Breaking News
Breaking News (2004) is an action film, directed by Johnnie To. It stars Kelly Chen Hui-Lin and Richie Jen. The 90-minute film holds an audience score of 6.9/10.
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What Breaking News Is About
A police film set in Hong Kong. The film opens with a gun battle. Police are watching a flat from the street, the operation goes wrong, and weapons come out. That section runs about seven minutes and was shot in a single take. The camera comes down from above the street, passes between cars, goes into a building, and there is no cut. But the real matter is what follows. During the fight one policeman throws down his weapon and raises his hands, and the footage reaches television. The public reaction is large. The police lose standing and the administration looks for a solution. Rebecca is in charge of public relations. She makes a plan; the next operation will be broadcast live. The gang is cornered in a building. It is surrounded, cameras are placed, and the broadcast begins. Then the gang starts broadcasting too. They film themselves, put it online, and public opinion splits in two. From there the film becomes a war of images. Both sides put out the event in their own account and the truth falls into second place. What the narrative is interested in is not crime but perception: its question is not who wins but who looks more convincing. Yuen is the inspector on the ground. He is against the broadcast; to him the work has become a performance rather than an operation. The meal is the film's best scene. The gang members eat with their hostages and that section suspends all the tension. The action takes place in tight spaces. Corridors, lift shafts and flats; the camera is mostly indoors. Kelly Chen, Richie Jen, Nick Cheung and Simon Yam are in the cast. Johnnie To directed. Who it is for: anyone who likes Hong Kong crime films and technical display. Who it is not for: anyone looking for depth; the characters are thin and the film repeats its idea several times.
How did this film move you?
Trailer
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Breaking News about?
A police film set in Hong Kong. The film opens with a gun battle.
Where can I watch Breaking News?
Breaking News is available to watch on digital platforms such as YouTube TV, Hi-YAH Amazon Channel, Amazon Video, FlixFling. Current rent and buy options are listed in the "Where to Watch" section on this page.
How long is Breaking News?
Breaking News runs for 90 minutes (1h 30m).
When did Breaking News come out?
Breaking News was released in 2004.
Who directed Breaking News?
Breaking News was directed by Johnnie To.
Who stars in Breaking News?
Breaking News stars Kelly Chen Hui-Lin, Richie Jen, Nick Cheung Ka-Fai, Lam Suet.
What is Breaking News's rating?
Breaking News holds 6.7/10 on IMDb and 6.9/10 on TMDB. Its Pulse Score is 69 out of 100.
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