Aaron Kwok Leads Comedy-Drama ‘IOU’ – International Edition (English)

Hong Kong
, March 17 (ANI): The international film distribution company, Distribution Workshop, has announced their newest feature film titled ‘صندTRGLIntialized
IOU
‘ for global sales purposes
Hong Kong
FilMart, starring award-winning actor
Aaron Kwok
as the main character, according to Variety.

Directed by Steven Zhang Zhonghua, a rising director from
China
‘s post-80s generation, ”
IOU
narrates the tale of a desperate individual (Kwok) who besieges the countryside residence of siblings.
China
In Shaanxi province, they are trying to compel their father to pay back a debt.

The brothers’ naive kindness ultimately alters Kwok’s demeanor, prompting him to make an unforeseen choice upon his return to their run-down residence on Lunar New Year’s Eve, following his escape from other debt collectors, as mentioned in Variety.

The comedy-drama is set against the backdrop of recent illegal fundraising scams and satirizes what the producers describe as “the selfishness of an interest-driven society.”

As reported by Variety, this movie brings together Kwok with the esteemed
Hong Kong
producer Julia Chu, after their earlier partnerships on Port of Call (2015) and Where the Wind Blows (2022).

IOU
Has already attracted industry recognition by becoming a Top-30 finalist in the 33rd Golden Rooster Film Project Market and at the 20th Hong Kong International Film Festival (HKIFF) Industry event. Filming commenced in early March with an estimated budget of around $3 million.

Director Zhang has earned recognition for his collaborations with young performers, notably with the film ‘Hearty Tomato,’ released in 2012 and featured at the 28th Warsaw International Film Festival.

The movie “The Home in the Tree” (2019) received a nomination for Best Children’s Film at the 32nd Golden Rooster Awards. Additionally, “Home by the River” (2025) was screened at the Poland Kinolub Film Festival, as reported by the source.

The Distribution Workshop currently features several titles such as “Sons of the Neon Night” directed by Juno Mak, “Operation Hadal” by Dante Lam, “Little Red Sweet” helmed by Vincent Chow, and “Penguin Girl,” which marks the debut feature film for Taiwanese director Yuyu Yang.

The firm will likewise represent “Dear Black Sheep,” a documentary that chronicles Taiwanese TV host Bowie Tsang’s journey alongside cancer patients. (ANI)