The Goldfinger

The 2023 Hong Kong crime drama film, written and directed by Felix Chong, chronicles the meteoric rise and fall of the fictional corporation Carmen Century, inspired by the real-life Carrian Group scandal. Set in the 1980s, the story follows Henry Ching (Tony Leung), an ambitious entrepreneur who arrives in Hong Kong from Singapore and builds a business empire through bribery, deception, and connections with powerful figures. He partners with K.K. Tsang (Simon Yam), and together they establish Carmen Century, named after Henry's assistant, Carmen (Charlene Choi). Concurrently, ICAC chief investigator Lau Kai-yuen (Andy Lau) embarks on a years-long investigation into Henry's activities, facing numerous challenges, including witness murders and high-level corruption. Despite Lau's efforts, Henry manages to evade justice through manipulation, destruction of evidence, and elimination of subordinates. The film spans from 1974 to 1996, depicting how Henry avoids conviction twice before finally being imprisoned for just three years. The narrative delves into themes of corruption, power, morality, and justice, highlighting the complexities of combating systemic corruption. The cast also includes Alex Fong, Philip Keung, Chin Ka-lok, and Carlos Chan. Released on December 30, 2023, the film grossed $85.6 million worldwide against a budget of HK$350 million, making it one of the most expensive Hong Kong productions. It received positive critical acclaim and garnered several award nominations, including at the 42nd Hong Kong Film Awards, where Tony Leung won Best Actor.