[2024.01.06] ANDY LAU HOPES TO DIRECT IN TWO YEARS

Andy Lau aims to direct before 2026

Gordon Lam after 10 years works with Andy Lau again and says that their chemistry has only increased

Cya Liu praises Andy Lau for keeping an eye in every detail, an all purpose producer

Andy Lau in I DID IT MY WAY plays a cold-blooded drug lord

Cya Liu plays Andy Lau's wife in the film
courtesy of mingpao.com

Andy Lau Tak Wa and Gordon Lam Ka Tung after 10 years reunited for a film, their chemistry was even better than before. Ka Tung even revealed that as a producer as well Wa Jai after his shoot was reluctant to leave, which terrified the team; however at the same time, he and Wa Jai's on screen wife Cya Liu both praised this producer for fitting the role. The actor turned producer Wa Jai even revealed that he hoped within two years he would head to directing as well. Concerned for the film industry, Ka Tung and Wa Jai even studied together whether AI would threaten the future development of film actors.

Wa Jai produced and starred with Gordon Lam Ka Tung and Cya Liu in the crime action film I DID IT MY WAY (CHIM HUNG) made over 235 million yuan RMB in 5 days in its mainland release and received raves from the audience; in Hong Kong the film has been slated for an opening next Thursday (the 11th). The three leads recently promoted the film heavily. This time was Wa Jai and Ka Tung's 17th collaboration. Even though their previous one was 10 years ago, their chemistry increased instead. The bridge scene in which they went back and forth was full of tension. Ka Tung admitted that before working together he had pressure. He kept saying to himself, 10 years have passed. Working with Wa Jai he could not be worse than before, so he must perform even better; Wa Jai also praised Ka Tung's performance as much more mature, with layers that had more variety. Working with Wa Jai for the second time, Cya Liu this time has been promoted to play Wa Jai's "wife". She declared, "it was the most relaxing and happiest time in my film career." Wa Ja also appreciated Cya Liu in the wedding gun fight and the tense hospital scenes for using a very light performance method. He sensed that this "wife" was able to grasp the fate of his life, but also able to choose the journey with the best environment for him so he would not need to worry. Cya Liu also commended Wa Jai, "Aside from acting, he is also the most well rounded producer I have seen. He was able to keep an eye on every detail."

The funny part was that after just exchanging compliments, Ka Tung suddenly joked with Wa Jai, "I spent 10 years just to see how you would produce this time." He also revealed that Wa Jai each time after the shoot would be reluctant to leave. When he removed his costumes to be the producer, he would seem like another Lau Tak Wa again. Everyone would think "crap, more over time". The director and others would immediately say turn around and run! Ka Tung explained further, "Actually Wa Jai and I have both been producers, so I understand that this time is very large scale and has a lot to take care of. In addition this time had almost 100 units, Wa Jai was still able to handle them very well." Wa Jai also admitted that as a producer he would be very mean, but argued that with him there he could reduce overtime. Because also with additional shoots the shoots reached over 90 units, he admitted that he also had to watch the budget. He hoped to be able to complete the film within control. "This time didn't go over budget, we actually had some left. However after the additional shoots it was pretty close." Ka Tung even joked that Wa Jai's acting hindered his producing; Wa Jai cracked up and revealed that he had another dream. "Clint Eastwood is still a great producer, director and actor. I hope to be able to that too. As early as the film DANCE OF A DREAM (OI GUAN YU MUNG) (22 years ago) I already really wanted to direct, but before 2026 I probably wouldn't be able to do it. Because I have already been dragged down by my own delay disorder for many years, I don't want to postpone any longer." Wa Jai said that actually he already had three scripts on hand, a small budget social issue film, a big budget epic, and the one he would most like to direct was RETURN OF THE CONDOR HEROES (SUN DIU HUP LUI). Just from the first film he invested in, SAVIOR OF THE SOUL (91 SUN DIU HUP LUI), anyone could tell that he had an emotional connection to this subject. As for the actor position, Wa Jai also continued to look for breakthrough. This time in the film he played the villain drug lord, which flashed the rare vicious look. He said that he has already "pocketed" this look from working on RUNNING OUT OF TIME (UM JIN), but at the time (Johnnie) To Kei Fung did not feel it was time yet. Thus this time he considered making a small attempt and hoped that in the future he would be able to play a good guy or a bad guy who could go to the extremes.

In order to play the character well, Wa Jai went to get an understanding of crypto currency. He joked that he used to be a "caveman". He did not know how to go online, play with social media, because he felt the internet problems were everywhere. Personal privacy leaks have been severe. Everyone in the internet world seemed to be naked and had no sense of security. Ka Tung not only agreed but also revealed that someone opened an account to pretend to be him and his friend lost 1,400 Canadian dollars.

Speaking of how realistic the AI generated baby was in the film, it was also the most expensive part of the entire film production. Would AI technology become more and more common in future film development? Wa Jai felt that it would, especially in terms of data collection like for film genre and budget. Perhaps it would be able to shorten the time in pre production work, but it still needed to be amended. AI had no way to replace human in story structure, character and other creative level. Speaking of Wa Jai having suffered to play characters like a fat guy and an elderly man, would AI help with that? Wa Jai stated that indeed it would be able to help a lot, for example playing bald would no longer need a skull cap. He also said, "On the other hand, in the future whether we would want real human or AI, it would depend on what would be needed. If a 90 year old Lau Tak Wa would be needed, then I would still be working at 90. I believed the human parts would definitely be there, the difference would be the ratio between human and I. Ultimately it is a society of choices." Ka Tung felt that although AI singers have already appeared, they seemed to be all virtual and not at all physical.