Milkyway Image
Encyclopedia
Milkyway Image Ltd. is a Hong Kong
independent film
production company
. The company was established in 1996 by prolific director
Johnnie To
in joint partnership with frequent collaborator Wai Ka-Fai
. The company is known best for producing dark crime films inspired by the work of French director Jean-Pierre Melville and the genre of Film noir
. Its productions have been repeatedly praised as a bold move against the slapdash commercialism found in post-handover
Hong Kong cinema, and have also attracted a significant international fan base.
, shooting, and post-production
services. Milkyway Image's films are not only box office hits, but they are also produced with cost-effectiveness and efficiency, bringing film investors promising revenue.
After more works in the same style and Johnnie To's first official directorial outing with A Hero Never Dies
, neither of which managed to make a significant impact at the box office, the company shifted its focus to producing lighter films for the first time in 1999. This year saw the release of Running Out of Time, followed up by Needing You... in 2000. Both films became box-office hits and likely saved Milkyway Image from bankruptcy. Recognizing the surprising success, the company continued to produce films in a similar vein during the most critical years of the Hong Kong film industry, which - while already in decline by that time - was further wounded by the SARS crisis in 2003.
After putting out a string of successful mainstream comedies from 2000 to 2003, critics and fans who had previously been enticed by Milkyway's fresh take on the trodden triad film genre were starting to express concerns over the company's new direction. However, these concerns were quickly put aside with the release of PTU
in 2003, a film that To had worked on for 3 years and which was greatly praised by critics worldwide, eventually becoming a poster child for To's company.
In 2007, Milkyway Image split from parent company Brilliant Arts and chairman, executive director and investor Dennis Law
.
and Lunar New Year
films, geared for box-office success by utilizing popular singer-actors such as Andy Lau
and Sammi Cheng
. This for the most part clear distinction has sometimes been blurred thanks to productions such as Running Out of Time and Sparrow
, which possess elements of both approaches and became local box-office hits as well.
The company has made a number of famous and successful films, which include Needing You..., The Mission
, Exiled
, My Left Eye Sees Ghosts
, Election
, as well as its sequel Election 2
(aka Triad Election), and Running on Karma
. These films and more have either been produced and/or directed by both To and/or Wai.
is the principal director and filmmaker at Milkyway Image, as the majority of Milkyway Image films have been directed by him, sometimes in collaboration with Wai Ka-Fai
. However, the company also works with other established Hong Kong directors such as Lawrence Ah Mon
and nurtures young directing talent, for example To's longtime assistant director Law Wing-Cheong
, writer Yau Nai-Hoi and Cheang Pou-Soi
.
Writers of Milkyway Image films include Wai Ka-Fai
, Szeto Kam-Yuen
, Yau Nai-Hoi
, Au Kin-Yee
and Yip Tin-Shing
. The company's writers are sometimes collectively referred to as the Milkyway Creative Team .
to direct a number of low-budget crime films for To's then-young company: The Odd One Dies, Expect the Unexpected
and The Longest Nite
. However, due to a difference in opinions and To questioning Yau's ability to put his creative vision into place, he took over, directing The Odd One Dies and The Longest Nite himself. The same happened again with Expect The Unexpected. To eventually stopped working together with Yau.
While Yau is formally credited as the director of all three films, To has since gone on to confirm that he is in fact the director of the films. When asked why he still let Yau be credited as the director, he responded, "I had wanted him to succeed and be recognized as a director. [...] Both he and Patrick Leung were my former assistant directors, and perhaps they both felt that I was supervising them. Therefore, if they left the company, it might be better for them."
was screened Out-of-Competition at the Venice Film Festival
in 2004; Exiled
was shown in Competition at the festival in 2006; and Mad Detective
was shown in Competition in 2007.
Five of Milkyway Image's films were featured in the Cannes Film Festival
: Breaking News in the Out-of-Competition midnight screening in 2004; Election
in Competition in 2005; Election 2
(aka Triad Election) was shown as an Out-of-Competition midnight screening in 2006; Triangle was screened as an Out-of-Competition midnight screening in 2007; Vengeance
competed for the prestigious Palme D'Or
in 2009. Sparrow
was also shown in Competition at the Berlin International Film Festival
in 2008.
In North America, Milkyway Image's films have been consistently screened at the Toronto International Film Festival
. The Mission
, Fulltime Killer, PTU
, Breaking News, and Throw Down all screened between 1999 and 2005. In 2006, Election, Election 2, and Exiled were screened.
Election isn't one of "Quentin Tarantino
presents...", but Tarantino loved this film so much and he still helped the DVD release of this film in someway; his quote "The Best Film Of The Year" is on this film's United States DVD cover.
http://www.everythingtarantino.com/data/2007/1111-203539.shtml
In 2007, Election 2
(aka Triad Election) and Exiled
were released in the United States
theatrically. Johnnie To
was also honoured as a "Filmmaker in Focus" of the 2007 Rotterdam Film Festival. In 2008, Mad Detective
was given a limited release.
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
independent film
Independent film
An independent film, or indie film, is a professional film production resulting in a feature film that is produced mostly or completely outside of the major film studio system. In addition to being produced and distributed by independent entertainment companies, independent films are also produced...
production company
Production company
A production company provides the physical basis for works in the realms of the performing arts, new media art, film, television, radio, and video.- Tasks and functions :...
