Johnny To is one of Hong Kongs most respected filmmakers. He has done films in nearly every genre from romantic comedies to horror films. His latest to be released in the US is Triad Election. Every two years in Hong Kong a new godfather must be elected but this time the old leader isnt ready to go. Prepare for a bloodbath.
Check out the official site for Triad Election
Daniel Robert Epstein: What was the inspiration for Triad Election?
Johnny To: My inspiration came from a statement made by the head of the mainland security bureau, who said that even gangsters can serve their country. This statement became more powerful since 1997 when Hong Kong went back to the rules of China. So we wanted to document this. I feel movies are a really good medium to record history.
DRE: So the film is based on reality?
To: Yes. I wanted the movie to be realistic, it is a gangster movie but a lot of things in it are very different from a traditional gangster movie. I tried to stick to reality as much as possible. So you never see a gun fired because thats not the way it is in Hong Kong. I wanted to do a realistic portrayal of how gangsters really behave in Hong Kong.
DRE: Is the idea of a godfather only serving a two year term true as well?
To: The gang in the film is based on a very active and powerful gang in Hong Kong and yes they do have elections every two years.
DRE: Youve done gangster stuff in the past. How much research did you need to do into this film?
To: We did a lot of research for the film. We approached the high ranking uncles of this powerful gang for their consultation. We checked with gangster bosses in Hong Kong. We wanted to stage the Thai ceremony correctly so we had advisors from the gangs to help us to make sure that everything is accurate or as accurate as possible. The police gave us information as well. Unfortunately not all of the information we researched could be incorporated into the movie.
DRE: It seems like the gangster genre is very malleable and youre able to put all kinds of ideas into it. Is that what you like about the gangster genre?
To: Yes, the world of gangsters offers a really colorful and rich world. It also involves a lot of action so thats why this genre has always been there and is something we can revisit over again.
DRE: Is the story autobiographical for you in any sense?
To: Its not autobiographical but it is based on real people who are doing similar things. I did this movie because I wanted to really record the way Hong Kong has changed since 1997. So I tried to use as much facts as I could. Obviously this is still a film but I tried to keep it true as much as I can. The Triads had a very strong presence in Hong Kong for a very long time but this is not something that will be incorporated in the history books. So as a filmmaker, I wanted to document it and record this part of history. Its important that I stick to reality, the truth of how things were.
DRE: Youve been making films for so long and in many different genres. Are there genres that you havent delved in that you want to?
To: I want to try all different genres but really what interests me in a movie is when the story is character driven. I know Im not interested in dealing with special effects and computer stuff. Im more old fashioned, but as long as a movie is character driven, Im interested in doing it.
DRE: I know that in China the films and scripts have many stages of making it to film. The government has to get involved. Why are they okay with a film like this being out there?
To: Hong Kong is different from China. In China, there are very strict censorship laws where the script of films needs to be approved, but in Hong Kong, we have absolute freedom. We make what we want to make. The only thing is when the film is completed it has to go through a rating system. To my knowledge, I dont think theres been one film thats been banned, so we dont have that problem in Hong Kong.
DRE: Asian films have gotten so popular here in the past decade. Has that made it easier for you to raise money or to get distribution here?
To: Yes. Im a filmmaker that doesnt make big budget movies. My movies dont require a lot of budget, so in a way I dont have to worry about them. But my films have received more exposure in the last two years and thats helped me in some ways.
DRE: Would you be interested in making a film with more American elements to appeal to a broader audience here?
To: That may happen later but its not something I pursue. I have enough. The best would be an American actor shooting in Hong Kong.
DRE: What is the atmosphere like on one of your sets?
To: There are light moments but mostly its always a battle. Its a war zone and my crew gets a lot of pressure from me.
DRE: What films have you seen lately that you liked?
To: Dogville. Its one of the best movies Ive seen in recent years.
DRE: Would you ever want to do a Dogme style movie?
To: Maybe not so stripped down, but just loved how a simple background can provide such a rich drama, including 12 Angry Men. Thats another great drama with humanity in front of a very simple background.
DRE: How do you find your actors?
To: Im too lazy. I like to work with the same people, people that understand me and understand the way I work. Theyll listen to me. I dont have a script so I need them to be 100 percent confident and follow my orders.
DRE: Explain to me the process if you dont have a script.
To: I never have a complete script before shooting. Ill have a concept in my head and Ill know approximately the flow of the story. I like to go on the set and do some on the spot thinking.
DRE: How did you come to that process?
To: Ive been shooting movies more than 25 years and its a gradual process. I cant say exactly how that happened but I feel that if I see a complete script, I feel like the movie has been made already. It limits my creativity. I like freedom to try different things.
DRE: Does that mean the actors improvise?
To: They do what I want them to do. There is still a script.
DRE: Are you still co-directing Iron Triangle with Ringo Lam?
To: Yes. Its called Triangle now. Its in three parts so it is Tsui Hark, Ringo and then me. Its one linear story but told by three different directors. One will start the story and stop at one third not knowing what happens later.
by Daniel Robert Epstein
SG Username: AndersWolleck
Check out the official site for Triad Election
Daniel Robert Epstein: What was the inspiration for Triad Election?
