This year, filmmakers from around the world are visiting the Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival. Among the big names is Hong Kong action film master To Qifeng, who showcased films like <Drug War> (2012), <Blind Detective> (2013), and last year's <Eastern Condors> (1993) through the festival. On the afternoon of July 5, under the moderation of Cineplay's editor-in-chief Joo Seong-cheol, To Qifeng's masterclass titled 'When Genre Meets To Qifeng' was held.
Before the masterclass, To Qifeng selected the 2004 film <The Duel> as the work to be screened. He has often mentioned <The Sparrow> (2008) and <The Duel> as his favorite works. This coming-of-age film focuses on the vitality exuded by the lead actors Ko Cheon-rak, Kwak Bu-seong, and Eung Chae-ah, as much as the action that appears intermittently. "In fact, I don't think I've made the 'best' film yet. However, when many people ask me to pick one work, I often mention <The Duel> which deals with youth. The year 2003 was a time when SARS was rampant, and Hong Kong was economically struggling. It was a period of unemployment and depression. So, I wanted to convey a message of hope to run towards the future despite the gloom."
Akiro Kurosawa is a revered director in Japan whom To Qifeng admires alongside Ho Kam-chuen. He has expressed a desire to direct the climax of his co-produced film with France, <Revenge> (2009), in a style reminiscent of Kurosawa Akiro's <Throne of Blood> (1957). <The Duel> is a loose remake of Kurosawa Akiro's <Sugata Sanshiro> (1943), which is based on judo. "I learned what cinema is through director Akiro Kurosawa. His debut film, <Sugata Sanshiro>, conveyed the message that one can challenge themselves with passion and dreams." The sun in the ending of <The Duel> symbolizes the influence of Japanese cinema that he was passionate about in his youth, suggesting that after the sun sets, a new day will come, and that the sun supports humanity. "The sun setting and rising is a daily occurrence. Some people are sad every day, while others are happy every day. The key is what role you play. It is important to live happily and diversely every day."
To Qifeng, who has directed commercial films in various genres, established the film company 'Milkyway Image' in 1996. Before starting 'Milkyway', he felt like an engineer when making films with 'entertainment' elements. "Even when making commercial films, I received a lot of love, but it was a process of piecing together bits from here and there. I didn't make a film for a year starting in 1995. I made a resolution with my friend director Yip Ka-fai that we should not copy others' works, but rather embrace the ideology that films are born from us and we are born from films." Shortly after starting 'Milkyway', a time came when no one was investing in films, but To Qifeng, who "could only do filmmaking," believed in himself and kept the company afloat, producing not only his own works but also films by colleagues and juniors like Yip Ka-fai, Joe Sung-ki, Yu Guochang, Na Young-chang, Yu Nae-hae, and director Zheng Baolui, who will soon visit Bucheon with the closing film of this year's Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival, <The Seven Dragons: Lawless Zone>.
To Qifeng's latest work is the short film <The Jackpot> from the omnibus film <Septet: Hong Kong Stories> (2020). It is the only work depicting Hong Kong since its return in 1997, expressing "respect for film." Known as a prolific director, when asked about new directing projects, he replied, "I don't know when filming will finish, but I am currently shooting. Since I am filming without a script, I won't know what the work will be until filming is complete," which elicited laughter from fans who know his usual style. What about sequels to previous works that many are hoping for? "Directors have a sad timetable. There are climaxes and bad times. The job of a director is to create immediately when inspiration strikes. If you don't feel the emotions you had when making the first film, the results won't be good." Perhaps feeling the audience's disappointment, To Qifeng concluded with a joke, saying, "If I were the lead, it might be possible," marking a meaningful time spent with fans who love To Qifeng and Hong Kong cinema.
Cineplay Guest Reporter Moon Dong-myeong
