Saam cha hau (2005)

Director:

Benny Chan

Writer:

Ivy Ho (written by)

Release Date:

28 April 2005 (Hong Kong)

Genre:

Action | Crime

Plot:

A cop, a lawyer, and an assassin cross paths after the murder of a federal witness and the kidnapping of a famous pop star.

Plot Keywords:

Assassin | Murder | Lawyer | Hong Kong | Kidnapping

Awards:

5 wins & 3 nominations

Cast

Aaron Kwok	...	Suen Siu Yan
Ekin Cheng	...	To Hou Sun
Daniel Wu	...	Koo
Angelica Lee	...	Su Fong / Amy (as Sinje Lee)
Jing Ning	...	Ting (as Ning Jing)
Jan Lamb	...	Chu
Rongguang Yu	...	Inspector Mok (as Yu Rong Guang)
Gallen Law	...	Yiu Tin Chung (as Lo Ka Leung)
Tommy Yuen	...	Yiu Ha
Samuel Pang	...	So Fu On
Suet-Fei Chiu	...	Winnie (as Chloe)
Eric Tsang	...	Uncle Choi (as Eric Tsang Chi Wai)
Sam Lee	...	Leung Tak
Suet Lam	...	Mou Wai Bun (as Lam Suet)
Tak-bun Wong	...	Detector (as Kenny Wong)
Anson Leung	...	Detector
Tony Ho	...	Inspector
Siu-Ming Lau	...	Tsim Pak Tat (as Lau Siu Ming)
Agnes Pang	...	Mrs. Lam
Phoebe Fung	...	Long Hair Lady
Ka-Fuen Ip	...	Woman on Plane (as Ip Ka Fuen)
Chun Wing	...	Woman on Plane (as Wing Chun)
Patrick Chow	...	Hung Chi Man
Martin Li	...	Suen's Colleague
Wai-Kin Chan	...	Suen's Colleague (as Chan Wai Kin)
Fong Chi-Kui	...	Suen's Colleague (as Fong Chi Kui)
Kate Tsim	...	Suen's Colleague
Shirley Chui	...	Reporter
Kin-Tong Chiu	...	Reporter (as Chiu Kin Tong)
Kwun-Hang Tang	...	Reporter
Jerry Leung	...	Yiu's Bodyguard
Ricky Hui	...	Yiu's Bodyguard
Ping-Lok Wong	...	Yiu's Bodyguard (as Kenny Wong)
Martin Ma	...	Yiu's Bodyguard
Ming-Fai Sheung	...	Fortune Teller (as Sheung Ming Fai)
Guthrie Ip	...	Thomas Liu
Johnnie Guy	...	Lo
Wai Kwok	...	Victim (as Kwok Wai)
Man-Lok Kwok	...	To's Son (as Kwok Man Lok)
Long-Ki Wong	...	To's Daughter (as Wong Long Ki)
Samuel Yau	...	Editor
Wah Cheung	...	Killer on Ship (as Cheung Wah)
Ada	...	Killer on Ship
Wong Yin Keung	...	Tsim's Bodyguard (as Victy Wong)
Kenneth Cheung	...	Ambulanceman (as Kenneth Cheung Moon Yuen)
Pan Mai Ming	...	Ambulanceman (as Pang Wai Ming)
Bobby Fok	...	Accuse
Winston Yeh	...	Judge (as Winston Yeh King Man)
Patel Nimisha	...	Indian / Pakistani Family
Mahesh Sahni	...	Indian / Pakistani Family
Neemisha	...	Indian / Pakistani Family (as Nimisha)
H. Patel	...	Indian / Pakistani Family (as H Patel)
Boloto Wu	...	Security Guard
Jack Wong Wai Leung	...	Diver
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Kwok-Wah Keung	...	Diver (as Keung Kwok Wah)
Au Hin Wai	...	Senior Officer (uncredited)
Courtney Wu	...	Butcher (uncredited)

Directed by
Benny Chan

Writing credits
Ivy Ho		(written by)

