Hong Kong director Herman Yau said he would explore a new direction for Hong Kong movies through his latest venture, "Death Notice."

Actress Myolie Wu, actor Julian Cheung, writer Zhou Haohui, and director Herman Yau pose for a photo at the premiere of "Death Notice" in Beijing, Aug. 16, 2023. [Photo courtesy of Dark Horse]

Based on Zhou Haohui's enigmatic 2009 novel "Death Notice: The Darker," the film is set in Hong Kong and follows the story of a vigilante serial killer known as "Darker" who leaves death notices specifying the time and method of each murder. Despite the victims reporting the notices to the police and receiving protection, the killer effortlessly evades their security measures. In response, the police establish a special task force, uncovering a major hidden conspiracy.

Yau, at the premiere held on Aug. 16 in Beijing, shared that combining Hong Kong-style crime films with a Chinese mainland suspense literature franchise was an exploration of new possibilities. "I intend to offer audiences a refreshing and captivating experience," he said.

The filmmaker decided to make the movie after reading the original novel. He described how the novel's meticulously crafted and engaging plot captivated him, making it impossible for him to put the book down. He said he was particularly drawn to the complexities of human nature captured by the dilemmas and choices faced by the different characters. 

In creating the film, which boasts a stellar cast, including Julian Cheung, Francis Ng, Louis Koo, and Myolie Wu, Yau departed from his usual repertoire of action scenes, such as gunfights and explosions, that define his previous works. Instead, he focused on accentuating suspenseful and investigative elements, a pleasant surprise for many Hong Kong cinema enthusiasts. Yau's distinctive touch for intense storytelling seamlessly aligned with the intricate narrative of "Death Notice," which skillfully weaves together themes of revenge, complex relationships, and unresolved police cases to shed light on social issues such as the perils of vigilante justice and the dark underbelly of the triad-controlled real estate sector in Hong Kong.

The director also mentioned that Julian Cheung was the perfect choice for the role of the police inspector, Lo Fei. He highlighted the actor's genuine interest in intellectual and deduction games in his daily life, along with his excellent memory and logical thinking skills, which perfectly fit with the portrayal of Lo Fei as a "genius detective."

Julian Cheung, who attended the premiere, expressed how much he enjoyed filming and found it extremely satisfying. He even expressed a desire to take on a character similar to Louis Koo's, the sole and disfigured survivor of Darker's initial act of terror, if given the opportunity. Myolie Wu, who portrays Lo's deceased fiancée and who exists solely in Lo's imagination in the film, described the role as the most unique she has ever played. The character was developed through continuous discussions between herself and Julian Cheung.

A poster for "Death Notice" in Beijing, Aug. 16, 2023. [Image courtesy of Sil-Metropole Organisation]

The author of the original book and on which the film is based, Zhou Haohui, expressed his admiration after watching the movie, stating, "It completely exceeded my long-held expectations." He noted that the film remained faithful to his original story and that the casting of the actors perfectly embodied the qualities of the characters from the novel. Specifically, he also believed that Cheung was the ideal choice for the role of Lo Fei, aligning with his own imaginative portrayal.

"Death Notice" was released in Chinese theaters on Aug. 18. Known for his productivity, Herman Yau intends to release five films this year alone. These include the already-released "The White Storm 3: Heaven or Hell," "Death Notice," and the eagerly awaited "Raid on the Lethal Zone," "Customs Frontline," and "Operation Moscow."

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