Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In
{{short description|2024 Hong Kong film}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2022}}
{{Use Hong Kong English|date=October 2022}}
{{Infobox film
| name = Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In
| image = TwilightoftheWarriorsWalledIn.jpg
| alt =
| caption = Theatrical release poster
| native_name = {{Infobox Chinese/Chinese|child=yes|hide=no|header=none
| s = 九龙城寨之围城
| p = Jiǔ Lóng Chéng Zhài·Wéi Chéng
| j = Gau2 Lung4 Sing4 Zaai3•Wai4 Sing4 }}
| director = Soi Cheang
| producer = {{plainlist|
}}
| screenplay = {{plainlist|
- Au Kin-yee
- Shum Kwan-sin
- Chan Taili
- Lai Chun
}}
| based_on = {{based on|City of Darkness|Yuyi}}
| starring = {{plainlist|
- Louis Koo
- Sammo Hung
- Richie Jen
- Raymond Lam
- Terrance Lau
- Kenny Wong
- Philip Ng
- Tony Wu
- German Cheung
}}
| narrator =
| music = Kenji Kawai
| cinematography = Cheng Siu-keung
| editing = Cheung Ka-fai
| studio = {{plainlist|
- Media Asia Films
- Entertaining Power
- One Cool Film Production Limited
- Sil-Metropole Organisation
- Lian Ray Pictures
- HG Entertainment{{Cite web |url=https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=pfbid02tTNuudWvnRNpj3zy1V42ykd1Maj9Xoi668h6LM8cnedZWjREMej8xQQrUog1gpt4l&id=100064367274896 |title=戲院行 - 九龍城寨之圍城 (Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In) |website=Facebook |access-date=12 April 2024 |archive-date=14 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240314032258/https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=pfbid02tTNuudWvnRNpj3zy1V42ykd1Maj9Xoi668h6LM8cnedZWjREMej8xQQrUog1gpt4l&id=100064367274896 |url-status=live }}
}}
| distributor = Media Asia Distribution
| released = {{Film date|df=y|2024|5|1}}
| runtime = 126 minutes
| country = {{plainlist|
- Hong Kong{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2024/film/reviews/twilight-of-the-warriors-walled-in-review-soi-cheang-1236008771/|work=Variety|title='Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In' Review: Blazing Action Delights Get Marred by Languid Soap Opera|accessdate=October 28, 2024|first=Siddhant|last=Adlakha|date=May 20, 2024}}}}
| language = {{plainlist|
}}
| budget = HK$300 million{{cite news |title=鄭保瑞重塑寨城日常 三不管以外老香港故事 |url=https://news.mingpao.com/pns/%e5%89%af%e5%88%8a/article/20240419/s00005/1713458541077 |access-date=2024-04-19 |work=Ming Pao |date=2024-04-19 }}
| gross = US$111.5 million{{efn|group=ref2|See Box office}}
}}
Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In ({{zh|t_hk=九龍城寨之圍城|l=The Siege of Kowloon Walled City}}) is a 2024 Hong Kong martial arts action film directed by Soi Cheang,{{Cite web |url=https://www.festival-cannes.com/presse/communiques/les-films-de-la-selection-officielle-2024/ |title=Les films de la Sélection officielle 2024 |date=11 April 2024 |access-date=12 April 2024 |archive-date=11 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240411160938/https://www.festival-cannes.com/presse/communiques/les-films-de-la-selection-officielle-2024/ |url-status=live }} and starring Louis Koo, Sammo Hung, Richie Jen, Raymond Lam, Terrance Lau, Kenny Wong, Philip Ng, Tony Wu and German Cheung. The film was based on the novel City of Darkness by Yuyi and the manhua of the same name by Andy Seto.
