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Sparrow (Chinese: 文雀; pinyin: Wen que; Cantonese Yale: Man4 jeuk3) is a 2008 Hong Kong caper film produced and directed by Johnnie To. The film stars veteran Milkyway Image cast and crew alumni Simon Yam, Gordon Lam, Law Wing-cheung and Kenneth Cheung as a small gang of pickpockets, with each member being mysteriously approached by a beautiful Taiwanese woman (Kelly Lin) with a hidden agenda.
| Sparrow | |
|---|---|
 Promotional poster | |
| Directed by | Johnnie To |
| Written by | Chan Kin-Chung Fung Chih-chiang Milkyway Creative Team |
| Produced by | Johnnie To |
| Starring | Simon Yam Kelly Lin Gordon Lam Law Wing-cheung Kenneth Cheung |
| Cinematography | Cheng Siu-Keung |
| Edited by | David M. Richardson |
| Music by | Xavier Jamaux Fred Avril |
Production companies | Universe Entertainment Milkyway Image |
| Distributed by | Universe Films Distribution Co. Ltd. China Film Group |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 87 minutes |
| Country | Hong Kong |
| Language | Cantonese |
| Budget | $0.8 million[1] |
| Box office | $3.55 million[2] |
Sparrow remained in pre-production for three years from 2005 to 2008, with To shooting the film in between other projects. The film was selected in competition at the 58th Berlin International Film Festival, premiering during the festival in February 2008. It was released in Hong Kong on 19 June 2008.
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Kei (Simon Yam) is the experienced leader of a team of pickpockets.(Pickpockets are also known as "Sparrows" in Hong Kong slang). He enjoys a carefree lifestyle taking photos with his vintage Rolleiflex. One day a dashing beauty, Chun-Lei (Kelly Lin), suddenly appears in Kei's viewfinder. Kei is mesmerized. Every member of his team has an encounter with her.... But behind Chun-lei's attractive facade lies a mysterious past and a mission to set herself free.
| Role | Actor |
|---|---|
| Kei/The Sparrow | Simon Yam |
| Chung Chun-lei | Kelly Lin |
| Bo | Gordon Lam |
| Sak | Law Wing-cheung |
| Mac | Kenneth Cheung |
| Fu Kim-tong | Lo Hoi-pang |
| Lung | Lam Suet |
Director Johnnie To shot the film in Hong Kong over a three-year period. In an interview, To said he and his crew would shoot every three or four months between projects.[3]
| Awards | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Award | Category | Name | Outcome |
| 45th Golden Horse Film Awards | Best Original Film Score | Xavier Jamaux, Fred Avril | Nominated |
| Best Cinematography | Cheng Siu-Keung | Won | |
| 28th Hong Kong Film Awards | Best Director | Johnnie To | Nominated |
| Best Actor | Simon Yam | Nominated | |
| Best Cinematography | Cheng Siu-Keung | Nominated | |
| Best Film Editing | David M. Richardson | Nominated | |
| Best Original Film Score | Xavier Jamaux, Fred Avril | Nominated | |
| 3rd Asian Film Awards | Best Cinematography | Cheng Siu-Keung | Nominated |
| 2008 Asia Pacific Screen Awards | Best Feature Film | Nominated | |
| Best Achievement in Directing | Johnnie To | Nominated | |
| Best Performance by an Actor | Simon Yam | Nominated | |
| Best Achievement in Cinematography | Cheng Siu-Keung | Nominated | |
| Berlin International Film Festival | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Award | Result | ||
| 2008 | Golden Bear | In Competition | ||
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