Key Points

The Hong Kong documentary 'Four Trails' has become a massive box office success and will open the Odyssey Film Festival in London. It chronicles one of the world's most difficult ultra-marathon challenges created by Andre Blumberg. The film has earned director Robin Lee awards and international festival recognition. Its UK theatrical release aligns with the festival's 2025 sports theme.

Key Points: Hong Kong Documentary Four Trails Opens Odyssey Film Festival 2025

  • Documentary earned nearly 1.4 million USD at Hong Kong box office
  • Follows participants in brutal 298km ultra-marathon challenge
  • Only 104 finishers in the event's 14-year history
  • Directed by Robin Lee and produced by his brother Ben Lee
2 min read

Hong Kong documentary 'Four Trails' to open Odyssey Film Festival 2025

The box office hit documentary about Hong Kong's grueling 298km ultra-marathon secures UK release and opens the London festival on September 15, 2025.

"We are delighted that Robin has accepted our invitation as 'Four Trails' is the perfect film with which to open the festival - Hiu Man Chan, Artistic Director of Odyssey"

London, August 22

Hong Kong documentary 'Four Trails' has secured a UK theatrical release and will also open the upcoming annual Odyssey film festival in London on September 15, 2025, as reported by Variety.

The film, which tells the story of one of Hong Kong's most gruelling adventure challenges, has become a box office phenomenon, earning nearly 1.4 million USD to become the second-highest-grossing documentary in Hong Kong cinema history, according to the outlet.

Directed by Hong Kong-born Robin Lee and produced by his brother Ben Lee, 'Four Trails' follows participants in an ultra-marathon challenge created by Andre Blumberg in 2012.

The event requires runners to complete all four of Hong Kong's ultra-distance trails, totalling 298 kilometres with an elevation gain of 14,500 meters, twice the height of Mount Everest.

The challenge offers no prizes or medals, with participants deemed finishers if they complete the course in under 60 hours or survivors if they finish it within 72 hours.

In its 14-year history, only 104 participants have completed the event, making it one of the world's toughest ultra-marathons.

According to Variety, the documentary earned Robin Lee the prize for best new director and a nomination for best film editing at the 43rd Hong Kong Film Awards.

'Four Trails' is set for theatrical release in Singapore and will open the U.K.-based Odyssey film festival, which focuses on creating dialogue between the British and Greater China film industries. This year's festival theme is 'Sports,' reported Variety.

"We are delighted that Robin has accepted our invitation as 'Four Trails' is the perfect film with which to open the festival," said Hiu Man Chan, artistic director of Odyssey, as quoted by Variety.

The 'Four Trails' has been screened at international festivals, including the Shanghai International Film Festival and the Far East Film Festival in Udine, Italy, with upcoming screenings at the Golden Horse Film Festival in Taipei.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Interesting to see Hong Kong cinema getting international recognition. The concept of "finishers" vs "survivors" is fascinating - really speaks to the human spirit. Hope this inspires more sports documentaries from Asia.
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Aman W
Only 104 completions in 14 years? That's more exclusive than IIT-JEE toppers! 😂 Seriously though, this kind of mental and physical toughness is inspiring. Would be great if Indian filmmakers could document our own extreme challenges like the Chadar Trek or Spiti Valley expeditions.
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Sarah B
As someone living in London, I'm definitely going to try to catch this at the Odyssey festival. The UK-China cultural exchange through cinema is such a positive initiative. Sports documentaries have a unique way of bringing people together across borders.
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Vikram M
While I appreciate the athletic achievement, I do wonder about the safety aspects of such extreme challenges. No prizes, just personal accomplishment - but at what risk? Hopefully the documentary addresses the medical and safety protocols.
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Nikhil C
The box office numbers show how much people connect with stories of human endurance. 1.4 million USD for a documentary is massive! Hope Indian distributors pick this up - our audience would definitely appreciate this kind of content.

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