Having been in development since the 2000s, production for the film officially began in November 2021{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/1088589954568290/posts/4608713109222606/|title=九龍城寨·圍城 - 大家好耐無見啦,有無掛住我哋?😉 俾幾日時間你哋估下有咩演員 🤫|website=Facebook }} and wrapped in April 2022. The film was released in Hong Kong and mainland China on 1 May 2024, and was selected to be in the Official Selection (Midnight Screening) of the 2024 Cannes Film Festival, as part of screened out of competition.{{Cite web |url=https://www.festival-cannes.com/presse/communiques/les-films-de-la-selection-officielle-2024/ |title=Les films de la Sélection officielle 2024 |date=11 April 2024 |access-date=12 April 2024 |archive-date=11 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240411160938/https://www.festival-cannes.com/presse/communiques/les-films-de-la-selection-officielle-2024/ |url-status=live }} The film received critical acclaim.
The film became the second-highest-grossing domestic film of all time in Hong Kong.{{cite news |title=《九龍城寨之圍城》 票房突破8251萬 榮登香港電影史上華語電影總票房第2位 |url=https://hk.news.yahoo.com/%E3%80%8A%E4%B9%9D%E9%BE%8D%E5%9F%8E%E5%AF%A8%E4%B9%8B%E5%9C%8D%E5%9F%8E%E3%80%8B-%E7%A5%A8%E6%88%BF%E7%AA%81%E7%A0%B48251%E8%90%AC-%E6%A6%AE%E7%99%BB%E9%A6%99%E6%B8%AF%E9%9B%BB%E5%BD%B1%E5%8F%B2%E4%B8%8A%E8%8F%AF%E8%AA%9E%E9%9B%BB%E5%BD%B1%E7%B8%BD%E7%A5%A8%E6%88%BF%E7%AC%AC2%E4%BD%8D-064459611.html |access-date=28 May 2024 |work=Yahoo News |date=28 May 2024 |language=zh-Hant-HK}} The film was selected as Hong Kong's official entry for Best International Feature Film at the 97th Academy Awards, but was not nominated.{{Cite web |last=Rosser |first=Michael |title=Hong Kong enters 'Twilight Of The Warriors: Walled In' to Oscar race |url=https://www.screendaily.com/news/hong-kong-enters-twilight-of-the-warriors-walled-in-to-oscar-race/5197383.article |date=20 September 2024 |access-date=20 September 2024 |website=Screen International |language=en}}
Plot
The film is set in 1980s Hong Kong. It follows the story of Chan Lok-kwan, a troubled youth who accidentally enters the notorious Kowloon Walled City. Lok-kwan, a refugee from the mainland, is trying to survive by participating in underground fighting rings. He seeks to buy a fake ID to improve his life but is betrayed by Mr. Big, a local crime syndicate boss. In a desperate move, Lok-kwan steals drugs from Mr. Big and flees to the Walled City, where he encounters Cyclone, the local crime lord who rules the area with a mix of authority and compassion.
In the Walled City, Lok-kwan learns about the order and chaos within the community and forms bonds with Cyclone and his gang. These experiences force him to reflect on what he wants from the future and what he will do to attain it.