. The company was established in 1996 by prolific director
Film director
A film director is a person who directs the actors and film crew in filmmaking. They control a film's artistic and dramatic nathan roach, while guiding the technical crew and actors.-Responsibilities:...
Johnnie To
Johnnie To
Johnnie To Kei-Fung, born 22 April 1955, is a Hong Kong film director and producer. Popular in his native Hong Kong, To has also found acclaim overseas...
in joint partnership with frequent collaborator Wai Ka-Fai
Wai Ka-Fai
Wai Ka-Fai is a Hong Kong writer, filmmaker, producer and former TV director and producer.Wai is best known for his frequent collaborations with Johnnie To, another former TV turned film director and producer. In 1996, they formed Milkyway Image, which is now one of the most successful independent...
. The company is known best for producing dark crime films inspired by the work of French director Jean-Pierre Melville and the genre of Film noir
Film noir
Film noir is a cinematic term used primarily to describe stylish Hollywood crime dramas, particularly those that emphasize cynical attitudes and sexual motivations. Hollywood's classic film noir period is generally regarded as extending from the early 1940s to the late 1950s...
. Its productions have been repeatedly praised as a bold move against the slapdash commercialism found in post-handover
Transfer of the sovereignty of Hong Kong
The transfer of sovereignty over Hong Kong from the United Kingdom to the People's Republic of China, referred to as ‘the Return’ or ‘the Reunification’ by the Chinese and ‘the Handover’ by others, took place on 1 July 1997...
Hong Kong cinema, and have also attracted a significant international fan base.
Company
Milkyway Image is principally engaged in providing comprehensive film production services for film companies, such as pre-productionPre-production
Pre-production or In Production is the process of preparing all the elements involved in a film, play, or other performance.- In film :...
, shooting, and post-production
Post-production
Post-production is part of filmmaking and the video production process. It occurs in the making of motion pictures, television programs, radio programs, advertising, audio recordings, photography, and digital art...
services. Milkyway Image's films are not only box office hits, but they are also produced with cost-effectiveness and efficiency, bringing film investors promising revenue.
History
Johnnie To founded Milkyway Image (HK) Ltd. in 1996, together with his longtime partner Wai Ka-Fai. The early years proved to be difficult for the company, as its first productions were unsuccessful at the Hong Kong box office. Hong Kong audiences did not appreciate the bleak and intellectual tone of the films - later to become the company's signature style - which was very different from the highly commercialized productions usually present in cinemas at the time.After more works in the same style and Johnnie To's first official directorial outing with A Hero Never Dies
A Hero Never Dies
A Hero Never Dies is a 1998 Hong Kong action-crime drama, and the first Milkyway Image film to be directed by Johnnie To.Starring Lau Ching-Wan and Leon Lai, A Hero Never Dies is a heroic bloodshed tale centering on the friendship and rivalry of two Triads in the midst of a gang war...
, neither of which managed to make a significant impact at the box office, the company shifted its focus to producing lighter films for the first time in 1999. This year saw the release of Running Out of Time, followed up by Needing You... in 2000. Both films became box-office hits and likely saved Milkyway Image from bankruptcy. Recognizing the surprising success, the company continued to produce films in a similar vein during the most critical years of the Hong Kong film industry, which - while already in decline by that time - was further wounded by the SARS crisis in 2003.
After putting out a string of successful mainstream comedies from 2000 to 2003, critics and fans who had previously been enticed by Milkyway's fresh take on the trodden triad film genre were starting to express concerns over the company's new direction. However, these concerns were quickly put aside with the release of PTU
PTU (film)
PTU , is a 2003 Hong Kong crime thriller produced and directed by Johnnie To, starring Simon Yam, Maggie Siu, Lam Suet and Ruby Wong.-Synopsis:...
in 2003, a film that To had worked on for 3 years and which was greatly praised by critics worldwide, eventually becoming a poster child for To's company.
In 2007, Milkyway Image split from parent company Brilliant Arts and chairman, executive director and investor Dennis Law
Dennis Law Sau-Yiu
Dennis Law Sau-yiu is a Hong Kong film producer, screenwriter and director. He is the former chairman and executive director of Milkyway Image, and a founder of its subsidiary company Point of View Movie Production Co. Ltd...
.
Films
Milkyway Image employs a unique business strategy among Hong Kong film production companies, as its output can mostly be divided into two categories: Inventive and gritty action dramas which sit somewhere between genre film and arthouse cinema and often go on to achieve significant critical recognition; as well as light-hearted romantic comediesRomantic comedy film
Romantic comedy films are films with light-hearted, humorous plotlines, centered on romantic ideals such as that true love is able to surmount most obstacles. One dictionary definition is "a funny movie, play, or television program about a love story that ends happily"...
and Lunar New Year
Chinese New Year
Chinese New Year – often called Chinese Lunar New Year although it actually is lunisolar – is the most important of the traditional Chinese holidays. It is an all East and South-East-Asia celebration...
films, geared for box-office success by utilizing popular singer-actors such as Andy Lau
Andy Lau
Andy Lau MH, JP is a Hong Kong Cantopop singer, actor, and film producer. Lau has been one of Hong Kong's most commercially successful film actors since the mid-1980s, performing in more than 160 films while maintaining a successful singing career at the same time...
and Sammi Cheng
Sammi Cheng
Sammi Cheng Sau-Man is a Hong Kong Cantopop singer and actress. Having enjoyed much success in the Hong Kong music industry, Sammi has been known as a diva and has been one of the most successful female singer in Hong Kong since the 1990s. Her albums have sold more than 25 million copies through...
