For the past seven or eight years, there's a Hong Kong film that's always been on the "anticipated movies" list at the end of the year or the beginning of the next. It's Juno Mak's "Wind, Forest, Fire, and Volcano," starring a cast of top-tier actors like Takeshi Kaneshiro, Tony Leung Ka-fai, Lau Ching-wan, Louis Koo, and Gao Yuanyuan. It's rumored to have cost 400 million Hong Kong dollars, and since it was announced in 2017, it's been repeatedly delayed.
It has become a "Hong Kong film urban legend" in the minds of movie fans. Every year, news of "Wind, Forest, Fire and Volcano" being released next year" spreads. It has been "dubbed" the "most mysterious film" in the Hong Kong film industry in the past decade. Even Tony Leung Ka Fai asked the director in an interview, "Are you going to wait until I return to my homeland before releasing it?"
On September 12, this "Hong Kong urban legend" was officially announced and will be released on October 1 this year.
Poster of Wind, Forest, Fire and Volcano
The Legend of Hong Kong Films "In My Lifetime"
Looking back on the film's history, it can be said to have had a very unfortunate fate.
In 2013, director Juno Mak was inspired to create the film after suffering from insomnia during the Venice Film Festival. Filming officially began in 2017, initially planned for HK$150 million. However, the budget soared to HK$400 million due to demands for set construction and special effects. Shooting took over eight months, spanning mainland China, Hong Kong, and overseas locations, with scenes shot in temperatures ranging from 40°C to -20°C.
During filming, rumors circulated of ongoing disagreements between the director and the actors. Furthermore, the film's numerous star-studded cast made it difficult to find schedules, leading to repeated delays. The pandemic hit during post-production, and the film's release was repeatedly rumored, only to be repeatedly delayed. In an interview, Tony Leung Ka-fai jokingly stated that he wasn't sure if he would see the film released in his lifetime, leading countless fans to share the long wait of "three years after three years."
Tony Leung jokes about the delay in the movie's release
The "Furious Killing Opening" trailer, released simultaneously with the release date, continues the chilling black, white, and gray tones previously revealed in the behind-the-scenes footage. In the trailer, drug dealers, police, and assassins battle for drugs, staining the snow with blood. Indiscriminate killings occur on the streets of Causeway Bay. The drug dealers who once controlled the drug market suddenly take the initiative to "ban drugs." Their unusual behavior leads to an unexpected reversal of the situation, and a frenzied melee is about to begin...
Set in the 1990s, "Wind, Forest, Fire, and Volcano" unfolds with the death of a wealthy Hong Kong businessman in an explosion, unravelling the thrilling struggle between drug traffickers and anti-drug activists, and the social unrest that ensues. Director Juno Mak previously described the film as "a story that takes place in one night," whose events connect the lives of many different people. Several actors have spoken in previous interviews about director Juno Mak's deep attachment to his characters, each with distinct personalities and life experiences.
Due to the large number of characters and the complex stories, one of the edited versions of the film is as long as 6 hours. Even Nicholas Tse himself admitted that "I felt like I had made six movies during the entire filming process." In addition to the black and white tones, the continuous snowfall scene intensified a certain "apocalyptic sense", which also echoed the ending of Nicholas Tse's previous work "Zombie", continuing his highly authorial expression.
In April this year, "Wind, Forest, Fire and Volcano" was shortlisted for the Midnight Screening section of the 78th Cannes Film Festival. The final theatrical premiere version was the same as the one released in Cannes, which was 132 minutes long.
At the Cannes Film Festival, Juno Mak described the film to the media as a "realistic story set in an imaginary world," while Tony Leung Ka-fai, in an interview with Stephen Chow, elevated his role in the film to the level of his own "lifelong roles." He said his most important and satisfying roles were in "The Last Emperor," which won him the "Best Actor" award for his debut film, saying, "Playing Emperor Xianfeng was an incredible honor." He also played Zhou Huaian, the patriotic warrior who served his country, in "New Dragon Inn," a role he admired and left a lasting impression on him. His third role was Di Wenjie in "Wind, Forest, Fire, and Volcano." After watching the film, Tony Leung said, "I have no regrets in my life," and that he "has given my acting career and the audience a sense of fulfillment."
Tony Leung Ka Fai highly evaluated his acting experience
It is worth mentioning that Juno Mak also invited Japanese master Ryuichi Sakamoto to compose the music for the film, but he passed away midway through the production. However, some of Sakamoto's posthumous works will be used in the film. When director Juno Mak, who was a musician, met Ryuichi Sakamoto for the first time, they had a six-hour improvisation. The director described the details to the composer, and the composer played the melody. If the director felt something was wrong, he would stop immediately, and Sakamoto would quickly try another direction. Juno Mak also expressed regret at the Cannes Film Festival this year, saying, "This is a dream experience that will never happen again."
The National Day battle situation has emerged
The plot and cast easily give "Wind, Forest, Fire, and Volcano" the kind of genre film it's expected to be. However, the film's complex storyline, heavily truncated narratives, and black-and-white, art-house quality all create a certain barrier to entry. After its screening at this year's Cannes Film Festival, the film received polarized reviews. Some admired the pride and romance of Hong Kong cinema, while others were left baffled and unimpressed. Even at the Cannes festival, dominated by professional audiences, "Wind, Forest, Fire, and Volcano" was bound to face a tough test during the fiercely competitive National Day holiday.
As of now, eight films have been scheduled for the 2025 National Day holiday. Also announced on the same day as "Wind, Forest, Fire, and Volcano" is the comedy "A Wandering Life." This year's National Day film season boasts a diverse range of genres, encompassing war, fantasy, suspense, action, comedy, and animation. Chen Kaige's "Volunteers: Bloody Peace," the final chapter in the "Volunteer Army" trilogy, focuses on the unique "fighting and negotiation" combat experience during the second half of the Korean War. The first two "Volunteer Army" films grossed 868 million and 1.206 billion yuan during the 2023 and 2024 National Day holiday periods, respectively, establishing a significant "brand" during the holiday.
Poster of "Volunteer Army"
"Assassination of Novelist 2" was another blockbuster during this year's National Day holiday. The predecessor, released during the 2021 Spring Festival, grossed 1.035 billion yuan. The sequel continues the dual-world setting, telling the story of the resurrection of the Red-Haired Demon and the ultimate showdown. With 3,000 special effects shots encompassing a full range of technologies, including water, fire, collapse and destruction, and hair animation, domestic visual effects films have reached a new level.
Assassination of Novelist 2
Furthermore, renowned scholar Yi Zhongtian's debut animated film, "Three Kingdoms: Starry Sky Part 1," features Cao Cao as the protagonist, focusing on his journey of defeating Dong Zhuo, welcoming the Emperor, and fighting at Guandu. This represents a significant expansion in the genre for animated films and is highly anticipated in this year's "big year" for Chinese animated films. "Panda Project 2," the sequel to last year's National Day blockbuster "Panda Project," is still listed on ticketing websites as opening on October 1st, despite rumors that it will withdraw from the National Day schedule.
