Sparrow | |
---|---|
Directed by | Johnnie To |
Written by | Chan Kin-Chung Fung Chih-chiang Milkyway Creative Team |
Produced by | Johnnie To |
Starring | Simon Yam Kelly Lin Gordon Lam Law Wing-cheung Kenneth Cheung |
Cinematography | Cheng Siu-Keung |
Edited by | David M. Richardson |
Music by | Xavier Jamaux Fred Avril |
Production companies | Universe Entertainment Milkyway Image |
Distributed by | Universe Films Distribution Co. Ltd. China Film Group |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 87 minutes |
Country | Hong Kong |
Language | Cantonese |
Budget | $0.8 million [1] |
Box office | $3.55 million [2] |
Sparrow (Chinese :文雀; pinyin :Wen que; Cantonese Yale :Man4 jeuk3) is a 2008 Hong Kong caper film produced and directed by Johnnie To. The film stars veteran Milkyway Image cast and crew alumni Simon Yam, Gordon Lam, Law Wing-cheung and Kenneth Cheung as a small gang of pickpockets, with each member being mysteriously approached by a beautiful Taiwanese woman (Kelly Lin) with a hidden agenda.
Sparrow remained in pre-production for three years from 2005 to 2008, with To shooting the film in between other projects. The film was selected in competition at the 58th Berlin International Film Festival, premiering during the festival in February 2008. It was released in Hong Kong on 19 June 2008.
Kei (Simon Yam) is the experienced leader of a team of pickpockets.(Pickpockets are also known as "Sparrows" in Hong Kong slang). He enjoys a carefree lifestyle taking photos with his vintage Rolleiflex. One day a dashing beauty, Chun-Lei (Kelly Lin), suddenly appears in Kei's viewfinder. Kei is mesmerized. Every member of his team has an encounter with her.... But behind Chun-lei's attractive facade lies a mysterious past and a mission to set herself free.
Role | Actor |
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Kei/The Sparrow | Simon Yam |
Chung Chun-lei | Kelly Lin |
Bo | Gordon Lam |
Sak | Law Wing-cheung |
Mac | Kenneth Cheung |
Fu Kim-tong | Lo Hoi-pang |
Lung | Lam Suet |
Director Johnnie To shot the film in Hong Kong over a three-year period. In an interview, To said he and his crew would shoot every three or four months between projects. [3]
Awards | |||
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Award | Category | Name | Outcome |
45th Golden Horse Film Awards | Best Original Film Score | Xavier Jamaux, Fred Avril | Nominated |
Best Cinematography | Cheng Siu-Keung | Won | |
28th Hong Kong Film Awards | Best Director | Johnnie To | Nominated |
Best Actor | Simon Yam | Nominated | |
Best Cinematography | Cheng Siu-Keung | Nominated | |
Best Film Editing | David M. Richardson | Nominated | |
Best Original Film Score | Xavier Jamaux, Fred Avril | Nominated | |
3rd Asian Film Awards | Best Cinematography | Cheng Siu-Keung | Nominated |
2008 Asia Pacific Screen Awards | Best Feature Film | Nominated | |
Best Achievement in Directing | Johnnie To | Nominated | |
Best Performance by an Actor | Simon Yam | Nominated | |
Best Achievement in Cinematography | Cheng Siu-Keung | Nominated |
Berlin International Film Festival | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Year | Award | Result | ||
2008 | Golden Bear | In Competition |
Johnnie To Kei-fung is a Hong Kong film director, screenwriter and film producer. Popular in his native Hong Kong, To has also found acclaim overseas. Intensely prolific, To has made films in a variety of genres, though in the West he is best known for his action and crime movies, which have earned him critical respect and a cult following, which includes American filmmaker Quentin Tarantino.
Exiled is a 2006 Hong Kong action drama film produced and directed by Johnnie To, and starring Anthony Wong, Francis Ng, Nick Cheung, Josie Ho, Roy Cheung and Lam Suet, with special appearances by Richie Jen and Simon Yam. The action takes place in contemporary Macau. The film made its premiere at the 63rd Venice International Film Festival, and was in competition for the Golden Lion.
Fulltime Killer is a 2001 Hong Kong action film produced and directed by Johnnie To, and also written, produced and directed by Wai Ka-fai, and also produced by and starring Andy Lau. The film was released on 3 August 2001.
Kelly Lin or Lin Hsi-Lei is a Taiwanese actress and model who has appeared mainly in Hong Kong films.
Election 2, also known as Triad Election in the United States, is a 2006 Category III Hong Kong crime film directed by Johnnie To with a large ensemble cast including Louis Koo, Simon Yam and Nick Cheung. A sequel to the 2005 film Election, the film concludes the events of the first film centring on triad boss Lok, who struggles to get re-elected as his two-year term approaches its end. He faces competition from Jimmy, who wants to retire from the triad to be a legitimate businessman, but gets drawn into the conflict surrounding the election.
PTU, also known as PTU: Police Tactical Unit, is a 2003 Hong Kong crime thriller film produced and directed by Johnnie To, starring Simon Yam, Maggie Shiu, Lam Suet and Ruby Wong.
