Aaron Kwok to Lead Comedy-Drama 'IOU' at Hong Kong FilMart
International film sales company Distribution Workshop has introduced its latest feature film IOU for global sale at Hong Kong FilMart. The movie stars renowned actor Aaron Kwok in the lead role.
Plot Overview
Directed by emerging Chinese filmmaker Steven Zhang Zhonghua, IOU follows the journey of a man who arrives at a rural home in Shaanxi province, demanding loan repayment from a family. The siblings’ simple nature and kindness transform him, leading to a surprising turn of events when he returns to their home on Lunar New Year’s Eve after escaping other creditors.
Satirical Take on Society
Set against the backdrop of fraudulent fundraising schemes, the film sheds light on the selfishness of a money-driven world. With elements of comedy and drama, IOU highlights how human compassion can bring about change.
Reunion of Industry Veterans
This project marks a reunion between Aaron Kwok and producer Julia Chu, who previously worked together on Port of Call (2015) and Where the Wind Blows (2022). Their past collaborations have been critically acclaimed, and expectations are high for this film.
Recognition and Industry Buzz
IOU has already gained recognition as a Top-30 finalist at the 33rd Golden Rooster Film Project Market and was also featured at the 20th HKIFF Industry event. Production began in early March with a budget of approximately $3 million.
Director’s Acclaimed Work
Director Zhang is known for his work with child actors. His previous films, including Hearty Tomato (2012) and The Home in the Tree (2019), have been featured at international film festivals. His latest film, Home by the River (2025), competed at the Poland Kinolub Film Festival.
Other Films from Distribution Workshop
Apart from IOU, Distribution Workshop’s lineup includes Sons of the Neon Night by Juno Mak, Operation Hadal by Dante Lam, Little Red Sweet by Vincent Chow, and Penguin Girl by Yuyu Yang. The company is also promoting Dear Black Sheep, a documentary following Taiwanese TV personality Bowie Tsang’s experiences with cancer patients.
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