Andrew Lau: the master multitasker
Andrew Lau has worn many hats in his film career so juggling two new releases is a cinch, writes Yvonne Teh
Andrew Lau Wai-keung likes to be in control - or, at the very least, to have his say with regards to various facets of film production.
A filmmaker with multiple directing, producing and cinematography credits (including for the critically acclaimed and commercially successful Infernal Affairs trilogy and the Young and Dangerous series), the 52-year-old says that even when he isn't officially billed as a cinematographer for a film he directs, he wants to get involved in that area - and others - as well.
"I will say, 'I want this, I want that'," he says. And he expects to be obeyed too.
However, when asked why two star-studded period drama-actioners he has had a hand in making are scheduled to open in Hong Kong on consecutive Thursdays, Lau admits this is one area where he's powerless.
The Guillotines (which he directs, and Peter Chan Ho-sun produces) will be released on the final Thursday of the year while The Last Tycoon (directed by Wong Jing with Lau as producer and principal director of photography) opens on the first Thursday of 2013.
Looking at the festive period's release schedule, Lau notes that "many movies are fighting together", but he is confident both films will succeed at the box office.