Hong Kong documentary “Four Trails” has secured U.K. theatrical distribution through NGO U.K.-China Film Collab and will open the annual Odyssey film festival in London on Sept. 15.
The film, which tells the story of one of Hong Kong’s most grueling adventure challenges, has become a box office phenomenon, earning nearly HK$11 million ($1.4 million) to become the second highest-grossing documentary in Hong Kong cinema history.
Directed by Hong Kong-born Robin Lee and produced by his brother Ben Lee, “Four Trails” follows participants in an ultra-marathon challenge created by Andre Blumberg in 2012. The event requires runners to complete all four of Hong Kong’s ultra-distance trails — totaling 298 kilometers with an elevation gain of 14,500 meters, twice the height of Mount Everest.
The challenge offers no prizes or medals, with participants deemed finishers if they complete the course in under 60 hours or survivors if finished within 72 hours. In its 14-year history, only 104 participants have completed the event, making it one of the world’s toughest ultra-marathons.
Hong Kong superstar Chow Yun-fat praised the film, stating, “Every Hong Konger should watch this movie.”
The documentary earned Robin Lee the prize for best new director and a nomination for best film editing swept at the 43rd Hong Kong Film Awards. It also received a special award from the Hong Kong Film Directors Guild executive committee, film of merit from the Hong Kong Film Critics Society, and the audience award at the 21st Hong Kong Asian Film Festival.
Nikki Han, the first female to become a finisher, reflected on her experience: “What I gained over those many hours on the trails will stay with me forever. They are with me every day. They are the trophy.”
The documentary has played at international festivals including the Shanghai International Film Festival and Far East Film Festival in Udine, Italy, with upcoming screenings at the Golden Horse Film Festival in Taipei. Additional festival appearances have taken place in Adelaide, Beijing, Boulder, Melbourne, New York and Toronto, with further screenings scheduled for Bangkok, Berlin, Kuala Lumpur, Lisbon, London, Paris, Seoul, Taipei and Tokyo.
“Four Trails” is set for theatrical release in Singapore and will open the U.K.-based Odyssey film festival, which focuses on creating dialogue between British and Greater China film industries. This year’s festival theme is “Sports.”
“We are delighted that Robin has accepted our invitation as ‘Four Trails’ is the perfect film with which to open the festival,” said Hiu Man Chan, artistic director of Odyssey.
The festival opens Sept. 15 with “Four Trails” at the Everyman Cinema, Broadgate. NGO U.K.-China Film Collab, the company behind previous releases including “The Six,” “Lust, Caution” U.K. re-release, and “The Sinking of the Lisbon Maru,” will handle the film’s U.K. theatrical distribution with an initial release date set for Oct. 30.