Winner of the Chinese Film Media Awards for Best Picture and Best Director, among a number of other local and international awards, “Drug War” is the first Johnnie To action film to be shot entirely in Mainland China.
The story revolves around two men, Captain Zhang Lei, a police officer, and Timmy Choi, a middle level criminal. When the police, headed by Zhang, manage to capture a number of “mules” carrying drugs in their stomachs, they also stumble upon Choi, who has crashed his car a little before and is now hospitalized. It is quickly revealed that Choi is an essential cog in a drug-trafficking syndicate with connections to Japan and Korea. In order to avoid the death penalty, Choi decides to give up the rest of the gang to Zhang. This includes Haha, a constantly laughing owner of fishing boats that serves as administrator, “Uncle Bill”, the mastermind of the syndicate,...
The story revolves around two men, Captain Zhang Lei, a police officer, and Timmy Choi, a middle level criminal. When the police, headed by Zhang, manage to capture a number of “mules” carrying drugs in their stomachs, they also stumble upon Choi, who has crashed his car a little before and is now hospitalized. It is quickly revealed that Choi is an essential cog in a drug-trafficking syndicate with connections to Japan and Korea. In order to avoid the death penalty, Choi decides to give up the rest of the gang to Zhang. This includes Haha, a constantly laughing owner of fishing boats that serves as administrator, “Uncle Bill”, the mastermind of the syndicate,...
- 4/4/2017
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
Charlie.s Country was named best film and Rolf de Heer best director at the 2014 Film Critics Circle of Australia Awards presented on Tuesday night.
The Water Diviner scored five gongs, for best actor Russell Crowe, supporting actors Yilmaz Erdoğan and Jacqueline McKenzie and David Hirschfelder.s score. The Babadook nabbed three awards, for Jennifer Kent.s screenplay, Noah Wiseman for best performance by a young actor and Simon Njoo.s editing, shared with Predestination.s Matt Villa. Sarah Snook was named best actress for Predestination and the prize for best cinematography went to Mandy Walker for Tracks.
Best documentary was Nick Torrens. China.s 3 Dreams, which follows the attempts of Zhang Lei, a troubled young café owner and single mother in Chongqing, central China, to unravel her family.s traumatic history, contrasted with another Chongqing couple as they struggle to buy an apartment on minimal wages.
The awards were...
The Water Diviner scored five gongs, for best actor Russell Crowe, supporting actors Yilmaz Erdoğan and Jacqueline McKenzie and David Hirschfelder.s score. The Babadook nabbed three awards, for Jennifer Kent.s screenplay, Noah Wiseman for best performance by a young actor and Simon Njoo.s editing, shared with Predestination.s Matt Villa. Sarah Snook was named best actress for Predestination and the prize for best cinematography went to Mandy Walker for Tracks.
Best documentary was Nick Torrens. China.s 3 Dreams, which follows the attempts of Zhang Lei, a troubled young café owner and single mother in Chongqing, central China, to unravel her family.s traumatic history, contrasted with another Chongqing couple as they struggle to buy an apartment on minimal wages.
The awards were...
- 3/10/2015
- by Don Groves
- IF.com.au
Exclusive: Sales deal ahead of wide theatrical release in China.
UK-based animation specialist Sc Films International has boarded sales rights to 3D family animation film Monkey King Returns, which is due to get a wide theatrical release in China this summer.
Simon Crowe’s Sc struck the deal with producers Flame Node Entertainment Limited.
Monkey King Returns, based on a Chinese legend, charts the story of the once powerful ‘Monkey King’ who breaks free from imprisonment with the help of a young boy to save a besieged village.
Chinese production and distribution outfit Flame Node – producer of Rollercoaster and distributor of titles including The Nutcracker 3D and The Snow Queen franchise - produces with October Animation and Haute Rout.
Director is Tian Xiao Peng, while the Chinese voice-over talent includes Tong Zi Rong and Zhang Lei.
Music comes from Raymond Wong, and features a song by Chan Kit Ee.
Sc is currently working on the English dubbed...
UK-based animation specialist Sc Films International has boarded sales rights to 3D family animation film Monkey King Returns, which is due to get a wide theatrical release in China this summer.
Simon Crowe’s Sc struck the deal with producers Flame Node Entertainment Limited.
Monkey King Returns, based on a Chinese legend, charts the story of the once powerful ‘Monkey King’ who breaks free from imprisonment with the help of a young boy to save a besieged village.
