RUNNING ON KARMA

Running on Karma (Dai Chek Lo) Hong Kong/ChinaWinner of three Hong Kong Film Awards, including Best Picture, and Best Actor for superstar Andy Lau (Infernal Affairs, MIFF 2003), Running on Karma is the second film from prolific director Johnnie To (P.T.U., MIFF 2003) in this year's Festival; the other is Breaking News.Running on Karma surely ranks as one of To's most outlandish concepts: a monk-turned-buffed-bodybuilder with magical powers joins forces with a female cop to nab a killer and save her soul. Andy Lau stars as Big, who earns his living in a strip club, gyrating his enormous, muscular body for shrieking women. When the club is busted by cops one night, Big runs naked from the joint, pursued by undercover agent Lee Fung-yee (Cecilia Cheung, Shaolin Soccer, MIFF 2003). At the same time, a crazed man is chased by another group of police, whose paths cross with Big and Lee. In the ensuing gunfire, Big has visions of Lee's former buddhist existence and decides to help her; 'someone's life depends on you', he says enigmatically'

D Johnnie To, Wai Ka-fai P Charles Heung, Hou Keming S Wai Ka-fai, Yau Nai-hoi, Au Kin-yee, Yip Tin-shing WS China Star L Cantonese w/English subtitles TD 35mm/Col/2003/105mins

Johnnie To was born in Hong Kong in 1955. Films include: The Mission (1999), Fat Choi Spirit (2002, co-dir).

Wai Ka-fai's films include: Fulltime Killer (2001, co-dir), My Left Eye Sees Ghosts (2002, co-dir).