Filmmaker To transforms action into art
By Johanna Davy
Nov. 12, 2003 9:00 p.m.
The phrases “ballet-like” and “Hong Kong
action film” are not often heard together, but when talking
about the work of director Johnny To, the description is apt.
To, whose new film “PTU” is having its Los Angeles
premiere at the James Bridges Theater on Saturday, is known as much
for his versatility as for the fluidity and poetry of his action
sequences.
In 2001, the UCLA Film and Television Archive organized a
retrospective of To’s work, scheduling the director to host a
Q&A on opening night. Post-Sept. 11 security concerns prevented
To from attending, but he is expected to attend the
“PTU” premiere this weekend.
Cheng-Sim Lim, co-head of programming at the UCLA Film and
Television Archive, organized both the 2001 retrospective and the
“PTU” premiere. She acknowledges that, despite having
made more than 30 films in every genre except horror, To is not as
well-known in the United States as such Hong Kong filmmakers as
John Woo.
“I make movies because I love cinema,” To said.
“For me, personal gratification comes before anything
else.”
He has nonetheless achieved unparalleled success in his home
country by alternating between “personal, artistic
projects” and the commercial films that have made him
successful, according to Lim.
“I consider “˜PTU’ a personal film of
mine,” To said. “I made “˜PTU’ by putting
what I want ahead of what I think the audience would like to
see.”
Like American director Sam Peckinpah, who To says is an
influence on his work, To brings a sophisticated choreography to
violent shootouts. Lim describes To’s films as “action
transmuted as dance.”
“(A To action sequence is) not a ballet of blood;
it’s a ballet of people,” Lim said.
“PTU” is a cop drama that unfolds over the course of
one dark, gritty night. The film centers on Sergeant Lo (Lam Suet),
who loses his gun while chasing a ruthless street gang. The missing
gun leads to a series of events that culminate in a violent early
morning shootout.
“PTU,” an acronym for Police Tactical Unit, opened
at the Hong Kong International Film Festival in April and had its
world premiere at the Berlin Film Festival in February.
Lim hopes that, besides rewarding loyal To fans, this screening
will attract those who are curious about Hong Kong action films,
particularly after the success of “Kill Bill: Volume
1.”
“I am very happy to see my work being enjoyed by audiences
outside of Hong Kong, and I hope I can continue to make films I
think are representative of my own style,” To said.
“PTU” will screen on Saturday, Nov. 15 at 7:30
p.m. in the James Bridges Theater.