Cast
- Louis Koo as Cyclone ({{lang|yue-HK|龍捲風}}): a martial arts master who strives to protect the safety and stability of the residents in the Kowloon Walled City.{{Cite web |url=https://variety.com/2023/film/news/john-chong-soi-cheang-twilight-of-the-warriors-walled-in-1235553381/ |title=John Chong on Making 'Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In' an Authentic Dive into Notorious Kowloon Walled City and Yet Emblematic of Hong Kong's New Wave (EXCLUSIVE) |date=March 14, 2023 |publisher=Variety |access-date=April 19, 2024 |archive-date=23 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230323093413/https://variety.com/2023/film/news/john-chong-soi-cheang-twilight-of-the-warriors-walled-in-1235553381/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |url=https://topick.hket.com/article/3739582/%E4%B9%9D%E9%BE%8D%E5%9F%8E%E5%AF%A8%E4%B9%8B%E5%9C%8D%E5%9F%8E%E4%B8%A8%E5%8B%95%E4%BD%9C%E7%AF%87%E8%A3%BD%E4%BD%9C%E7%89%B9%E8%BC%AF%E6%8F%AD%E6%BC%94%E5%93%A1%E8%A8%93%E7%B7%B4%E9%81%8E%E7%A8%8B%E3%80%80%E5%8F%A4%E5%A4%A9%E6%A8%82%E8%88%87%E6%B4%AA%E9%87%91%E5%AF%B6%E9%A6%96%E6%8B%8D%E5%B0%8D%E6%89%93%E6%88%B2%E7%8D%B2%E8%AE%9A%E8%B3%9E |title=九龍城寨之圍城丨動作篇製作特輯揭演員訓練過程 古天樂與洪金寶首拍對打戲獲讚賞 |date=April 9, 2024 |publisher=TOPick |access-date=April 19, 2024 |language=zh |archive-date=9 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240409085658/https://topick.hket.com/article/3739582/%E4%B9%9D%E9%BE%8D%E5%9F%8E%E5%AF%A8%E4%B9%8B%E5%9C%8D%E5%9F%8E%E4%B8%A8%E5%8B%95%E4%BD%9C%E7%AF%87%E8%A3%BD%E4%BD%9C%E7%89%B9%E8%BC%AF%E6%8F%AD%E6%BC%94%E5%93%A1%E8%A8%93%E7%B7%B4%E9%81%8E%E7%A8%8B%E3%80%80%E5%8F%A4%E5%A4%A9%E6%A8%82%E8%88%87%E6%B4%AA%E9%87%91%E5%AF%B6%E9%A6%96%E6%8B%8D%E5%B0%8D%E6%89%93%E6%88%B2%E7%8D%B2%E8%AE%9A%E8%B3%9E |url-status=live }}
- Sammo Hung as Mr. Big ({{lang|yue-HK|大老闆}}): a crime lord who is solely focused on maximizing his wealth and personal interests.
- Richie Jen as Dik Chau ({{lang|yue-HK|狄秋}}): a high-ranking member of the triad, as well as the biggest landlord in the walled city.{{Cite web |url=https://www.hk01.com/%E9%9B%BB%E5%BD%B1/1005737/%E4%B9%9D%E9%BE%8D%E5%9F%8E%E5%AF%A8%E4%B9%8B%E5%9C%8D%E5%9F%8E-%E9%BE%8D%E5%8D%B7%E9%A2%A8%E5%8F%A4%E5%A4%A9%E6%A8%82%E5%9E%8B%E5%88%B0%E7%82%B8%E8%A3%82-%E9%9B%BB%E5%BD%B1vs%E6%B8%AF%E6%BC%AB%E9%80%A0%E5%9E%8B%E7%B5%82%E6%A5%B5%E5%B0%8D%E6%AF%94 |title=九龍城寨之圍城︱龍卷風古天樂型到炸裂 電影VS港漫造型終極對比 |date=March 30, 2024 |publisher=HK01 |author=莫匡堯 |access-date=April 19, 2024 |language=zh |archive-date=19 