To’s ‘Exiled’ to Magnolia

Prolific (understatement) director Johnnie To is back, again. The actioneer’s latest film, Exiled, has been picked up Magnolia Pictures for distribution in North American. The film debuted at the Toronto International Film Festival, where it received high marks and standing O’s. Expected to be a major hit in Asia, the film showcases To’s trademark skills at making gangster films with an action glean.

‘Exiled’ tells the epic tale of bad guy vs. bad guy but with complexities and interconnectivity not often found in the common gangster genre film. Criminals double cross each other, seek revenge, look for the ‘big score’ and dream about a life far removed from the underworld. The film features the beautiful cinematography of Cheng Sui-keung and features star Simon Yam, who is the Mifune to To’s Kurosawa.

Those who wonder how To can be so adept at his craft need only to look at his output. This film will be Johnnie To’s thirtieth feature since 1993, a staggering rate rivaled only by Samuel L Jackson performances and Britney Spears’ child production. He previously made the highly-regarded Fulltime Killer and Running Out of Time. Given the pre-release acclaim of this film, however, it’s only a matter of time before To reaches similar heights as fellow action kings John Woo and Stephen Chow have reached in the US. Maybe his 30th feature since ’93 will be his breakthrough.