. This for the most part clear distinction has sometimes been blurred thanks to productions such as Running Out of Time and Sparrow
Sparrow (film)
Sparrow is a 2008 Hong Kong caper film produced and directed by Johnnie To. The film stars veteran Milkyway Image cast and crew alumni Simon Yam, Lam Ka-Tung, Law Wing-Cheong and Kenneth Cheung as a small gang of pickpockets, with each member being mysteriously approached by a beautiful Taiwanese...
, which possess elements of both approaches and became local box-office hits as well.
The company has made a number of famous and successful films, which include Needing You..., The Mission
The Mission (1999 film)
The Mission is a 1999 Hong Kong action film produced and directed Johnnie To, and starring Anthony Wong, Francis Ng, Jackie Lui, Lam Suet, and Simon Yam.-Plot:...
, Exiled
Exiled
Exiled is a 2006 Hong Kong action crime drama film produced and directed by Johnnie To, and starring Anthony Wong, Roy Cheung, Francis Ng, and Simon Yam. The action takes place in contemporary Macau.-Plot:...
, My Left Eye Sees Ghosts
My Left Eye Sees Ghosts
My Left Eye Sees Ghosts is a 2002 Hong Kong film produced and directed by Johnnie To and Wai Ka-Fai, and starring Sammi Cheng, Lau Ching-Wan, Lee San-San, and Cherrie Ying...
, Election
Election (2005 film)
Election |society of Triads]]), is a 2005 Hong Kong crime film directed by Johnnie To. Featuring a large ensemble cast, the film stars Simon Yam and Tony Leung Ka-Fai as two gang leaders engaged in a power struggle to become the new leader of the Hong Kong Triad society.The film premiered as an...
, as well as its sequel Election 2
Election 2
Election 2 |Black Society]]: Value Peace Most), also known as Triad Election in the United States, is a 2006 Hong Kong crime film directed by Johnnie To with a large ensemble cast that includes Louis Koo, Simon Yam and Nick Cheung...
(aka Triad Election), and Running on Karma
Running on Karma
Running on Karma , also known as An Intelligent Muscle Man, is a 2003 Hong Kong film, produced and directed by Johnnie To and Wai Ka-Fai. It is ultimately a Buddhist parable about the nature of karma. There were some cuts in the Mainland China edition to meet the requirements for release...
. These films and more have either been produced and/or directed by both To and/or Wai.
Filmmakers
Johnnie ToJohnnie To
Johnnie To Kei-Fung, born 22 April 1955, is a Hong Kong film director and producer. Popular in his native Hong Kong, To has also found acclaim overseas...
is the principal director and filmmaker at Milkyway Image, as the majority of Milkyway Image films have been directed by him, sometimes in collaboration with Wai Ka-Fai
Wai Ka-Fai
Wai Ka-Fai is a Hong Kong writer, filmmaker, producer and former TV director and producer.Wai is best known for his frequent collaborations with Johnnie To, another former TV turned film director and producer. In 1996, they formed Milkyway Image, which is now one of the most successful independent...
. However, the company also works with other established Hong Kong directors such as Lawrence Ah Mon
Lawrence Ah Mon
Lawrence Ah Mon or Lawrence Lau Kwok Cheong is a Hong Kong film director. His films are famous for exploring youth problems in Hong Kong, such as Gangs , Spacked Out , Gimme Gimme and City Without Baseball...
and nurtures young directing talent, for example To's longtime assistant director Law Wing-Cheong
Law Wing-Cheong
Law Wing-Cheong is a Hong Kong film editor, an assistant director, film director and actor. He is best known for collaborating as an associate director for films made by Johnnie To and Wai Ka-Fai of Milkyway Image.-Biography:...
, writer Yau Nai-Hoi and Cheang Pou-Soi
Cheang Pou-Soi
Soi Cheang Pou-Soi is a Hong Kong film director, assistant director, screenwriter, script supervisor, and actor.-Filmography as director:* Accident * Shamo * Dog Bite Dog * Home Sweet Home...
.
Writers of Milkyway Image films include Wai Ka-Fai
Wai Ka-Fai
Wai Ka-Fai is a Hong Kong writer, filmmaker, producer and former TV director and producer.Wai is best known for his frequent collaborations with Johnnie To, another former TV turned film director and producer. In 1996, they formed Milkyway Image, which is now one of the most successful independent...
, Szeto Kam-Yuen
Szeto Kam-Yuen
Szeto Kam-Yuen , sometimes credited as Sze To Kam Yuen or Szeto Kam Yuen, is a Hongkonger screenwriter.-Career:He is best known for his action-thrillers including SPL: Sha Po Lang , Exiled and Flash Point ....
, Yau Nai-Hoi
Yau Nai-Hoi
Yau Nai-Hoi is a Hong Kong filmmaker and screenwriter. He has been known as a popular writer for films directed by Johnnie To and Wai Ka-Fai of Milkyway Image. He often collaborates with fellow Milkyway Image writers Wai Ka-Fai, Szeto Kam-Yuen, Au Kin-Yee and Yip Tin-Shing...
