The Narrow Road (2022 film)

The Narrow Road (窄路微塵) is a 2022 Hong Kong drama film and the second full-length feature directed by Lam Sum. Set during the early days of the Covid pandemic, it tells the story of Chak (Louis Cheung) who struggles to keep his cleaning company afloat. In the midst of the challenge, he develops a bond with a newly hired cleaner Candy (Angela Yuen) who is his neighbour and also a single mother. The film had its world premiere at the Edinburgh International Film Festival on 19 August 2022.

Plot
In the early days of the pandemic, Chak, struggling to keep his cleaning company afloat, hires single mother Candy. But as the chemistry between them develops, Candy finds it hard to abandon the survival tactics of deception she’s always needed to get by.

Cast

 * Louis Cheung as Chak (Chan Hon-fat)
 * Angela Yuen as Candy
 * Patra Au as Wong Ying, Chak’s mother
 * Chu Pak Hong as a car mechanic/friend of Chak’s
 * Chu Pak Him as a car mechanic/friend of Chak’s
 * Tung On-na as Chu, Candy’s daughter

Reception
Writing for Deadline Hollywood, Anna Smith called the film "a thought-provoking insight into Hong Kong lockdown life, with terrific performances and a tangible atmosphere." At Screen International, Fionnuala Halligan described The Narrow Road as a "tender, thoughtful film" that "deliver[s] a subtle and affecting portrait of a difficult time in a unique place", and "a love song to [the director's] city and the low-paid labour on which it was founded".