Johnnie To has revealed that he has been engaged on a Hong Kong-set drama entitled Hope for the previous three years exploring the present state of play in his dwelling territory.
He additionally confirmed rumors that surfaced in late 2024 that he’s planning to shoot a gangster film in Japan’s mountainous Hokkaido area on the finish of this yr, however stated it’s contingent on his ending the Hong Kong manufacturing.
Chatting with Deadline on the fringes of the Doha Movie Institute’s Qumra occasion, To steered he was at present creatively blocked over how you can end the Hong Kong movie.
‘I shot 10 days two months in the past after which I ended. I had no feeling about how you can shoot, so I’ll wait,” he stated.
The director stated he was utilizing his trademark methodology of taking pictures with out a screenplay, and that it was too early to say exactly what the movie is about.
“I’ve a really tough concept, however it’s not mature,” he stated. “The very first thing I’ve to settle [is] my feeling about Hong Kong. I’ve tried many occasions. Typically I wish to exit [of] Hong Kong to consider the script however can not operate… I actually wish to end it within the coming three months. If I wish to end, [that’s] straightforward, however I’m probably not myself in order that’s a giant downside for me.”
“It’s a movie about hope… if individuals have hope they’ve quite a lot of burden… I’m serious about this. The story is Hong Kong, its individuals,” he stated.
To – who is understood worldwide for motion and gangster footage akin to Breaking Information, Election, Election 2, Exiled, Mad Detective and Drug Struggle – continues to direct and produce underneath his Hong Kong-based manufacturing firm Milkyway Picture.
The as soon as booming Hong Kong film trade that he helped create has floundered because the handing over of the previous British colony to China in 1997 and the rise of the film enterprise on the Chinese language mainland.
China’s crackdown on pro-democracy activists has additionally taken the shine off the territory, with some 500,000 individuals estimated to have left the city-state between 2021 and 2024.
“The worth of life, worth of all the things modified. It’s a must to attempt to learn to besides it. It’s why I can not end my film,” he stated.
“It’s not solely concerning the censorship. I’m speaking about worth, the worth of your life, what you’re chasing, what’s its worth…. Possibly I’m not straightforward to totally censor. I could make a film, any sort of film, however you ask your self why are you making this film, that’s at all times in my thoughts,” he stated.
Requested on his recommendation for rising Hong Kong filmmakers, To replied: “Shoot. In case you have an opportunity to shoot, shoot no matter. After all it’s tough to seek out the finance. There are solely two films in manufacturing in Hong Kong this yr [in the first quarter].”
To’s assistant who sat in on the interview stated this in contrast with some 200 movies taking pictures a yr on the top of the Hong Kong movie trade.
Within the face of the challenges at dwelling, To confirmed he was planning to shoot in Japan, if he may end Hope.
“If I can end my film, I’ll shoot on the finish of this yr, December in Hokkaido, however I nonetheless can’t end my film… I’ve to attend however as soon as it will get underway it is going to be very fast.”
He confirmed the Japan manufacturing was a gangster film, however stated it was too early to say whether or not his long-time collaborator Tony Leung Chiu-wai could be related to the mission.
“I don’t know. I wish to do it with him, he’s my finest buddy, however I don’t know,” he stated.
To added he was additionally within the early phases of growth on a 3rd film mission in Taiwan.
“I wish to attempt to exit [of Hong Kong]. My feeling is I needs to be serious about Japan, Taiwan, Philippines, or Malaysia, or Europe,” he stated, including with fun. “Not America, it’s too costly.”
Nonetheless, To stated he would by no means go away his native Hong Kong for good.
“I don’t wish to. I like Hong Kong. I’ve had many probabilities to go exterior of Hong Kong to shoot however I do know Hong Kong, I really like Hong Kong so I wish to attempt to make films in Hong Kong even when typically I can not,” he stated.
“Life [outside of Hong Kong], to outlive is straightforward however your tradition, all the things, it’s tough to convey it with you, particularly while you’re a filmmaker.”