, Au Kin-Yee
Au Kin-Yee
Au Kin-Yee is a Hong Kong screenwriter.She is a long-time screenwriter for films directed by Johnnie To and/or Wai Ka-Fai of Milkyway Image and frequently works alongside writers Wai Ka-Fai, Yau Nai-Hoi and Yip Tin-Shing.-Filmography:...
and Yip Tin-Shing
Yip Tin-Shing
Yip Tin-Shing is a Hong Kong screenwriter.He is a long-time screenwriter for films directed by Johnnie To and/or Wai Ka-Fai of Milkyway Image and frequently works alongside screenwriters Szeto Kam-Yuen, Wai Ka-Fai, Yau Nai-Hoi and Au Kin-Yee.-Writer:...
. The company's writers are sometimes collectively referred to as the Milkyway Creative Team .
Patrick Yau controversy
In 1997, Johnnie To hired his former assistant director Patrick YauPatrick Yau
Patrick Yau Tat-Chi is a Hong Kong film director and assistant director best known for making independent films for Milkyway Image, the production company owned by Johnnie To and Wai Ka-Fai.-Career:...
to direct a number of low-budget crime films for To's then-young company: The Odd One Dies, Expect the Unexpected
Expect the Unexpected (film)
-Cast and roles:* Simon Yam - Ken* Sean Lau - Sam* Yoyo Mung - Mandy* Ruby Wong - Macy* Lam Suet - Collins* Lester Chit-Man Chan - Head of Security Carrier Robbers* Joe Cheng - Heavy-armed Robber in Apartment* Benz Hui - Ben* Kar Sin Pak - Isabella...
and The Longest Nite
The Longest Nite
The Longest Nite is a Hong Kong 1998 neo-noir action film directed by Patrick Yau . The film was produced by Johnnie To and Wai Ka-Fai along with their production company, Milkyway Image.-Synopsis:...
. However, due to a difference in opinions and To questioning Yau's ability to put his creative vision into place, he took over, directing The Odd One Dies and The Longest Nite himself. The same happened again with Expect The Unexpected. To eventually stopped working together with Yau.
While Yau is formally credited as the director of all three films, To has since gone on to confirm that he is in fact the director of the films. When asked why he still let Yau be credited as the director, he responded, "I had wanted him to succeed and be recognized as a director. [...] Both he and Patrick Leung were my former assistant directors, and perhaps they both felt that I was supervising them. Therefore, if they left the company, it might be better for them."
Festivals and Awards
Milkyway Image's films have played around the international festival circuit. Throw DownThrow Down
Throw Down is a 2004 Hong Kong film directed by Johnnie To. Director To dedicated the film, one of his most personal films to date, to the late Japanese filmmaker Akira Kurosawa. The film stars Louis Koo, Aaron Kwok, Cherrie Ying and Tony Leung Ka-Fai...
was screened Out-of-Competition at the Venice Film Festival
Venice Film Festival
The Venice International Film Festival is the oldest international film festival in the world. Founded by Count Giuseppe Volpi in 1932 as the "Esposizione Internazionale d'Arte Cinematografica", the festival has since taken place every year in late August or early September on the island of the...
in 2004; Exiled
Exiled
Exiled is a 2006 Hong Kong action crime drama film produced and directed by Johnnie To, and starring Anthony Wong, Roy Cheung, Francis Ng, and Simon Yam. The action takes place in contemporary Macau.-Plot:...
was shown in Competition at the festival in 2006; and Mad Detective
Mad Detective
Mad Detective is a 2007 Hong Kong psychological crime thriller film produced and directed by Johnnie To and Wai Ka-Fai. The film centers on a schizophrenic, former police inspector , who decides to come out of retirement to help a rookie cop solve a complex murder case, involving a missing...
was shown in Competition in 2007.
Five of Milkyway Image's films were featured in the Cannes Film Festival
Cannes Film Festival
The Cannes International Film Festival , is an annual film festival held in Cannes, France, which previews new films of all genres including documentaries from around the world. Founded in 1946, it is among the world's most prestigious and publicized film festivals...
: Breaking News in the Out-of-Competition midnight screening in 2004; Election
Election (2005 film)
Election |society of Triads]]), is a 2005 Hong Kong crime film directed by Johnnie To. Featuring a large ensemble cast, the film stars Simon Yam and Tony Leung Ka-Fai as two gang leaders engaged in a power struggle to become the new leader of the Hong Kong Triad society.The film premiered as an...
in Competition in 2005; Election 2
Election 2
Election 2 |Black Society]]: Value Peace Most), also known as Triad Election in the United States, is a 2006 Hong Kong crime film directed by Johnnie To with a large ensemble cast that includes Louis Koo, Simon Yam and Nick Cheung...
(aka Triad Election) was shown as an Out-of-Competition midnight screening in 2006; Triangle was screened as an Out-of-Competition midnight screening in 2007; Vengeance
Vengeance (2009 film)
Vengeance is a 2009 neo-noir crime film directed by Johnnie To from a screenplay written by Wai Ka-Fai. A co-production between Hong Kong and France, the film stars Johnny Hallyday, Anthony Wong, Lam Ka-Tung, Lam Suet, Simon Yam and Sylvie Testud. The film was produced by Milkyway Image, and...
competed for the prestigious Palme D'Or
Palme d'Or
The Palme d'Or is the highest prize awarded at the Cannes Film Festival and is presented to the director of the best feature film of the official competition. It was introduced in 1955 by the organising committee. From 1939 to 1954, the highest prize was the Grand Prix du Festival International du...
in 2009. Sparrow
Sparrow (film)
Sparrow is a 2008 Hong Kong caper film produced and directed by Johnnie To. The film stars veteran Milkyway Image cast and crew alumni Simon Yam, Lam Ka-Tung, Law Wing-Cheong and Kenneth Cheung as a small gang of pickpockets, with each member being mysteriously approached by a beautiful Taiwanese...
was also shown in Competition at the Berlin International Film Festival
Berlin International Film Festival
The Berlin International Film Festival , also called the Berlinale, is one of the world's leading film festivals and most reputable media events. It is held in Berlin, Germany. Founded in West Berlin in 1951, the festival has been celebrated annually in February since 1978...
in 2008.