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240419105648/https://www.hk01.com/%E9%9B%BB%E5%BD%B1/1005737/%E4%B9%9D%E9%BE%8D%E5%9F%8E%E5%AF%A8%E4%B9%8B%E5%9C%8D%E5%9F%8E-%E9%BE%8D%E5%8D%B7%E9%A2%A8%E5%8F%A4%E5%A4%A9%E6%A8%82%E5%9E%8B%E5%88%B0%E7%82%B8%E8%A3%82-%E9%9B%BB%E5%BD%B1vs%E6%B8%AF%E6%BC%AB%E9%80%A0%E5%9E%8B%E7%B5%82%E6%A5%B5%E5%B0%8D%E6%AF%94 |url-status=live }}
- Raymond Lam as Chan Lok-kwan ({{lang|yue-HK|陳洛軍}}): a refugee who settled in the walled city but became entangled in the chaos within and faced the imminent demolition of the city.{{Cite web |url=https://news.mingpao.com/pns/%E5%89%AF%E5%88%8A/article/20240419/s00005/1713458541077/%E9%84%AD%E4%BF%9D%E7%91%9E%E9%87%8D%E5%A1%91%E5%AF%A8%E5%9F%8E%E6%97%A5%E5%B8%B8-%E4%B8%89%E4%B8%8D%E7%AE%A1%E4%BB%A5%E5%A4%96%E8%80%81%E9%A6%99%E6%B8%AF%E6%95%85%E4%BA%8B |title=鄭保瑞重塑寨城日常 三不管以外老香港故事 |date=April 19, 2024 |publisher=Ming Pao |access-date=April 19, 2024 |language=zh |archive-date=18 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240418213712/https://news.mingpao.com/pns/%E5%89%AF%E5%88%8A/article/20240419/s00005/1713458541077/%E9%84%AD%E4%BF%9D%E7%91%9E%E9%87%8D%E5%A1%91%E5%AF%A8%E5%9F%8E%E6%97%A5%E5%B8%B8-%E4%B8%89%E4%B8%8D%E7%AE%A1%E4%BB%A5%E5%A4%96%E8%80%81%E9%A6%99%E6%B8%AF%E6%95%85%E4%BA%8B |url-status=live }}
- Terrance Lau as Shin ({{lang|yue-HK|信一}}): the loyal second-in-command of Cyclone's outlaw gang who later becomes a companion to Chan.{{Cite web |url=https://topick.hket.com/article/3483738/%E3%80%90%E4%B9%9D%E9%BE%8D%E5%9F%8E%E5%AF%A8%E3%80%91%E5%8F%A4%E5%A4%A9%E6%A8%82-%E6%9E%97%E5%B3%AF%E6%BC%94%E7%B6%93%E5%85%B8%E6%B8%AF%E6%BC%AB%E8%A7%92%E8%89%B2%E3%80%80%E7%9B%A3%E8%A3%BD%E8%8E%8A%E6%BE%84%EF%BC%9A100-%E9%82%84%E5%8E%9F%E5%9F%8E%E5%AF%A8%E9%9D%A2%E8%B2%8C |title=【九龍城寨】古天樂+林峯演經典港漫角色 監製莊澄:100%還原城寨面貌 |date=March 16, 2023 |publisher=TOPick |access-date=April 19, 2024 |language=zh |archive-date=30 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240330041103/https://topick.hket.com/article/3483738/%E3%80%90%E4%B9%9D%E9%BE%8D%E5%9F%8E%E5%AF%A8%E3%80%91%E5%8F%A4%E5%A4%A9%E6%A8%82-%E6%9E%97%E5%B3%AF%E6%BC%94%E7%B6%93%E5%85%B8%E6%B8%AF%E6%BC%AB%E8%A7%92%E8%89%B2%E3%80%80%E7%9B%A3%E8%A3%BD%E8%8E%8A%E6%BE%84%EF%BC%9A100-%E9%82%84%E5%8E%9F%E5%9F%8E%E5%AF%A8%E9%9D%A2%E8%B2%8C |url-status=live }}
- Kenny Wong as Tiger (Tiger {{lang|yue-HK|哥}}): Twelfth Master's boss and the head of the Temple Street gang.
- Philip Ng as King ({{lang|yue-HK|王九}}): Mr. Big's right-hand man.
