''Exiled'' () is a 2006 Hong Kong action drama film produced and directed by
Johnnie To
Johnnie To Kei-fung (born 22 April 1955) is a Hong Kong film director, screenwriter and film producer. Popular in his native Hong Kong, To has also found acclaim overseas. Intensely prolific, To has made films in a variety of genres, though in ...
, and starring
Anthony Wong,
Francis Ng,
Nick Cheung
Nick Cheung Ka-fai (; born 2 December 1964) is a Hong Kong actor, singer and director.
Background
He was formerly a Royal Hong Kong Police officer for four years, but he left the job after his request to be transferred to the criminal investigat ...
,
Josie Ho
Josephine "Josie" Ho Chiu-yi (; born 26 December 1974) is a singer and actress from Hong Kong. She is the daughter of the Macao casino magnate Stanley Ho.
Acting career
She has played many roles, including portraying the parts of prostitutes, whi ...
,
Roy Cheung
Roy Cheung Yiu-Yeung (; born 20 July 1963 in Hong Kong) is a Hong Kong-based actor, best known on-screen for his roles as Triad gangsters in a number of films.
Early life and career
As a child, Cheung idolized kung-fu legend Bruce Lee but ne ...
and
Lam Suet, with special appearances by
Richie Jen
Richie Jen Hsien-chi (, born 23 June 1966) is a Taiwanese singer and actor. He graduated from the Chinese Culture University's physical education department. His hits include "Too Softhearted" (), "Look Over Here, Girl" (), "The Sad Pacific" () ...
and
Simon Yam
Simon Yam Tat-wah (; born 19 March 1955) is a Hong Kong actor and film producer. He received international acclaim for his performances in international film festival and box office hits such as ''Naked Killer'', '' SPL: Sha Po Lang'', ''Election' ...
. The action takes place in contemporary
Macau
Macau or Macao (; ; ; ), officially the Macao Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China (MSAR), is a city and special administrative region of China in the western Pearl River Delta by the South China Sea. With a pop ...
. The film made its premiere at the
63rd Venice International Film Festival, and was in competition for the
Golden Lion
The Golden Lion ( it, Leone d'oro) is the highest prize given to a film at the Venice Film Festival. The prize was introduced in 1949 by the organizing committee and is now regarded as one of the film industry's most prestigious and distinguishe ...
.
Plot
In 1998
Macau
Macau or Macao (; ; ; ), officially the Macao Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China (MSAR), is a city and special administrative region of China in the western Pearl River Delta by the South China Sea. With a pop ...
, former
mobster Wo (
Nick Cheung
Nick Cheung Ka-fai (; born 2 December 1964) is a Hong Kong actor, singer and director.
Background
He was formerly a Royal Hong Kong Police officer for four years, but he left the job after his request to be transferred to the criminal investigat ...
) lives quietly with his wife, Jin (
Josie Ho
Josephine "Josie" Ho Chiu-yi (; born 26 December 1974) is a singer and actress from Hong Kong. She is the daughter of the Macao casino magnate Stanley Ho.
Acting career
She has played many roles, including portraying the parts of prostitutes, whi ...
), and his newborn child in a nondescript apartment, having turned over a new leaf. But vengeful mob boss Fay (
Simon Yam
Simon Yam Tat-wah (; born 19 March 1955) is a Hong Kong actor and film producer. He received international acclaim for his performances in international film festival and box office hits such as ''Naked Killer'', '' SPL: Sha Po Lang'', ''Election' ...
)—whom Wo once tried to assassinate—has dispatched a pair of ageing hitmen to cut that peaceful existence short. Once arrived, Wo's childhood friends and hitmen Blaze (
Anthony Wong), Fat (
Lam Suet), Tai (
Francis Ng) and Cat (
Roy Cheung
Roy Cheung Yiu-Yeung (; born 20 July 1963 in Hong Kong) is a Hong Kong-based actor, best known on-screen for his roles as Triad gangsters in a number of films.
Early life and career
As a child, Cheung idolized kung-fu legend Bruce Lee but ne ...
), who are determined to protect Wo. After a brief showdown, the whole group comes to an uneasy truce, lay their weapons down and bond over dinner— after all, these men grew up together in the same gang. Reunited and hungry for another score, they visit a fixer called Jeff (
Cheung Siu-fai
Cheung Siu-fai (; born 4 February 1963), also known as Eddie Cheung, is a Hong Kong actor. He is best known for his many supporting or everyman roles similar to Liu Kai-chi
Dick Liu Kai-chi (, 30 September 1953 – 28 March 2021) was a Hon ...
