Lilting (film)

Synopsis

Lilting tells the story of a mother's attempt at understanding who her son was after his untimely death. Her world is suddenly disrupted by the presence of his lover. Together, they attempt to overcome their grief whilst struggling against not having a shared language.

Cast

• Ben Whishaw as Richard
• Cheng Pei-pei as Junn
• Naomi Yang (credited as Naomi Christie) as Vann
• Peter Bowles as Alan
• Morven Christie as Margaret
• Andrew Leung as Kai

Production

The script, originally titled Lilting the Past, won third spot in the 2011 Brit List, a list of the best unproduced British screenplays.

The film was one of three films greenlit by Microwave in early 2012. A casting call was later released for the three lead roles, later filled by Cheng Pei-pei, Ben Whishaw, and Andrew Leung.

Filming began in November 2012 and completed principal photography in December 2012. Director Khaou has said the film will be visually inspired by Wong Kar-wai's In the Mood for Love.

During production, as part of the Microwave scheme, Michael Winterbottom mentored writer/director Khaou, while producer Buchanan was mentored by Ken Marshall, producer of London to Brighton, Filth and Song for Marion. As with all Microwave films, the budget was £120,000. It is the first bilingual film to be made under the Microwave scheme.

Reception

Critical response

Lilting was met with positive reviews from critics. , the film holds an 84% approval rating on review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, based on 55 reviews with an average rating of 6.88/10. The website's critics consensus reads: "Skillfully weaving multiple delicate tonal strands into a quietly affecting whole, Lilting serves as a thoroughly compelling calling card for writer-director Hong Khaou." On Metacritic the film has 61 rating from 22 reviews indicating "generally favorable reviews".

Justin Chang, in his review for Variety, said that the film "Hong Khaou makes a fine debut with this quietly resonant cross-cultural chamber piece." David Rooney of The Hollywood Reporter praised the film, saying, "Delicate and unhurried almost to a fault, though also hauntingly sexy and even humorous at times." Amber Wilkinson from Telegraph gave the film three out of five stars and praised the lead actor that "Whishaw is magnetic as a man pushed to the edge of fragility by mourning, but who still suggests a quiet strength." Dominic Mill of We Got This Covered gave a positive review and said, "The subject matter is powerful, and the performances are wonderful – in a world of big and showy dramatism, Lilting gets its point across without feeling the need to shout about it."

Accolades

Awards

References

References

1. "Lilting (2014) – International Box Office Results – Box Office Mojo".
2. "Microwave – Get Inspired – Lilting – Cast and Crew – Crew – Writer/Director – Hong Khaou".
3. "Microwave – Get Inspired – Lilting – Cast and Crew – Crew – Producer – Dominic Buchanan".
4. "Sundance Institute Announces Films in U.S. and World Competitions, NEXT for 2014 Sundance Film Festival – Sundance Film Festival".
5. (26 January 2014). "Sundance: 'Whiplash' & 'Rich Hill' Win Grand Jury Awards; Dramatic Directing Goes To Cutter Hodierne For 'Fishing Without Nets'".
6. (26 January 2014). "'Whiplash' Owns the 2014 Sundance Film Festival Awards Netting Two Top Prizes".
7. "Lilting UK release date".
8. "Lilting BBC UK".
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11. (9 November 2011). "'Call Up' tops Brit List". Variety.
12. "Microwave heats up three pics". Variety.
13. "Hong Khaou's LILTING announced among new Microwave projects – United Agents".
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15. http://filmlondon.org.uk/news/2012/may/three_new_films_for_microwave {{Dead link. (February 2022)
16. "Film London - News".
17. "Microwave – Get Inspired – Lilting – Directors Vision".
18. "Microwave's Lilting, starring Ben Whishaw, underway in London".
19. (10 December 2012). "Ben Whishaw goes from Skyfall Q to budget film". The Evening Standard.
20. "Lilting (2014)". [[Flixster]].
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22. (17 January 2014). "Sundance Film Review: 'Lilting'".
23. (17 January 2014). "Lilting: Sundance Review".
24. (18 January 2014). "Sundance 2014: Lilting, review".
25. "Lilting Review [LLGBT 2014]".
26. (8 January 2016). "Las mejores películas de temática LGTB del 2015: ganadores de los I Premios Apolo de cine LGTB".
27. (January 2016). "Las mejores películas de temática LGTB del 2015: nominaciones de los I Premios Apolo de cine LGTB".