Johnny To: My inspiration came from a statement made by the head of the mainland security bureau, who said that even gangsters can serve their country. This statement became more powerful since 1997 when Hong Kong went back to the rules of China. So we wanted to document this. I feel movies are a really good medium to record history.
DRE: So the film is based on reality?
To: Yes. I wanted the movie to be realistic, it is a gangster movie but a lot of things in it are very different from a traditional gangster movie. I tried to stick to reality as much as possible. So you never see a gun fired because thats not the way it is in Hong Kong. I wanted to do a realistic portrayal of how gangsters really behave in Hong Kong.
DRE: Is the idea of a godfather only serving a two year term true as well?
To: The gang in the film is based on a very active and powerful gang in Hong Kong and yes they do have elections every two years.
DRE: Youve done gangster stuff in the past. How much research did you need to do into this film?
To: We did a lot of research for the film. We approached the high ranking uncles of this powerful gang for their consultation. We checked with gangster bosses in Hong Kong. We wanted to stage the Thai ceremony correctly so we had advisors from the gangs to help us to make sure that everything is accurate or as accurate as possible. The police gave us information as well. Unfortunately not all of the information we researched could be incorporated into the movie.
DRE: It seems like the gangster genre is very malleable and youre able to put all kinds of ideas into it. Is that what you like about the gangster genre?
To: Yes, the world of gangsters offers a really colorful and rich world. It also involves a lot of action so thats why this genre has always been there and is something we can revisit over again.
DRE: Is the story autobiographical for you in any sense?
To: Its not autobiographical but it is based on real people who are doing similar things. I did this movie because I wanted to really record the way Hong Kong has changed since 1997. So I tried to use as much facts as I could. Obviously this is still a film but I tried to keep it true as much as I can. The Triads had a very strong presence in Hong Kong for a very long time but this is not something that will be incorporated in the history books. So as a filmmaker, I wanted to document it and record this part of history. Its important that I stick to reality, the truth of how things were.
DRE: Youve been making films for so long and in many different genres. Are there genres that you havent delved in that you want to?
To: I want to try all different genres but really what interests me in a movie is when the story is character driven. I know Im not interested in dealing with special effects and computer stuff. Im more old fashioned, but as long as a movie is character driven, Im interested in doing it.
DRE: I know that in China the films and scripts have many stages of making it to film. The government has to get involved. Why are they okay with a film like this being out there?
To: Hong Kong is different from China. In China, there are very strict censorship laws where the script of films needs to be approved, but in Hong Kong, we have absolute freedom. We make what we want to make. The only thing is when the film is completed it has to go through a rating system. To my knowledge, I dont think theres been one film thats been banned, so we dont have that problem in Hong Kong.
DRE: Asian films have gotten so popular here in the past decade. Has that made it easier for you to raise money or to get distribution here?
To: Yes. Im a filmmaker that doesnt make big budget movies. My movies dont require a lot of budget, so in a way I dont have to worry about them. But my films have received more exposure in the last two years and thats helped me in some ways.
DRE: Would you be interested in making a film with more American elements to appeal to a broader audience here?
To: That may happen later but its not something I pursue. I have enough. The best would be an American actor shooting in Hong Kong.
DRE: What is the atmosphere like on one of your sets?
To: There are light moments but mostly its always a battle. Its a war zone and my crew gets a lot of pressure from me.
DRE: What films have you seen lately that you liked?
To: Dogville. Its one of the best movies Ive seen in recent years.
DRE: Would you ever want to do a Dogme style movie?
To: Maybe not so stripped down, but just loved how a simple background can provide such a rich drama, including 12 Angry Men. Thats another great drama with humanity in front of a very simple background.
DRE: How do you find your actors?
To: Im too lazy. I like to work with the same people, people that understand me and understand the way I work. Theyll listen to me. I dont have a script so I need them to be 100 percent confident and follow my orders.
DRE: Explain to me the process if you dont have a script.
To: I never have a complete script before shooting. Ill have a concept in my head and Ill know approximately the flow of the story. I like to go on the set and do some on the spot thinking.
DRE: How did you come to that process?
To: Ive been shooting movies more than 25 years and its a gradual process. I cant say exactly how that happened but I feel that if I see a complete script, I feel like the movie has been made already. It limits my creativity. I like freedom to try different things.
DRE: Does that mean the actors improvise?
To: They do what I want them to do. There is still a script.
DRE: Are you still co-directing Iron Triangle with Ringo Lam?
To: Yes. Its called Triangle now. Its in three parts so it is Tsui Hark, Ringo and then me. Its one linear story but told by three different directors. One will start the story and stop at one third not knowing what happens later.
by Daniel Robert Epstein
SG Username: AndersWolleck
VIEW 6 of 6 COMMENTS
Evan said:
I didnt even read it, funny you wrote it. I just was checking him out. I'd bang him.
You'd bang Johnny To!?!?!? what turns you on about him?