Amphetamine (2009 film)
Encyclopedia
Amphetamine is a 2010 Hong Kong film
starring Byron Pang
and Thomas Price. It revolves around the story of a Chinese fitness trainer, Kafka, who meets Daniel, a business executive. The film is directed by acclaimed Hong Kong Chinese film-maker Scud
, the stage name of Danny Cheng Wan-Cheung. It was nominated for a Teddy Award at the Berlin International Film Festival
of 2010. It explores several themes traditionally regarded as 'taboo' in Hong Kong society in an unusually open, convention-defying way, and is one of four such films by Scud. The three others are: City Without Baseball
, released in 2008, Permanent Residence
in 2009, and his most recent, Love Actually... Sucks!
, in 2011.
The film stars Hong Kong Chinese actor and former model Byron Pang
(Cantonese: Pang Koon-Kei), who was a runner-up contestant for Mr. Hong Kong
in 2005, and Thomas Price, a half Chinese-half British actor who appeared in Permanent Residence
and City Without Baseball
. Like Scud's previous films, Permanent Residence (made in 2009) and the earlier City Without Baseball (2008), Amphetamine features full-frontal male nudity in many scenes, in among others, an outdoor fight scene in which Pang is stripped naked by other boys, gym showers, and a leap from a public building, in which Pang wears 'wings', and his whole body is covered in calligraphy and silver paint.
Amphetamine examines the limit of passion, and is the second of a trilogy: the first, called Permanent Residence
, examines the limit of life, while the third, known as Life of an Artist, examines the limits of art. Amphetamine was screened at the Berlin International Film Festival
on 15 February, 2010, and was also shown at the Hong Kong International Film Festival
on its final day (6 April, 2010). The third film has not yet been released.
film met controversy in Hong Kong when the Television and Entertainment Licensing Authority
asked for several shots of anal intercourse to be cut before public screening. As the whole film had been allowed to screen as the closing film of the 34th Hong Kong International Film Festival
, Scud protested against the authority's decision and complained to the Chief Executive Donald Tsang
. The shots in concern were finally blackened-out but with sound in public screening as a protest by Scud.
Cinema of Hong Kong
The cinema of Hong Kong is one of the three major threads in the history of Chinese language cinema, alongside the cinema of China, and the cinema of Taiwan...
starring Byron Pang
Byron Pang
Byron Pang Koon Kei/Kwun Ki is a Hong Kong Chinese film and TV actor and a former model. He first appeared as a runner-up contestant for Mr. Hong Kong in 2005. His appearances include the leading role in the 2010 film Amphetamine , in The Storm Warriors , and in publicity photographs connected to...
and Thomas Price. It revolves around the story of a Chinese fitness trainer, Kafka, who meets Daniel, a business executive. The film is directed by acclaimed Hong Kong Chinese film-maker Scud
Scud (film producer/writer)
Scud is the working name of Hong Kong Chinese film producer, screenwriter and now film director, Danny Cheng Wan-Cheung . He says that he chose the name 'Scud' to match his Chinese name, which translates in English as 'Scudding Clouds'. He was born in mainland China on March 20th, 1967, during the...
, the stage name of Danny Cheng Wan-Cheung. It was nominated for a Teddy Award at the Berlin International Film Festival
Berlin International Film Festival
The Berlin International Film Festival , also called the Berlinale, is one of the world's leading film festivals and most reputable media events. It is held in Berlin, Germany. Founded in West Berlin in 1951, the festival has been celebrated annually in February since 1978...
of 2010. It explores several themes traditionally regarded as 'taboo' in Hong Kong society in an unusually open, convention-defying way, and is one of four such films by Scud. The three others are: City Without Baseball
City Without Baseball
City Without Baseball is a 2008 Hong Kong movie drama starring Ron Heung and other members of the Hong Kong National Baseball Team. It is directed by South African-born Hong Kong filmmaker Lawrence Ah Mon, about a city where baseball is almost unknown, and where the team plays to empty stadia...
, released in 2008, Permanent Residence
Permanent Residence (film)
Permanent Residence is a 2009 Hong Kong movie starring Sean Li and Osman Hung, and directed by acclaimed Hong Kong Chinese film-maker Danny Cheng Wan-Cheung, whose stage name is Scud. It explores several themes traditionally regarded as 'taboo' in Hong Kong society, in an unusually open,...
in 2009, and his most recent, Love Actually... Sucks!
Love Actually... Sucks!
Love Actually... Sucks! is a 2011 Hong Kong movie, directed by award-winning Hong Kong Chinese film producer Scud . It will be released at the 47th Chicago International Film Festival, in October 2011...
, in 2011.
Plot
Kafka is straight while Daniel happens to be gay. The young men fall in love, believing that their love can bridge anything, despite their difference in sexuality and Kafka's drug-taking. Daniel does not regret his love for Kafka, who tries to love him back against his nature. But a flashback memory from Kafka's past makes it difficult for their relationship to work. It turns out that their addiction to love proves more fatal than the drugs they use to explore the boundaries of their friendship.The film stars Hong Kong Chinese actor and former model Byron Pang
Byron Pang
Byron Pang Koon Kei/Kwun Ki is a Hong Kong Chinese film and TV actor and a former model. He first appeared as a runner-up contestant for Mr. Hong Kong in 2005. His appearances include the leading role in the 2010 film Amphetamine , in The Storm Warriors , and in publicity photographs connected to...
