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Archive - 7th Five Flavours Film Festival

Running on Karma

Daai zek lou
Hong Kong, China 2003, 93’
subtitles: Polish and English
director: Johnnie To, Wai Ka-fai
screenplay: Wai Ka-fai, Yau Nai-hoi, Au Kin-yee, Yip Tin-shing
cinematography: Cheng Siu-keung
editing: Law Wing-cheong
music: Cacine Wong
cast: Andy Lau, Cecilia Cheung, Cheung Siu-fai
colouration: colour

Film description

It is just another night for the Hong Kong law officers. One unit chases an Indian, a suspect in a brutal murder investigation, so flexible he can fit into a small barrel. Other officers try to catch the unnaturally muscular Big, who works in an illegal strip club. He used to be a Buddhist monk, but some dramatic events made him leave his robe and move to the city. He can see other people’s karma, and notices that Lee, a police officer who chases after him, is in fatal danger. Big decides to protect her, but is it possible to run away from destiny?

This is not a description of another crazy film by Takashi Miike, but a project by Johnnie To, which proves that he is a highly original and surprising author. "Running on Karma" combines many genres and moods, and escapes any comparisons or labels, making the screening a truly unique experience. The leading role is played by one of the director’s favorite actors, Andy Lau, in a very unusual characterization. 

Marcin Krasnowolski

Johnnie To

Director, screenwriter, producer (born 1955), author of films belonging to many genres and styles, best known as the master of action cinema. Awarded at numerous festivals, a cult artist and a role model for filmmakers like Quentin Tarantino, appreciated for combining sharp social observations with dynamic image and unconventional narration.

Selected filmography:

1980 Bik seoi hon saan dyut meng gam / The Enigmatic Case
1989 Ah-long dik gu si / All About Ah-long
1995 Mou mei san taam / Loving You
1998 Bohater nie umiera nigdy / Chan sam ying hung / A Hero Never Dies
2001 Chuen jik sat sau / Fulltime Killer
2003 Daai zek lou / Running on Karma
2005 Wybór mafii / Hak se wui / Election
2007 Psychodetektyw / San taam / Mad Detective
2012 Kartel / Du zhan / Drug War

Wai Ka-fai

Writer, director, producer. Best known for his frequent collaborations with Johnnie To, with whom he formed Milkyway Image film studio.

Filmography:

1996 Woh ping faan dim / Peace Hotel
1997 Jat go zi tau di daan sang / Too Many Ways To Be Number One
2001 Chuen jik sat sau / Fulltime Killer
2003 Daai zek lou / Running on Karma
2006 Jui oi nui yun kau muk kong / The Shopaholics
2007 Psychodetektyw / San taam / Mad Detective
2009 Joi sun ho / Written By

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