In North America, Milkyway Image's films have been consistently screened at the Toronto International Film Festival
Toronto International Film Festival
The Toronto International Film Festival is a publicly-attended film festival held each September in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. In 2010, 339 films from 59 countries were screened at 32 screens in downtown Toronto venues...
. The Mission
The Mission (1999 film)
The Mission is a 1999 Hong Kong action film produced and directed Johnnie To, and starring Anthony Wong, Francis Ng, Jackie Lui, Lam Suet, and Simon Yam.-Plot:...
, Fulltime Killer, PTU
PTU (film)
PTU , is a 2003 Hong Kong crime thriller produced and directed by Johnnie To, starring Simon Yam, Maggie Siu, Lam Suet and Ruby Wong.-Synopsis:...
, Breaking News, and Throw Down all screened between 1999 and 2005. In 2006, Election, Election 2, and Exiled were screened.
Election isn't one of "Quentin Tarantino
Quentin Tarantino
Quentin Jerome Tarantino is an American film director, screenwriter, producer, cinematographer and actor. In the early 1990s, he began his career as an independent filmmaker with films employing nonlinear storylines and the aestheticization of violence...
presents...", but Tarantino loved this film so much and he still helped the DVD release of this film in someway; his quote "The Best Film Of The Year" is on this film's United States DVD cover.
http://www.everythingtarantino.com/data/2007/1111-203539.shtml
In 2007, Election 2
Election 2
Election 2 |Black Society]]: Value Peace Most), also known as Triad Election in the United States, is a 2006 Hong Kong crime film directed by Johnnie To with a large ensemble cast that includes Louis Koo, Simon Yam and Nick Cheung...
(aka Triad Election) and Exiled
Exiled
Exiled is a 2006 Hong Kong action crime drama film produced and directed by Johnnie To, and starring Anthony Wong, Roy Cheung, Francis Ng, and Simon Yam. The action takes place in contemporary Macau.-Plot:...
were released in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
theatrically. Johnnie To
Johnnie To
Johnnie To Kei-Fung, born 22 April 1955, is a Hong Kong film director and producer. Popular in his native Hong Kong, To has also found acclaim overseas...
was also honoured as a "Filmmaker in Focus" of the 2007 Rotterdam Film Festival. In 2008, Mad Detective
Mad Detective
Mad Detective is a 2007 Hong Kong psychological crime thriller film produced and directed by Johnnie To and Wai Ka-Fai. The film centers on a schizophrenic, former police inspector , who decides to come out of retirement to help a rookie cop solve a complex murder case, involving a missing...
was given a limited release.
Filmography
| Year | Film | Chinese title | Director(s) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | Beyond Hypothermia Beyond Hypothermia (film) Beyond Hypothermia is a 1996 Hong Kong action film directed by Patrick Leung, co-produced by Johnnie To, and starring Jacklyn Wu and Sean Lau.-Plot:... |
攝氏32度 | Patrick Leung | |
| 1997 | Intruder | 恐怖雞 | Tsang Kan-Cheung | |
| The Odd One Dies | 兩個只能活一個 | Patrick Yau Patrick Yau Patrick Yau Tat-Chi is a Hong Kong film director and assistant director best known for making independent films for Milkyway Image, the production company owned by Johnnie To and Wai Ka-Fai.-Career:... |
Ghost-directed by Johnnie To. | |
| Too Many Ways to Be No. 1 | 一個字頭的誕生 | Wai Ka-Fai Wai Ka-Fai Wai Ka-Fai is a Hong Kong writer, filmmaker, producer and former TV director and producer.Wai is best known for his frequent collaborations with Johnnie To, another former TV turned film director and producer. In 1996, they formed Milkyway Image, which is now one of the most successful independent... |
||
| Final Justice | 最後判決 | Derek Chiu | ||
| 1998 | A Hero Never Dies A Hero Never Dies A Hero Never Dies is a 1998 Hong Kong action-crime drama, and the first Milkyway Image film to be directed by Johnnie To.Starring Lau Ching-Wan and Leon Lai, A Hero Never Dies is a heroic bloodshed tale centering on the friendship and rivalry of two Triads in the midst of a gang war... |
真心英雄 | Johnnie To Johnnie To Johnnie To Kei-Fung, born 22 April 1955, is a Hong Kong film director and producer. Popular in his native Hong Kong, To has also found acclaim overseas... |
|
| Expect the Unexpected Expect the Unexpected (film) -Cast and roles:* Simon Yam - Ken* Sean Lau - Sam* Yoyo Mung - Mandy* Ruby Wong - Macy* Lam Suet - Collins* Lester Chit-Man Chan - Head of Security Carrier Robbers* Joe Cheng - Heavy-armed Robber in Apartment* Benz Hui - Ben* Kar Sin Pak - Isabella... |
非常突然 | Patrick Yau | Ghost-directed by Johnnie To. | |
| The Longest Nite The Longest Nite The Longest Nite is a Hong Kong 1998 neo-noir action film directed by Patrick Yau . The film was produced by Johnnie To and Wai Ka-Fai along with their production company, Milkyway Image.-Synopsis:... |
