Limbo (2021 film)

Limbo is a 2021 Hong Kong action thriller film directed by Cheang Pou-soi and starring Gordon Lam, Cya Liu, Mason Lee and Hiroyuki Ikeuchi. The film is based on the novel Wisdom Tooth by Chinese novelist Lei Mi.[3]

For the British comedy-drama film, see Limbo (2020 film).
Limbo
Official film poster
Traditional智齒
Simplified智齿
MandarinZhì Chǐ
CantoneseZi3 Ci2
Directed byCheang Pou-soi
Screenplay byAu Kin-yee
Based onWisdom Tooth
by Lei Mi
Produced byWilson Yip
Paco Wong
StarringGordon Lam
Cya Liu
Mason Lee
Hiroyuki Ikeuchi
CinematographyCheng Siu-Keung
Edited byDavid Richardson
Music byKenji Kawai
Production
companies
Sun Entertainment Culture
Bona Film Group
Er Dong Pictures
Aether Film Production
Distributed byJust Distribution Limited
Release dates
  • 1 March 2021 (2021-03-01) (BIFF)
  • 18 November 2021 (2021-11-18) (Hong Kong)
Running time
118 minutes
CountryHong Kong
LanguageCantonese
BudgetUS$16 million[1]
Box officeHK$1,276,603[2]

The film had its worldwide premiere at the 71st Berlin International Film Festival on 1 March 2021,[4] and was theatrically released in Hong Kong on 18 November 2021.[5]

Plot

Rookie police officer Will Yam (Mason Lee) is a recent graduate of the police academy. Due to a wave of serial killings, Will is partnered with veteran officer Cham Lau (Gordon Lam), who was recently reinstated on the force. However, the duo is unable to solve the cases and instead causes a series of incidents. Later, Cham re-encounters a drug-addicted street urchin, Wong To (Cya Liu), who ran over his wife and daughter in the past, and his anger makes him spiral out of control and continuously abuses her. Will clumsily loses his pistol, which is found by the serial killer. With the killer lurking in the city, a crisis grows closer.

Cast
  • Gordon Lam as Cham Lau (劉中選), respectfully referred to as Brother Cham (斬哥), a veteran police officer of the Regional Crime Unit.
  • Cya Liu as Wong To (王桃), a drug-addicted street urchin who ran over Cham's wife in a DUI, leaving her in a vegetative state and becomes Cham's informant in order to repent her past mistake.
  • Mason Lee as Will Yam (任凱), a rookie police officer of the Regional Crime Unit and Cham's new partner.
  • Hiroyuki Ikeuchi as Yamada Akira (山田收), a waste picker with Oedipus complex and acrotomophilia.
  • Fish Liew as Coco (可樂), a disabled drug dealer.
  • Hugo Ng as Chief (大Sir), Cham and Will's superior officer.
  • Sammy Sum as Boss Spark (逼啪)
  • Hanna Chan as Will's wife
  • Omar Faruk Nayon as Doctor
  • MD Rakibul Islam as Chairman
  • Rakibul Islam as DJ
  • Kumer as Grizzly (灰熊)

Production

Principal photography for Limbo began in September 2017 in Hong Kong, with To Kwa Wan and Kwun Tong being the main filming locations as many old buildings are located in these districts of the city.[6]

On 2 October 2017, filming of a fight scene between actors Gordon Lam and Hiroyuki Ikeuchi took place on a rooftop in Kwun Tong. Both Lam and Ikeuchi lost 8 pounds and 30 pounds of weight respectively for their roles in the film.[7][6] On 8 October 2017, which was also Lam's birthday, filming took place in Kowloon Bay for a scene where Lam was going through a garbage chute looking for evidence.[8][9]

Release

Limbo had its world premiere at the 71st Berlin International Film Festival, which was held virtually from 1 to 5 March 2021.[4] The film was later shown in competition at the 23rd Far East Film Festival from 25 to 26 June 2021[10] where it won the Purple Mulberry Award [11] The film was released in Hong Kong on 18 November 2021.

Reception

Box office

In Hong Kong, the film grossed HK$740,238 during its first four days of release, opening at No. 5 during its debut weekend. On its second weekend, the film grossed HK$563,365, coming in at No. 10, and have grossed a total of HK$1,276,603 so far.[2]

Critical reception

Lee Marshall of Screen Daily praises director Cheang Pou-soi's "dystopian vision of an Asian metropolis in the throes of a political and social identity crisis" as the film's "most striking feature."[12] Jessica Kiang of Variety praises the film's well-choreographed action sequences which compliment Cheng Siu-Keung's dazzling camera work.[13]

Accolades
Year Award Category Recipient(s) Result Ref.
2021 23rd Far East Film Festival MYmovies Purple Mulberry Award Limbo Won [14]
2022 28th Hong Kong Film Critics Society Awards Best Film Limbo Won [15]
Best Director Cheang Pou-soi Nominated
Best Actor Gordon Lam Nominated
Best Actress Cya Liu Won

References
  1. Shackleton2018-03-18T23:59:00+00:00, Liz. "Bravos Pictures brings action titles to Filmart, including 'Limbo' with Lam Ka Tung (exclusive)". Screen.
  2. "HKTDC". event.hktdc.com.
  3. "Log into Facebook". Facebook. {{cite web}}: Cite uses generic title (help)
  4. Grater, Tom (February 11, 2021). "Berlinale Unveils Competition Line-Up: New Pics From Daniel Bruhl, Celine Sciamma, Radu Jude, Xavier Beauvois & Hong Sang-soo". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved February 11, 2021.
  5. "【2021年上映】鄭保瑞新作《智齒》 回歸港產暴力美學 (20:26) - 20200827 - SHOWBIZ". 明報OL網.
  6. "雷米小說《智齒》改編電影在港熱拍".
  7. "挑戰古天樂做打仔 林家棟 雨中肉搏 爆肌日星".
  8. "Gordon Lam: Cheang Pou Soi loves his trash!". sg.style.yahoo.com.
  9. "Headlife | 頭條日報". 頭條日報 Headline Daily.
  10. "Limbo". www.fareastfilm.com.
  11. "Japan's Midnight Swan wins the Far East Film Festival 23!". www.fareastfilm.com.
  12. Marshall2021-03-03T16:30:00+00:00, Lee. "'Limbo': Berlin Review". Screen.
  13. "'Limbo' Review: A Stylish but Sordid Hong Kong Cop Thriller That Doesn't Know When to Quit". 11 March 2021.
  14. "MIDNIGHT SWAN (GIAPPONE) VINCE IL FAR EAST FILM FESTIVAL 23!". Far East Film Festival (in Italian). Retrieved July 5, 2021.
  15. "第二十八屆香港電影評論學會大獎得獎理由撮要".
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