The Longest Nite
The Longest Nite (Chinese: 暗花, Literal Title: Dark Flowers) is a 1998 Hong Kong crime thriller film directed by Patrick Yau and Johnnie To, starring Lau Ching-wan and Tony Leung Chiu-wai. The film was produced by To and Wai Ka-fai along with their production company, Milkyway Image.
| The Longest Nite | |
|---|---|
 Film Poster | |
| Directed by | |
| Produced by |
|
| Written by | |
| Starring | |
| Music by | Raymond Wong[1] |
| Cinematography | Ko Chiu-lam[1] |
| Edited by | Chan Chi-wai[1] |
Production company | |
Release date |
|
Running time | 84 minutes[1] |
| Country | Hong Kong |
| Language | Cantonese |
| Box office | HK$9,562,090.00 |
Plot
Caught in the middle of a fierce gang war in Macao, a corrupt cop named Sam (Tony Leung Chiu-wai) handles negotiations between two Triad leaders who plan to join forces. He meets a suspicious bald man named Tony (Lau Ching-wan), who keeps following him around and disrupting his personal business. But when Sam finds out he's a suspect in a nightclub owner's murder, he's sure his stalker has something to do with it.
Production
Wai Ka-fai re-wrote most of the script of The Longest Nite with Johnnie To. To and Wai had the film take place in Macau based on the chaos the area was experiencing at the time of filming.[2] Wai Ka-fai has stated that most of The Longest Nite was directed by To.[3] To took over directing the film after Patrick Yau had shot five scenes with Wai Ka-fai re-writing the script as they were shooting.[4] Large portions of the film were shot in Macau.[2]
The Hong Kong title of the film translates to Dark Flowers, a slang for an underworld contract.[5]
Release
The Longest Nite was released in Hong Kong on 1 January 1998.[1] The film grossed a total of HK$9,562,090 on its release.[1] The Longest Nite was not a box office success in Hong Kong, which led to Milkyway Image developing more commercial films such as Needing You... (2000).[6]
Reception
In Variety, Derek Elley referred to the film as "at the very least an attention-grabbing movie that puts a new spin on Hong Kong crimers" and "the movie has something of the risk-taking spirit that first drove the H.K. New Wave almost 20 years ago."[7]
Awards and nominations
| Awards | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ceremony | Category | Name | Outcome | |
| 18th Hong Kong Film Awards[8] | ||||
| Best Director | Patrick Yau | Nominated | ||
| Best Screenplay | Szeto Kam-Yuen, Yau Nai-hoi | Nominated | ||
| Best Actor | Lau Ching-wan | Nominated | ||
| Best Actor | Tony Leung | Nominated | ||
| Best Film Editing | Chan Chi-wai | Nominated | ||
| 5th Hong Kong Film Critics Society Awards[9] | ||||
| Film of Merit | Won | |||
See also
Notes
- "The Longest Nite". Hong Kong Film Archive. Retrieved 21 October 2013.
- Teo, 2007. pp.231
- Teo, 2007. pp.87
- Hendrix, Grady (May–June 2014). "Milestones". Film Comment. 70 Lincoln Center Plaza, New York, NY 10023-6595, USA. L (3): 42–43.CS1 maint: location (link)
- Stewart, Bhob. "The Longest Nite (1998)". Allmovie. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved 21 October 2013.
- "Interview: Johnnie To and Wai Ka-fai". Senses of Cinema. December 2001. Retrieved 21 October 2013.
- Elley, Derek (16 March 1998). "Am Fa". Variety. Retrieved 12 September 2014.
- "二屆香港電影金像獎得獎名單". Hong Kong Film Awards. Retrieved 21 October 2013.
- "第六屆香港電影評論學會大獎". Hong Kong Film Critics Society Awards. 1 February 1999. Retrieved 21 October 2013.
References
- Teo, Stephen (2007). Director in Action: Johnnie To and the Hong Kong Action Film. Hong Kong University Press. ISBN 9622098401. Retrieved 21 October 2013.