Translated some parts of this french interview:
Meeting & Working with Johnnie To
We met in 2002, at that time I already made 2 films but I didn’t find myself too good enough. I wanted to learn more, and I worked as an assistant-director for him. Soon after, I reworked alone. Then, Johnnie To contacted me after Dog Bite Dog, he wanted to work with me again.
When I worked alone, I had the impression to direct with only this little flame inside me. It was more instinctive and less reflective stuff. With Johnnie To, I learned that my work needed to be more carefully thought out, I had to go straight to the main point.
Origins of ideas
They come from me (he wrote the script with Szeto Kam-Yuen & his assistant). I really wanted to change my style after having made violent films. I wanted to make something different. Like murders committed without weapons.
About his characters
I like creating extreme situations to see how people reacts and how they can evolve.
A new style?
It’s true this film is completely different from my previous ones. In fact, the style had to serve the story’s needs.
Films seen before directing Accident?
I’ve seen many Akira Kurosawa’s films even though it seems unrelated. I like how he described his characters and his way to shoot them. Otherwise, films that influenced me are Alien, City On Fire, The Graduate.
And if you still haven’t watch Accident, here are some good reasons!
