Summary
A slick debut continues the the revival of throwback Hong Kong cinema in this beautifully shot thriller.
In the stark black and white opening to Chan Kin-long’s debut feature, we’re reminded that recent Hong Kong history will forever have a hard dividing line. While not specifically about the 1997 Handover, the shadow of the geopolitical shift and subsequent financial fallout looms large in this award-recognised thriller.
In 1996, a group of British Hong Kong soldiers who have not been offered citizenship contemplate their future. Flash forward to 2019, and one of their number has committed suicide after Kwan Chiu (Gordon Lam) convinced his friend to invest in stocks that dissipated in the 1997 Asian financial crisis. Kwan now works for the triads, and is in the process of trying to broker a deal between his colleague and local triad leader Big Mouth Tai (Ben Yuen) for smuggling turtles.
Mani (Bipin Karma), a local thief of South Asian descent, is on the run from Tai’s men and takes shelter in Kwan’s home. While intially stand-offish, the pair slowly bond and work out a plan to pay off their respective debts to Tai. However, the course of neo-noir never did run smooth, and the troubles only begin there.
Arguably one of the greatest strengths of HAND ROLLED CIGARETTE (手捲煙) is its firm sense of place. Along with Limbo and the more recent Raging Fire, it almost feels like a golden age for gritty throwback HK thrillers. From the infamous Chungking Mansions that Kwan calls home to the punchy genre moments of chases across Kowloon streets, this is a Hong Kong film through and through.
Rick Lau’s gorgeously lit photography casts these locales in a glorious series of vivid hues. Director Chan’s restrained hand never pushes the frequent violence over the top, often shooting from a distance or having the worst of it happen off-screen. This makes the otherwise subdued film all the more impactful when it does erupt into a multi-room fight, with the camera following them like a side-scrolling video game. With a man on fire and a thumping Mike Orange score, it’s as tense an action scene as any you’re likely to see this year.
The casting of Hong Kong staple Gordon Lam, known for his supporting roles in Infernal Affairs through to Firestorm and Chasing the Dragon II, was a masterstroke. His understated charisma carries the streamlined plotting through to its smoke-filled conclusions. The comparatively fresh-faced Bipin Karma is a great counterpoint to Lam’s world-weary take on the character. Similarly, there’s a simple joy in seeing stalwart Ben Yuen sit around a table with fellow triad discussing turtles.
Although ultimately losing the top prize to Taiwan’s My Missing Valentine, the seven nominations at the 57th Golden Horse Awards mark director Chan as a voice to watch. HAND ROLLED CIGARETTE may not break the mould in the ‘honour among thieves’ sub-genre, but this slick outing shows an early mastery of its most vital components.
HAND ROLLED CIGARETTE is playing as part of the opening night of the New York Asian Film Festival 2021. It is also screening at the Fantasia Festival 2021.
2020 | Hong Kong | DIRECTOR: Chan Kin-long | WRITER: Ryan Ling, Chan Kin-long | CAST: Gordon Lam, Bipin Karma, Michael Ning, Ben Yuen, Chin Siu-ho | DISTRIBUTOR: Fantasia Festival 2021, NYAFF 2021 | RUNNING TIME: 110 minutes | RELEASE DATE: 6 August 2021 (NYAFF 2021)
