Cesium Fallout

{{Short description|2024 Hong Kong film by Anthony Pun}} {{Infobox film | name = Cesium Fallout | image = CesiumFallout.jpg | caption = Theatrical release poster | alt = | native_name = {{Infobox Chinese/Chinese|child=yes|hide=no|header=none | t = 焚城 | s = 焚城 | l = Burning City | p = Fén Chéng | j = Fan4 Sing4}} | director = [[Anthony Pun]] | producer = [[Andy Lau]] [[William Kong]] Anthony Pun | writer = Mak Tin-shu Shum Kwan-sin Wong Wing-yiu Frances To Oscar Fung | starring = [[Andy Lau]] [[Bai Yu (actor)|Bai Yu]] [[Karen Mok]] | music = [[Elliot Leung]] | cinematography = Anthony Pun | editing = [[Cheung Ka-fai (film editor)|Cheung Ka-fai]] | studio = [[Edko Films]] [[Alibaba Pictures]] | distributor = Edko Films | released = {{film date|df=y|2024|11|1}} | runtime = 138 minutes | country = Hong Kong | language = Cantonese | budget = | gross = US$41.3 million{{efn|group=ref2|See ''[[#Box office|Box office]]''}} }}

'''''Cesium Fallout''''' is a 2024 Hong Kong [[disaster film|disaster]] [[thriller film]] produced and directed by [[Anthony Pun]], produced by and starring [[Andy Lau]]. Touted as the first nuclear radiation disaster-themed blockbuster production from Hong Kong, the film revolves around an accidental radioactive leak in the city which puts the lives of seven million citizens at risk.

Production took place throughout 2024.<ref name=variety>{{cite web|url=https://www.variety.com/2024/film/news/alibaba-films-feng-xiaogang-xu-zheng-guan-hu-shanghai-1236042967/|title=Feng Xiaogang, Xu Zheng and Guan Hu Tentpole Films in the Works as Alibaba Pictures Unveils Blockbuster Slate at Shanghai|date=20 June 2024}}</ref> The film was theatrically released on 1 November 2024.<ref name=ming>{{cite web|url=https://ol.mingpao.com/ldy/showbiz/latest/20240617/1718617606869/%E9%A6%99%E6%B8%AF%E5%8F%B2%E4%B8%8A%E9%A6%96%E9%83%A8%E8%BC%BB%E5%B0%84%E7%81%BD%E9%9B%A3%E9%89%85%E8%A3%BD-%E5%8A%89%E5%BE%B7%E8%8F%AF%E8%8E%AB%E6%96%87%E8%94%9A%E3%80%8A%E7%84%9A%E5%9F%8E%E3%80%8B%E4%BB%8A%E5%B9%B4%E4%B8%8A%E6%98%A0|title=香港史上首部輻射災難鉅製劉德華莫文蔚《焚城》今年上映 (18:04)}}</ref><ref name=post>{{cite web|url=https://www.bastillepost.com/hongkong/article/14130221-%E9%A6%99%E6%B8%AF%E5%8F%B2%E4%B8%8A%E9%A6%96%E9%83%A8%E8%BC%BB%E5%B0%84%E7%81%BD%E9%9B%A3%E9%89%85%E8%A3%BD%E3%80%8A%E7%84%9A%E5%9F%8E%E3%80%8B-%E5%8A%89%E5%BE%B7%E8%8F%AFx%E7%99%BD%E5%AE%87x|title=香港史上首部輻射災難鉅製《焚城》劉德華X白宇X莫文蔚攜手拯救危城|date=18 June 2024}}</ref>

==Plot summary==  In 1996, Financial Secretary Simon Fan (played by [[Andy Lau]]) loosens container inspection regulations, allowing unscrupulous traders to exploit loopholes to import [[dangerous goods]]. Thus a fire breaks out at the [[Kwai Chung Container Terminals]], resulting in deaths of several firefighters, including his wife, May Lai. Following this tragedy, Simon Fan leaves the political field, pursues degrees, and becomes a waste management expert.

In 2007, a high-intensity radioactive material, [[cesium-137]], suddenly leaks at the Hung Lik Recycling Yard in Queen's Hill, [[Fanling]]. [[Tropical Storm]] Murphy is looming, which means that radiation could spread across Hong Kong within 24 hours, putting seven million people in grave danger. To avoid causing public panic, Hong Kong government officials decide to withhold information about the radiation. Simon Fan and main officials headed by the Acting Chief Executive, Cecilia Wong (played by [[Karen Mok]]), engage in a fierce confrontation, as Simon fights to secure a chance of survival for the public. Meanwhile, fire station officer Lai Kit-fung (played by [[Bai Yu (actor)|Bai Yu]]) and his teammates are dispatched to the unknown front line, unaware that there may be more behind this disaster than meets the eye.

