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SCREENING

Vengeance

Friday, Sep 9 at 7:15 pm

9/9: Redstone Theater
9/17: Bartos Screening Room

Dir. Johnnie To. Hong Kong. 2009, 108 mins. 35mm. In Cantonese, English, and French with English subtitles. With Johnny Hallyday, Anthony Wong, Gordon Lam, Lam Suet, Simon Yam, Michelle Ye, Sylvie Testud. In homage to the films of Jean-Pierre Melville, the virtuoso genre stylist To originally wanted the elusive Alain Delon for the role of Francis Costello, a retired chef and former hitman who travels to Macau, seeking vengeance for the cold-blooded murder of his daughter, her Cantonese husband, and their children. But he lucked out with Hallyday, whose nearly expressionless, timeworn countenance is perfect for this ronin-like protagonist. Quickly crossing paths with a gang of gunmen led by Kwai (Wong, cool as ice), Costello seeks their help against the powerful kingpin who ordered his family’s deaths. Time is of the essence, because the aging man is slowly succumbing to dementia. One of To’s most darkly beautiful works.

Tickets: $15 / $11 senior and students / $9 youth (ages 3–17) / discounted for MoMI members ($7–$11). Order tickets. Please pick up tickets at the Museum’s admissions desk upon arrival. All seating is general admission. Review safety protocols before your visit.