[2025.06.17] JONATHAN LI AND CHOW MAN YU CO-DIRECT AND BELIEVE THAT THE FILM INDUSTRY WILL SURVIVE THE WINTER

Directors Jonathan Li (left) and Chow Man Yu (right) remain positive about the Hong Kong film industry and believes that it can definitely tough out the cold winter

Chrissie Chau and Louis Koo play an estranged couple, the entire film is shot in Malaysia

Taiwan actor Liu Kuan-Ting receives the directors' praises for his professionalism, pursuing perfection in his performance
courtesy of mingpao.com

Director Jonathan Li Tsz Chun and screenwriter Chow Man Yu after DUST TO DUST (DAI BAK GOR YIM YI YUN) worked together again in BEHIND THE SHADOWS (SI GA JING TAM). This time the two co-directed, Li Tsz Chun believed that Chow Man Yu could fill his blind spots. Even with arguments their relationship was not harmed, the most important thing was to achieve a consensus on filming. The two praised Louis Koo Tin Lok (Goo Jai) as a good boss and actor, giving advice in the process and willing to respect their practices. Even if it was a reshoot, he was willing to cooperate. BEHIND THE SHADOWS was released during the cold winter of the film industry, and the cumulative box office was only HK$ 1.83 million in the first 4 days (as of the 15th). The two directors believed that each movie has its own life. Li Tsz Chun said, "When I entered the industry in 2000 and I already encountered a cold winter. I believe that the film industry will survive the cold winter, don't be so pessimistic." Entering the industry in 2013, Chow Man Yu joked that he has always been facing the cold winter and did not know what spring felt like. The most important was to do his part well, as there would be always be a chance for survival.

Li Tsz Chun thought that his partner Chow Man Yu had a lot of ideas, and it was an advantage to have a lot of opinions during production. "Last time I directed and he wrote the screenplay. He saw some blind spots on the set, which helped me a lot and everyone had a lot of sparks. So I wanted to try co-directing to see what new sparks would come out, although there may be arguments." He admitted that everyone argued during filming, whether it is the pre-production creation and character depiction, as well as the requirements for the visuals during the shoot, everyone has different opinions but their relationship was not harmed. The most important thing was to be willing to talk and reach a consensus on how to shoot.

The most intense discussion between Li Tsz Chun and Chow Man Yu was when Goo Jai learned that the Liu Kuan Ting played police officer was the real culprit. He was worried about the personal safety of his wife Chau Sau Na, so he tried to persuade her to leave Malaysia temporarily and quarreled; at which time Liu Kuan Ting suddenly came to the door. Chau Man Yu said, "Whether Liu Kuan Ting should enter the house or not, I think he should be because the house is the place people feel the safest in. When someone enters the house, it is like being stabbed in the heart with a knife; but Li Tsz Chun and Goo Jai both think that it is better for Liu Kuan Ting to stand outside the door. Finally they used my proposal, but after filming and watching it I began to understand their thoughts. Goo Jai pressed the door with one hand, not letting anyone come in and hurt his wife. The feeling was even stronger." He tossed and turned all night, and the next day he mustered up the courage to propose a reshoot to Goo Jai. Goo Jai went "huh" and said, "We are in big trouble!" but did not refuse. Li Tsz Chun smiled and said, "I was afraid to tell Goo Jai, fortunately Chow Man Yu opened his mouth first."

In the film Goo Jai, Chau Sau Na, Raymond Wong Ho Yin, Renci Yeung Sze Wing and Eddie Cheung Siu Fai are all familiar faces to Hong Kong audiences, so why did he cast Taiwanese actor Liu Kuan Ting to play the role of Chan Hong Man? Li Tsz Chun said that he has always paid attention to Liu Kuan Ting's performances, and his favorite movies starring him were A SUN and CLASSMATES MINUS. Two different interpretations were very well grasped, had a lot of tension and potential.

Li Tsz Chun said, "I thought Lau Kuan-ting's eyes are very suitable for this role and producer Cheang Pou Soi agrees, so I tried to contact him. He said yes as soon as he read the script." Li praised Liu's professionalism. When he felt that he has not done a good enough job during the shoot, even though they have already accepted the take, he would ask if he could try another take. "It really makes a difference, so I appreciate his pursuit of performance very much."

The screenwriter as well, Chow Man Yu felt that BEHIND THE SHADOWS was filmed in Malaysia, which was a multicultural society with different languages. It was reasonable and fresh to have actors from outside Hong Kong to participate in the performance. Liu Kuan Ting looked mild mannered, but he achieved what I asked for -- the feeling of hidden danger behind his smile and love turned into hatred." They were initially worried that the Malaysian staff would not adapt to the rhythm and mode of filming in Hong Kong, but after 7 days together they all adapted to it. They were very diligent, and they had no complaints about long and intensive shoot. The collaboration was pleasant. Directing for the first time, Chow Yu Man did not dare to say whether he was competent or not. He only felt that being a director was very tiring. "When I was filming action scenes in DUST TO DUST (DAI BAK GOR YIM YI YUN) I could sleep peacefully, but I couldn't as the director this time; I had to follow the whole process." He revealed that Goo Jai would call him at 4 a.m. to talk about a certain scene the next day. Sometimes they would talk until daylight.

Hong Kong films are in a cold winter, as cinemas are closing one after another. Were they worried about the box office? Li Tsz Chun said that he was not worried, believing that every film has its own life. They have fulfilled their responsibilities. "When I entered the industry in 2000, it was already a cold winter. Piracy was rampant. Everyone was actively exploring the mainland market, and the output of Hong Kong films was steadily rising; but now the mainland market is sluggish, and the output of Hong Kong films is gradually declining. I believe it is cyclical. The film would definitely be able to tough out the cold winter and reach new heights again. In difficult times you should store scripts, stick to creative ideas, be prepared for when the opportunity comes. Then you can step out. Don't be so pessimistic. BEHIND THE SHADOWS has Malaysian funding, but in fact, many countries or regions have film funding schemes, including Hong Kong."

Entering the industry in 2013, Chow Man Yu also believed that the film industry will survive the cold winter. He said with a smile that he has always been facing the cold winter, as the first film he directed has not been smooth. "At the time director Wong Ching Po likes to take the alternative genre, which kept investors at bay so no movie went into production. I didn't have a spring when I entered the industry, so I don't feel anything in the cold period now, just like African children never know the feeling of freezing. In short, I can do it wherever I have to do it, and I have written scripts for films in the mainland and Taiwan."