The Narrow Road (2022 film)

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 PinyinZhǎi lù wéi chén
JyutpingZaak3 lou6 mei4 can4
Directed byLam Sum
Written byFean Chung
Produced byMani Man
StarringLouis Cheung
Angela Yuen
CinematographyMeteor Cheung
Edited byEmily Leung
Music byWong Hin-yan
Production
company
Release dates
Running time
115 minutes
CountryHong Kong
LanguageCantonese

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]

Plot

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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

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  • 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

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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

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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

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  1. ^ "The Narrow Road". www.edfilmfest.org.uk. Retrieved 29 September 2022.
  2. ^ Tham, Xuanlin (19 August 2022). "The Narrow Road – first-look review". Little White Lies. Retrieved 3 November 2022.
  3. ^ Smith, Anna (20 August 2022). "Edinburgh Film Festival Review: Lam Sum's 'The Narrow Road'". Deadline.
  4. ^ Halligan, Fionnuala. "'The Narrow Road': Edinburgh Review". Screen. Retrieved 29 September 2022.
  5. ^ "Hong Kong film 'Limbo' leads Golden Horse Award nominations - Focus Taiwan". focustaiwan.tw. 27 September 2022. Retrieved 27 September 2022.
  6. ^ "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.
  7. ^ "Nomination List of The 41st Hong Kong Film Awards".
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