One thing mankind, and all the creatures on Earth share, is death. There’s just no avoiding it.

It’s something that sneaks up out of the blue for many, whilst others are award the proverbial good innings.

There are grey areas in between, with one featuring in this debut from Hong Kong directors Jeffrey Lam Sen and Antonio Tam.

Working as a pastor in the Church of Faith of Love is Paul Leung (Anthony Wong). He works tirelessly to support members of his community in any way he can, including helping the homeless.

Although he tries to help those in pain, he and his wife are in suffering, for the last three years, since their teenage daughter died.

When out helping the homeless, they come across a young man, Chi Lok (George Au), who has just got out of prison and has no place to call home.

Paul ends up letting him stay in his church, where Chi Lok returns this kindness in helping out in the church anyway he can.

It just so happens that he’s exactly where he needs to be, as he is looking for forgiveness for the crime he committed. Paul is open to repenting him of his sins, until he learns that there’s a connection between Chi Lok and Paul’s family, which truly tests his faith.

This is a remarkable debut, also written by Tam, as it examines the power and conflicts of religion.

It covers all bases, such as sinners, salvation and repentance, initially with broad strokes, before creating a microcosm of religious ideals within a family.

These heavy themes are reflected in a very stark visual theme, where light is suitably lacking, in locales all fairly bleak and basic.

It’s deeply moving, with all the characters coming to terms with their own pain and emotions, who ultimately look for forgiveness from more than just God.

Slow-paced and beautifully, almost poetically shot, making for an undeniably religious experience.