Lilting (film)
Lilting (Chinese: 轻轻摇晃; pinyin: Qīngqīng yáohuàng) is a 2014 British romantic drama film written and directed by Cambodian-born British director Hong Khaou[2] and produced by Dominic Buchanan.[3]
Lilting | |
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Theatrical release poster | |
Directed by | Hong Khaou |
Produced by | Dominic Buchanan |
Written by | Hong Khaou |
Starring |
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Music by | Stuart Earl |
Cinematography | Urszula Pontikos |
Edited by | Mark Towns |
Production companies | |
Distributed by | Artificial Eye |
Release date |
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Running time | 91 minutes |
Country | United Kingdom |
Language |
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Budget | £120,000 |
Box office | $247,377[1] |
The film had its world premiere on 16 January 2014 on Day One of the Sundance Film Festival, at which it competed in the World Cinema Dramatic Competition.[4] It won the "Cinematography Award: World Cinema Dramatic" at the festival.[5][6] The film was released theatrically in United Kingdom on 8 August 2014[7][8] and in the United States on 26 September 2014.[9]
Synopsis
Lilting tells the story of a mother's attempt at understanding who her son was after his untimely death. Her world is suddenly disrupted by the presence of his lover. Together, they attempt to overcome their grief whilst struggling against not having a shared language.[10]
Cast
- Ben Whishaw as Richard
- Andrew Leung as Kai
- Cheng Pei-pei as Junn
- Morven Christie as Margaret
- Naomi Christie as Vann
- Peter Bowles as Alan
Production
The script, original titled Lilting the Past, won third spot in the 2011 Brit List, a list of the best unproduced British screenplays.[11]
The film was one of three films greenlit by Microwave in early 2012.[12][13] A casting call was later released for the three of the lead roles,[14] later filled by Cheng Pei-pei and Andrew Leung.
Filming began in November 2012 [15] and completed principal photography in December 2012.[16] Director Khaou has said the film will be visually inspired by Wong Kar-wai's In the Mood for Love.[17]
During production, as part of the Microwave scheme, Michael Winterbottom mentored writer/director Khaou, while producer Buchanan was mentored by Ken Marshall, producer of London to Brighton, Filth and Song for Marion. As with all Microwave films, the budget was £120,000.[18] It is the first bilingual film to be made under the Microwave scheme.[19]
Reception
Critical response
Lilting was met with positive reviews from critics. As of June 2020, the film holds an 84% approval rating on review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, based on 55 reviews with an average rating of 6.88/10. The website's critics consensus reads: "Skillfully weaving multiple delicate tonal strands into a quietly affecting whole, Lilting serves as a thoroughly compelling calling card for writer-director Hong Khaou."[20] On Metacritic the film has 61 rating from 22 reviews indicating "Generally favorable reviews."[21]
Justin Chang, in his review for Variety, said that the film "Hong Khaou makes a fine debut with this quietly resonant cross-cultural chamber piece."[22] David Rooney of The Hollywood Reporter praised the film, saying, "Delicate and unhurried almost to a fault, though also hauntingly sexy and even humorous at times."[23] Amber Wilkinson from Telegraph gave the film three out of five stars and praised the lead actor that "Whishaw is magnetic as a man pushed to the edge of fragility by mourning, but who still suggests a quiet strength."[24] Dominic Mill of We Got This Covered gave a positive review and said, "The subject matter is powerful, and the performances are wonderful – in a world of big and showy dramatism, Lilting gets its point across without feeling the need to shout about it."[25]
Accolades
Year | Award | Category | Recipient | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|
2014 | Sundance Film Festival | World Cinema Grand Jury Prize: Dramatic | Hong Khaou | Nominated |
Cinematography Award: World Cinema Dramatic | Urszula Pontikos | Won | ||
2015 | 26th GLAAD Media Awards | Outstanding Film - Limited Release | Hong Khaou | Won |
References
- "Lilting (2014) – International Box Office Results – Box Office Mojo".
- "Microwave – Get Inspired – Lilting – Cast and Crew – Crew – Writer/Director – Hong Khaou".
- "Microwave – Get Inspired – Lilting – Cast and Crew – Crew – Producer – Dominic Buchanan".
- "Sundance Institute Announces Films in U.S. and World Competitions, NEXT for 2014 Sundance Film Festival – Sundance Film Festival". Archived from the original on 5 December 2013.
- "Sundance: 'Whiplash' & 'Rich Hill' Win Grand Jury Awards; Dramatic Directing Goes To Cutter Hodierne For 'Fishing Without Nets'". Retrieved 26 January 2014.
- "'Whiplash' Owns the 2014 Sundance Film Festival Awards Netting Two Top Prizes". Retrieved 26 January 2014.
- "Lilting UK release date". Retrieved 18 August 2014.
- "Lilting BBC UK". Retrieved 18 August 2014.
- "Lilting". Retrieved 18 August 2014.
- "Tony Grisoni's Kingsland amongst new Microwave projects".
- "'Call Up' tops Brit List". Variety.
- "Microwave heats up three pics". Variety.
- "Hong Khaou's LILTING announced among new Microwave projects – United Agents".
- "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 13 November 2012. Retrieved 29 November 2012.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
- http://filmlondon.org.uk/news/2012/may/three_new_films_for_microwave
- http://filmlondon.org.uk/news/2014/january/lilting_premieres_to_critical_acclaim
- "Microwave – Get Inspired – Lilting – Directors Vision".
- "Microwave's Lilting, starring Ben Whishaw, underway in London".
- "Ben Whishaw goes from Skyfall Q to budget film". The Evening Standard.
- "Lilting (2014)". Rotten Tomatoes. Flixster. Retrieved 19 August 2014.
- "Lilting". Retrieved 29 June 2020 – via www.metacritic.com.
- "Sundance Film Review: 'Lilting'". Retrieved 19 January 2014.
- "Lilting: Sundance Review". Retrieved 19 January 2014.
- "Sundance 2014: Lilting, review". Retrieved 19 January 2014.
- "Lilting Review [LLGBT 2014]". Retrieved 19 January 2014.
External links
- Lilting on IMDb
- Lilting at AllMovie
- Lilting at Box Office Mojo
- Lilting at Metacritic
- Lilting at Rotten Tomatoes