Global Group Films Limited has joined a co-investment in a new crime film called Theory of Ambitions. The company is a wholly owned subsidiary of Global Group. The company announced the deal in Hong Kong on November 22, 2017. Its partners are Dadi Century Films (Beijing) and Mei Ah Film Production.
The picture is a mainland China and Hong Kong co-production. It was planned as a big-budget blockbuster, so a worldwide release was set for the end of 2018.
Philip Yung directs, after his previous film, Port of Call, won many top prizes at festivals. He is often called the new hope of Hong Kong cinema.
The headline news, though, is the cast. Tony Leung and Aaron Kwok share the lead, which makes this the first film the two stars have made together.
Four officers and a corrupt era
The story is set in colonial Hong Kong during a period of rampant corruption. It follows four senior Chinese police officers. At the time, they held sway over both the underworld and the police force. Later, they turned away from that life, and their change helped open a new anti-corruption era in the city.
The supporting cast includes Patrick Tam, Michael Chow, Michael Hui, Du Juan, Louis Cheung, Michael Ning, Ron Ng, Tse Kwan Ho, Maggie Cheung Hoyee and Elaine Kam.
Global Films sees mainland China as one of its core markets, because demand there keeps rising. The release cited official figures presented at the 19th National Congress in October 2017. China had 49,000 cinema screens, more than the United States. Urban cinema visits reached 1.37 billion in 2016, while box office revenue was expected to hit RMB55 billion in 2017, a rise of 10 percent.
Dr. Johnny Hon, the founder and executive chairman of Global Group, is the film’s executive producer. He said the Chinese film market is booming. In his view, mainland and Hong Kong co-productions have grown in number and quality. As a result, the group looks for strong projects for mainland viewers. It also wants to bring good Chinese films to world audiences.
Global Films has already backed Protégé, Big Big Man, Crazy Lottery, As Time Goes By, The Coffin and Fagara in Mara. Its affiliates have also invested in the stage musicals Sunset Boulevard, 42nd Street and A Legendary Romance.
Global Group was founded in 1997. It works as a venture capital and angel investment firm. Its interests range from banking and property to media, education and telecommunications.
