He also acknowledged that Hong Kong filmmakers now have less freedom than they once had.
I wouldnt be able to do my best shoot.
All that is inside my head.
Johnnie To (L) and Yu Irie at Tokyo film festival 2024Deadline
But he then smiled and said: Its probably not the best style of filmmaking.
I wouldnt recommend it to young filmmakers.
It would be like one commercial movie, one more personal, perhaps another film as well.
Id start shooting one thing, then drop it for a few months if I wasnt feeling inspired.
All the different styles and methods of directing, I could distinguish between them in my head.
He also said young filmmakers shouldnt feel like they dont have any options.
Its up to you to make it happen, but you have to do it in a smart way.
Perhaps I can keep working for another ten years, but Ill be an old man.
The situation has changed, the times have changed.
The conversation between To and Yu Irie took place as part of Tokyo International Film Festivals TIFF Lounge series.
