Cheung fo (The Mission)

Scenes from the everyday lives of five bodyguards, also a masterpiece of cinematic choreography. After a Triad boss narrowly survives an assassination attempt, he hires a quintet of different types who carry out their life-threatening job with stoic calm. A deep bond forms between the bodyguards, which is put to the test. The brilliant gangster ballads of Jean-Pierre Melville have always been a key influence on Johnnie To, and with *The Mission*, he achieves the essential condensation of that influence. The central gunfights, including an unforgettable confrontation in a shopping mall, are masterclasses in action direction, almost devoid of movement: it’s all about the right perspective, accompanied by the most irresistible synth soundtrack earworm this side of John Carpenter. At the same time, it’s a moving story of loyalty, presented with minimalist finesse by stars like Anthony Wong and Lam Suet. (Christoph Huber)

Introduction by Christoph Huber on March 7, 2025

Photo: Austrian Film Museum