Sons of the Neon Night is an unreleased Hong Kong crime thriller film written, produced and directed by Juno Mak and starring an ensemble cast led by Takeshi Kaneshiro, Sean Lau, Louis Koo, Tony Leung Ka-fai and Gao Yuanyuan. Production for the film began in June 2017[1] and wrapped up in March 2018. It was set for release in 2019.[2][3]
| Sons of the Neon Night | |
|---|---|
 Teaser film poster | |
| Traditional Chinese | 風林火山 |
| Simplified Chinese | 风林火山 |
| Hanyu Pinyin | Fēng Lín Huǒ Shān |
| Jyutping | Fung1 Lam4 Fo2 Saan1 |
| Directed by | Juno Mak |
| Written by | Juno Mak |
| Produced by | Juno Mak Percy Cheung Catherine Hun |
| Starring | Takeshi Kaneshiro Sean Lau Louis Koo Tony Leung Ka-fai Gao Yuanyuan Michelle Wai Wyman Wong |
| Cinematography | Sion Michel |
| Edited by | Monika Willi |
| Music by | Nate Connelly |
Production companies | One Cool Film Production Sil-Metropole Organisation J.Q. Pictures Fortis Films (China) Limited Shaw Brothers Pictures Sons Company Limited Er Dong Pictures Peeli Ventures Xiaomi Pictures |
| Country | Hong Kong |
| Language | Cantonese |
| Budget | HK$150 million |
Plot edit
A sudden explosion which killed a wealthy Hong Kong businessmen has drawn the wrestle between drug traffickers and those against drugs. The heir of the drug trafficking syndicate does not hesitate to create social chaos, with his sole reason for believing "a world without drugs", which is actually more terrible and more chaotic than imagined.
Director Juno Mak had mentioned that, "A land free of drugs depicts utopia, or so they say - Yet only those who have been there would know the eternal flames that burn in that place called Hell. It was with his creation of medicine that men began deluding himself about the illusive power to ordain life and death. Be it naivety or arrogance, we glory in awe, eyes closed; deaf to the quiet humming of destruction that lingers on the edge of desire. As it goes, blood weeps more eagerly than tears in a merciless world."
Cast edit
- Takeshi Kaneshiro as an heir to a major financial company hoping to wipe out the dark history of his family
- Sean Lau as a double-faced police officer
- Louis Koo as Ching Man-sing (程文星), a killer with a complicated past
- Tony Leung Ka-fai as a psychologist serving for the police force
- Gao Yuanyuan as a retired therapist
- Michelle Wai
- Wyman Wong
- Jiang Peiyao as Little Yip (小葉), a killer
- Rosa Maria Velasco
- Carl Ng
- Wilson Lam
- Ching Tung
- Tony Liu
- Clement Fung
- Lo Hoi-pang
- Jerald Chan
- Lowell Lo
- Kam Kwok-leung
- Paw Hee-ching
- Jason Choi
- Conan Lee
- Wang Shunde
- Philippe Joly as Enzo
Production edit
The project was first announced on 25 March at the 2015 Hong Kong Filmart as Juno Mak's second directorial feature after the 2013 film, Rigor Mortis.[4] According to Mak, the film's script took over five years to develop.[2]
In June 2017, it was reported that the film has begun production with a budget of HK$150 million and confirmed cast members of Takeshi Kaneshiro, Sean Lau, Louis Koo and Tony Leung Ka-fai[1]
On 25 September 2017, filming of a snowing scene took place outside Windsor House, despite being 30 °C, in which Lau took part in.[5]
On 28 September 2017, the film held its first press conference, where director Mak and cast members Sean Lau, Tony Leung Ka-fai, Gao Yuanyuan and Michelle Wai attended. A two-minute behind-the-scene featurette, the teaser film poster and various character photostills were released.[6][7] It was also revealed the film crew constructed a 1:1 replica of Causeway Bay in Huizhou for the shooting of the film's large scale opening.[8]
On 27 March 2018, it was reported that production for the film has officially wrapped up after eight months of filming, with another two minute behind-the-scene featurette being released.[9]
Release edit
On 21 March 2018, Juno Mak promoted the film at the 2018 Hong Kong Filmart, where he revealed the film is planned for release in 2019.[2] In 2020, it was reported that the movie is expected to be released in 2021.[10] As of June 2024, the film was not released yet.[11]
References edit
- ^ a b "麥浚龍再執導投資1.5億".
- ^ a b c "《風林火山》籌備5年終拍攝完成 麥浚龍：有望明年上映". 香港01. 21 March 2018.
- ^ "Juno Mak to release "Sons of the Neon Night" in 2019". sg.style.yahoo.com.
- ^ Fraser, Patrick (23 March 2015). "HK FilMart: Juno Mak to Deconstruct Hong Kong in 'Sons of the Neon Night'". Variety. Retrieved 2 November 2022.
- ^ "Juno封街拍《風林火山》雪景戲 皇室堡對出成條街一片白". 香港01. 25 September 2017.
- ^ "麥浚龍被劉青雲爆不准改對白 新片投資逾億 搭1﹕1銅鑼灣場景".
- ^ "【風林火山】齊集港產最強勁演員 金城武古天樂仲有經典神秘人". 香港01. 28 September 2017.
- ^ "【風林火山】佔地6萬呎1:1搭出銅鑼灣 Juno︰呢度會有大量爆破戲". 香港01. 28 September 2017.
- ^ "【風林火山】全片經歷60度溫差神秘雪景曝光 麥浚龍︰辛苦晒大家". 香港01. 27 March 2018.
- ^ "Takeshi Kaneshiro Reportedly Feuded With The Director Of This Movie, Which Had Its Release Delayed For 2 Years". TODAY. Retrieved 12 December 2022.
- ^ "Takeshi Kaneshiro, 48, Looks As Handsome As Ever On New Magazine Cover; His First After 5-Year Break From The Spotlight". TODAY. Retrieved 12 December 2022.
