[2025.09.06] PTU IS RE-RELEASED WITH A 4K RESTORED EDITION

Raymond Wong Ho Yin, Lam Suet, Johnnie To, Maggie Shiu, and Simon Yam attend a special screening and forum, remembering their PTU production experience

Lam Suet while recalling the "banana peel" scene quickly blurs out foul language, which crack up the audience

Lam Suet says that the bandage in the film is used for 3 years for the sake of continuity and stinks up to high heavens

Simon Yam describes the scene against the Wise Guy resembles an alternative violent aesthetics performance, the feeling is shocking but he wants to apologize to the actor he strongly slaps

Maggie Shiu looks the part as the PTU captain
courtesy of mingpao.com

The Johnnie To Kei Fung produced and directed 2003 film PTU has been re-released with the 4K restored edition after over 20 years. The night before he led the actors in the film, Simon Yam Tat Wah, Maggie Shiu Mei Kei, Raymond Wong Ho Yin and Lam Suet to the cinema to attend a special screening and forum, recalling the unforgettable moments of making the film and announcing that half of the proceeds from the re- release would be donated to "Fresh Wave" to support the local film industry. To Kei Fung felt that the film industry is in a difficult time now. He was happy that people still appreciated his works more than 20 years later, and he has also been looking for different opportunities for the industry. He previously filmed a movie starring Anson Lo, which shot only 10 days in 3 years; he revealed that it would start production again. He was thin and said that he could not be too fat due to his high diabetes index.

To Kei Fung commented on PTU at the forum, saying that it was a little immature. It had parts that were good and parts that fell short. After shooting THE MISSION (CHEUNG FOR) with a low budget of HK$ 2.5 million, he joked that making PTU with HK$ 3 million was quite a steal; he also said that there was no script during filming, so the production was very improvised. "I don't understand how Yau Nai Hoi could win the Best Screenplay Award. The younger generation should not learn from him, film productions should be prepared well in advance." He said that in addition to many improvisational scenes, there were also many details he liked projected into the film.

Yam Tat Wah found the "rub it off" scene in the film unforgettable, and wanted to apologize to the actor who played the Wise Guy role. Because he strongly slapped him at the time, he could not bear it. He described it as resembling an alternative violent aesthetics performance, the feeling was quite shocking. The filming time spanned more than 3 years. To Kei Fung found that Shiu Mei Kei gained a lot of weight back then, so he ordered her to lose weight. Shiu Mei Kei had to lose weight quickly in a short period of time. Lam Suet found wrapping his head in gauze unforgettable, for the sake of continuity the bandage was used for 3 years and the smell was overwhelming. While shooting the first and last scenes of "stepping on banana peels" and falling to the ground, he shot one of them 48 times and dropped until his back hurt. When he mentioned it again he quickly burst into foul language and made the audience laugh. Wong Ho Yin laughed at himself for being confused in acting back then. Because he imitated the usual movements of PTU, he deliberately put his hands on his waist and was ridiculed for being too stiff and not knowing how to move. To Kei Fung and Lam Suet took jabs at each other from time to time; Yam Tat Wah teased Lam Suet again, saying that now he was so fat that he could not even tie his shoelaces. When Lam Suet heard he immediately bent over to prove that he could do it.

Everyone was interviewed afterwards and To Kei Fung was asked how he would compensate Lam Suet for falling 48 times? He pointed out that Lam Suet wasted a lot of film, and should him compensate for it. Shiu Mei Kei admitted that she gained weight back that and immediately worked hard to lose weight in more than a week, as she worried that the director would recast. Would there be a chance to film with the original cast again? Yam Tat Wah said, "Although everyone has reached this age, we are still in good condition and look forward to it with a very hungry mood." They said in unison that they did not require a script, and Wong Ho Yin believed that improvisation would not be a problem now.

To Kei Fung said that making a movie now has been different from before, facing difficulties in all aspects. He was glad that a work was still appreciated after more than 20 years, fortunately the five of them were still alive after many years. He revealed earlier that he would film again, but not too soon. His current state of mind has been different. He is older, and his ability would not be as good as that of filming PTU in his 40s. He was invited to Hokkaido, Japan last month to be the guest of honor to throw out the opening pitch at a baseball event. He excitedly said that he had been practicing pitching for the event for more than a week and found it not easy. He also praised the beautiful scenery of the area, so he would consider going there to shoot on location. He said that he liked soccer, but Stephen Chow Sing Chi made a movie about the sport. He estimated that everyone liked to watch Chow Sing Chi's more than his works. Lam Suet heard and joked that he could recommend himself to play a weightlifter. Due to his size his health has become concerning. Lam Suet said that there was no problem. "I would also hold concerts and can sing for more than two hours. I can't dance and sing, but I can just play cute. I have no skills in singing but I am full of emotion, and my drinking songs include I LEFT SADNESS TO MYSELF and UNDERSTANDING."

To Kei Fung lost a lot of weight. He said that due to his high diabetes index, he should not be too fat and should exercise more. He has been preparing to collaborate with Tony Leung Chiu Wai on a movie, and the previous film starring Anson Lo Hon Ting has not yet been completed. Would he spend 3 years on filming like he did with PTU? He said that he shot for 10 days in 3 years, but work would start again.

To Kei Fung said that in recent years he has been looking for different opportunities. Now the platform is very important, and it should work with different regions and units. Everyone has to live, and many people have to work. Would he start filming ELECTION 3 (HAK SEH WUI 3)? He said, "This again? How should I say it, this is Hong Kong, speak carefully. Yes, but I don't know when."