Dante Lam and Tong Wai-hon's new crime drama, "Bursting Point," premiered in Beijing on Dec. 6, showcasing the charisma of Hong Kong cinema and featuring stunning action scenes. The film pays tribute to China's anti-drug police.

Cast and crew of "Bursting Point" pose for a photo on the red carpet at the film's premiere in Beijing, Dec. 6, 2023. [Photo courtesy of Bona Film Group]

The film revolves around a chief inspector, played by Nick Cheung, and an undercover officer (William Chan) as they secretly carry out a mission to apprehend drug traffickers, only to find themselves in a perilous situation. The undercover cop is forced to navigate the gray area between right and wrong, gradually losing control.

"Dante Lam has always risked his life for the perfect shot," noted Yu Dong, chairman of Bona Film Group and the film's producer, who has worked with Lam for 13 years. "His movies are always intense and full of emotions. After many years, he returns to Hong Kong cinema, incorporating more elements and enriching the diversity of Chinese genre films."

Yu and Lam have collaborated on various popular film projects, including box office juggernauts "Operation Mekong," which took in 1.19 billion yuan, "Operation Red Sea," which grossed 3.65 billion yuan, and the two installments of "The Battle at Lake Changjin," which earned a total of 9.84 billion yuan in China.

Lam, who also wrote and produced the movie, explained that since directing "That Demon Within" in 2014, he has been filming on the Chinese mainland. "Returning to Hong Kong cinema this time, I will fully challenge myself and break all limitations, pouring all my hard work and energy into it," he said.

The film also marks the debut feature by the young director Tong Wai-hon, who co-directs the movie alongside Lam. He expressed his gratitude to Lam for his help and to Nick Cheung for recommending him. "I previously worked as an assistant director on two of Lam's films and greatly admired his unwavering dedication," Tong said. "He would fully immerse himself in every task, leaving everything else behind. Now, I also approach each project as if it were my last, striving to have no regrets."

During the press event, the actors also shared their own "bursting points" that made them lose control. However, Nick Cheung, who plays police chief inspector in the movie, believes his character is the only one who remains in control, upholding his duty and protecting lives despite facing personal difficulties and immense pressure.

William Chan, who plays an undercover detective in the film, emphasized that his character "has no choice every time he loses control." He drew inspiration from real-life experiences of undercover officers. Despite fighting to the last breath, they hold onto justice and maintain hope for the world. The intense atmosphere on set fueled the actors' performances, highlighting the hardships and commitment of undercover police officers. In reality, the world of undercover work is far more violent, bloody and tragic than portrayed in movies, he explained.

"Through my role, I want people to see how great undercover officers are," Chan added.

Cheung echoed his sentiment: "The average age of Chinese anti-drug police officers remains at 41 years old. They silently contribute a lot in places we cannot see. The number of deaths among anti-drug police officers is double that of other police officers. We must respect their dedication."

A promotional poster for "Bursting Point." [Image courtesy of Bona Film Group]

"Every character in this film, regardless of their identity, is an ordinary person," director Lam concluded. "They all have their own concerns, and no matter how cruel the circumstances, they are ultimately doing it for their families. Therefore, family is the most important thing. We should cherish our own families."

"Bursting Point" was released in theaters nationwide on Dec. 8.

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