A Dystopian Journey: The Premiere of *Sons of the Neon Night*
Hong Kong’s new **dystopian thriller**, *Sons of the Neon Night*, has made its much-anticipated debut at the **Cannes Film Festival**. After a marathon **10-year production** journey, the film premiered yesterday in the **Midnight Screenings** section, marking a significant milestone in the careers of those involved, particularly director Juno Mak.
Starring a stellar cast that includes **Takeshi Kaneshiro**, **Sean Lau**, **Tony Leung Ka-fai**, **Louis Koo**, and **Gao Yuanyuan**, *Sons of the Neon Night* explores the complexities of a snow-covered **alternative Hong Kong**. The story unfolds following the death of a pharmaceutical company chairman, which ignites chaos in the underworld as his youngest son seeks to break free from his family’s notorious criminal legacy.
Reflecting on the Past: Leung’s Thoughts
During the Cannes premiere, veteran actor **Tony Leung** shared his reflections on the film’s production. “Last night gave me a deeper kind of feeling about what I did seven years ago,” he noted, sharing that the screening was his second viewing of the film. This fresh perspective allowed him to reevaluate his character and the broader themes of the film, emphasizing that the narrative speaks to **humanity** and the universal struggles experienced in urban life.
Leung added, “The background seems like Hong Kong, and we can tell that it is a very modern city. The film is all about humanity, where this kind of story happens all over the world, in big cities every day. Everybody’s rushing and they don’t have time to notice what’s going on, the battles around us, killings and sufferings.”
Mak’s Long Road to Screen
Juno Mak, who also wrote and directed the film, explained the prolonged timeline for bringing *Sons of the Neon Night* to audiences. “We finished principal shooting in 2017, but as we were working on post-production, the pandemic hit and there was a delay,” he explained. The film’s extensive use of **CGI** presented additional challenges, further extending its time in production.
Mak reflected on the financing journey, noting that many investors were initially interested in a sequel or prequel to his previous horror film, *Rigor Mortis*. “I felt that as a filmmaker, it’s more important to find your truth, so back then, I didn’t want to cage myself working on the same genre,” he shared, highlighting his desire to innovate rather than replicate.
Bringing Audiences Back to Cinemas
In a world increasingly dominated by **streaming platforms**, Leung is passionate about rejuvenating the cinema experience. “I want the audience to go to the cinema because cinemas are quiet and make you slow down for two hours to find your own humanity through the story,” he stated. His hope is that viewers will reconnect with the communal aspect of watching films together, sharing in the emotional journey sparked by the storytelling.
He emphasized the importance of this collective experience, stating, “When the film starts, you breathe together, you smile, laugh, and cry together… So, please come back to the cinema.”
Unique Aesthetics: The Snowy Setting
One of the film’s most striking features is its **unusual setting**—a snowy Hong Kong. This premise serves as a backdrop for exploring themes of alienation and introspection. Mak expressed that his fascination with cold environments influenced his decision, stating, “I traveled to a lot of cold places and felt that weather definitely affects how a person thinks.”
Around **80 percent** of the snow depicted in the film was created on set, with **visual effects** accounting for the remainder. This creative choice not only enhances the film’s dystopian atmosphere but also builds on Mak’s thematic interest sparked during his earlier works.
Collaboration with Ryuichi Sakamoto
An exciting aspect of *Sons of the Neon Night* is its original **score**, composed by the late **Ryuichi Sakamoto**, along with English composer **Nate Connelly**. Mak described a magical six-hour session where they developed the film’s thematic music amid geographic distance. “Mr. Sakamoto has this passion for cold weather as well,” Mak shared, suggesting this shared interest helped bridge their collaboration.
The creative process involved presenting various concept art and music references that resonated with Sakamoto, creating a unique synergy that complemented the film’s themes.
The Challenges of Production
The production of *Sons of the Neon Night* was a complex endeavor marked by significant **weather challenges**. Actors transitioned from filming in the **85-degree Fahrenheit** humidity of Hong Kong summer to enduring South Korea’s frigid winter conditions. Leung remarked on these contrasts, noting that they faced a unique set of trials.
Despite these challenges, both Mak and Leung’s determination to realize their vision for the film remained unwavering. Their dedication to authenticity and artistic integrity shines through in every aspect of *Sons of the Neon Night*, marking it as a significant contribution to the evolving landscape of Hong Kong cinema.