- Tony Wu as Twelfth Master (十二少): a katana-wielding member of Cyclone's outlaw gang who later becomes a companion to Chan.{{Cite web |url=https://ol.mingpao.com/ldy/showbiz/latest/20240329/1711703847438/%E3%80%8A%E4%B9%9D%E9%BE%8D%E5%9F%8E%E5%AF%A8%E4%B9%8B%E5%9C%8D%E5%9F%8E%E3%80%8B5%E6%9C%881%E6%97%A5%E4%B8%8A%E6%98%A0-%E9%87%8D%E7%8F%BE%E5%9F%8E%E5%AF%A8%E8%88%8A%E8%B2%8C-%E7%98%8B%E7%8B%82%E6%89%93%E9%AC%A5%E6%B4%BB%E7%8F%BE%E6%BC%AB%E7%95%AB%E8%A7%92%E8%89%B2 |title=《九龍城寨之圍城》5月1日上映 重現城寨舊貌 瘋狂打鬥活現漫畫角色 |date=March 29, 2024 |publisher=Ming Pao |access-date=April 19, 2024 |language=zh |archive-date=19 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240419105025/https://ol.mingpao.com/ldy/showbiz/latest/20240329/1711703847438/%E3%80%8A%E4%B9%9D%E9%BE%8D%E5%9F%8E%E5%AF%A8%E4%B9%8B%E5%9C%8D%E5%9F%8E%E3%80%8B5%E6%9C%881%E6%97%A5%E4%B8%8A%E6%98%A0-%E9%87%8D%E7%8F%BE%E5%9F%8E%E5%AF%A8%E8%88%8A%E8%B2%8C-%E7%98%8B%E7%8B%82%E6%89%93%E9%AC%A5%E6%B4%BB%E7%8F%BE%E6%BC%AB%E7%95%AB%E8%A7%92%E8%89%B2 |url-status=live }}
- {{ill|German Cheung|zh|張文傑}} as AV ({{lang|yue-HK|四仔}}): a kickboxer in Cyclone's outlaw gang who later becomes a companion to Chan.
- Chu Pak Hong as Woman Beater ({{lang|yue-HK|九索}}): a woman beater who dabbled in prostitution and drugs. He was beaten up by the Kowloon 4 (Lok-kwun, Shin, Twelfth Master and AV).
- Fish Liew as Fanny ({{lang|yue-HK|燕芬姐}}): a walled city local who works in a fishball stall.
- Cecilia Choi as Jim's wife ({{lang|yue-HK|蘇玉儀/占妻}}): Jim's wife and Lok-kwun's mother.{{Cite web |url=https://topick.hket.com/article/3734708 |title=九龍城寨之圍城丨首條宣傳片發布 古天樂演龍捲風造型曝光 |date=March 29, 2024 |publisher=TOPick |access-date=April 19, 2024 |language=zh |archive-date=4 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240404152150/https://topick.hket.com/article/3734708/ |url-status=live }}
- Jozev Kiu as Double Blade ({{lang|yue-HK|阿七}}): owner of a char siu rice stall in the walled city.{{Cite web |url=https://www.comicbook.hk/detail/2400/%E4%B8%89%E5%80%8B%E5%BF%85%E7%9C%8B%E4%B9%9D%E9%BE%8D%E5%9F%8E%E5%AF%A8%E9%9B%BB%E5%BD%B1%E7%9A%84%E5%8E%9F%E5%9B%A0%EF%BC%9F |title=三個必看九龍城寨電影的原因? |date=April 17, 2024 |publisher=Comicbook.hk |access-date=April 19, 2024 |language=zh |archive-date=18 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240418172545/https://www.comicbook.hk/detail/2400/%E4%B8%89%E5%80%8B%E5%BF%85%E7%9C%8B%E4%B9%9D%E9%BE%8D%E5%9F%8E%E5%AF%A8%E9%9B%BB%E5%BD%B1%E7%9A%84%E5%8E%9F%E5%9B%A0%EF%BC%9F |url-status=live }}{{Better source needed|date=April 2024}}
- Aaron Kwok as Jim ({{lang|yue-HK|陳占/殺人王}}): the notorious 'King of Killers' who was ultimately defeated by Cyclone. He is also Chan Lok-kwan's father. (special guest appearance)
Production
The project had been in development since the 2000s, where it was set to be co-directed by John Woo and Johnnie To and star an all-star cast of Chow Yun-fat, Andy Lau, Tony Leung, Sean Lau, Louis Koo, Anthony Wong, Sun Honglei, Anita Yuen and Zhang Jingchu, with Nicolas Cage, James McAvoy, Li Baotian, Jang Dong-gun, Li Bingbing and Zhang Fengyi making special appearances, as shown on a teaser poster, although nothing was confirmed.{{cite web|url=https://hkmdb.com/db/movies/image_detail.mhtml?id=17545&image_id=255770&display_set=eng|title=Kowloon Walled City teaser poster|access-date=10 February 2022|archive-date=8 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211208064114/https://hkmdb.com/db/movies/image_detail.mhtml?id=17545&image_id=255770&display_set=eng|url-status=live}}
