Introduction: A Gritty Time Capsule of 1997 Hong Kong
-Trivisa* (树大招风), directed by a trio of emerging filmmakers (许学文, 欧文杰, and 黄伟杰), is not just a crime thriller but a haunting socio-political allegory set in the pivotal year of 1997, when Hong Kong transitioned from British colonial rule to Chinese sovereignty. Starring Richie Jen (任贤齐) alongside Hong Kong heavyweights Gordon Lam (林家栋) and Jordan Chan (陈小春), this multi-narrative masterpiece dissects the existential crises of three notorious gangsters whose fates intertwine amid historical upheaval . Winner of Best Film at the 36th Hong Kong Film Awards, it offers international viewers a rare glimpse into Hong Kong’s identity struggles through razor-sharp storytelling and career-defining performances.
Part 1: The Genius of Collaborative Filmmaking
1.1 Three Directors, Three Perspectives
Each director helmed a separate storyline for the three protagonists, creating a mosaic of moral ambiguity:
- Richie Jen as Ye Guohuan (叶国欢): A ruthless smuggler-turned-businessman navigating mainland China’s corrupt bureaucracy.
- Gordon Lam as Kwai Ching-hung (季正雄): A cold-blooded assassin clinging to old-school gangster codes.
- Jordan Chan as Cheuk Tze-keung (卓子强): A flamboyant kidnapper obsessed with orchestrating “the crime of the century.”
The fragmented structure mirrors Hong Kong’s fractured identity, with directors using distinct visual styles—documentary realism for Ye, noirish shadows for Kwai, and chaotic dark comedy for Cheuk .
1.2 Historical Context as a Character
Set against the backdrop of the 1997 handover, the film juxtaposes gangsters’ declining relevance with Hong Kong’s loss of autonomy. Scenes of British flags being lowered and Mandarin-speaking officials replacing Cantonese dialects underscore the protagonists’ obsolescence. This parallel elevates Trivisa from a genre piece to a poignant historical critique .
Part 2: Richie Jen’s Transformative Performance
2.1 From Pop Star to Method Actor
Known for his Mandarin pop ballads and romantic comedies, Richie Jen shatters typecasting with his portrayal of Ye Guohuan. His character’s journey—from a fearless smuggler brandishing an AK-47 to a submissive merchant bribing officials—epitomizes the erosion of Hong Kong’s rebellious spirit under mainland influence. Jen’s physical transformation (weight gain, weathered makeup) and nuanced frustration in boardroom negotiations reveal astonishing depth .
2.2 The Bathhouse Scene: A Masterclass in Tension
A standout sequence features Ye negotiating with a corrupt official in a steamy Guangdong bathhouse. The claustrophobic setting, combined with Jen’s restrained anger as he endures humiliation, symbolizes Hong Kong’s powerless bargaining in the face of mainland dominance. The scene’s lingering close-ups on Jen’s trembling hands and forced smiles speak volumes without dialogue .
Part 3: Themes That Resonate Globally
3.1 The Myth of the “Great Man”
-Trivisa* deconstructs the gangster mythos by portraying its protagonists as tragically outdated. Cheuk’s plan to unite the three outlaws for a grand heist—a metaphor for Hong Kong’s unrealized resistance—collapses into farce, highlighting the futility of individualism in a systemized world. This theme resonates with Western narratives like The Irishman but with uniquely local pathos .
3.2 Identity in Flux
The film’s Cantonese title Trivisa (triple poison) refers to Buddhist concepts of greed, hatred, and delusion—vices that consume the characters. Yet their downfall stems not from personal failings but from a society in transition. Kwai’s inability to adapt to post-colonial policing or Ye’s forced assimilation into mainland business culture reflect Hong Kong’s own struggle to reconcile its past and future .
Part 4: Cinematic Techniques Breaking Conventions
4.1 Sound Design as Psychological Warfare
The absence of a traditional score amplifies ambient sounds: dripping water in interrogation rooms, screeching trains, and the deafening silence after gunfire. These choices immerse viewers in the characters’ paranoia, culminating in Cheuk’s explosive finale set to the dissonant strings of Eine kleine Nachtmusik—a jarring contrast between elegance and violence .
4.2 Visual Metaphors
Recurring motifs—shattered mirrors, caged birds, and stormy skies—visually reinforce entrapment. The final shot of a lone tree battered by winds (literalizing the Chinese title 树大招风—“Tall Trees Catch the Wind”) poetically encapsulates Hong Kong’s vulnerability amid geopolitical forces .
Why International Audiences Should Watch
- Cultural Bridge: Understand Hong Kong’s complex relationship with mainland China through visceral storytelling.
- Genre Innovation: A crime saga that prioritizes existential drama over action clichés.
- Universal Themes: Powerlessness, identity crises, and societal decay—themes transcending cultural boundaries.
Where to Watch
-Trivisa* is available with English subtitles on Amazon Prime and Criterion Channel. For deeper context, pair it with documentaries like Yellowing (2016) or books such as Hong Kong: Culturing Disappearance .
Conclusion: More Than a Crime Film
-Trivisa* isn’t merely about gangsters; it’s a requiem for a city losing its soul. Richie Jen’s career-best performance, combined with audacious filmmaking, makes this 2016 gem essential viewing for cinephiles exploring global narratives of resistance and surrender. As Hong Kong’s freedoms continue to erode in the 2020s, Trivisa remains a prophetic warning—and a testament to art’s power to immortalize struggle.