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An Exclusive Interview
with Pang Ho-cheung and Chapman To
(Part II)
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Cinespot: : The pre-production of Isabella has been around for several years. It was not until last year that you
began shooting. So can you tell us more about the process in between?
Pang: : It is the refinement of the script. I think writing a story is like brewing red wine. It takes time to brew. Perhaps
some people can do it faster, and some slower. I certainly belong to the slower group. Most of my stories take me more than
one or two years from brainstorming to the completion of the script.
To: You also need to know that although there are many rich people in Hong Kong, not many are brave enough to
invest on filmmaking. It is never easy to find an investor, and it is even harder to find an investor who can put his faith on a
director who has made Men Suddenly in Black and an actor who has been in Love is a Many Crazy Thing, especially
when they say they want to make an art-house film.
Cinespot: The next question is probably a little embarrassing to ask...
To: Don't worry...
Cinespot: During the Berlin Film Festival, when you were asked by some reporters about your expectation on the box office
result for such a non-commerical film, you did ask the reporters back by saying "then what is commercial film?" What did you mean actually?
To: As the producer, I certainly cared about the market, it is important because you couldn't jeopardize the benefit of
the investors. I was asking that question at Berlin because I really wanted to know what a commercial film is. I have heard a lot
of "invincible formulas" that are supposed to produce box office hit, that if we follow it, we could make a lot of money! But if these
formulas are really that accurate, why would our film market recede to what it is now? I believe that we really need to try, we need
to explore a new direction. It is only through trial and error that we can find a new path. Before John Woo did it, who would bring
pigeons to the set?
Pang: Yes, before A Better Tomorrow came out, who could expect its popularity?
To: That's the point. A director who has made some opera films before and some actors holding two guns with some
pigeons flying around… who would believe that it could become a classic?
Pang: Even for Infernal Affairs, as far as I know, it was turned down by many investors...
To: In fact Alan Mak spent two years to sell it to eight investors, but all refused to invest.
Pang: Right, why would most people think the script wouldn't work? It is because they consider it a non-profitable
project! But who could really tell what kind of movie is profitable, and what is not? If there were really a formula, I am sure
everyone would like to follow it, including me!
To: Certainly! If there were such a formula, there is no reason not to follow.
Pang: In that case, perhaps nobody would invest on anything other than that formula! But as we all know, it is just a
dream, and there is no such formula in reality. If someone tells you such a formula, it must be a lie, whether he is lying to you or to himself.
To: Perhaps he is lying to the investors, haha...
Pang: : That's why I believe that as long as you really put your heart in a film, it would be welcome by the audiences!
Perhaps some people would tell you that comedy is box office guarantee as most audiences prefer not to think too much and they
only want to have a good laugh, but if it is true, why would a movie like The Ring become a box office hit? Is it a funny movie?
If not, why would it make so much money?
To: The boss of that movie should feel really funny though...
Pang: Haha... so only the boss felt funny, while most of the audiences were screaming, lol. When I went to see
The Ring in the theater, I remembered there was a weird thing lying on the next seat, something like a knitting ball.
When I looked more carefully, I noticed it was a girl hiding her legs with her clothes because she was so scared. I didn't really
scream during the film, but I was scared at once when I saw her… So this movie didn't really make the audiences happy,
but why would it make so much money? Because it could touch the heart of the audiences! When someone likes a movie,
he would then introduce it to his friends, and then his friends, who would like to have the same feeling, would go to see it.
I think this marks the standard of a good movie. That also explains why I never believes in the classification of art film and
commercial film. No matter what the subject matter is, as long as it can cheer people up, it is a good movie!
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Cinespot: When you guys first heard of the news that Isabella was selected by Berlin Film Festival, what was your reaction?
To: I wept (for joy)! But he wept harder than me!
Pang: But your wife wept harder than me! Haha...
