Sparrow (Chinese) 2008

September 1, 2008 · Posted in Chinese Movies, Drama, Movies

Aka: Man jeuk, Cultured Bird, Wen qu
Year: 2008
Directed: Johnny To
Genre: Drama
Runtime: 82 mins
Country: Hong Kong
Language: Mandarin
Subtitle: N/A
Cast: Simon Yam, Kelly Lin, Ka Tung Lam, Hoi-Pang Lo, Kenneth Cheung
Imdb: Man jeuk

Synopsis / Plot

Simon Yam stars as Kei, the leader of a gang of four pickpockets, played by Gordon Lam, Law Wing-Cheong (moonlighting from usual directing and editing duties, e.g. Hooked on You), and Kenneth Cheung. The film opens with Kei prepping for his day, bemused at the appearance of a sparrow flying into his Hong Kong Island-located flat. He relates the incident to his three comrades over a generic Hong Kong breakfast, but the three take it as an omen of bad luck. Afterwards, the four proceed to demonstrate their supremacy at their craft, creating distractions and snatching wallets in an amazing seamless shot. The camera follows them as they deftly take mark after mark, and from this single shot the message seems to be that the pickpocket’s life is a wonderful thing.