Are You Lonesome Tonight?(HKAFF 2021)

Since making some of China’s most popular contemporary comedies, including Crazy Racer, Breakup Buddies and Crazy Alien, director Ning Hao has been using his clout to produce films by up-and-coming filmmakers. His latest producing effort is this steamy neo-noir thriller by first-time director Wen Shipei. In one hot summer night, air conditioning repairman Xueming accidentally runs over a pedestrian. Tormented by guilt, Xueming develops an unusual relationship with the dead man’s widow, Mrs. Liang. However, Xueming gets dragged into the victim’s dark past along his path to redemption. Made with a refined and vibrant visual style, this is one of the strongest debuts in recent mainland Chinese cinema.