To: Seriously speaking, we were greatly moved because we just felt very proud that as Chinese filmmakers, our work was
appreciated and cherished by a foreign film festival. We were also proud that our effort has paid off. The production of this film was
really tough and everyone has worked so hard. It was good to hear that we could find some people who appreciate it. The pleasure
we felt was hard to explain.
Cinespot: We heard quite some gossips about your Berlin trip. For instance, a HK newspaper did feature a headline
saying "Peter Kam's victory owed to Leon Lai's speech". What is it actually about?
To: The music for the film was decided in a very early time. There was a very good song we wanted to use, but it was
very expensive. Pang and I had to decide whether to purchase the copyright. We both liked it, and Pang has already signed the
check, but it just took me so many days to think about it before I would like to make a decision. So one night I met with Leon Lai,
and I told him my conflict. He asked me how much the fee is, and after he knew it, he just said it wasn't really expensive. But hey,
it is Leon Lai, sure he would think it's no big deal! I asked him, "What is expensive in your opinion?" Then he, with his trademarked
composed face, I am sure you could imagine that, just said, "Nothing is really expensive, you know music is priceless! Any music
that can move our hearts is good music. Isn't it what filmmaking is about?" After listening to this "proverb" from Leon, I signed the
check immediately. But then, does it mean it's not related to Peter Kam? Sure not! Peter also spent a lot of money to get his equipments
and composed a lot of good music for the film. What he did also proves very well that music is very important to filmmaking!
Cinespot: It seems that director Pang is always in favor of the use of exotic foreign songs in your films. Do you really have
some kind of affection for the foreign music culture?
Pang: Actually it was not the first time I worked with Peter Kam. In the past I always asked for his opinions and listened to
what he got first. Sometimes we made the decision together when we both loved a song and believed that we could use it in the film.
But then, it doesn't mean the music must be foreign, the most important criteria is that it should fit the story and the atmosphere, it just
depends on the style of the film.
Cinespot: Chapman, talking about the future, you have been a TV and movie actors, and you have written a book before.
Now you are even going to become a singer with the support of Leon Lai. So what is your next plan?
To: I didn't really think too much about that... I don't have a timetable for myself, as I don't have any intention for any
breakthrough at all. It is pointless if you plan too much but fail to carry it out. To live happily and do what you enjoy to do is the
most important. Otherwise, it is very sad if you cannot find any recollection when you are old.
Cinespot: Director Pang, what about you? Your previous works were all welcome by both the local and international
audiences. What is your plan for the future?
Pang: I don't try to think too much about how people see me, the most important thing is, similar to what Chapman said,
to just do what I enjoy to do, and make the kind of movie I like. But certainly, I also need to consider the need of the audiences,
because I really care about their reactions. Therefore, I would love to make movies that the audiences could enjoy. As for awards,
it is hard to expect too much, and it is also not my focus, but then I sure don't mind if they keep coming! Haha...
To: Haha, then I also want to ask God, when will they come to me?
Cinespot: This time Pang Ho-cheung is the director and Chapman To is the producer. Would you guys switch position
in the future?
To: Haha, no, we wouldn't! Who would like Pang to be the actor? Even if he could, I wouldn't want to film him! As
for me being the director, I have never thought of that before. Directing is not a simple job, and I also don't have any stories to
tell at this moment, so I don't have the desire to do it. Perhaps later if I really have a story, I will think about it, haha..
Cinespot: I guess it is important to make a story with passion...
To: Certainly...
Cinespot: Ok, I would like to thank you guys for talking to us today. Let's hope that Isabella would be a big
success at the box office!
Pang / To: Thank you!
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Conclusion
In conclusion, the interview was successful. Director Pang Ho-cheung and Chapman To were very generous
and humorous, they answered all of our questions in details. Again, we would like to appreciate director Pang
and Chapman To for sharing their valuable time with us. Please give a round applause to them!
Special thanks to Media Asia for coordinating and making the interview possible.
Thank you!
Host / Text / Planning: Eric Liu
Photos: Jacky
Translation: K. Lui
3/2006
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Click here to go back to Part I.
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