Chinese production and distribution outfit Flame Node – producer of Rollercoaster and distributor of titles including The Nutcracker 3D and The Snow Queen franchise - produces with October Animation and Haute Rout.
Director is Tian Xiao Peng, while the Chinese voice-over talent includes Tong Zi Rong and Zhang Lei.
Music comes from Raymond Wong, and features a song by Chan Kit Ee.
Sc is currently working on the English dubbed...
- 3/4/2015
- by andreas.wiseman@screendaily.com (Andreas Wiseman)
- ScreenDaily
Chinese director Lou Ye's Blind Massage swept Taiwan's Golden Horse movie awards, picking up six gongs including best picture at the event often described as the Chinese-language Oscars. Based on the popular novel by Bi Feiyu, Blind Massage (Tui Na in Chinese) is set in Nanjing, a mid-ranking city in China not too far from Shanghai, and it refers to a popular kind of massage given by blind therapists in China. The film won the feature film, cinematography, film editing, adapted screenplay and sound effects categories, while Zhang Lei won best new performer. Lou's censorship history is well known–
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- 11/24/2014
- by Clifford Coonan
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Lou Ye’s Blind Massage was the big winner at this year’s Golden Horse Awards in Taiwan, scooping six prizes including best film and best new performer for Zhang Lei.Scroll down for full list of winners
The mainland China production also won best adapted screenplay (Ma Yingli), best cinematography (Zeng Jian), best film editing (Kong Jinlei, Jolin Zhu) and best sound effects (Fu Kang).
Ann Hui won best director for historical biopic The Golden Era, while best original screenplay went to Yee Chih-yen for Meeting Dr Sun.
Chen Jianbin won best new director and best actor for A Fool, along with best supporting actor for Paradise In Service, which also took the best supporting actress prize for Regina Wan’s performance. Chen Hsiang-chi took best actress for Exit.
Fruit Chan’s The Midnight After won best visual effects and Liu Qiang was awarded best art direction for Black Coal, Thin Ice. Brotherhood...
The mainland China production also won best adapted screenplay (Ma Yingli), best cinematography (Zeng Jian), best film editing (Kong Jinlei, Jolin Zhu) and best sound effects (Fu Kang).
Ann Hui won best director for historical biopic The Golden Era, while best original screenplay went to Yee Chih-yen for Meeting Dr Sun.
Chen Jianbin won best new director and best actor for A Fool, along with best supporting actor for Paradise In Service, which also took the best supporting actress prize for Regina Wan’s performance. Chen Hsiang-chi took best actress for Exit.
Fruit Chan’s The Midnight After won best visual effects and Liu Qiang was awarded best art direction for Black Coal, Thin Ice. Brotherhood...
- 11/23/2014
- by lizshackleton@gmail.com (Liz Shackleton)
- ScreenDaily
Plot85% Acting78% Directing79% Music59% 75%Overall Score Reader Rating: (6 Votes)85%High Risk, High Return
“Drug War” or “Du Zhan” apparently marks the first time filmmaker Johnnie To directs a film directly on mainland China. As the title suggests, this is all about the good cops versus the bad drug traffickers. Here, you got drug mules to catch, drug dealers to follow and the occasional drug lord to apprehend ( or kill, depending on your mood ). Luckily, this type of material falls directly in Mr. To’s jurisdiction.
Of the two main characters, anti-drug unit captain Zhang Lei is played by Honglei Sun. He’s got the whole “deep voice” thing going on and has enough presence on-screen to keep you hooked. He’s got that “I’m-only-gonna-tell-you-once” kind of look on his face that makes him extremely enjoyable to watch.
His opposite, Timmy Choi ( played by Louis Koo ), starts the movie off...
“Drug War” or “Du Zhan” apparently marks the first time filmmaker Johnnie To directs a film directly on mainland China. As the title suggests, this is all about the good cops versus the bad drug traffickers. Here, you got drug mules to catch, drug dealers to follow and the occasional drug lord to apprehend ( or kill, depending on your mood ). Luckily, this type of material falls directly in Mr. To’s jurisdiction.
Of the two main characters, anti-drug unit captain Zhang Lei is played by Honglei Sun. He’s got the whole “deep voice” thing going on and has enough presence on-screen to keep you hooked. He’s got that “I’m-only-gonna-tell-you-once” kind of look on his face that makes him extremely enjoyable to watch.
His opposite, Timmy Choi ( played by Louis Koo ), starts the movie off...
