Johnnie To: A Life in Pictures

Johnnie To the hugely prolific Hong Kong filmmaker behind Election and The Mission, explained that his most personal films “are a labour of love.”

To has directed an impressive 50 films in 35 years including Life Without Principle, The Big Heat and The Eighth Happiness. They cover comedy, action and crime while keeping a unique style that has won acclaim in both Asia and around the world.

“I’m quite influenced by Western cinema,” he said.

“I think the main issue is that whatever you like, whatever you’re interested in, you end up making films about. So I’m interested in a big group of people against the enemy, so it’s my choice to do that.

“I can tell you that I actually like smoking, and I love eating as well, so everything that I like I put into my films.”

To shared insights into his wide-ranging career at a special  BAFTA A Life in Pictures event co-hosted by the Asian Film Awards Academy on 22 June 2015.  The filmmaker discussed working without a script, drawing inspiration from everyday life and the power of Hong Kong as a character in his films.

To kick-started his career in Hong Kong television before co-directing hit action film The Big Heat in 1988. This started a successful run of thrillers and comedies including The Eighth Happiness, which became the year’s highest-grossing film in Hong Kong.

In 1996 he set up his own production company, Milkyway Image. This allowed him to make the art films that were closer to his heart, as well as commercial productions. It was a financial risk that paid off with his first international breakthrough, The Mission.

“When we made Milkyway in 1996 the main purpose was to become a real director,” he said.

“Back then the Hong Kong film industry was very weak. Up until 1999 nobody would sponsor Hong Kong cinema. So back then when we made Milkyway Image it was pretty much, we didn’t have any money, we were almost bankrupt. But when we got to 2000 we started to see a turnaround and we could start getting investors.”

To explained that his real-life experiences are what inspire his films.

“Like Election for example, I felt that Hong Kong should have an election, so I made a film about an election. And for example Life Without Principle, I got cheated by a bank so I made Life Without Principle.”

Today To is hailed all over the world and a regular at prestigious film festivals like Venice, Berlin and Cannes. But he says that Hong Kong is still his biggest inspiration.

“In these 50, 60 years, Hong Kong has become a character, and for me it’s a character in a film where you can decide to leave it or stay and love it. It’s a very special place.”

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