(Cantonese: Pang Koon-Kei), who was a runner-up contestant for Mr. Hong Kong
Mr. Hong Kong
The Mr. Hong Kong Contest , or MRHK for short, is a beauty contest for young men, organized by leading Hong Kong television station TVB. The contest has been an annual event since 2005, and winners will have the opportunity to represent Hong Kong for the Mister World contest.Like the Miss Hong...
in 2005, and Thomas Price, a half Chinese-half British actor who appeared in Permanent Residence
Permanent Residence (film)
Permanent Residence is a 2009 Hong Kong movie starring Sean Li and Osman Hung, and directed by acclaimed Hong Kong Chinese film-maker Danny Cheng Wan-Cheung, whose stage name is Scud. It explores several themes traditionally regarded as 'taboo' in Hong Kong society, in an unusually open,...
and City Without Baseball
City Without Baseball
City Without Baseball is a 2008 Hong Kong movie drama starring Ron Heung and other members of the Hong Kong National Baseball Team. It is directed by South African-born Hong Kong filmmaker Lawrence Ah Mon, about a city where baseball is almost unknown, and where the team plays to empty stadia...
. Like Scud's previous films, Permanent Residence (made in 2009) and the earlier City Without Baseball (2008), Amphetamine features full-frontal male nudity in many scenes, in among others, an outdoor fight scene in which Pang is stripped naked by other boys, gym showers, and a leap from a public building, in which Pang wears 'wings', and his whole body is covered in calligraphy and silver paint.
Amphetamine examines the limit of passion, and is the second of a trilogy: the first, called Permanent Residence
Permanent Residence (film)
Permanent Residence is a 2009 Hong Kong movie starring Sean Li and Osman Hung, and directed by acclaimed Hong Kong Chinese film-maker Danny Cheng Wan-Cheung, whose stage name is Scud. It explores several themes traditionally regarded as 'taboo' in Hong Kong society, in an unusually open,...
, examines the limit of life, while the third, known as Life of an Artist, examines the limits of art. Amphetamine was screened at the Berlin International Film Festival
Berlin International Film Festival
The Berlin International Film Festival , also called the Berlinale, is one of the world's leading film festivals and most reputable media events. It is held in Berlin, Germany. Founded in West Berlin in 1951, the festival has been celebrated annually in February since 1978...
on 15 February, 2010, and was also shown at the Hong Kong International Film Festival
Hong Kong International Film Festival
The Hong Kong International Film Festival is a platform for filmmakers, film professionals and filmgoers from all over the world to launch and experience new film work. There are seminars, conferences, exhibitions, and parties celebrating the festival community...
on its final day (6 April, 2010). The third film has not yet been released.
Cast
- Byron PangByron PangByron Pang Koon Kei/Kwun Ki is a Hong Kong Chinese film and TV actor and a former model. He first appeared as a runner-up contestant for Mr. Hong Kong in 2005. His appearances include the leading role in the 2010 film Amphetamine , in The Storm Warriors , and in publicity photographs connected to...
as Kafka - Thomas Price as Daniel
- Linda So as May
- Winnie Leung as Linda
- Eva Lo as Eva
VCD, DVD & Blu-ray
An uncut version of this ArtWalker film was internationally released on a Panorama (HK) VCD, DVD and on Blu-ray Disc on 24th September, 2010.Controversy
The level III-ratedHong Kong motion picture rating system
The Hong Kong motion picture rating system is a legal system of movie screening and rating. An official government agency issues ratings for any movie that will be shown in Hong Kong movie theatres.-History:...
film met controversy in Hong Kong when the Television and Entertainment Licensing Authority
Television and Entertainment Licensing Authority
Television and Entertainment Licensing Authority or TELA is the entertainment regulatory agency in Hong Kong under the HKSAR government.- Mission :...
asked for several shots of anal intercourse to be cut before public screening. As the whole film had been allowed to screen as the closing film of the 34th Hong Kong International Film Festival
Hong Kong International Film Festival
The Hong Kong International Film Festival is a platform for filmmakers, film professionals and filmgoers from all over the world to launch and experience new film work. There are seminars, conferences, exhibitions, and parties celebrating the festival community...
, Scud protested against the authority's decision and complained to the Chief Executive Donald Tsang
Donald Tsang
Sir Donald Tsang Yam-kuen, GBM, KBE is the current Chief Executive and President of the Executive Council of the Government of Hong Kong....
. The shots in concern were finally blackened-out but with sound in public screening as a protest by Scud.
Films by the same director/producer
- City Without BaseballCity Without BaseballCity Without Baseball is a 2008 Hong Kong movie drama starring Ron Heung and other members of the Hong Kong National Baseball Team. It is directed by South African-born Hong Kong filmmaker Lawrence Ah Mon, about a city where baseball is almost unknown, and where the team plays to empty stadia...
(2008) - Permanent ResidencePermanent Residence (film)Permanent Residence is a 2009 Hong Kong movie starring Sean Li and Osman Hung, and directed by acclaimed Hong Kong Chinese film-maker Danny Cheng Wan-Cheung, whose stage name is Scud. It explores several themes traditionally regarded as 'taboo' in Hong Kong society, in an unusually open,...
(2009) - Love Actually... Sucks!Love Actually... Sucks!Love Actually... Sucks! is a 2011 Hong Kong movie, directed by award-winning Hong Kong Chinese film producer Scud . It will be released at the 47th Chicago International Film Festival, in October 2011...
(2011)
See also
- Hong Kong films of 2010Hong Kong films of 2010A list of films produced in Hong Kong in 2010:.-2010:-External links:* * Hong Kong films of 2010 at...
- List of lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender-related films by storyline