- 11/2/2013
- by The0racle
- AsianMoviePulse
Plot85% Acting78% Directing79% Music59% 75%Overall Score Reader Rating: (4 Votes)81%High Risk, High Return
“Drug War” or “Du Zhan” apparently marks the first time filmmaker Johnnie To directs a film directly on mainland China. As the title suggests, this is all about the good cops versus the bad drug traffickers. Here, you got drug mules to catch, drug dealers to follow and the occasional drug lord to apprehend ( or kill, depending on your mood ). Luckily, this type of material falls directly in Mr. To’s jurisdiction.
Of the two main characters, anti-drug unit captain Zhang Lei is played by Honglei Sun. He’s got the whole “deep voice” thing going on and has enough presence on-screen to keep you hooked. He’s got that “I’m-only-gonna-tell-you-once” kind of look on his face that makes him extremely enjoyable to watch.
His opposite, Timmy Choi ( played by Louis Koo ), starts the movie off...
“Drug War” or “Du Zhan” apparently marks the first time filmmaker Johnnie To directs a film directly on mainland China. As the title suggests, this is all about the good cops versus the bad drug traffickers. Here, you got drug mules to catch, drug dealers to follow and the occasional drug lord to apprehend ( or kill, depending on your mood ). Luckily, this type of material falls directly in Mr. To’s jurisdiction.
Of the two main characters, anti-drug unit captain Zhang Lei is played by Honglei Sun. He’s got the whole “deep voice” thing going on and has enough presence on-screen to keep you hooked. He’s got that “I’m-only-gonna-tell-you-once” kind of look on his face that makes him extremely enjoyable to watch.
His opposite, Timmy Choi ( played by Louis Koo ), starts the movie off...
- 11/2/2013
- by The0racle
- AsianMoviePulse
Johnnie To takes his unique brand of action filmmaking to Mainland China with Drug War, his latest collaboration with writer Wai Ka Fai. A breathless game of cat and mouse between an elite anti-narcotics team and a conniving drug dealer trying to save his own skin, Drug War is a thrilling and surprisingly violent ride that offers an eye-opening look at China's drug trade and the methods Chinese law enforcement agencies use to bring it down. Starring Sun Honglei, Louis Koo, and an assortment of Milky Way regulars including Lam Suet, Eddie Cheung, Gordon Lam, Lo Hoi Pang, Michelle Ye, Philip Keung and Berg Ng, Drug War is available to buy in the U.K. from 28 October 2013. You can check out the trailer below, along with Chris Sawin's review of the movie. We're nice like that... Synopsis: After losing control of his car and crashing into a local restaurant, a...
- 9/4/2013
- 24framespersecond.net
Johnnie To takes his unique brand of action filmmaking to Mainland China with Drug War, his latest collaboration with writer Wai Ka Fai. A breathless game of cat and mouse between an elite anti-narcotics team and a conniving drug dealer trying to save his own skin, Drug War is a thrilling and surprisingly violent ride that offers an eye-opening look at China's drug trade and the methods Chinese law enforcement agencies use to bring it down. Starring Sun Honglei, Louis Koo, and an assortment of Milky Way regulars including Lam Suet, Eddie Cheung, Gordon Lam, Lo Hoi Pang, Michelle Ye, Philip Keung and Berg Ng, Drug War is available to buy in the U.K. from 28 October 2013. You can check out the trailer below, along with Chris Sawin's review of the movie. We're nice like that... Synopsis: After losing control of his car and crashing into a local restaurant, a...
- 9/4/2013
- 24framespersecond.net
Plot: Timmy Choi (Louis Koo) is a slick drug dealer operating out of Mainland China. His luck takes a turn for the worse when a meth lab explosion leaves him burnt, widowed, and in the custody of Captain Zhang Lei's (Sun Honglei) drug squad. With drug running a capital crime on the Mainland, Choi has no choice but to turn informer and help Zhang bust a drug ring that's connected to his own small time operation. Review: Police procedurals are nothing new to director Johnnie To's body of...
- 8/3/2013
- by Chris Bumbray
- JoBlo.com
Drug War
Written by Wai Ka-Fai, Yau Nau-hoi, Ryker Chan and Yu Xi
Directed by Johnnie To
2012, Hong Kong/China
The name of Hong Kong director Johnnie To resonates strongly with fans of hard edged gangster films and cop stories. For years already he has delivered time and time again with some of the most vivid, gritty and viscerally charged films which populate the genre. His more recent output has occasionally diverged from the action dramas he built his name on, mainly with 2008′s cape flick Sparrow and 2011′s Don’t Go Breaking my Heart with which he branched out into romantic comedy.