On 13 April 2013, Media Asia announced the project was to be titled Dragon City and set to be directed by Derek Kwok and starring Donnie Yen, who would also serve as action director and producer through his production company, Super Hero Films, and was set to begin production in September of that year.{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/two-donnie-yen-projects-coming-438209/|title=Hong Kong's Media Asia Announces Two Donnie Yen Action Vehicles|website=The Hollywood Reporter|date=12 April 2013|access-date=10 February 2022|archive-date=8 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211208070109/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/two-donnie-yen-projects-coming-438209/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://budomate.com/dragon-city/|title=ACE COP FIGHTING CRIME IN DRAGON CITY|access-date=10 February 2022|archive-date=8 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211208064119/https://budomate.com/dragon-city/|url-status=live}}
After seemingly stuck in development hell for several years, Media Asia once again announced the project on 28 February 2021, with Soi Cheang set to direct while Koo, Richie Jen and Zhang Jin are set to star.{{cite web|url=https://www.screendaily.com/news/media-asia-launches-second-hong-kong-omnibus-project/5157536.article|title=Media Asia launches second Hong Kong omnibus project|access-date=10 February 2022|archive-date=21 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210921152030/https://www.screendaily.com/news/media-asia-launches-second-hong-kong-omnibus-project/5157536.article|url-status=live}} Principal photography for the film officially began on 22 November 2021, as was revealed in a post on the film's official Facebook page, although the cast was not revealed yet until the film held its production commencement ceremony on 30 November, which was attended by Cheang, producers John Chong and Wilson Yip and cast members Koo, Sammo Hung, Jen, Raymond Lam, Terrance Lau, Kenny Wong, Tony Wu, German Cheung, Philip Ng, Chu Pak Hong and Chung Suet Ying. Koo revealed that two replica sets of the Kowloon Walled City were built for filming, while actual magazines, record albums, televisions and commercials from the 1980s will be used as props.{{cite web|url=https://topick.hket.com/article/3120202/%E3%80%90%E4%B9%9D%E9%BE%8D%E5%9F%8E%E5%AF%A8%E3%80%91%E5%8F%A4%E5%A4%A9%E6%A8%82%E5%9B%9E%E5%91%B380%E5%B9%B4%E4%BB%A3%E9%A6%99%E6%B8%AF%E3%80%80%E6%B4%AA%E9%87%91%E5%AF%B6%E9%AB%98%E8%88%88%E5%8F%AF%E7%B9%BC%E7%BA%8C%E6%8B%8D%E9%A6%99%E6%B8%AF%E9%9B%BB%E5%BD%B1|title=【九龍城寨】古天樂回味80年代香港 洪金寶高興可繼續拍香港電影|access-date=10 February 2022|archive-date=6 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220106005012/https://topick.hket.com/article/3120202/%E3%80%90%E4%B9%9D%E9%BE%8D%E5%9F%8E%E5%AF%A8%E3%80%91%E5%8F%A4%E5%A4%A9%E6%A8%82%E5%9B%9E%E5%91%B380%E5%B9%B4%E4%BB%A3%E9%A6%99%E6%B8%AF%E3%80%80%E6%B4%AA%E9%87%91%E5%AF%B6%E9%AB%98%E8%88%88%E5%8F%AF%E7%B9%BC%E7%BA%8C%E6%8B%8D%E9%A6%99%E6%B8%AF%E9%9B%BB%E5%BD%B1|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.8days.sg/entertainment/asian/sammo-hung-69-makes-acting-comeback-hk-movie-says-its-because-he-has-no-money-532591|title=Sammo Hung, 69, Makes Acting Comeback In HK Movie, Says It's Because He Has "No Money"|publisher=8days.sg|first=Ilsa|last=Chan|date=2 December 2021|accessdate=24 October 2022|archive-date=25 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221025005402/https://www.8days.sg/entertainment/asian/sammo-hung-69-makes-acting-comeback-hk-movie-says-its-because-he-has-no-money-532591|url-status=live}} All the main cast spent a year training to prepare for the film's fight scenes.