House of the Rising Sons
Description
Based on the story of the beloved Hong Kong pop band The Wynners—and directed by its drummer, Antony Chan—this jubilant biopic is suffused with period style and rousing musical numbers. It’s the early 1970s, and a quartet of Hong Kong kids is dreaming of making music. Practicing above a tailor shop belonging to one of the boys’ fathers (Simon Yam, at his most exasperated), the group develops its sound, performing pop songs like “Hey Jude” and “The House of the Rising Sun” in English. Though conflicts, hiatuses, and shake-ups ensue, the film focuses on the group’s camaraderie that has kept them performing to this day.
“What holds everything up in House of the Rising Sons, besides obviously the music, is the incredible production design. Bright, vibrant costumes and sets evoke a fun-loving retro pop vibe that, coupled with the music, makes for an aesthetic that just bleeds cool. Standard as it may be for a biopic, House of the Rising Sons, remains an entertaining look at one of the biggest groups in Cantopop and shines a light on their talents outside their home territory.” —Adam Patterson, Film Pulse
Antony Chan was born in Hong Kong in 1952 and is known as a musician, actor, and director. He’s been the drummer for the popular pop band The Wynners since the early ’70s. In 1978, members of the group went their separate ways, though the band has never formally split up and has performed together as recently as 2014. He began acting in the mid-’70s, with numerous bit parts and character roles. Chan’s best-known films as director are When Fortune Smiles (1990) and My Americanized Wife (1992); House of the Rising Sons returns him to the director’s chair after 26 years.
Film Details
Language Cantonese
Year 2018
Runtime 100
Country Hong Kong/China
Director Antony Chan
Producer Antony Chan, Catherine Hun
Writer Antony Chan, Pang Mei-fung, Chou Man-yu, Siu Nam
Editor Li Ka-wa
Cinematographer O Sing-pui
Music Johnny Yim
Cast Simon Yam, Kara Wai, Carlos Chan, Jonathan Wong
Print Source Sil-Metropole