Alan Mak Siu-Fai (left) and Felix Chong Man-keung team up again in the forthcoming film Integrity.[Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Five years on from The White Storm, Hong Kong stars Sean Lau Ching-wan and Nick Cheung Ka-fai join forces once again in the forthcoming film, Integrity, which will hit China’s theaters on Feb 5 — the first day of 2019 Spring Festival.

Directed and written by Alan Mak Siu-Fai, the film is produced by Felix Chong Man-Keung and Ronald Wong, all veterans in Hong Kong cinema circles. Mak and Chong are best known for their co-directorial franchises, Infernal Affairs and Overheard.

Mak, whose father and elder brother are both police officers, says the inspiration of the film came from a cigarette smuggling case.

Thanks to a talk with some officials at Hong Kong Independent Commission Against Corruption a few years ago, he was able to expand his knowledge and shape the story of Integrity.

Integrity will hit Chinese theaters on the first day of 2019 Spring Festival, which will fall on Feb 5.[Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

In the new film, two officials in ICAC — once a couple, now but separated — team up to find a missing witness who is the key to cracking a big bribery case. However, the mission begins to unravel a more thrilling truth, one which will reveal the true identity of the witness.

The star-studded cast also includes Chinese Canadian actress, Karena Lam, who plays one of the officials.

"Nick has made huge progress in his career over the past five years. He is not only an actor but also a director now," said Sean Lau during a promotional event in Beijing on Nov 26.

The star added that he hopes the film will raise public awareness about the necessity to crack down on corruption.