{{cite web|url=https://www.thestar.com.my/lifestyle/entertainment/2021/12/05/hk-actor-sammo-hung-to-star-in-new-louis-koo-film-because-he-has-039no-money039|title=HK actor Sammo Hung to star in new Louis Koo film because he has 'no money'|date=5 December 2021 |access-date=10 February 2022|archive-date=8 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211208071401/https://www.thestar.com.my/lifestyle/entertainment/2021/12/05/hk-actor-sammo-hung-to-star-in-new-louis-koo-film-because-he-has-039no-money039|url-status=live}} On 3 April 2022, filming was officially wrapped and the film went into the post-production process.
Release
Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In was theatrically released in Hong Kong and mainland China on 1 May 2024.{{Cite web |last=Wong |first=Silvia |date=2024-05-06 |title='Twilight Of The Warriors: Walled In' leads Hong Kong box office ahead of Cannes bow |url=https://www.screendaily.com/news/twilight-of-the-warriors-walled-in-leads-hong-kong-box-office-ahead-of-cannes-bow/5193050.article |access-date=2025-02-15 |website=Screen Daily |language=en}} The film became the highest-grossing one in Hong Kong by July 2024, earning $105 million HKD,{{Cite magazine |last=Wong |first=Sylvia |date=2024-07-03 |title=Hong Kong box office down 17% in first half of 2024 despite local hit |url=https://www.screendaily.com/news/hong-kong-box-office-down-17-in-first-half-of-2024-despite-local-hit/5195188.article |access-date=2024-07-04 |magazine=Screen Daily}} and surpassed the record for the most-viewed local film with 1.59 million viewers.{{Cite news |last=Li |first=Ambrose |date=2024-07-02 |title=Twilight of the Warriors delivers knockout blow to become the most-watched local film ever |url=https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3268885/twilight-warriors-delivers-knockout-hong-kongs-most-watched-film-ever |access-date=2024-07-04 |work=South China Morning Post}} It also topped the mainland Chinese daily box office,{{Cite web |date=2024-05-17 |title=Crime thriller "Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In" continues to lead Chinese box office |url=https://english.news.cn/20240517/1a0077e537b54774a6cb8ac2673513ed/c.html |access-date=2025-02-15 |website=Xinhua |language=en}} earning $95 million USD by the end of May.{{Cite web |last=Brzeski |first=Patrick |date=2024-08-12 |title='Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In' Director Soi Cheang on Reviving Hong Kong Action Cinema, Plans for Prequel and Sequel |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-features/twilight-of-the-warriors-walled-in-director-soi-cheang-prequel-sequel-1235972082/ |access-date=2025-02-15 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US}}
File:Twilight of the Warriors Walled In standing ovation at 2024 Cannes Film Festival.jpg
The film was also selected to be in the Official Selection (Midnight Screening) of the 2024 Cannes Film Festival, where it was screened on 16 May 2024.{{cite web|url=https://www.festival-cannes.com/en/2024/the-screenings-guide-of-the-77th-festival-de-cannes/|title=The Screenings Guide of the 77th Festival de Cannes|date=8 May 2024|website=Festival de Cannes|access-date=8 May 2024}} It also released in the UK on 24 May 2024. The film was also showcased at the 23rd New York Asian Film Festival on 28 July 2024, as the closing film of the festival.{{Cite web |url=https://www.indiewire.com/news/general-news/new-york-asian-film-festival-2024-lineup-1235015989/ |title=New York Asian Film Festival 2024 Hosts 'Twilight of the Warriors' and 'Fly Me to the Moon' Premieres |date=13 June 2024 |publisher=IndieWire |last=Bergeson |first=Samantha |access-date=22 July 2024}}
