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The action ignites when police interception of a major drug shipment tips both sides off to the existence of the moles. The task of rooting out each mole is assigned to the mole himself. The survival of each depends on being the first to root out his counterpart. The film is unrelentingly dark, albeit slick and stylish. A literal translation of its Chinese title is "Way of Wujian". Wujian is the buddhist's bottom-most ring of hell. The psychological intensity adds to the suspense but removes the film from the realm of popular suspense thrillers.
That makes the success of IA all the more remarkable. Released in December of 2002, it grossed US$7 million in Hong Kong alone, making it the most successful local product of all time. Given that the city's population is only 6.5 million, that's like an American film grossing $300 million domestically! It also swept the seven most important categories of the Hong Kong Film Awards, including best picture, director, actor, supporting actor, screenplay, editing and best original song. At the Golden Horse Awards it won best picture, director, actor, supporting actor and sound effects. Its success quickly inspired a Godfather-style expansion into a trilogy, with parts II and III being released within a year of the original. Little wonder Miramax picked up global distribution rights for the original. It's destined to become a classic of the genre.
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon Prequel
Bid for Another Miracle
(Christmas 2004)
Undoubtedly the most impatiently awaited Chinese film of 2004 is the long-rumored prequel to Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. Director Ang Lee is playing this one close to the vest, but a few details appear reliable. The Lee-Schamus screenplay will be based on Part 2 (Precious Sword, Gold Hairpin) -- and possibly as well, part 3 (Sword Force, Pear Shine) -- of the pulp fantasy serialized novel Crane-Iron Pentalogy (of which Part 4 is the basis for the first Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon). Jet Li is rumored to have signed on to play the young Lee Mubai, the character played by Chow Yun-Fat in the original. Michelle Yeoh will return but Chow Yun-Fat and Zhang Ziyi probably won't. The Prequel will likely have a budget at least three times the size of the original. It should buy more consistent cinematography and tighter editing. The question is whether Jet Li can achieve the romantic chemistry that was such a big part of CTHD's success.
Production is expected to begin in late winter of 2004, suggesting a likely Christmas release. That's the season that worked so well for the original.
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“The task of rooting out each mole is assigned to the mole himself. The survival of each depends on being the first to root out his counterpart.”
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