LAWRENCE GRAY IS probably best known in Hong Kong for his contribution to the literary scene. He founded the Hong Kong Writer's Circle.
Yet last week the Briton, who has never made a film, edged out acclaimed directors to win the Hong Kong Asia Film Financing Forum's award for the most promising local project.
Gray, who has lived in the city for 15 years, is taking his first steps towards a creative rebirth: to become a filmmaker. 'This is new ground for me, doing independent movies,' he says, a steaming cup of coffee in his hands and a hint of apprehension in his voice.
On the first day of the premier financing event for Asian filmmakers, Gray and business partner Asad Sultan were waiting nervously to meet a potential backer. 'I was always warned never to go into independent filmmaking,' Gray says. 'You could lose your house, your wife and everything.'
Gray's project, Fat Englishmen, isn't big by industry standards, but it's a risky venture. Budgeted at US$4 million, the movie calls for filming on location in England and Japan. Being an ensemble piece will add to travel costs. And in contrast to the movie-industry veterans dominating the forum, Gray and Sultan, an investment banker, are novices.
(Frank Lin, perhaps the greenest of the directors pitching the other 24 projects, is backed by Harvey Keitel.)