), who gives the gang the job of killing a rival boss, Boss Keung (
Gordon Lam), as well as telling them about the location of a large quantity of gold being transported for a corrupt official. Wo makes the gang promise that if anything happens to him, his wife and son will be looked after.
Later that night the friends find Boss Keung in a restaurant; however, Boss Fay, wanting to take over the other boss's territory, interrupts the meeting. Boss Fay recognising Blaze sitting in the restaurant, openly chastises and humiliates him for not killing Wo, culminating in Fay shooting Blaze. However unbeknownst to Fay, Blaze is wearing a bulletproof vest and survives. Wo, seeing this, opens fire before Fay can finish Blaze off. A gunfight erupts in the restaurant with Fay being shot in the leg and Keung in the arm. The two bosses come to an agreement to share territory and profits, further agreeing to kill the gang of friends. Having narrowly escaped the restaurant shootout the friends decide to take a severely shot Wo to an underground clinic for medical assistance. After negotiating a price, the doctor operates removing the bullets from Wo. However, as he is sewing up Wo's wound, there is a loud banging at the door. Having heard this the remainder of the waiting friends hide in the doctor's flat. The door is answered and both Fay and Keung burst in seeking help for their injuries sustained in the restaurant shootout. Fay pushes a still unconscious Wo out of the way and orders the doctor to tend to his wound first. Meanwhile, Keung takes a look around the flat and comes across a hiding Fat. Realizing that they have been found, the gang begin to dispatch the bosses' henchmen. Meanwhile, Wo wakes up and slowly gets to his feet to escape before collapsing. The rest of the friends not knowing where Wo has got to, make an exit down the back of the apartment. However whilst escaping across the back courtyard, Boss Fay throws Wo from a high window and pins down Wo's friends preventing any rescue attempt. The gang desperately try to retrieve their critically injured but still alive friend but Fay still shoots at them and even manages to shoot Wo. Quick thinking Fat seeing that his friend has come to rest on some tarpaulin pulls Wo to safety and the gang escape. Now in the car Wo knowing he is near death, asks to be taken back to his wife and son. Wo dies shortly after.
Handing Wo's body over to his wife, Jin, she demands to know what has happened and in her grief opens fire on Blaze and Tai who run away. Jin contemplates killing herself and her son but thinks better of it. She instead smashes up the furniture in the house and makes a funeral pyre for Wo. She then sets fire to Wo and the flat and leaves with her son. The reduced gang leave the city in search of the gold. After coming across the heavily guarded convoy carrying the gold, they flip a coin to decide whether to hijack it or not. The coin comes up tails meaning they will not proceed with the robbery. After carrying on down the road however the come across the convoy being ambushed by another gang. They witness all the police officers bar one crack-shot being killed. The friends decide to help the officer (
Richie Jen
Richie Jen Hsien-chi (, born 23 June 1966) is a Taiwanese singer and actor. He graduated from the Chinese Culture University's physical education department. His hits include "Too Softhearted" (), "Look Over Here, Girl" (), "The Sad Pacific" () ...
) by dispatching the rest of the gang. The friends appreciating the policeman's sharp shooting decide to split the gold with him and drive off to a hidden dock to transport the gold to the mainland and a new life. Meanwhile, back in the city, Jin still furious about the death of her husband goes looking for the friends, asking many people until she is recognised by the fixer Jeff who in turn contacts his boss, Boss Fay.
Fay with a captured Jin calls a gloating Blaze, who is then informed of the situation. He is told to meet Fay at midnight otherwise Jin and her son will be killed. Determined to protect Jin after Wo's death, the friends agree and leave the officer at the dock with the gold telling him they will return by dawn. Once at the meeting place the four friends are confronted by Jin, whom Fay allows to shoot Blaze in revenge. However Blaze is again hit in the chest, surviving due to his bullet proof vest. Tai steps in, throwing a bag of gold at Fay's feet telling him that he can have it all if Fay lets them all go. Fay agrees, but tells them Blaze must stay to face the consequences of not following orders. Blaze agrees to this deal and the remainder of the friends leave with Jin. However, as they leave, Tai informs Jin of the boat and the policeman and tells her to drive there. With Jin safe the greatly outnumbered friends open fire. In the resulting gunfight all are killed, including Boss Fay and Boss Keung. As the friends lie dying they all smile knowing they have kept their promise to Wo.
