Born at Hong Kong in 1961, Herman Yau became the time of some worhsip movies like The Untold Story and Ebola Syndrom, the King of craspec Cat III. But he also signed some more intimist movies like No More Love, No More Death, Don't fool me with Andy Lau and Tony Leung Chiu-Wai as actors, or more recently the excellent movie From the Quenn To The Chief Executive. (Source : HKCinemagic2)

1. How did you start in the movie business ?

I studied film in Hong Kong Baptist College (now known as Hong Kong Baptist University). After graduation, with the introduction of an elder schoolmate, I joined a film crew as continuity person. That was the year 1984.


2. How Untold Story was perceived when it came out ? And which problem of censure you met ?

When Untold Story first came out in HK, it became a hot chatting subject among people. The movie created a big noise in the city. There were both positive and negative comments, but most of the people could not deny that it was a “powerful” movie and had big impact on the audience. Also, people could not deny that Anthony Wong really did a very good performance. People challenge that whether the violence was necessary or not. In the ethical aspect, the movie was blamed a lot.


3. How did you create the character of Bunman ? In collaboration with Anthony Wong ?

I did a lot of research work during the preparation stage of the movie. I went to Macau and met some reporters who had investigated the case. The most valuable information that we got was from a prisoner who was kept in the same cell when Bunman was kept in prison. After I had gathered information I discussed the character with Anthony. In the meeting, I brought along a photo of the real “Bunman”. After Anthony saw the photo, he tried to imitate the face. And I thought that I had found a right person to play the role.



4. How did the idea come to you to do Ebola Syndrom ?

After the success (at least in the box office aspect both in HK and Taiwan) of Untols Story, I stopped to make similar movie for three years. In 1996, Wong Jing asked me to make another Cat III movie. That was the beginning of the movie. The idea of having Ebola in the movie was originated by Wong Jing and I thought that was interesting. Then I talked to Anthony about the idea. A month later, I began the shooting of the movie.


5. - Do you think that HK movie changed after these two films came out ?

For Ebola Syndrome, the influence on the industry was small because the box office of the movie was not good. But for Untold Story, the influence was big. People made lot of Cat III movies after the success of Untold Story. In that trend, I was supposed to be the hottest director in making that kind of movies. But I refused all the offers and instead, I made some other kinds of movies.



6. How and why have you made a movie so committed and poignant than "From the queen to the Chief Executive" ? What does it represent for you ? is it a turning point in your career ?

I don’t think “From the Queen to the Chief Executive” is a turning point in my career. I think it is just part of my career.
In our daily life, we may have many chances to encounter injustice. Some people may overlook those injustices. So I want to put it on screen. I think I am lucky enough to find an investor to invest such kind of film. I don’t know whether you have a good understanding or not that it is extremely difficult to secure an investor to invest films that touch on political issues. I also think that the film represent my anger towards injustice.


7. How and why have you produced 9413 of Francis Ng ?

Francis Ng is a good friend of mine. During the times around 1998, Francis wanted to direct his debut movie. He wanted me to join the production. Though I am not a brilliant filmmaker, I am an experienced filmmaker. In this aspect, Francis needed me to help him in his debut film as director.


8. You wrote and also directed Master Q 2001, a comedy for children and the first film which integrated digital actors into the Hk movies. How did the idea come to you from such a project ?

I directed Master Q 2001. The producer was Tsui Hark. The idea to have CG generated 3D characters to “act” with live characters came from Tsui Hark. He talked to me about the project when we were making Time and Tide. He asked me to be the director and I said “yes” without a second of thinking.



9. You often worked with Tsui Hark. Could you talk about this collaboration and tell us how it began ?

It was around 1991, I met Nansun, now Tsui’s wife, in a restaurant. She said that Tsui wanted me to work with him on some projects. But after the dinner, no one from Film Workshop, Tsui’s company, called me. Then later, we work together in a short animation film which was a propaganda film for a democratic party in HK.
In 1999, I worked as Director of Photography in Tsui’s Time and Tide, then Master Q 2001 followed. When I was doing the CG of the film I worked in Zu as DP. In the past two years, I also joined the crew of Era of the Vampires and Xanda as DP.


10. How do you see the new wave of horror films ?

Actually, I don’t have any idea. But I think this genres will remain part of the mainstream. I still have interest in making horror films.


11. What are your next projects ?

I have just finished a Mainland China Company invested movie called Seventeen Years Buried and a ChinaStar film titled Papa Loves You. In August, I will make a movie for Universe. The movie is a comedy starring Jordan Chan and Candy Lo.


12. At last, what would you want to say to our readers ?

Thank you for watching my films if you have watched.


Our warmest thanks go to Herman Yau for answering our questions.

- Clic HERE to see his filmography.

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