The film had its Canadian premiere at the 28th Fantasia International Film Festival on August 1, 2024.{{cite web |url=https://fantasiafestival.com/en/news/fantasia-2024-third-wave |title=Fantasia's 28th Edition Awards Filmmaker Mike Flanagan, Closes with the World Premiere of André Forcier's Ababouiné |website=Fantasia International Film Festival |access-date=July 3, 2024}} It will also be showcased at 37th Tokyo International Film Festival in Gala Selection on 1 November 2024.{{Cite web|url=https://2024.tiff-jp.net/news/en/?p=18969 |title= 37th TIFF's Gala Selection Unveiled; Trailer with Festival Song to Screen from Sept. 20 |website=Tokyo International Film Festival |date=September 20, 2024 |access-date=September 21, 2024|language=en}}
It was featured in the Limelight section of the 54th International Film Festival Rotterdam to be screened in February 2025.{{cite web|url=https://iffr.com/en/iffr/2025/films/twilight-of-the-warriors-walled-in |title=Limelight: Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In|work=International Film Festival Rotterdam|access-date=7 January 2025}}
Reception
=Box office=
Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In grossed a total of US$111,456,536 worldwide, combining its gross from Hong Kong (US$13,729,253), mainland China (US$94,345,074), United States, (US$336,023), France (US$367,979), United Kingdom (US$136,272), Australia (US$468,253), New Zealand (US$50,037), Vietnam (US$1,978,004) and South Korea (US$45,641).{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl2540404737/weekend/|title=Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In|work=Box Office Mojo |access-date=2024-12-20}}{{cite web|url=https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Twilight-of-the-Warriors-Walled-In-(2024-China)|title=Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In|work=The Numbers|access-date=2024-08-19}}
=Critical reception=
{{Rotten Tomatoes prose|92|7.8|37|consensus=An action-packed homage that nails the nitty-gritty choreo-crazed daze of '80s Hong Kong cinema to masterful effect.|ref=yes|access-date=4 September 2024}}
{{Metacritic film prose|77|10|ref=yes|access-date=4 September 2024}}
Awards and nominations
The film received a total of 14 nominations in the 43rd Hong Kong Film Awards, making it the second most-nominated film of the year, behind The Last Dance.{{Cite web |url=https://www.hk01.com/%E9%9B%BB%E5%BD%B1/60210546/%E9%87%91%E5%83%8F%E7%8D%8E2025-%E8%A8%B1%E5%86%A0%E6%96%87%E5%8A%89%E9%9D%92%E9%9B%B2%E9%83%AD%E5%AF%8C%E5%9F%8E%E7%88%AD%E5%BD%B1%E5%B8%9D-%E9%BB%83%E5%AD%90%E8%8F%AF%E5%90%B3%E5%90%9B%E5%A6%82%E7%84%A1%E7%B7%A3%E5%85%A5%E5%9C%8D |title=金像獎2025提名名單|三大影帝鬥林峯游學修 衛詩雅鍾雪瑩爭影后 |date=14 February 2025 |website=HK01 |author=洪曉璇 |access-date=14 February 2025 |language=zh}}
See also
Notes
{{Notelist}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
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{{Cheang Pou-soi}}
{{Hong Kong submissions for the Academy Award for Best International Feature Film}}
Category:2024 martial arts films
Category:Hong Kong action films
Category:Hong Kong gangster films
Category:Hong Kong martial arts films
Category:Films directed by Cheang Pou-soi
Category:2020s Cantonese-language films
Category:2020s Hong Kong films
Category:2020s Japanese-language films
Category:Films set in the 1980s
Category:Films set in Hong Kong
Category:Films shot in Hong Kong
Category:Films based on Hong Kong comics