Cast
*
Anthony Wong as Blaze
*
Francis Ng as Tai
*
Nick Cheung
Nick Cheung Ka-fai (; born 2 December 1964) is a Hong Kong actor, singer and director.
Background
He was formerly a Royal Hong Kong Police officer for four years, but he left the job after his request to be transferred to the criminal investigat ...
as Wo
*
Josie Ho
Josephine "Josie" Ho Chiu-yi (; born 26 December 1974) is a singer and actress from Hong Kong. She is the daughter of the Macao casino magnate Stanley Ho.
Acting career
She has played many roles, including portraying the parts of prostitutes, whi ...
as Jin, Wo's wife
*
Roy Cheung
Roy Cheung Yiu-Yeung (; born 20 July 1963 in Hong Kong) is a Hong Kong-based actor, best known on-screen for his roles as Triad gangsters in a number of films.
Early life and career
As a child, Cheung idolized kung-fu legend Bruce Lee but ne ...
as Cat
*
Lam Suet as Fat
*
Richie Jen
Richie Jen Hsien-chi (, born 23 June 1966) is a Taiwanese singer and actor. He graduated from the Chinese Culture University's physical education department. His hits include "Too Softhearted" (), "Look Over Here, Girl" (), "The Sad Pacific" () ...
as Sergeant Chen (special appearance)
*
Simon Yam
Simon Yam Tat-wah (; born 19 March 1955) is a Hong Kong actor and film producer. He received international acclaim for his performances in international film festival and box office hits such as ''Naked Killer'', '' SPL: Sha Po Lang'', ''Election' ...
as Boss Fay (special appearance)
*
Gordon Lam as Boss Keung
*
Cheung Siu-fai
Cheung Siu-fai (; born 4 February 1963), also known as Eddie Cheung, is a Hong Kong actor. He is best known for his many supporting or everyman roles similar to Liu Kai-chi
Dick Liu Kai-chi (, 30 September 1953 – 28 March 2021) was a Hon ...
as Jeff
* Tam Ping-man as Uncle Fortune
*
Benz Hui
Benz Hui Shiu-hung (born 4 November 1948) is a Hong Kong film and TV actor. Hui is credited with over 165 films. Hui is a currently a TV actor with TVB.
Early life and family
Hui comes from an influential family in Canton. His great-grandfather ...
as Sergeant Shan
*
Ellen Chan
Ellen Chan Ar-Lun (, born February 16, 1966) is a Hong Kong actress and singer who has appeared in a number of Hong Kong film productions.
Filmography
* '' Alibis'' (1977)
* '' Grow Up in Anger'' (1986)
* '' Fury'' (1988)
* '' How To Pick Gi ...
as Hooker
* Wong Chi-wai as Darkie
Reception
Festivals
''Exiled'' was shown in Competition at the
63rd Venice International Film Festival. It was also shown at the
2006 Toronto International Film Festival
The 31st Toronto International Film Festival ran from September 7 to September 16, 2006. Opening the festival was Zacharias Kunuk and Norman Cohn's ''The Journals of Knud Rasmussen'', a film that "explores the history of the through the eyes of a ...
, the
2007 Bangkok International Film Festival
The 2007 Bangkok International Film Festival was held from July 19 to July 29, 2007, at SF Group's SF World Cinema at CentralWorld. The fifth consecutive year for the festival, organizers planned a program of about 100 films, with an emphasis on A ...
, 2007 8th
Jeonju International Film Festival
Jeonju International Film Festival (JIFF, Korean: 전주국제영화제, Hanja: 全州國際映畵祭) is an Asian film festival. It was launched in 2000 as a non-competitive film festival with partial competition. It introduces independent a ...
, 2008
Midnight Sun Film Festival
The Midnight Sun Film Festival ( fi, Sodankylän elokuvajuhlat) is an annual five-day film festival in Sodankylä, Finland. The festival usually takes place in the second week of June, but from June 14 to 18 in 2017. One of the main characteristic ...
and the 2007
Seattle International Film Festival.
Category III Rating
The film was awarded a
Category III rating (18+ restriction), particularly for one scene showing Simon Yam's character shaking hands with another gangster with their left hands turned around, making a
triads agreement handshake. The scene is present on the Mega-Star uncut Limited Edition DVD. However, only the Category IIB cut version was released in Hong Kong theatrically.
