 1988. He eventually left ATV in 2010 and became a full-time film actor while occasionally acting in television series from time to time. In 2017, Keung was nominated for the Hong Kong Film Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in the 2016 film Trivisa, and in the following year, Keung won the award for his performance in the 2017 film Shock Wave.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">GagaOOLala</span> Video on demand service specializing in LGBT content

GagaOOLala is a Taiwan-based worldwide subscription video on demand service, specializing in uncensored LGBT-related films, LGBT made-for television films and contemporary LGBT television drama series. It has partnered with Japanese-based Line TV, initially in Thailand, and then across Asia, to provide the service with GagaOOLala-made TV series. GagaOOLala is owned by Portico Media, whose also carried pay TV channels for Taiwan cable TV provider along with Chunghwa Telecom's MOD platform.

<i>On the Job: The Missing 8</i> 2021 Philippine crime thriller film

On the Job: The Missing 8 is a 2021 Philippine crime thriller film directed by Erik Matti and written by Michiko Yamamoto. The sequel to the 2013 film On the Job, it tells the story of a journalist who investigates the mysterious disappearance of his colleagues, and a prisoner who is temporarily freed to carry out assassinations. The film stars an ensemble cast that consists of John Arcilla, Dennis Trillo, Dante Rivero, Lotlot de Leon, Christopher de Leon, Leo Martinez, Joey Marquez, Eric Fructuoso, Vandolph Quizon, Agot Isidro, Sol Cruz, Wendell Ramos, Lao Rodriguez, Andrea Brillantes, Isabelle de Leon, Ina Feleo, Megan Young, Levi Ignacio, and Carlos Siguion-Rivera.

<i>Zero Contact</i> 2021 American film

Zero Contact is a 2021 American thriller film directed by Rick Dugdale and starring Anthony Hopkins. It was the first feature film to be released via Vuele, a non-fungible token platform.

<i>Anita</i> (2021 film) 2021 Hong Kong film

Anita is a 2021 Hong Kong biographical musical drama film about Cantopop star Anita Mui directed by Longman Leung, with a script written by Leung and Jack Ng. Louise Wong, in her screen role debut, stars as the titular singer, depicting her life from childhood until her last moments before her death of cervical cancer in 2003. The film features an ensemble cast, including Fish Liew, Gordon Lam and Louis Koo in supporting roles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">16th Asian Film Awards</span> Asian Film Awards

The 16th Asian Film Awards was held on March 12, 2023 at Hong Kong Jockey Club Auditorium in Hong Kong Palace Museum. The nominations were announced on January 6, 2023. At the 16th edition of the awards ceremony, 30 films from 22 regions and countries were shortlisted for 81 nominations. South Korean film Decision to Leave received 10 nominations most for any film whereas Drive My Car with eight nominations was second.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">47th Hong Kong International Film Festival</span> Film festival in Hong Kong

The 47th Hong Kong International Film Festival took place from 30 March to 10 April 2023, both online and in-person in Hong Kong. Soi Cheang was selected as the Filmmaker in Focus for this edition and masterclasses led by Tsai Ming-liang and Lee Kang-sheng were featured.

References

  1. ↑ Frater, Patrick (September 20, 2021). "'Lockdown' Thriller to Be Offered as NFT Film Ahead of Theatrical Release". Variety .
  2. ↑ Grater, Tom (September 20, 2021). "Italian Influencers Chiara Ferragni & Fedez To Star In Amazon Series; Australian Racial Injustice Doc; Mike Downey Prague FF Award; Asia's First NFT Feature – Global Briefs". Deadline Hollywood .
  3. ↑ Na, Erika (September 26, 2021). "Five autumn NFT art auctions in Hong Kong, from Wong Kar-wai's In the Mood For Love footage to Shawn Yue's CryptoPunks and a feature film co-produced by ATV". South China Morning Post .
  4. ↑ Shackleton, Liz (February 25, 2021). "Hong Kong TV Production Looks to Reinvent Itself for the Streaming Era". Hong Kong Trade Development Council .
  5. ↑ Shackleton, Liz (December 23, 2020). "Hong Kong broadcaster ATV returns to production with UK's Phoenix Waters". Screen International .
  6. ↑ Frater, Patrick (March 15, 2021). "'Lockdown' Pandemic Thriller Unlocks Studio Era for Asia Television's AMM Global (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety .
  7. ↑ Sun, Andrew (March 7, 2021). "Asia Television gets reboot with new content production arm AMM, and dreams of rivalling Netflix, Viu TV and TVB". South China Morning Post .
  8. ↑ Frater, Patrick (March 15, 2021). "'Lockdown' Pandemic Thriller Unlocks Studio Era for Asia Television's AMM Global (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety .
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.