Admirers clamoring for a return to the bolder crime films have their prayers answered with To’s latest, Drug War, starring Louis Koo as Timmy Choi, a mid level drug smuggler, and Sun Honglei as police captain Zhang Lei, the man trying to use Timmy’s intel...
Written by Wai Ka-Fai, Yau Nau-hoi, Ryker Chan and Yu Xi
Directed by Johnnie To
2012, Hong Kong/China
The name of Hong Kong director Johnnie To resonates strongly with fans of hard edged gangster films and cop stories. For years already he has delivered time and time again with some of the most vivid, gritty and viscerally charged films which populate the genre. His more recent output has occasionally diverged from the action dramas he built his name on, mainly with 2008′s cape flick Sparrow and 2011′s Don’t Go Breaking my Heart with which he branched out into romantic comedy.
Admirers clamoring for a return to the bolder crime films have their prayers answered with To’s latest, Drug War, starring Louis Koo as Timmy Choi, a mid level drug smuggler, and Sun Honglei as police captain Zhang Lei, the man trying to use Timmy’s intel...
- 7/20/2013
- by Edgar Chaput
- SoundOnSight
Director: Johnnie To. Review: Chris Sawin. Timmy Choi (Louis Koo) is a drug lord and amphetamines manufacturer who is caught and captured by the police. Facing the death penalty, Choi is forced to join an undercover operation and help take down his colleagues. Captain Zhang Lei (Sun Honglei) begins to question where Choi's loyalty lies as his leads slowly turn into dead ends. "Drug War" begins with Choi behind the wheel of a car, puking out of a window, driving recklessly, and crashing into a restaurant. That's a hell of a way to start a film. You're thrown into the drug operation in Jinhai currently run by Anti-Drug Squad leader Captain Zhang. Zhang's team is always going undercover with Sun Honglei portraying at least five different characters over the course of the film. Honglei is a chameleon and mimics body movements, facial expressions, voices, and stories of other characters in the film to near perfection.
- 7/18/2013
- 24framespersecond.net
Drug War
Directed by Johnnie To
Written by Ryker Chan, Ka-Fai Wai, Nai-Hoi Yau, Xi Yu
China/Hong Kong, 2012
Drug War begins on an impromptu note: a man foaming at the mouth and barely in control of his vehicle thunderously crashes into a local restaurant after fleeing from a drug house. This is followed by a highway sting where a few low level drug traffickers are caught; one man exchanges furious obscenities with his police captor, which are immediately closed off with a response of “I didn’t betray you; I busted you.” Drug War succeeds in never backing off this initial thrust and heightened interplay. The story of cops and criminals predates most, but master director Johnnie To’s latest plays out like an innovative trailblazer and modern spectacle all at once.
Equipped with a hardened zeal and a swift set of genre kinetics, Drug War is close to...
Directed by Johnnie To
Written by Ryker Chan, Ka-Fai Wai, Nai-Hoi Yau, Xi Yu
China/Hong Kong, 2012
Drug War begins on an impromptu note: a man foaming at the mouth and barely in control of his vehicle thunderously crashes into a local restaurant after fleeing from a drug house. This is followed by a highway sting where a few low level drug traffickers are caught; one man exchanges furious obscenities with his police captor, which are immediately closed off with a response of “I didn’t betray you; I busted you.” Drug War succeeds in never backing off this initial thrust and heightened interplay. The story of cops and criminals predates most, but master director Johnnie To’s latest plays out like an innovative trailblazer and modern spectacle all at once.
Equipped with a hardened zeal and a swift set of genre kinetics, Drug War is close to...
- 7/9/2013
- by Ty Landis
- SoundOnSight
Cult favourite and auteur Johnnie To joins the ranks of Hong Kong directors trying their luck on the Mainland with the thriller “Drug War”, following up on his co-produced “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart” and “Romancing in Thin Air”. Seeing him work again with regular partner and writer Wai Ka Fai, the Milkyway outing has To returning once more to the violent world of cops and crooks, with shifting loyalties and shootouts being the order of the day. Having played at Venice in competition and at other international festivals, the film has been eagerly awaited by fans and critics, in particular with regards to seeing how the director deals with the notoriously strict Mainland censors, who generally frown upon his usual brand of bloody moral grey areas. Sun Hong Lei (“Lethal Hostage”) stars as narcotics squad captain Zhang Lei, who gets a break in his case when drug dealer Timmy Choi (Louis Koo,...
- 6/12/2013
- by James Mudge
- Beyond Hollywood
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