Box office
''Exiled'' was released in Hong Kong on 19 October. The film, on opening weekend, grossed a total of US$47,533. The film's total HK box-office take was US$687,434.
It was later released in the United States with an R-rating by the
MPAA
The Motion Picture Association (MPA) is an American trade association representing the five major film studios of the United States, as well as the video streaming service Netflix. Founded in 1922 as the Motion Picture Producers and Distribu ...
"for strong violence and some sexual content." Following its limited released in the United States, ''Exiled'' grossed US$20,351 on opening weekend. The film's total gross was US$49,413.
Distribution
Magnolia Pictures acquired the North American rights of ''Exiled'' and the film was given a limited release as of 31 August 2007. The North American DVD version of the film was released on 11 January 2008.
Critical reception
''Exiled'' received fairly good reviews in the United States. The film is currently one of the highest-rated limited-release films of 2007 on
Rotten Tomatoes
Rotten Tomatoes is an American review-aggregation website for film and television. The company was launched in August 1998 by three undergraduate students at the University of California, Berkeley: Senh Duong, Patrick Y. Lee, and Stephen Wang ...
at 82%. Critics often made comparisons to the early
Spaghetti Western
The Spaghetti Western is a broad subgenre of Western films produced in Europe. It emerged in the mid-1960s in the wake of Sergio Leone's film-making style and international box-office success. The term was used by foreign critics because most o ...
pictures made by filmmakers such as
Sergio Leone
Sergio Leone (; 3 January 1929 – 30 April 1989) was an Italian film director, producer and screenwriter credited as the pioneer of the Spaghetti Western genre and widely regarded as one of the most influential directors in the history of cin ...
and
Sam Peckinpah
David Samuel Peckinpah (; February 21, 1925 – December 28, 1984) was an American film director and screenwriter. His 1969 Western epic ''The Wild Bunch'' received an Academy Award nomination and was ranked No. 80 on the American Film Institute ...
, hailing the film for its action sequences and dark humour.
Newsweek Magazine even awarded the film at number 4 as one of 2007's "Best Action Movie Scenes"
Some critics, however, were less enthusiastic by the film. Film critic
Roger Ebert
Roger Joseph Ebert (; June 18, 1942 – April 4, 2013) was an American film critic, film historian, journalist, screenwriter, and author. He was a film critic for the ''Chicago Sun-Times'' from 1967 until his death in 2013. In 1975, Ebert beca ...
of the ''
Chicago Sun-Times
The ''Chicago Sun-Times'' is a daily newspaper published in Chicago, Illinois, United States. Since 2022, it is the flagship paper of Chicago Public Media, and has the second largest circulation among Chicago newspapers, after the ''Chicago T ...
'', awarded the film a 2.5 star rating, writing:
Accolades
Remake
Hong Kong film distributor
Media Asia Group
Media Asia Entertainment Group (), Media Asia Group (, ), is a Hong Kong production company and film distributor for films made in Hong Kong and throughout China. It is a subsidiary of Lai Sun Development Company Ltd.
History
Headquartered ...
has announced a remake of ''Exiled''. The company brokered a deal with film producer
Samuel Hadida, who is attached as a producer.
The Indian
Malayalam film
Malayalam cinema is an Indian cinema, Indian film industry of Malayalam-language motion pictures. It is based in Kochi, Kerala, India. The films produced in Malayalam cinema are known for their cinematography and story-driven plots. In 1982, ...
''
Bachelor Party'', released on 15 June 2012, is an uncredited remake of the film ''Exiled''.
See also
*
List of Hong Kong films
*
List of films set in Macau
The following is a list of films set in Macau:
* '' The Edge Of Human'' (2022)
* ''Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings'' (2021)
* ''Madalena'' (2021)
* '' Let's Sing'' (2021)
* ''Macao 2525'' (2021) - aka The 21st Creator, the first Macanes ...
References
External links
*
*
{{Golden Horse Award for Audience Choice
2006 films
2000s action thriller films
2000s crime thriller films
Hong Kong action thriller films
Hong Kong crime thriller films
2000s Cantonese-language films
Gun fu films
Triad films
Media Asia films
Milkyway Image films
Films directed by Johnnie To
Films set in Macau
2000s Hong Kong films