Screened as part of NZIFF 2021

Hand Rolled Cigarette 2020

Sau gyun yin

Directed by Kin Long Chan

A retired colonial-era soldier tied up with the triad risks crossing his violent bosses to help a young South Asian drug runner in this confident Hong Kong crime noir from debut director Kin Long Chan.

Hong Kong In Cantonese with English subtitles
101 minutes DCP

Director

Cast

Gordon Lam Ka Tung
,
Bipin Karma
,
Michael Ning
,
Ben Yuen

Producer

Lawrence Ah Mon

Screenplay

Ryan Ling
,
Kin Long Chan

Cinematography

Rick Lau

Editors

William Chang
,
Wai-Lun Lo

Music

Hanz Au
,
iii irisliu

Festivals

NY Asian
,
Fantasia 2021

Elsewhere

Chiu (Gordon Lam), an ex-soldier that served in the Hong Kong Military Services Corp, was left behind when Britain failed to provide him a way out before the colony was returned to China. Now working for a triad, he arranges a smuggling deal for boss Tai (Ben Yuen) and runs cons for extra cash. When Hong Kong-born South Asian drug runner Mani (Bipin Karma) suddenly appears in his apartment to hide from the same triad boss, along with a stolen bag of dope, Chiu cuts a deal with him in return for letting him stay. The two men, despite their cultural differences, see their similarities as remnants of the city’s colonial past, forging a close friendship as their lives become increasingly under threat.

Kin Long Chan’s stylish directorial debut confidently tackles character drama, crime thriller and suspense – the staples of Hong Kong crime cinema. Karma, in a prominent role rarely bestowed to South Asian actors, gives a moving performance that provides Hand Rolled Cigarette with an extra dimension by examining Hong Kong’s postcolonial cultural identity. The ever-versatile Lam is tremendous as a desperate man whose actions hide a deeper tragedy he is trying to amend. — Vicci Ho