暗花 | Patrick Yau | Ghost-directed by Johnnie To. | |
| 1999 | Where a Good Man Goes | 再見阿郎 | Johnnie To | |
| Running Out of Time | 暗戰 | Johnnie To | ||
| The Mission The Mission (1999 film) The Mission is a 1999 Hong Kong action film produced and directed Johnnie To, and starring Anthony Wong, Francis Ng, Jackie Lui, Lam Suet, and Simon Yam.-Plot:... |
鎗火 | Johnnie To | ||
| Sealed with a Kiss | 甜言蜜語 | Derek Chiu | ||
| 2000 | Help!!! | 辣手回春 | Johnnie To Wai Ka-Fai |
|
| Needing You... | 孤男寡女 | Johnnie To Wai Ka-Fai |
||
| Comeuppance | 天有眼 | Derek Chiu | ||
| Spacked Out Spacked Out Spacked Out is a 2000 Chinese social realist film directed by Lawrence Ah Mon and produced by Johnnie To... |
無人駕駛 | Lawrence Ah Mon Lawrence Ah Mon Lawrence Ah Mon or Lawrence Lau Kwok Cheong is a Hong Kong film director. His films are famous for exploring youth problems in Hong Kong, such as Gangs , Spacked Out , Gimme Gimme and City Without Baseball... |
||
| 2001 | Fulltime Killer | 全職殺手 | Johnnie To Wai Ka-Fai |
|
| Love on a Diet Love on a Diet Love on a Diet is a 2001 Hong Kong romantic comedy film produced and directed by Johnnie To and Wai Ka-Fai, starring Andy Lau and Sammi Cheng.The movie reunites Lau and Cheng, who last paired up in 2000's Needing You...... |
瘦身男女 | Johnnie To Wai Ka-Fai |
||
| Running Out of Time 2 Running Out of Time 2 Running Out of Time 2 is a 2001 Hong Kong crime caper film co-directed by Johnnie To and Law Wing-Cheong. It is a sequel to To's 1999 film Running Out of Time, with Lau Ching-Wan returning as Inspector Ho Sheung-Sang, who this time has to go after an elusive thief played by Ekin... |
暗戰2 | Johnnie To Law Wing-Cheong Law Wing-Cheong Law Wing-Cheong is a Hong Kong film editor, an assistant director, film director and actor. He is best known for collaborating as an associate director for films made by Johnnie To and Wai Ka-Fai of Milkyway Image.-Biography:... |
||
| Gimme Gimme | 愛上我吧 | Lawrence Ah Mon | ||
| Wu yen Wu yen Wu yen is a 2001 historical Hong Kong comedy film produced and directed by Johnnie To and Wai Ka-Fai.-Cast and roles:* Anita Mui - Emperor Qi/Great Great Great Great Great Ancestor* Sammi Cheng - Wu Yen* Cecilia Cheung - Enchantress/Yinchun* Ai Wai... |
鍾無艷 | Johnnie To Wai Ka-Fai |
||
| Let's Sing Along | 男歌女唱 | Matt Chow Matt Chow Matthew "Matt" Chow Hoi-Kwong is a Hong Kong screenwriter, director, actor and producer. He is best known for his romantic comedy films, and has served as a screenwriter for filmmakers Peter Chan, Johnnie To, Wai Ka-Fai, and Joe Ma.-Career:... |
||
| 2002 | My Left Eye Sees Ghosts My Left Eye Sees Ghosts My Left Eye Sees Ghosts is a 2002 Hong Kong film produced and directed by Johnnie To and Wai Ka-Fai, and starring Sammi Cheng, Lau Ching-Wan, Lee San-San, and Cherrie Ying... |
我左眼見到鬼 | Johnnie To Wai Ka-Fai |
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| Fat Choi Spirit Fat Choi Spirit Fat Choi Spirit is a 2002 Hong Kong comedy film produced and directed by Johnnie To and Wai Ka-Fai, and starring Andy Lau, Gigi Leung, Louis Koo, Cherrie In and Lau Ching-Wan.... |
嚦咕嚦咕新年財 | Johnnie To Wai Ka-Fai |
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| Second Time Around Second Time Around (film) Second Time Around is a 2002 Hong Kong film starring Ekin Cheng, Cecilia Cheung and Jonathan Ke Quan.-Description:Film's story takes place back in time about a thief and a policewoman . In this film, Ekin Cheng plays a thief and Cecilia Cheung plays a police woman and Jonathon Ke Quan plays... |
無限復活 | Jeffrey Lau Jeffrey Lau Jeffrey Lau Chun-Wai is a Hong Kong film director, screenwriter, actor and producer. He was born on August 2, 1952. Liu Zhenwei is famous for writing and directing "mo lei tau" comedies... |
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| 2003 | PTU PTU (film) PTU , is a 2003 Hong Kong crime thriller produced and directed by Johnnie To, starring Simon Yam, Maggie Siu, Lam Suet and Ruby Wong.-Synopsis:... |
PTU | Johnnie To | Also known as PTU: Police Tactical Unit; start of the Tactical Unit Tactical Unit (film series) Tactical Unit is a series of films produced by Johnnie To with studio Milkyway Image, featuring the adventures of two columns of PTU officers, the Kowloon West Police Station and its CID officers, of Hong Kong. The films are in Cantonese.The film series spun off from the feature film directed by... series. |
| Looking for Mr. Perfect | 奇逢敵手 | Ringo Lam Ringo Lam Ringo Lam Ling-Tung , born in 1955 is a Hong Kong film director, producer and scriptwriter.He is known for gritty, dark and realistic action thrillers. He was born in Hong Kong and studied film at York University film school in Toronto... |
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| Turn Left, Turn Right Turn Left, Turn Right Turn Left, Turn Right is a 2003 joint Hong Kong-Singaporean romance film, filmed in Taipei. Produced and directed by Johnnie To and Wai Ka-Fai, the film stars Takeshi Kaneshiro and Gigi Leung. The story is based on the book A Chance of Sunshine by Jimmy Liao, who makes a cameo appearance in the film... |