Produced by
Benny Chan	....	producer
Cary Cheng	....	associate producer
Alvin Lam	....	administrative producer
Daniel Lam	....	executive producer (as Daneil Lam)
Shui He Li	....	co-executive producer (as Li Shui He)
Chiu Suet Ying	....	executive producer (as Chiu Suet Ying)

Original Music by
Anthony Chue		(original music composed by)

Cinematography by
Anthony Pun		(director of photography) (as Anthony Pun Yiu Ming)

Film Editing by
Chi Wai Yau		(as Yau Chi Wai)

Production Design by
William Chang		(as Chang Suk Ping William)

Art Direction by
Alfred Yau		(as Alfred Yau Wai Ming)

Makeup Department
Lee-na Kwan	....	makeup artist (as Kwan Lee Na)
Wai Hing Lau	....	hairdressing (as Lau Wai Hing)

Production Management
David Chan	....	assistant production manager
Tze Hung Lam	....	production manager (as Lam Tze Hung)
Wong Kam Ming	....	unit manager (as Wong Kam Ming)

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Dickson Leung	....	first assistant director
Leo Lo	....	assistant director
Eddie Ng	....	second assistant director

Art Department
William Chang	....	image designer (as Chang Suk Ping William)
Ka-Hing Chiu	....	propsman (as Chiu Ka Hing)
Miriam	....	assistant art director
Kwok Ching Pang	....	propsman (as Pang Kwok Ching)

Sound Department
Chun Wang Au	....	foley artist (as Au Chun Wan)
Andy Chau	....	foley recordist (as Andy Chau Man Ho)
Andy Chau	....	sound effects editor (as Andy Chau Man Ho)
Ngai Cheung	....	dialogue: Mandarin Version (as Cheung Ngai)
Shih Yi Chu	....	sound mixer (as Chu Shih-Yi)
Wing Hong Fung	....	foley artist (as Fung Wing Hong)
Yung Chien Kang	....	boom operator (as Kang Yung Chien)
Wai Hung Kwong	....	foley artist (as Kwong Wai Hung)
Hon Chiu Lam	....	foley artist (as Lam Hon Chiu)
Terry Shek	....	sound effects editor (as Terry Shek Chun Kin)
Burnard To	....	foley recordist (as Davy To Burnard)
Kinson Tsang	....	re-recording mixer
Kinson Tsang	....	sound designer
Kinson Tsang	....	sound effects editor
Tse Kin Wong	....	dialogue editor (as Wong Tsz Kin)
Tse Kin Wong	....	dialogue recordist (as Wong Tsz Kin)
Henry Yam	....	foley artist
Chun Hin Yiu	....	sound effects editor (as Yiu Chun Hin)
George Lee Yiu-Keung	....	re-recording mixer
Chi Man Yu	....	foley artist (as Yu Che Man)
Ting Yip Yuen	....	dialogue editor (as Yuen Ting Yip)
Ting Yip Yuen	....	dialogue recordist (as Yuen Ting Yip)
Tomy Yu	....	foley artist (as Tommy Yu)

Visual Effects by
Kritsada Kaewmanee	....	computer graphics technical supervisor (as Kritsada Kaewmanee)
William Kan	....	visual director (as William Kan Yiu Chung)
Pornopol Sakarin	....	computer graphics technical supervisor (as Pornpol Sakarin)
Katrine Yeung	....	digital content producer (as Katrine Yeung Ming Yan)

Stunts
Kam Tong Fok	....	explosives coordinator (as Fok Kam Tong)
Roger Lee	....	car stunts
Chung Chi Li	....	stunt coordinator (as Li Chung Chi)
Jack Wong Wai Leung	....	assistant martial arts director

