Most of the features and shorts that play at Fantastic Fest are labors of love created by indie and/or first-time filmmakers. They share a love of storytelling and are so passionate about their work. And, more times than none, you’d never believe that what you’re witnessing on the silver screens here in Austin is someone’s first at-bat. This year’s crop is yet another amazing harvest that shows what kind of visionaries are climbing and ascending the creative mountaintop in this world. With a one-two punch of action and highly unexpected humor that recalls the magic of Rush Hour, director Ying and cinematographer Nathan Wong, give us John Wick by way of Shaolin Soccer. The result is Road to Vendetta (or “殺手#4” in Cantonese).
In their debut film, we follow “Killer #4” (Jeffrey Nagai) hot off the success of a mission that, for all we know, was free of stress and perspiration. After all, he’s been battle-hardened by past traumas – isn’t that always the case? – but not even a Bruce Wayne level of backstory can prepare him for his next job. Why? It’s not the assignment that catches him off guard, it’s his client. “Number 4” now finds himself employed for a very questionable hit job. So enter Kumo (Sarah Minami) who brings with her lots of baggage and dead weight that slows down the previously unstoppable and silent assassin.
That’s when things go from cool to fun and ultimately funny. It’s a wild ride that combines globetrotting excitement with the comedy of a true odd couple. Road to Vendetta mixes many genres as well as the age-old trope of cultural and language barriers. That is overcome thanks to convenient technology that gets a laugh and there just might be a romance that unites these contrasting personalities.
The film took nearly seven years to make, so it’s not only a long road to get here, it’s a fantastic feat to bring this to the big screen. As they say, it’s a miracle movies ever get made at all. But let’s celebrate Ling and Nathan because their crazy ride is one worth taking. We are confident that they’ll be joining other Fantastic Fest alums who bring back crowd-pleasers year after year. Join us on this episode of The GoSeeTalk Podcast Experience as we talk about fun, fights, flying fists and salted fish!!