向左走．向右走 | Johnnie To Wai Ka-Fai |
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| Running on Karma Running on Karma Running on Karma , also known as An Intelligent Muscle Man, is a 2003 Hong Kong film, produced and directed by Johnnie To and Wai Ka-Fai. It is ultimately a Buddhist parable about the nature of karma. There were some cuts in the Mainland China edition to meet the requirements for release... |
大隻佬 | Johnnie To Wai Ka-Fai |
Also known as An Intelligent Muscle Man (大只佬/大块头有大智慧) | |
| Love for All Seasons | 百年好合 | Johnnie To Wai Ka-Fai |
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| 2004 | Throw Down Throw Down Throw Down is a 2004 Hong Kong film directed by Johnnie To. Director To dedicated the film, one of his most personal films to date, to the late Japanese filmmaker Akira Kurosawa. The film stars Louis Koo, Aaron Kwok, Cherrie Ying and Tony Leung Ka-Fai... |
柔道龍虎榜 | Johnnie To | |
| Breaking News Breaking News (film) Breaking News is a 2004 Hong Kong action film directed by Johnnie To. The film premiered out of competition at the 2004 Cannes Film Festival.-Plot:... |
大事件 | Johnnie To | ||
| Yesterday Once More Yesterday Once More (film) Yesterday Once More is a 2004 Hong Kong film produced and directed by Johnnie To and starring Andy Lau and Sammi Cheng.- Summary :Andy Lau and Sammi Cheng star as Mr. and Mrs. Thief, a husband and wife team of super-thieves... |
龍鳳鬥 | Johnnie To | ||
| Election Election (2005 film) Election |society of Triads]]), is a 2005 Hong Kong crime film directed by Johnnie To. Featuring a large ensemble cast, the film stars Simon Yam and Tony Leung Ka-Fai as two gang leaders engaged in a power struggle to become the new leader of the Hong Kong Triad society.The film premiered as an... |
黑社會 | Johnnie To | ||
| 2006 | 2 Become 1 2 Become 1 (film) 2 Become 1 is a 2006 Hong Kong romantic comedy-drama film directed by Law Wing-Cheong and produced by Johnnie To. The film stars Miriam Yeung as Bingo Leung, a working-class woman who discovers she has breast cancer... |
天生一對 | Law Wing-Cheong | |
| Election 2 Election 2 Election 2 |Black Society]]: Value Peace Most), also known as Triad Election in the United States, is a 2006 Hong Kong crime film directed by Johnnie To with a large ensemble cast that includes Louis Koo, Simon Yam and Nick Cheung... |
黑社會以和為貴 | Johnnie To | Also known as Triad Election | |
| Exiled Exiled Exiled is a 2006 Hong Kong action crime drama film produced and directed by Johnnie To, and starring Anthony Wong, Roy Cheung, Francis Ng, and Simon Yam. The action takes place in contemporary Macau.-Plot:... |
放‧逐 | Johnnie To | ||
| 2007 | Triangle | 鐵三角 | Johnnie To Tsui Hark Tsui Hark Tsui Hark , born Tsui Man-kong, is a Hong Kong New Wave film director and producer. He is viewed as a major figure in the Golden Age of Hong Kong cinema .-Early life:... Ringo Lam |
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| Hooked on You Hooked on You Hooked on You is a 2007 Hong Kong comedy-drama film directed and edited by Law Wing-Cheong and produced by Johnnie To and his production company Milkyway Image. Featuring an ensemble cast, the film stars Miriam Yeung as a fishmonger who strives to fulfill her life-long dreams before she turns... |
每當變幻時 | Law Wing-Cheong | ||
| Eye in the Sky Eye in the Sky (film) Eye in the Sky is a 2007 Hong Kong crime film starring Simon Yam, Tony Leung Ka-Fai and Miss Hong Kong pageant winner Kate Tsui in her film debut. Yam and Tsui play surveillance operatives on the trail of a gang of professional robbers led by Chan Chong-Shan . The title of the film is derived from... |
跟蹤 | Yau Nai-Hoi Yau Nai-Hoi Yau Nai-Hoi is a Hong Kong filmmaker and screenwriter. He has been known as a popular writer for films directed by Johnnie To and Wai Ka-Fai of Milkyway Image. He often collaborates with fellow Milkyway Image writers Wai Ka-Fai, Szeto Kam-Yuen, Au Kin-Yee and Yip Tin-Shing... |
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| Mad Detective Mad Detective Mad Detective is a 2007 Hong Kong psychological crime thriller film produced and directed by Johnnie To and Wai Ka-Fai. The film centers on a schizophrenic, former police inspector , who decides to come out of retirement to help a rookie cop solve a complex murder case, involving a missing... |
神探 | Johnnie To Wai Ka-Fai |
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| 2008 | Linger Linger (film) Linger is a 2008 Hong Kong romantic drama film directed by Johnnie To and starring Li Bingbing and Vic Chou of F4 fame in his film debut. Li plays a woman who is visited by the ghost of her former boyfriend , who died in a car accident three years earlier... |