Camera and Electrical Department
Lok Man Chan	....	focus puller (as Chan Lok Men)
Wing Keung Cheung	....	assistant camera (as Cheung Wing Keung)
Yat-Fai Cheung	....	dolly (as Cheng Yat Fai)
Wong Wai Chuen	....	gaffer (as Wong Wai Chuen)
Kai-Tak Ho	....	electrician (as Ho Kai Tak)
Ken-Wai Ho	....	assistant camera (as Ho Ken Wai)
Pui Lun Ho	....	assistant camera (as Ho Pui Lun)
Yun Tai Ho	....	focus puller: second unit (as Ho Yuen Tai)
Man Yin Ngai	....	cameraman: second unit (as Ngai Man Yin)
Ho Kai On	....	electrician (as Ho Kai On)
Siu-Ho Poon	....	electrician (as Poon Siu Ho)
Wing Sam Tam	....	still photographer (as Tam Wing Sum)
Ka-Kit Wong	....	assistant camera (as Wong Ka-Kit)
Kai Tin Yeung	....	best boy (as Yeung Kai Tim)

Animation Department
Grace Siu	....	animator (as Grace Siu Wing Sze)
Elvis Tang	....	animator (as Elvis Tang Sai Hong)
Hon Man Tang	....	animation supervisor (as Tang Hon Man)
Dave Yun	....	animator (as Dave Yun Cheng Hau)

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Mei-Chow Liu	....	assistant costume designer (as Mei Chow)
Pik Har Sin	....	wardrobe assistant (as Sin Pik Har)

Editorial Department
Sornrop Chankeewong	....	digital intermediate producer (as Sonrob Choiekeewong)
Pawadee Chantanom	....	digital intermediate executive producer (as Pawadee Chantanom)
Deborah Huen	....	senior telecine colorist (as Deborah Huen)
Piyanut Kaeomaneo	....	assistant digital output technician (as Piyanut Kaeomanee)
Ruangdack Kratukrok	....	assistant telecine colorist (as Ruangdach Kratukrok)
Kaewla Notsukhum	....	telecine colorist (as Kaewta Netsukhum)
Padtanasak Sangchod	....	digital output technician (as Padtanasak Sangchod)
Roekcha Shakowatananon	....	digital on-line editor (as Roekchai Sakonwatananon)
Nepasnan S.	....	digital intermediate producer (as Napasnan S)
Suwil Tiwakornkul	....	assistant digital on-line editor (as Suwit Tiwakornkul)
Bobbie Wong	....	project supervisor
Michael Yeung	....	negative processing consultant

Music Department
May Chan	....	musician: choir
Viki Chan	....	musician: choir
Min Chen	....	orchestra contractor (as Chen Min)
Jackie Cho	....	musician: choir
Anthony Chue	....	orchestration producer
Lao Duck	....	musician: choir (as Duck Lau)
Jim	....	musician: choir
Wayland Lee	....	score transcription
Danny Leung	....	musician: guitar
Joey Lo	....	orchestration producer
Joey Lo	....	score transcription
Leslie Moonsun Ryang	....	musician: solo violin (as Leslie Ryang)
Sierra Tse	....	score transcription

Other crew
Karen Chan	....	production assistant
Alan Cheng	....	making-of
Yuen Kan Cheng	....	production assistant (as Cheng Yuen Kan)
Kwok-Choi Chiu	....	location assistant (as Chiu Kwok Choi)
Tak-Leung Chong	....	location assistant (as Chong Tak Leung)
Siu Yuk Fong	....	tea lady (as Siu Yuk Fong)
Fu-Wah Ho	....	location assistant (as Ho Fu Wah)
Raymond Lam	....	location assistant (as Lam Tai Fai)
Larry Lee	....	production assistant
Pak-Seng Leong	....	location assistant (as Leong Pak Seng)
Pisit Lixibunnakorn	....	laboratory consultant (as Pisit Likibunnakorn)
Leo Lo	....	continuity
Pairoj Prempri	....	laboratory consultant (as Pairoj Prempri)
Pison Santawanpas	....	laboratory consultant (as Pison Santawanpas)
Chun Ling Tao	....	production coordinator (as Tao Chun Ling)

Production Companies

• Universe Entertainment
• Shanxi Film Studio

Distributors

• Universe Films Distribution Company (2005) (worldwide) (all media)
• Go Film Distribution (2005) (Hong Kong) (theatrical)
• Shaw Organisation (2005) (Singapore) (theatrical)
• Emerald (2007) (Argentina) (DVD)
• Emerald (2007) (Argentina) (VHS)
• Palisades Tartan (2005) (USA) (all media)
• Tartan Video USA