Breaking News is a 2004 Hong Kong action film produced and directed by Johnnie To, and starring Richie Jen, Kelly Chen, Nick Cheung, Eddie Cheung, Simon Yam and Maggie Shiu. The film premiered out of competition at the 2004 Cannes Film Festival.
Dennis Law Sau-yiu is a Hong Kong film producer, screenwriter, actor, director and presenter. He is the former chairman and executive director of Milkyway Image, and a founder of its subsidiary company Point of View Movie Production Co. Ltd. Films directed by Law include teen comedies such as The Unusual Youth and Love @ First Note, and martial arts action films that include Fatal Contact and Fatal Move.
Eye in the Sky is a 2007 Hong Kong action thriller film starring Simon Yam, Tony Leung Ka-fai and Miss Hong Kong pageant winner Kate Tsui in her film debut. Yam and Tsui play surveillance operatives on the trail of a gang of professional robbers led by Chan Chong-Shan (Leung). The title is derived from the casino surveillance tech "eye in the sky". It marks the directorial debut of Yau Nai-hoi, a long-time screenwriter for films directed by Johnnie To, who co-produced the film with his production company Milkyway Image. Eye in the Sky premiered as an Official Selection at the 2007 Berlin International Film Festival, and as an Opening Film at the Hong Kong International Film Festival. It was released by Edko Films in Hong Kong on 21 June 2007.
Mad Detective is a 2007 Hong Kong action film produced and directed by Johnnie To and Wai Ka-Fai. Mad Detective was first screened at the 64th Venice International Film Festival, and later premiered at the 2007 Toronto International Film Festival, before being released in Hong Kong on 29 November 2007. The film's screenplay won "Best Screenplay" awards at various Asian film ceremonies.
Triangle is a 2007 Hong Kong action film produced and directed by Tsui Hark, Ringo Lam, and Johnnie To. The film's title refers to both the acclaimed trio of filmmakers and to the uneasy brotherhood of the film's three protagonists. Triangle tells one story which is told in three thirty-minute segments, independently helmed by the three directors. It stars Louis Koo, Simon Yam and Sun Honglei as a group of friends who uncover a hidden treasure that quickly draws attention among others. The film's tagline is "Temptation. Jealousy. Destiny." Each word is often associated with the segments that appear in chronological order.
The Unusual Youth is a 2005 Hong Kong teen comedy-drama film centering on five disillusioned Hong Kong teenagers living on the island of Cheung Chau as they try to deal with life in spite of family backgrounds. The film stars Race Wong of 2R fame, Yan Ng, Marco Lok and Raymond Wong. Several veteran Milkyway Image actors, which include Law Wing-Cheong, Cheung Siu-Fai, Lam Suet and Simon Yam make cameo appearances.
The Legend of the Book and Sword is a Hong Kong television series adapted from Louis Cha's novel The Book and the Sword. The series was first aired on TVB in Hong Kong in 1987.
Vengeance is a 2009 action thriller film co-produced and directed by Johnnie To, and written by Wai Ka-Fai. It stars Johnny Hallyday, Anthony Wong, Gordon Lam, Lam Suet, Simon Yam, Michelle Ye and Sylvie Testud. The film tells the story of Francis Costello, a French chef and former assassin whose daughter, son-in-law and grandchildren are attacked by a gang of Triads. Costello travels to Macau to embark on a quest for revenge, enlisting the aid of three hitmen. The film explores the themes of assassination, violence and the influence of Triads in modern society. Produced by Milkyway Image, the film was released by ARP Sélection in France, and Media Asia Films in Hong Kong.
Tactical Unit: Comrades in Arms is a 2009 Hong Kong film directed by Law Wing-Cheong. This film is also called "PTU 2", in reference to the first film in the series, PTU, though it is not the second entry in the Tactical Unit series.
New Heavenly Sword and Dragon Sabre is a Hong Kong television series adapted from Louis Cha's novel The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber. The series was first broadcast on TVB Jade in Hong Kong in 1986.
Milkyway Image Ltd. is a film production company based in Kwun Tong, Kowloon, Hong Kong. The company was established in 1996 by director Johnnie To in partnership with frequent collaborator Wai Ka-Fai. The company is known best for producing dark crime films inspired by the works of French director Jean-Pierre Melville and the film noir genre. Milkyway Image's productions have been repeatedly praised as a bold move against the commercialism found in post-handover Hong Kong cinema, and have also attracted a significant international fan base.
Dragon in Jail is a 1990 Hong Kong action film directed by Kent Cheng and starring Andy Lau, Kenny Ho and Gigi Lai.
Moving Targets is a 2004 Hong Kong action crime film starring Nicholas Tse, Edison Chen, Simon Yam ,and Gillian Chung as the main leads. With Michelle Yim, Roy Chow, Lam Suet ,and Kent Tong in the main supporting roles. Directed, written ,and produced by Wong Jing, the film is based on the popular 1980 TVB drama series Police Cadet '84.
Explosive City is a 2004 Hong Kong action film written, produced and directed by Sam Leong and starring Simon Yam, Alex Fong, Hisako Shirata and Sonny Chiba.