蝴蝶飛 | Johnnie To | |
| Sparrow Sparrow (film) Sparrow is a 2008 Hong Kong caper film produced and directed by Johnnie To. The film stars veteran Milkyway Image cast and crew alumni Simon Yam, Lam Ka-Tung, Law Wing-Cheong and Kenneth Cheung as a small gang of pickpockets, with each member being mysteriously approached by a beautiful Taiwanese... |
文雀 | Johnnie To | ||
| Tactical Unit – The Code | 機動部隊─警例 | Law Wing-Cheong | Part of the Tactical Unit Tactical Unit (film series) Tactical Unit is a series of films produced by Johnnie To with studio Milkyway Image, featuring the adventures of two columns of PTU officers, the Kowloon West Police Station and its CID officers, of Hong Kong. The films are in Cantonese.The film series spun off from the feature film directed by... series. |
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| Tactical Unit – No Way Out | 機動部隊─絕路 | Lawrence Ah Mon | Part of the Tactical Unit Tactical Unit (film series) Tactical Unit is a series of films produced by Johnnie To with studio Milkyway Image, featuring the adventures of two columns of PTU officers, the Kowloon West Police Station and its CID officers, of Hong Kong. The films are in Cantonese.The film series spun off from the feature film directed by... series. |
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| Tactical Unit – Human Nature | 機動部隊-人性 | Andy Ng | Part of the Tactical Unit Tactical Unit (film series) Tactical Unit is a series of films produced by Johnnie To with studio Milkyway Image, featuring the adventures of two columns of PTU officers, the Kowloon West Police Station and its CID officers, of Hong Kong. The films are in Cantonese.The film series spun off from the feature film directed by... series. |
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| 2009 | Tactical Unit – Comrades in Arms Tactical Unit – Comrades in Arms Tactical Unit - Comrades in Arms is an 2009 Hong Kong action/crime/drama film directed by Law Wing-Cheong. This film is also called "PTU 2", in reference to the first film in the series, PTU, though it is not the second entry in the series.... |
機動部隊─衕袍 | Law Wing-Cheong | Part of the Tactical Unit Tactical Unit (film series) Tactical Unit is a series of films produced by Johnnie To with studio Milkyway Image, featuring the adventures of two columns of PTU officers, the Kowloon West Police Station and its CID officers, of Hong Kong. The films are in Cantonese.The film series spun off from the feature film directed by... series. |
| Tactical Unit – Partners | 機動部隊─伙伴 | Lawrence Ah Mon | Part of the Tactical Unit Tactical Unit (film series) Tactical Unit is a series of films produced by Johnnie To with studio Milkyway Image, featuring the adventures of two columns of PTU officers, the Kowloon West Police Station and its CID officers, of Hong Kong. The films are in Cantonese.The film series spun off from the feature film directed by... series. |
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| Accident Accident (2009 film) Accident , originally titled Assassins , is a 2009 Hong Kong action thriller directed by Soi Cheang, produced by Johnnie To and starring Louis Koo, and Richie Ren... |
意外 | Cheang Pou-Soi Cheang Pou-Soi Soi Cheang Pou-Soi is a Hong Kong film director, assistant director, screenwriter, script supervisor, and actor.-Filmography as director:* Accident * Shamo * Dog Bite Dog * Home Sweet Home... |
Originally titled Assassins (暗殺) | |
| Vengeance Vengeance (2009 film) Vengeance is a 2009 neo-noir crime film directed by Johnnie To from a screenplay written by Wai Ka-Fai. A co-production between Hong Kong and France, the film stars Johnny Hallyday, Anthony Wong, Lam Ka-Tung, Lam Suet, Simon Yam and Sylvie Testud. The film was produced by Milkyway Image, and... |
復仇 | Johnnie To | French-Hong Kong co-production | |
| 2011 | Don't Go Breaking My Heart Don't Go Breaking My Heart (film) Don't Go Breaking My Heart is a 2011 Hong Kong romantic comedy film directed by Johnnie To and Wai Ka-Fai, making this the third film they have collaborated on together. The film stars Louis Koo, Daniel Wu and Gao Yuanyuan. The film opened the 35th Hong Kong International Film Festival on 20 March... |
單身男女 | Johnnie To Wai Ka-Fai |
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| Punished Punished Punished is a 2011 Hong Kong thriller film directed by Law Wing-cheong. The film stars Anthony Wong, Richie Ren, and Janice Man.-Cast:* Anthony Wong as Wong Ho-chiu* Richie Ren as Chor* Janice Man as Daisy* Maggie Cheung as Mrs. Wong* Candy Lo as May... |
報應 | Law Wing-cheong | ||
| Life Without Principle Life Without Principle (film) Life Without Principle is a 2011 Hong Kong crime drama film produced and directed by Johnnie To and starring Lau Ching Wan, Richie Ren and Denise Ho. This film was screened in competition at the 68th Venice Film Festival on 9 September 2011... |
奪命金 | Johnnie To |