# The Narrow Road (2022 film)

The Narrow Road (Chinese: 窄路微塵) is a 2022 Hong Kong drama film and the second full-length feature directed by Lam Sum. Set during the early days of the Covid pandemic, it tells the story of Chak (Louis Cheung) who struggles to keep his cleaning company afloat. In the midst of the challenge, he develops a bond with a newly hired cleaner Candy (Angela Yuen) who is his neighbour and also a single mother. The film had its world premiere at the Edinburgh International Film Festival on 19 August 2022.

## Plot

In the early days of the pandemic, Chak, struggling to keep his cleaning company afloat, hires single mother Candy. But as the chemistry between them develops, Candy finds it hard to abandon the survival tactics of deception she’s always needed to get by.

## Cast

* Louis Cheung as Chak (Chan Hon-fat)
* Angela Yuen as Candy
* Patra Au as Wong Ying, Chak’s mother
* Chu Pak Hong as a car mechanic/friend of Chak’s
* Chu Pak Him as a car mechanic/friend of Chak’s
* Tung On-na as Chu, Candy’s daughter

## Reception

Writing for Deadline Hollywood, Anna Smith called the film "a thought-provoking insight into Hong Kong lockdown life, with terrific performances and a tangible atmosphere." At Screen International, Fionnuala Halligan described The Narrow Road as a "tender, thoughtful film" that "deliver[s] a subtle and affecting portrait of a difficult time in a unique place", and "a love song to [the director's] city and the low-paid labour on which it was founded".

## Awards and nominations

| Awards | Category | Recipient | Result |
| 59th Golden Horse Awards | Best Leading Actor | Louis Cheung | Nominated |
| 59th Golden Horse Awards | Best Leading Actress | Angela Yuen | Nominated |
| 59th Golden Horse Awards | Best Original Film Score | Wong Hin-yan | Won |
| 59th Golden Horse Awards | FIPRESCI Prize | The Narrow Road | Nominated |
| 59th Golden Horse Awards | NETPAC Award | The Narrow Road | Nominated |
| 59th Golden Horse Awards | Observation Missions for Asian Cinema Award | The Narrow Road | Nominated |
| 29th Hong Kong Film Critics Society Awards | Best Film | The Narrow Road | Nominated |
| 29th Hong Kong Film Critics Society Awards | Best Director | Lam Sum | Won |
| 29th Hong Kong Film Critics Society Awards | Best Screenplay | Fean Chung | Nominated |
| 29th Hong Kong Film Critics Society Awards | Best Actor | Louis Cheung | Won |
| 29th Hong Kong Film Critics Society Awards | Best Actress | Angela Yuen | Nominated |
| 29th Hong Kong Film Critics Society Awards | Films of Merit | The Narrow Road | Won |
| 41st Hong Kong Film Awards | Best Film | The Narrow Road | Nominated |
| 41st Hong Kong Film Awards | Best Director | Lam Sum | Nominated |
| 41st Hong Kong Film Awards | Best Screenplay | Fean Chung Chu Fung | Nominated |
| 41st Hong Kong Film Awards | Best Actor | Louis Cheung | Nominated |
| 41st Hong Kong Film Awards | Best Actress | Angela Yuen | Nominated |
| 41st Hong Kong Film Awards | Best Supporting Actress | Patra Au | Nominated |
| 41st Hong Kong Film Awards | Best Cinematography | Meteor Cheung Yu Hon | Nominated |
| 41st Hong Kong Film Awards | Best Costume & Make Up Design | Bonnie Ho | Nominated |
| 41st Hong Kong Film Awards | Best Original Film Score | Wong Hin Yan | Won |
| 41st Hong Kong Film Awards | Best New Director | Lam Sum | Nominated |