==Cast== *[[Andy Lau]] as Simon Fan, former Financial Secretary of [[Hong Kong]] who is now a scientist and nuclear radiation expert *[[Bai Yu (actor)|Bai Yu]] as Lai Kit-fung, a station officer of the [[Hong Kong Fire Services Department]] and Simon's younger brother in-law who blames Simon for his sister's death. **[[Siuyea Lo]] provides the Cantonese voice dub for Bai Yu<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.hk01.com/%E8%97%9D%E6%96%87/1072055/%E7%84%9A%E5%9F%8E-%E7%BE%A4%E6%98%9F%E5%A6%82%E9%9B%B2-%E9%A6%96%E9%83%A8%E8%8F%AF%E8%AA%9E%E8%BC%BB%E5%B0%84%E9%9B%BB%E5%BD%B1%E8%AB%B7%E5%88%BA%E5%AE%98%E5%83%9A%E6%89%A3%E4%BA%BA%E5%BF%83%E5%BC%A6-%E4%BD%95%E6%95%85%E5%B0%88%E6%AC%84 |title=《焚城》群星如雲首部華語輻射電影諷刺官僚扣人心弦 |date=1 November 2024 |website=[[HK01]] |last=Ho |first=Keith |access-date=9 November 2024 |language=zh}}</ref> *[[Karen Mok]] as Cecilia Fong, [[Financial Secretary (Hong Kong)|the Financial Secretary]] and the acting [[Chief Executive of Hong Kong]]. *[[Tse Kwan-ho]] as Chainsmoker, principal fireman of the unit *[[Ivana Wong]] as Kelly Wong, administrative officer along with Cecilia Fong *[[Louise Wong]] as Madam Chan Mei-yan, a senior station officer of the fire unit *[[Fish Liew]] as Zoe, principal firewoman of the unit *[[Error (Hong Kong group)|Dee Ho]] as Water, firefighter *[[Jeffrey Ngai]] as Sai-chu, firefighter *[[Leung Chung-hang (actor)|Leung Chung-hang]] as Po-ming, senior fireman of the unit *[[Bowie Lam]] as the Director of Fire Services *[[Michael Wong (actor)|Michael Wong]] as Peter Cowen, APAC CEO of DOE Corporation *[[Michael Chow (actor)|Michael Chow]] as Roger Fong, businessman and husband of Cecilia Fong who colludes with Cowen. *[[Kent Cheng]] as the [[Secretary for Security]]. *[[Kenny Wong]] as Lau Siu-keung, firefighting coordinator of the unit *[[Trial & Error (company)#Actors|Locker Lam]] as Finger, firefighter *[[Wesley Wong]] as Big B, firefighter

===Guest appearances=== *[[David Chiang]] as the Chief Executive of Hong Kong *[[Patra Au]] as the director of [[Hong Kong Observatory]] *[[Natalie Hsu]] as Eileen Fan, Simon's daughter *[[Eric Kwok]] as Eric, the explosive officer of civil engineering *Max Cheung as Maxco, the explosive officer of civil engineering *[[Cheung Tat-ming]] as cafe owner nearby the fire place *[[Wu Yanshu]] as Simon Fan's mother-in-law **[[Nina Paw]] provides the Cantonese voice dub for Wu Yanshu. *[[Tong Yao]] as May Fan, the late wife of Simon Fan and a firefighter who died in an accident *Patrick Pak as the chairman of [[Hospital Authority]] *Deon Cheung as the director of [[Food and Environmental Hygiene Department|FEHD]] *Simon Yu as the [[Commissioner of Police (Hong Kong)|Commissioner of Police]]

==Production== The film was publicly announced during filming on 17 June 2024, where producer [[Edko Films]] officially released a teaser poster which also states the release date within 2024<ref name=ming/> despite reports from ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'' that the film was expected to complete production by the end of the year.<ref name=variety/> The same day, producer [[Bill Kong]], alongside cast members [[Bai Yu (actor)|Bai Yu]] and [[Louise Wong]], promoted the film during a presentation event at the 26th [[Shanghai International Film Festival]], where Bai and Wong revealed their roles as firefighters in the film. Producer and star [[Andy Lau]] also appeared via a pre-recorded video discussing his role as a radiation crisis expert, as well as production of disaster spectacles and themes of humanity.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://m.thecover.cn/video_details.html?from=web&eid=mjyB5ZuWp4CH90qSdq8Jkw==&timestamp=1721698386031|title=30秒刘德华白宇莫文蔚新片《焚城》今年将映，监制江志强：有幸碰到好题材}}</ref>

