[2024.02.22] GORDON LAM IS WILLING TO CUT HIS HAIR FOR MONEY

Gordon Lam wants to grow his hair long so directors would be able to see other possibilities for him
courtesy of on.cc

Andrew Lau is working on his new film's post production
courtesy of singtao.com

Gordon Lam ties up his hair and attends the banquet with a new image

Andrew Lau says making a dramatic film has been more difficult than action film
courtesy of mingpao.com

Best Actor Gordon Lam Ka Tung, Catherine Chau Ka Yi, Louis Cheung Kai Chung and director Andrew Lau Wai Keung two nights ago attended the Society of Cinematographers (Hong Kong) Ltd. 36th anniversary banquet. Other guests included Arthur Wong Ngok Tai, Soi Cheang Pou Soi, Chin Kar Lok and Ng Chi Hung. With his hair in a bun, Ka Tung revealed that he has always wanted to grow his hair long to have new possibilities. As a member of the "Hong Kong Film Development Council' he hoped to have more communication with the chair and other council members, and offer ideas for the government to strongly support film creation.

"Before making I DID IT MY WAY (CHIM HUNG) I grew it to shoulder length, but the art director asked me to cut it short. The next day I saw Producer (Andy) Lau Tak Wa, who actually asked me why not put it in a bun." Ka Tung pointed out that he has red to grow his hair long for two years, to around shoulder length, in hopes for directors to be able to see a different him. Performance wise he might have another possibility. Next time if the director asked him to cut his hair, would he refuse to cut it? He said, "In the front of film salary don't be so stubborn!" Earlier he grew his hair long for two years before cutting his hair to start work, in other words he waited two full years before having a job? Ka Tung chuckled, "That's right, it was terrible back then! However now the film market isn't much better, this year starting production would not be easy. I really have to discuss with the government how to provide even more support." He cited that some films' performance has been a little different than expected, they were a little short. Even with some "surprise hit" films, the performance was not too great, still a little off. Ka Tung is a member of the "Hong Kong Film Development Council". He hoped to have more communication with the chair and other council members. "We can chat, because I am a member of the support committee I would have meetings about how to support the film industry. I would make some constructive suggestions. I feel we are now facing creative issues, so we need to have stronger support."

Director Lau Wai Keung just finished DUMPLING QUEEN, a film with Ma Li. Currently it is in post production and might be able to make a release within this year. He said that DUMPLING would be a biographical picture with a Hong Kong brand as the story backdrop. Before production began he conducted the full research. The story also attracted him so he agreed to direct. Lau Wai Keung revealed that this time the film would bring back the 70's Hong Kong. He deliberately built a Wanchai pier set in Foshan to bring the old Hong Kong back to the audience.

Directing a drama this time, Lau Wai Keung stated that he has been used to making action explosion scenes. Many have asked him why would he make a drama. "I thought it would be a pretty new attempt, but actually it has been rougher than making action films. The film had many emotions and a struggle story, all of which would be touching. A woman who grew up in Qingdao came to Hong Kong alone, from taking care of her two daughters as a street vendor to becoming a publicly trade company worth HK$ 7 billion. Aside from capturing her struggle, the film also would have a lot of intricacies and woman sentiments." In the future would he continue to challenge dramatic films? He said that he would not focus only on one subject. This time he made the film completely because the story attracted him. Actually currently he already has several other scripts in preparation, including a detective subject and a 1950s Hong Kong spy film.