Summary
The Narrow Road (Chinese: 窄路微塵) is a 2022 Hong Kong drama film and the second full-length feature directed by Lam Sum. Set during the early days of the Covid pandemic, it tells the story of Chak (Louis Cheung) who struggles to keep his cleaning company afloat. In the midst of the challenge, he develops a bond with a newly hired cleaner Candy (Angela Yuen) who is his neighbour and also a single mother. The film had its world premiere at the Edinburgh International Film Festival on 19 August 2022.[1][2]
| The Narrow Road | |
|---|---|
 Promotional poster | |
| Traditional Chinese | 窄路微塵 |
| Simplified Chinese | 窄路微塵 |
| Literal meaning | "Tiny dust on narrow road" |
| Hanyu Pinyin | Zhǎi lù wéi chén |
| Jyutping | Zaak3 lou6 mei4 can4 |
| Directed by | Lam Sum |
| Written by | Fean Chung |
| Produced by | Mani Man |
| Starring | Louis Cheung Angela Yuen |
| Cinematography | Meteor Cheung |
| Edited by | Emily Leung |
| Music by | Wong Hin-yan |
Production company | |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 115 minutes |
| Country | Hong Kong |
| Language | Cantonese |
Plot edit
In the early days of the pandemic, Chak, struggling to keep his cleaning company afloat, hires single mother Candy. But as the chemistry between them develops, Candy finds it hard to abandon the survival tactics of deception she’s always needed to get by.
Cast edit
- Louis Cheung as Chak (Chan Hon-fat)
- Angela Yuen as Candy
- Patra Au as Wong Ying, Chak’s mother
- Chu Pak Hong as a car mechanic/friend of Chak’s
- Chu Pak Him as a car mechanic/friend of Chak’s
- Tung On-na as Chu, Candy’s daughter
Reception edit
Writing for Deadline Hollywood, Anna Smith called the film "a thought-provoking insight into Hong Kong lockdown life, with terrific performances and a tangible atmosphere."[3] At Screen International, Fionnuala Halligan described The Narrow Road as a "tender, thoughtful film" that "deliver[s] a subtle and affecting portrait of a difficult time in a unique place", and "a love song to [the director's] city and the low-paid labour on which it was founded".[4]
Awards and nominations edit
| Awards | Category | Recipient | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 59th Golden Horse Awards | Best Leading Actor | Louis Cheung | Nominated | [5] |
| Best Leading Actress | Angela Yuen | Nominated | ||
| Best Original Film Score | Wong Hin-yan | Won | ||
| FIPRESCI Prize | The Narrow Road | Nominated | ||
| NETPAC Award | The Narrow Road | Nominated | ||
| Observation Missions for Asian Cinema Award | The Narrow Road | Nominated | ||
| 29th Hong Kong Film Critics Society Awards | Best Film | The Narrow Road | Nominated | [6] |
| Best Director | Lam Sum | Won | ||
| Best Screenplay | Fean Chung | Nominated | ||
| Best Actor | Louis Cheung | Won | ||
| Best Actress | Angela Yuen | Nominated | ||
| Films of Merit | The Narrow Road | Won | ||
| 41st Hong Kong Film Awards | Best Film | The Narrow Road | Nominated | [7] |
| Best Director | Lam Sum | Nominated | ||
| Best Screenplay | Fean Chung Chu Fung | Nominated | ||
| Best Actor | Louis Cheung | Nominated | ||
| Best Actress | Angela Yuen | Nominated | ||
| Best Supporting Actress | Patra Au | Nominated | ||
| Best Cinematography | Meteor Cheung Yu Hon | Nominated | ||
| Best Costume & Make Up Design | Bonnie Ho | Nominated | ||
| Best Original Film Score | Wong Hin Yan | Won | ||
| Best New Director | Lam Sum | Nominated |
References edit
- ^ "The Narrow Road". www.edfilmfest.org.uk. Retrieved 29 September 2022.
- ^ Tham, Xuanlin (19 August 2022). "The Narrow Road – first-look review". Little White Lies. Retrieved 3 November 2022.
- ^ Smith, Anna (20 August 2022). "Edinburgh Film Festival Review: Lam Sum's 'The Narrow Road'". Deadline.
- ^ Halligan, Fionnuala. "'The Narrow Road': Edinburgh Review". Screen. Retrieved 29 September 2022.
- ^ "Hong Kong film 'Limbo' leads Golden Horse Award nominations - Focus Taiwan". focustaiwan.tw. 27 September 2022. Retrieved 27 September 2022.
- ^ "第二十九屆香港電影評論學會大獎得獎理由撮要". Hong Kong Film Critics Society. Retrieved 17 January 2023.
- ^ "Nomination List of The 41st Hong Kong Film Awards".
External links edit
- The Narrow Road at IMDb
- The Narrow Road at Rotten Tomatoes