On 19 July 2024, [[Karen Mok]] revealed that she had to memorise many professional terms for her role and will start working on promotions by the latter half of the year.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://tw.news.yahoo.com/%E8%8E%AB%E6%96%87%E8%94%9A%E6%96%B0%E6%AD%8C%E9%A3%86%E9%AB%98%E9%9F%B3-%E5%90%88%E4%BD%9C%E5%8A%89%E5%BE%B7%E8%8F%AF-%E7%84%9A%E5%9F%8E-201000497.html|title=莫文蔚新歌飆高音合作劉德華《焚城》|date=19 July 2024}}</ref>

==Release== ''Cesium Fallout'' was theatrically released on 1 November 2024 in Hong Kong.<ref name=ming/><ref name=post/> The film was marketed alongside another Hong Kong film ''[[The Last Dance (2024 film)|The Last Dance]]'' during its early release, offering a packaged ticket set that allowed purchasers to watch both films at a discounted price in November.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.hk01.com/%E9%9B%BB%E5%BD%B1/1071235/%E7%84%9A%E5%9F%8E-%E7%A0%B4-%E5%9C%B0%E7%8D%84-%E8%81%AF%E6%89%8B%E6%8E%A8%E9%9B%BB%E5%BD%B1%E5%A5%97%E7%A5%A8-%E6%B1%9F%E5%BF%97%E5%BC%B7-%E4%B8%80%E6%96%87%E4%B8%80%E6%AD%A6%E9%97%A2%E6%96%B0%E5%A4%A9%E5%9C%B0 |title=《焚城》《破‧地獄》聯手推電影套票江志強︰一文一武闢新天地 |date=30 October 2024 |website=[[HK01]] |author=許育民 |access-date=6 December 2024 |language=zh}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://topick.hket.com/article/3849703/%E6%B8%AF%E7%94%A2%E7%89%87%EF%BD%9C%E3%80%8A%E7%84%9A%E5%9F%8E%E3%80%8B%E3%80%8A%E7%A0%B4%20%C2%B7%20%E5%9C%B0%E7%8D%84%E3%80%8B-120%E9%9B%BB%E5%BD%B1%E5%A5%97%E7%A5%A8%E3%80%8011.1%E9%96%8B%E5%94%AE%E9%99%90%E9%87%8F1,000%E5%A5%97 |title=《焚城》《破 · 地獄》$120電影套票 11.1開售限量1,000套 |date=30 October 2024 |website=[[Hong Kong Economic Times Holdings|TOPick]] |access-date=6 December 2024 |language=zh}}</ref>

===Box office=== ''Cesium Fallout'' has grossed a total of US$41.3 million worldwide combining its box office gross from Hong Kong (US$5.3 million)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt29495090/?ref_=bo_rl_ti|title=Cesium Fallout - Box Office Mojo}}</ref> and China (US$36 million).<ref name=ent/>