Special Effects

• Zense Square

Other Companies

• Hollywood Film Service Co.  firearms supplied by
• Cinerent  equipment supplier
• Kodak (Hong Kong) Ltd.  film supplied by
• Media Business Service Limited  recording studio
• Beijing Oasis Studio  orchestra recording
• O.K. Post Production Co.  dialogue: Cantonese version
• Oriental Post Co. Ltd.  digital intermediate
• True Technic Ltd.  subtitles
• Kantana Animation Co. Ltd.  digital intermediate

Also Known As:

Divergence (International: English title)
San cha kou (China: Mandarin title)
San zha hou (Hong Kong: Mandarin title)

MPAA:

Rated R for violence.

Runtime:

Hong Kong:101 min | Argentina:101 min

Country:

Hong Kong

Language:

Cantonese | Mandarin | English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

UK:15 | Germany:16 | Malaysia:U | USA:R | Argentina:16 | South Korea:15 | Hong Kong:IIB | Singapore:NC-16 | Singapore:PG (cut)

Filming Locations:

Hong Kong, China

Company:

Universe Entertainment

Soundtrack:

DIVERGENCE (Theme Song)

A Nutshell Review: Divergence

Divergence is the latest crime thriller to come out of Hong Kong's film industry, and all films of this genre will nonetheless be compared with the grand-daddy of them all - Infernal Affairs, which set a very high bar. Given that this film is produced by the same team, you'd expect the same high standards. While production values are similar, I'd leave it to you to decide the end verdict.

If you're expecting a strong cops and robbers storyline, then you might be disappointed. This film is heavy on relationships between the characters, their degrees of separation, and their duality. Which may not be a bad thing, but I find the dwelling on sappy moments and flashbacks a bit overboard, and at times, the audience was laughing at the improbability of these moments.

This movie unites Aaron Kwok and Ekin Cheng together for the big screen after the comic fantasy movie Stormriders. Kwok plays a cop who lost his girlfriend under mysterious circumstances 10 years ago, and in the first 10 minutes, lost a key witness to a sniper, played by Daniel Wu, who always seem to be playing nothing but baddie roles these days. However, Wu's sniper character knows that in his career, he is both the hunter, and the hunted, and at times want to prove to Kwok that he makes a better cop. Ekin Cheng's a lawyer who defends the innocent, or so it seems. While he's aware that his clients are sometimes guilty, is he idly standing by? Thrown into the mix are characters like Cheng's wife, played by the lovely Angelica Lee, who bears a strong resemblance to Kwok's girl, and thus making him a stalker of sorts, Eric Tsang as an underused pathologist, Ning Jing (the only movie I saw her in was the remake of Shanghai Grand) as a bald assassin agent, and Lo Kar Leung as Cheng's client who has shady underworld links and a pop star son, who gets kidnapped.

At times you might feel that the movie plods along, while you might already have been able to unravel the mystery mid-way. This could be due to the sappy moments I mentioned earlier, and taking centerstage is how Kwok's cop character refuses to give up looking for his girlfriend. You can understand how the character feels if you're in the same shoes - loving someone so deeply, and yet having zero closure. And when you think you see her again - is it really her, or had amnesia played a part, or has she deliberately forgotten the past? While the audience found the scene of revelation and Kwok's reaction to it funny, I felt the opposite - sometimes when the truth is revealed and you can't handle it, you shut down. Really. Trust me, I know. So if I were in his shoes, that'll probably be what will happen to me too.

However, this film does have moments which can iconify it (sort of like the Tony-Leung-pointing-a-gun-at-Andy-Lau's-head moment in Infernal Affairs). The "long run to the fish market" scene is tense, and so is the finale where 3 characters have a standoff, which actually yanked the rug off my feet.

I felt that if this film focused tightly on the plot, and lose some peripheral characters, it might just live up to its potential, and I don't think we'll see any sequels to this one.