[2024.11.02] JOHNNIE TO LAMENTS THE REDUCTION OF FREEDOM IN FILM PRODUCTIONS

Johnnie To has a conversation with Japanese director Yu Irie, who expressed that To Kei Fung's THE MISSION and EXILED are his favorites
courtesy of mingpao.com

The chairman of the jury of the main competition section of this year's Tokyo International Film Festival, Tony Leung Chiu Wai said in an interview with the official publication of the event that every time he has made a movie he has taken a lot of time to prepare. "The longer the preparation time is, the easier it is to invest in the role". All the scripts and materials would become the nutrients for him to immerse into the role. Leung Chiu Wai has worked with many famous directors and admitted that Wong Kar Wai has had the greatest influence on him. "Before making a movie with him, I rarely put forward my ideas on the set. He was the one who encouraged me to bravely express myself, which opened my eyes." What were the difficulties in working with directors outside Hong Kong? Leung Chiu Wai said that as long as he focused on what he needed to, the director would automatically understand that "the actor already has given everything" and then he will respect him. Even if they had different languages and cultures, they could understand each other. As for what opportunities would befall him in the future, "It's up to fate to decide".

Another judge of the main competition section, Johnnie To Kei Fung had a conversation with the Japanese director of MEMORIRS OF A MURDERER, Yu Irie yesterday. The latter said that "I have loved watching Hong Kong films since I was a child", his favorites were the To Kei Fung directed THE MISSION (CHEUNG FOR) and EXILED (FONG JOOK). The latter film was rumored to have completed production without a script, To Kei Fung admitted, "All of the visuals and storyboards were already in my brain." How did the actors coordinated? He joked, "By a third of the way through the film production, they can grasp the director's requirements and capture the spirit of the film." He admitted that this was not the best way to shoot and would not advise young directors to follow suit.

Speaking of the Hong Kong film industry, To Kei Fung admitted that the degree of freedom was not as great as it was back then, "If you want to make a film, you have to first understand how the inspection system works. If you have something to say, you have to think about how you want to say it and how truly or clearly you say it." He emphasized that young filmmakers should not feel like they have no choice, "If you can't make a movie in Hong Kong, then go to Singapore, Malaysia, Taiwan or Japan, the most important thing is to have talent. With it you can go anywhere". He also called on the government and the business sector to invest more in films, as this would be the only way to create more opportunities for young filmmakers. "I am almost 70 years old. I may have 10 more years to work, but I am an old man. The environment has changed, times have changed".