The film debuted at No. 1 during its opening weekend in Hong Kong grossing HK$9,281,777 (US$1,193,494) during its first three days of release, while accumulating a total of HK$10,073,229 (US$1,295,262) by then end of the weekend including preview screenings.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/weekend/2024W44/?area=HK&ref_=bo_we_nav|title=Hong Kong 2024 Weekend 44 October 31-November 3, 2024}}</ref> In its second weekend, the film grossed HK$10,490,080 (US$1,349,267) while coming in at No. 2, and have grossed a total of HK$20,595,076 (US$2,649,004) by then.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/weekend/2024W45/?area=HK&ref_=bo_we_nav|title=Hong Kong 2024 Weekend 45 November 7-10, 2024}}</ref> The film remained at No. 2 during its third weekend grossing HK$7,556,285 (US$970,594), while having accumulated a total gross of HK$28,150,016 (US$3,615,828) by then.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/weekend/2024W46/?area=HK&ref_=bo_we_nav|title=Hong Kong 2024 Weekend 46 November 14-17, 2024}}</ref> The film stayed at No. 2 for its third consecutive week by its fourth weekend grossing HK$5,084,267 (US$653,129), while having grossed a total of HK$32,251,872 (US$4,143,099) so far.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/weekend/2024W47/?area=HK&ref_=bo_we_nav|title=Hong Kong 2024 Weekend 47 November 21-24, 2024}}</ref> The film stayed at No. 2 for its fourth consecutive week during its fifth weekend grossing HK$5,084,267 (US$472,743), while having grossed a total of HK$35,930,694 (US$3,678,822) by then.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/weekend/2024W48/?area=HK&ref_=bo_we_nav|title=Hong Kong 2024 Weekend 48 November 28-December 1, 2024}}</ref> During its sixth weekend, the film grossed HK$2,169,195 (US$278,843), coming in at No. 5, while accumulating a total gross of HK$38,100,819 (US$4,897,731) by then.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/weekend/2024W49/?area=HK&ref_=bo_we_nav|title=Hong Kong 2024 Weekend 49 December 5-8, 2024}}</ref> The film remained at No. 5 in its seventh weekend while grossing HK$1,187,263 (US$152,687), and have grossed a total of HK$39,288,082 (US$5,052,623) by then.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/weekend/2024W50/?area=HK&ref_=bo_we_nav|title=Hong Kong 2024 Weekend 50 December 12-15, 2024}}</ref> During its eighth weekend, the film grossed HK$754,542 (US$97,032) coming in at No. 9, while having accumulated a total gross of HK$40,042,624 (US$5,149,362) by then.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/weekend/2024W51/?area=HK&ref_=bo_we_nav|title=Hong Kong 2024 Weekend 51 December 19-22, 2024}}</ref> In its 9th weekend, the film grossed HK$829,861 (US$106,913), while having grossed a total of HK$40,872,485 (US$5,265,702) so far.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/weekend/2024W52/?area=HK&ref_=bo_we_nav|title=Hong Kong 2024 Weekend 52 December 26-29, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://hkfilmart.hktdc.com/conference/hkfilmart/en/hong-kong-weekly-box-office|title=Hong Kong Weekly Box Office}}</ref>

In China, the film debuted at No. 2 during its opening weekend, grossing US$11.6 million during its first three days of release and accumulating a total gross of US$12.4 million including previews.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://english.entgroup.cn/boxoffice/cn/|title=China Weekly Box Office (10/28 - 11/03/2024)}}</ref> The film moved up to No. 1 during its second weekend grossing US$13.4 million, while having a cumulative gross of US$25.8 million by then.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://english.entgroup.cn/boxoffice/cn/Default.aspx?week=1340|title=China Weekly Box Office (11/04 - 11/10/2024)}}</ref> During its third weekend, the film grossed US$7.5 million, coming in at No. 3, while having accumulated a total gross of US$33.3 million by then.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://english.entgroup.cn/boxoffice/cn/Default.aspx?week=1341|title=China Weekly Box Office (11/11 - 11/17/2024)}}</ref> The film grossed US$2.7 million in its fourth weekend, coming in at No. 7, and have grossed a total of US$36 million so far.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://english.entgroup.cn/boxoffice/cn/Default.aspx?week=1341|title=China Weekly Box Office (11/11 - 11/17/2024)}}</ref> The film grossed US$2.7 million in its fourth weekend, coming in at No. 7, and have grossed a total of US$36 million so far.<ref name=ent>{{cite web|url=http://english.entgroup.cn/boxoffice/cn/Default.aspx?week=1342|title=China Weekly Box Office (11/18 - 11/24/2024)}}</ref>

===Critical reception=== James Marsh of ''[[Deadline Hollywood]]'' praises [[Anthony Pun]]'s cinematography, noting its visual coherence and ultimately writes ''Cesium Fallout'' bombards its audience with a cacophony of mindless destruction and muddled messaging, yet somehow fails to illustrate just what it is that these individuals are so courageously fighting for.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2024/11/cesium-fallout-review-andy-lau-karen-mok-1236163408/|title='Cesium Fallout' Review: Andy Lau & Karen Mok Lead Bombastic Hong Kong Disaster Flick That Teases At A Satirical Hunger Beneath Its Brash Exterior|date=November 2024}}</ref> Edmund Lee of ''[[South China Morning Post]]'' gave the film 3.5/5 stars, calling it "immersive and engaging" and praising its logical narrative and "solid performances", while noting that despite some contrived plot elements, it effectively balances action and drama in its thoughtful exploration of a nuclear crisis.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3284453/cesium-fallout-movie-review-andy-lau-leads-hong-kong-radiation-disaster-drama |title=Cesium Fallout movie review: Andy Lau leads Hong Kong radiation disaster drama |date=30 October 2024 |website=[[South China Morning Post]] |last=Lee |first=Edmund |access-date=21 December 2024}}</ref> Lee also ranked the film eighth out of the 36 Hong Kong films theatrically released in 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3292150/hong-kong-films-released-2024-ranked-worst-best-led-last-dance |title=The Hong Kong films released in 2024 ranked from worst to best, led by The Last Dance |date=24 December 2024 |website=[[South China Morning Post]] |last=Lee |first=Edmund |access-date=8 January 2025}}</ref>

