Triangle
dir. Tsui Hark · 2007
Life often presents us with tempting shortcuts to success, but the pursuit of wealth can lead to unforeseen consequences that trap us in a cycle of despair.
Feature
Moral Ambiguity
Mood
Adventurous / Tense
Look
gritty urban landscapes, dimly lit interiors, contrasting shadows and highlights
Structure
non-linear with flashbacks and present-day tension
Plot
Life has not been kind to drinking buddies Sam, Fai, and Mok as they struggle to make ends meet, until one stormy evening when a mysterious old man appears before them in a bar with a 'get rich quick' scheme: an ancient treasure buried under a high-security government building.
Why watch
"Triangle" deftly intertwines the thrill of treasure hunting with the dark complexities of friendship and moral ambiguity. As desperation mounts, the film becomes a gripping exploration of how far people will go when pushed to their limits, all set against the backdrop of a stormy urban night.
Cultural context
Hong Kong cinema influenceseconomic struggles in urban settingsthemes of friendship and betrayalmoral dilemmas in contemporary society