Hong Kong Directors Look to the World for Support on Action-Disaster Film 'Open Fire'

In an exciting crossover of genres, veteran filmmakers Sze Pak-lam and Lau Wing-tai are venturing into new territory with their latest project, “Open Fire.” This ambitious action-thriller, budgeted at $16.4 million, fuses elements typical of Hong Kong crime cinema with the intense thrills of disaster films.

The film has been spotlighted at the Hong Kong — Asia Film Financing Forum (HAF), a key event that runs parallel to the esteemed Hong Kong FilMart, making it a prime venue for film financing and networking.

“Open Fire” centers on a seasoned firefighter who finds himself caught in a perilous situation—a fierce blaze in a slum where armed terrorists are also present, along with Interpol agents. The gripping storyline is only heightened by the personal stakes, as the protagonist's wife is trapped within the burning inferno. This sets the stage for a greater conflict, forcing him to balance the urgency of saving lives with the imminent threat of a terrorist attack.

The directors expressed their excitement about the project, stating, “When we explored the combination of crime-action and fire disasters, we immediately saw the potential for exciting chemistry." They envision scenarios where firefighters face unprecedented dangers and detectives are endangered in their pursuit of justice.

With over 15 years of collaboration under their belts, Sze and Lau previously co-directed the critically acclaimed film “Guilt by Design” (2019)—a project that featured Nick Cheung and received the Network of Asian Fantastic Films Award at HAF in 2016.

Ivan Wong, a seasoned industry player producing “Open Fire,” believes there’s a significant market for action movies, and this film's unique blend of genres could resonate strongly with audiences globally. “There is a steady market demand for action films, and this project uniquely combines two widely popular genres,” Wong said. He anticipates that the main demographic for this film will be males aged 20 to 50. Although the film is focused on shooting in Southeast Asia and appealing to Mandarin-speaking audiences, the filmmakers are open to international opportunities.

Wong further emphasized the global ambitions of the project, stating, “‘Open Fire’ is not limited to a specific region, offering a great opportunity to collaborate with the global film industry.”

Now residing in London, Sze sees this project as his first step into cross-regional collaborations. He is eager to cultivate more projects that merge cinematic elements from Hong Kong with diverse local cultures around the globe.

Currently, the creative team is engaged in preliminary discussions with potential investors, but they have yet to finalize financing. Instead, they are exploring global partnerships to create a film that could capture audience's imaginations across various markets.

As the action-thriller genre continues to thrive, “Open Fire” is gearing up to be a noteworthy entry, blending heart-pounding drama with the heart-wrenching stakes of real-world conflicts. Keep an eye out for updates on this thrilling project!