Unless you have a multi-region DVD player and seek out obscure foreign imports, Johnnie To films usually come late to North American audiences. As was the case with low-budget thrillers Exiled and Election, To's films have no problems finding takers – its just that there is the hassle of finding the highest bid among low bidders.
Variety reports that the folks over at IFC have picked up a Johnnie To/Wai Ka-fai title that played out at recent fall fests at Venice and Toronto but had yet to find a North American buyer. Mad Detective sees Lau Ching-wan play the title character, a loopy police inspector who solves cases by seeing a suspect's inner “ghosts.” After a long absence from the force for mental-health reasons, he is brought back to track down a missing officer.
This will be released via the profitable IFC First Take label and fans can expect a double dose of To in 08. Magnet Releasing is releasing the To/Tsui Hark and Ringo Lam Cannes-selected project of Triangle.
