Eye in the Sky (film)

Infobox Film
name = Eye in the Sky


image_size =
caption =
director = Yau Nai-Hoi
producer = Johnnie To
Tsui Siu-Ming
writer = Yau Nai-Hoi
Au Kin-Yee
narrator =
starring = Simon Yam
Tony Leung Ka-Fai Kate Tsui
music = Guy Zerafa
Dave Klotz
cinematography = Tony Cheung
editing = David Richardson
distributor = flagicon|Hong Kong Sundream Motion Pictures
released = flagicon|Hong Kong June 21, 2007
runtime = 90 mins
country = flagicon|Hong Kong Hong Kong
language = Cantonese/English
budget =
preceded_by =
followed_by =
website = http://www.eyeinthesky.com.hk
amg_id = 1:391746
imdb_id = 0901488

"Eye in the Sky" (zh-st|s=跟踪|t=跟蹤 Literally: "Tracing") is a 2007 Hong Kong crime film starring Simon Yam, Tony Leung Ka-Fai and Miss Hong Kong pageant winner Kate Tsui in her film debut. "Eye in the Sky" marks the directorial debut of Yau Nai-Hoi, a long-time scriptwriter for films directed by Johnnie To, who co-produced the film with his production company Milkyway Image.

Plot

"Eye in the Sky" takes place around the darker side of Hong Kong society, where the story begins with a group of organized burglars successfully robbing a jewelry store. The plot begins with the wet-behind-the-ears new recruit Piggy (Kate Tsui), who is plunged at the deep end in her first surveillance assignment working alongside her mentor, Sergeant Wong (Simon Yam). Both of them worked for the Hong Kong police elite surveillance unit. After reviewing the jewelry store surveillance videos, an attempt was made to track down one of the robber. An undercover crew was setup, and blended right into the population.

Fatman (Lam Suet) went about his business without knowing every one of his move was being trailed by the surveillance unit. His identification was revealed with the use of an octopus card. A police unit ambush was established at the next robbery plot, except the plan was spoiled when the elusive Chan (Tony Leung Ka-Fai) figured out they were being tailed. As the robbers tried to escape, the surveillance activities turned into a showdown with the HK police tactical units.

The remaining robbers would continue their escape, while the surveillance unit continue to blend into the background and try to track them down using spy gadgetry and realistic surveillance hi-tech.

Cast

* Simon Yam - Sergeant Wong Man-Chin ('Dog Head')
* Tony Leung Ka-Fai - Chan Chong-Shan
* Kate Tsui - Constable Ho Ka-Po ('Piggy'/'Bobo')
* Lam Suet - Ng Tung ('Fatman')
* Maggie Siu - Madam
* Cheung Siu-Fai - Chief Inspector Chan

Production note

The film's name comes from the casino surveillance tech "eye in the sky".

Reception

Critics and fans hailed the plot's dark atmosphere and realistic use of surveillance tech to make the story believable. But the film, however, has been criticized for having not enough creativity for those looking for something more. It has also been criticized for being too short. [ [http://www.hkcinemagic.com/en/movie.asp?id=8741 hkcinemagic quick review] ]

Festivals and Awards

"Eye in the Sky" premiered as an Official Selection at The 2007 Berlin Film Festival, and as an Opening Film at The Hong Kong International Film Festival.

Awards and Nominations

Awards

27th Hong Kong Film Awards
* Best New Actor (Kate Tsui)
* Best New Director (Yau Nai-Hoi)

"'2nd Asian Film Awards
* Best Film Editing (David Richardson)

Nominations

27th Hong Kong Film Awards
* Best Picture
* Best Director (Yau Nai-Hoi)
* Best Screenplay (Yau Nai-Hoi, Au Kin-Yee)
* Best Actor (Simon Yam)
* Best Supporting Actress (Maggie Siu)
* Best Film Editing (David Richardson)Golden Horse Film Awards
* Best Director (Yau Nai-Hoi)
* Best Supporting Actress (Maggie Siu)
* Best Original Film Score (Guy Zerafa)
* Best Film Editing (David Richardson)

References

ee also

* "City on Fire"

External links

*
* [http://www.eyeinthesky.com.hk Official Website]
* [http://www.hkcinemagic.com/en/movie.asp?id=8741 Eye in the Sky at HKCinemagic.com]
* [http://www.lovehkfilm.com/blog/juiyinjong/ 聚言莊﹕The House Where Words Gather]
* [http://lovehkfilm.com/reviews_2/eye_in_the_sky.htm LoveHKFilm.com Review]