“Love Is a Gun” opens the Mulan International Film Festival 2024

“We are delighted to open this year’s festival with such a captivating and emotional film”

Toronto, ON – July 8, 2024 – The Mulan International Film Festival (MulanIFF) is proud to announce that the opening film of this year’s festival will be the Canadian premiere of Love is a weapon (愛是一把槍/爱是一把枪). The highly anticipated film, directed by Taiwanese actor and director LEE Hong-Chi, has already received critical acclaim at the 80th Venice International Film Festival, where it won the prestigious Future Lion – the Luigi de Laurentiis Venice Award for a debut film. Love is a weapon will make his Canadian debut at the MulanIFF.

Love is a weapon tells the story of Sweet Potato, played by LEE Hong-Chi, who returns to his hometown after serving a prison sentence. Seeking redemption, he rents beach umbrellas and tries to get a “good citizen” certificate to get a job in the city. However, his past catches up with him through old acquaintances like Maozi, who draws him back into a life of crime, and through unresolved relationships with his mother and ex-girlfriend. Amidst these challenges, only his former classmate Seven offers him comfort. Eventually, Sweet Potato faces a mysterious “boss” who wields a gun and is determined to reshape his destiny.

“The success of this film in Venice underlines Lee Hong-Chi’s talent as an actor and director,” noted John Berra of Screen dailydescribe Love is a weapon as “a crime-tinged study of a generation’s malaise” that deftly tackles profound philosophical and socioeconomic themes.

SHEN Wei, artistic director of MulanIFF, expressed her enthusiasm and stated: “Love is a weapon has quickly become one of my favorite films of recent times. Its sensitive yet powerful narrative touches deeply and reveals truths about human vulnerability and resilience. As a festival dedicated to showcasing innovative work, MulanIFF strives to present films that inspire thought and introspection.”

“We are delighted to open this year’s festival with such a captivating and emotional film,” said the festival’s artistic director. “LEE Hong-Chi’s Love is a weapon captures the essence of the human struggle with authenticity and depth, setting the perfect tone for our celebration of Asian cinema.”

Starring LIN Ying-Wei, ZHENG Qing-Yu, LIN Ke-Ren, LEE Yu-Yao and Edison SONG. Love is a weapon impresses with breathtaking camera work by ZHU Ying Rong and a convincing film score by Bruce SU. The production design by LIN Zhi Yun, the costumes by LEE Chi Wei and the sound by TU Duu-Chih round off the artistic achievements of the film.

About Mulan International Film Festival

The Mulan International Film Festival is Canada’s premier festival for Chinese-language films and pan-Chinese cinema. Founded in 2018 by alumni of the University of Toronto, MulanIFF has established itself as a qualifying festival for Telefilm Canada’s development program, with a focus on Black and people of color films. The 2024 Mulan International Film Festival will be held August 9-17, 2024 at the Innis Town Hall at the University of Toronto St. George.

Start of sales of festival packages:

Whether you are a cinephile who enjoys the film alone or shares it with close friends and loved ones, the Mulan International Film Festival 2024 festival packages offer you the best prices. Purchase before 11:59:59 p.m. (EDT) on July 13 to get a additional early bird discount!

This year, MulanIFF offers the following three festival package options:

3-ticket festival package: Redeemable for 3 tickets to any screening.

6 + 2 Festival Package: Redeemable for 6 tickets to any screening and 2 tickets to any screening of the Fountainhead program.

10 + 4 Festival Package: Redeemable for 10 tickets for any screening and 4 tickets for any screening of the Fountainhead program.

For festival package pricing and more information, visit the MulanIFF Festival Package page.

Website: www.mulanfestival.com

Follow MulanIFF on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, WeChat Public Platform and RED.