Amphetamine

  • 97'
  • Hong Kong
  • 2009

Kafka is a fitness trainer, martial artist and delivery boy working multiple jobs to take care of his mother. His life has never been one where everything neatly falls into place: his father died by suicide when Kafka was young, and most recently, he broke up with his girlfriend. But perhaps meeting the charming young executive Daniel will be the lucky charm that turns the tables.

Once more employing a cast of absurdly beautiful men in cleanly elegant spaces with a fierce, camp attitude, in Amphetamine Hong Kong artist provocateur Scud explores the possibilities of love between people who desperately need it, crave it, believe in it, but actually may not really be capable of it. Kafka and Daniel throw themselves into each other, in the hope of manifesting a love that will heal their wounds from lonesome pasts and free their doubtful minds. Instead, they risk becoming another more dangerous drug to one another. 

One of Scud's most affecting films, Amphetamine is inspired by a close friend who nearly lost his life, and is dedicated to people who find no reason to live other than the love they might find in others. But is this love a true love?

– kijA

  • 97'
  • Hong Kong
  • 2009
Director
Scud
Premiere
Dutch Premiere
Country of production
Hong Kong
Year
2009
Festival Edition
IFFR 2024
Length
97'
Medium
DCP
Original title
安非他命
Languages
Cantonese, Mandarin, English
Producer
Scud
Sales
Breaking Glass Pictures
Screenplay
Scud
Cinematography
Charlie Lam
Editor
Heiward Mak
Production Design
Jack Chan
Music
Yu Yat Yiu, Ho Shan
Cast
Byron Pang, Thomas Price, Winnie Leung, Linda So, Simon Tam
Director
Scud
Premiere
Dutch Premiere
Country of production
Hong Kong
Year
2009
Festival Edition
IFFR 2024
Length
97'
Medium
DCP
Original title
安非他命
Languages
Cantonese, Mandarin, English
Producer
Scud
Sales
Breaking Glass Pictures
Screenplay
Scud
Cinematography
Charlie Lam
Editor
Heiward Mak
Production Design
Jack Chan
Music
Yu Yat Yiu, Ho Shan
Cast
Byron Pang, Thomas Price, Winnie Leung, Linda So, Simon Tam

Programme IFFR 2024

Focus: Scud

When reflecting on Scud’s body of work Louboutin’s “Heels are pleasure with pain,” comes to mind – the two permeate all his films. Audacious, passionate, cruel, loving and consistently stubborn, Scud strips his soul by stripping beautiful men, leaving them naked and vulnerable, wandering between the realms of absolute pleasure, sensual daydreams and nightmares. As well as pondering the meaning and value of life, death and thereafter. With Naked Nations – Tribe Hong Kong, the Hong Kong artist provocateur says his goodbye to filmmaking, leaving behind ten stand-alone films that form one relentless and singular work of art.

 

Did you know that Scud is also joining us for a Talk this year? Find out more via the button below.

Read more about this programme