Yasmin Zulraez of ''[[The Sun (Malaysia)|The Sun]]'' gave the film 7/10 and praised it as a "roller-coaster ride filled with tension, heroism and the kind of emotional weight that grips the heartstrings", highlighting the film's effective combination of intense action with emotional depth, with strong performances and exploration of themes like redemption and personal conflict, despite some melodramatic moments.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://thesun.my/style-life/cesium-fallout-hits-hard-JA13314638 |title=Cesium Fallout hits hard |date=20 November 2024 |website=[[The Sun (Malaysia)|The Sun]] |last=Zulraez |first=Yasmin |access-date=21 December 2024}}</ref> Whang Yee Ling of ''[[The Straits Times]]'' gave the film 3/5 stars, describing it as "big, unsubtle entertainment" that critically examines government indecision and delivers a "tense" apocalyptic spectacle effectively highlighting the dangers of man-made disasters, though she found the crisis ultimately "exhausting".<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/life/entertainment/at-the-movies-cesium-fallout-delivers-bang-for-your-buck-we-live-in-time-a-tiresome-tearjerker |title=At The Movies: Cesium Fallout delivers bang for your buck, We Live In Time a tiresome tearjerker |date=6 November 2024 |website=[[The Straits Times]] |last=Whang |first=Yee Ling |access-date=21 December 2024}}</ref>

== Awards and nominations == {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" |- ! Year ! Award ! Category ! Nominee ! Result ! {{Ref heading}} |- | rowspan="5"|2025 | rowspan="5"|[[43rd Hong Kong Film Awards]] | [[Hong Kong Film Award for Best Cinematography|Best Cinematography]] | [[Anthony Pun]] | {{nom}} | rowspan="5"|<ref name="43HKFilm">{{Cite web |url=https://www.voguehk.com/en/article/art-lifestyle/2025-hong-kong-film-awards-winners/ |title=See All The Winners At The 2025 Hong Kong Film Awards |date=27 April 2025 |website=[[Vogue Hong Kong]] |last=Wong |first=Michelle |access-date=27 April 2025}}</ref> |- | [[Hong Kong Film Award for Best Art Direction|Best Art Direction]] | Lee Kin-wai | {{nom}} |- | [[Hong Kong Film Award for Best Action Choreography|Best Action Choreography]] | Jack Wong | {{nom}} |- | [[Hong Kong Film Award for Best Sound Design|Best Sound Design]] | [[Tu Duu-chih]], Chiang Yi-chen | {{nom}} |- | [[Hong Kong Film Award for Best Visual Effects|Best Visual Effects]] | Dennis Yeung, Adrian Chan | {{nom}} |}

==See also== *[[Andy Lau filmography]] *[[Goiânia accident]]

==Notes== {{Notelist}}

==References== {{reflist}}

==External links== *{{IMDb title|29495090}} *''[https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61565728508644&mibextid=ZbWKwL Cesium Fallout]'' on [[Facebook]] *''[https://www.instagram.com/cesiumfallout_movie?igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== Cesium Fallout]'' on [[Instagram]]

[[Category:2024 films]] [[Category:Hong Kong action films]] [[Category:Hong Kong disaster films]] [[Category:2024 action films]] [[Category:2020s disaster films]] [[Category:Films directed by Anthony Pun]] [[Category:Films produced by Andy Lau]] [[Category:2024 Cantonese-language films]] [[Category:2024 Hong Kong films]] [[Category:Films about nuclear accidents]] [[Category:Films about firefighting]] [[Category:Fiction about government]] [[Category:Films set in Hong Kong]] [[Category:Films shot in Hong Kong]] [[Category:Alibaba Pictures films]] [[Category:Films produced by William Kong]] [[Category:Films set in 1996]] [[Category:Films set in 2007]] [[Category:Hong Kong nonlinear narrative films]]