The Illegal Immigrant - Film Still

01 / 04

01 / 04

The Illegal Immigrant

非法移民

Mabel CHEUNG Yuen-ting

Content Advisory: This film contains scenes of violence

The 5th Hong Kong Film AwardsBest Director

2:45 PM, SUN, NOV 29

Innis Town Hall

Screening

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In the 1980s, CHANG Chun-chiu (CHING Yung-cho), a young man from Guangzhou, makes his way illegally to New York, where he finds work in a Chinatown garment factory. When an immigration raid leads to his arrest, he enters into a sham marriage with LI Hsueh-hung (WU Fu-sheng), who desperately needs money for plastic surgery, agreeing to pay her US$20,000 to avoid deportation. The two initially agree to lead separate lives, but by chance find themselves working together at the same travel agency. As they navigate immigration investigations together, genuine affection gradually develops. Chang works tirelessly to repay his debts, and just as he and Li are about to begin a new life together, violence threatens to catch up with them.

Director

Mabel Cheung Mentor scaled

Mabel CHEUNG Yuen-ting (b. 1950) is a Hong Kong filmmaker, screenwriter, and producer. She graduated from the University of Hong Kong with a degree in English Literature and Psychology, before studying Drama and Visual Arts at the University of Bristol in the UK and earning an MFA in Film from New York University. Her NYU graduation feature, The Illegal Immigrant (1985), won Best Director at the 5th Hong Kong Film Awards. Together with her longtime creative partner Alex LAW, she made An Autumn's Tale (1987) and Eight Taels of Gold (1989), which, alongside The Illegal Immigrant, form her acclaimed “Migration Trilogy.” An Autumn's Tale won three Hong Kong Film Awards, including Best Film, Best Screenplay, and Best Cinematography. Her other notable works include The Soong Sisters (1997), City of Glass (1998), Beijing Rocks (2001) and A Tale of Three Cities (2015).

Credits

  • DirectorMabel CHEUNG Yuen-ting
  • Principal CastCHING Yung-cho, WU Fu-sheng (aka Cindy Ou), Peter LEE Kui-yuen, LAU Kin-ling, LIAO Chung-yu
  • Executive ProducerMona FONG
  • ProducerLawrence WONG Ka-hee
  • ScreenplayAlex LAW
  • CinematographerBob BUKOWSKI
  • Production DesignerLaurie LYND
  • EditorCHIANG Hsing-loong, FANG Pao-hua
  • MusicKenny Bee, Alan TSUI
  • PresenterRun Run SHAW

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