Andy Lau NYC Press Conference

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Andy Lau NYC Press Conference

AAIFF Introduction: Now he needs no introduction. Mr. Lau has been very active in the film and music community. He has been even producing films himself and I think everybody is as anxious as I am to hear more from the master.

Andy: Hello, sorry am I late (nods). Wo yo yi dian wan le. Bu hao yi shi. (Translation: I am a little late. Please excuse me)

Question: Why are you here and are you going to be moving more away from pop music and more into film?

Andy: Actually both singing and acting I am interested in. What's the reason why I am here? Is I just want to say 'hello' to all my fans. Because before when I came here, lots of people told me (ASTYLE included) there is a lot of audience for Hong Kong movies and I was so excited to invited and to be a guest. So it is good that I can say 'hello' to all of them.

Question: But will you be doing more movies and less songs in the future?

Andy: No. Both singing and acting are my favorites. And I don't which of the two would be better for me to develop my career. I will just keep doing what I have done before.

Question: In your latest film, you are using many different actors from many different backgrounds and nationalities. Do you think films have now become much more internationalized?

Andy: Our production team when filming these movies wished to give a fresh feeling to the audience, so he wants many different partners working with us during movie production. I think for every movie, they wish as a final goal, that the movie can become international. Now, whether the director will follow this path or not, I'm really not too clear, but to me, I believe that being able to work with people from other countries would be a great experience for me.

Translator: In brief, most films would like to reach the largest amount of audience as possible. Not sure if this is the intentions of the producer, but it is very fun to work with people from different backgrounds. I believe in film you need to reach the most amount of people.

ASTYLE: Andy, when we spoke half a year ago you mentioned to us that you were looking for the right Hollywood project to come by. Have you found one yet?

Andy: (Acting pained... shakes his head) Not yet. (sighs and then smiles, to which everyone begins to laugh with his impromptu performance)

Question: Why type of movie would you like to work on over here?

Andy: I think an action-packed movie would be easier to develop my career over here, but I like to take part in a drama-type movie...

Question: Are you going to work with John Woo or something?

Andy: In 1991, I went to L.A. and I had lunch with John Woo and at that time I wanted to have a movie in Hollywood. At that time, what he told me is that he didn't have time to (quick laugh) produce a movie that I could take a part in. I asked him whether he wanted to produce a movie and let me have role and he told me that he wants to (pause) do a movie with Chow Yun Fat first... (begins to laugh) so I wait.

Question: What actor would you like to act with most?

Andy: (touches his goatee) Maybe Brad Pitt. (nods his head)

Question: This year you won Hong Kong Best Actor Award for the movie "Running Out of Time." In this film, which part do you think you were happiest with the most?

Andy: Right when I started this movie, I never thought about that, because originally I thought this was a very commercial movie. Then why did I take it? Because it was a great challenge for me. Before I always played a good, how should I say this, the main character who everyone thinks must be a good guy. Now, this was the very first time I played a bad young character, so I thought this was a great opportunity for me to change my character and my feelings for the audience to see. Because right when I started… (someone sneezes) bless you (everyone laughs)… Hopefully everyone will realize after this that I am an actor.

ASTYLE: Andy you just keep looking better and better!

Andy: (Rubs his goatee) Am I looking younger then before??? (Everyone laughs and then he starts to laugh)

ASTYLE: On March 30th you appeared on the front cover of the Wall Street Journal next to Jacky Cheung and CoCo Lee and the headline read here comes the next Mariah Carey and Ricky Martin. How do you feel being called the new Ricky Martin?

Andy: (Smiles) I am happy and I hope I can do as well as they are.

Question: People have the impression that most Hong Kong films that make it into Hollywood are action films. Do you prepare to make any dramatic films like "Life is Beautiful"?

Translator: Personally I think that action packed films will have an easier way it into the market, but I still want to make dramatic films. This is harder. Some drama films have made it over to Hollywood. But I think we should take it one step at a time and it is good to start from there and let people get used to our style and have a base to work from.

Question: Recently there has been a high-profile kidnapping in Hong Kong. Have you received these kind of threats?

Andy: I just want to say I am poor. (Everyone starts laughing) I got no money to pay that. I think that we can do nothing about that...

Question: But have you got any threats...

Andy: No! Aiya! (Covers mouth and starts to burst out laughing)

Question: What type of films would you like to star in Hollywood? (How many times are they going to ask this question? -ed.)

Andy: The movies that are popular now are action movies. Now of course the ones I've heard about and seen are mostly this type, but I wish that the movie even if it is an action movie will still have a plot. For example, I believe that movies like "Face/Off" are more pleasing to me. Of course, I was thinking if I act as an idol, but I don't know that over here they would have such an old idol like me (laughs).

Question: What does your schedule look like?

Translator: By the time I confirmed this trip, I already had a very busy schedule. I was already booked in Thailand, but I was very excited to be able to come here for the Festival. I just want to say hello to my audience here tonight during the screening and then I have to return tomorrow to Thailand to wrap up filming. By the way the film has sold-out but it is already booked.

Question: Are you considering to break into the film industry?

Andy: Here?!?

Question: Singing?

Andy: (Shakes head) No. First of all, if I want to sing here I have to polish my English skills. Wo xi wang. (Translation: I hope)

Question: Do you have any favorite actor or actress you would like to work with? (Again? -ed.)

Andy: I like them all.

Question: What about working with directors?

Andy: Not sure. You have to wait. The directors in Hong Kong are already familiar with what level we can do. Hong Kong films here are still not as good as the films they used to make in Hong Kong. Here they are not as familiar with their actors. For example, Chow Yun Fat and Jackie are not making films that are not as good as the ones they made back in Hong Kong. Now, it is niether the director's fault nor their fault, however perhaps it is the space between the two's communication that is not as good. However, I think this is a time issue. For my career, I will just take it one step at a time.

Question: What about Ang Lee?

Andy: At first we had some discussions, but for some reason they are no more. (shakes head)

Question: How do you feel about the Internet and the film industry?

Andy: As an entertainer, I wish I can go on to 80 years old, but I don't think this is possible. I feel that people want to see the talent in Hong Kong. At first, my website will begin as an entertainment website for my friends about Hong Kong films, but later I hope the website will bring about a new community to give my new friends to learn. Education is the most important. For example, to learn how to become an artist or entertainer. That is my current direction.

Question: When will you be in your first Hollywood project?

Andy: You mean how soon?

Question: When do you forsee it happening?

Andy: Umm.. Maybe if there is some director that one me to be in their movie, you can call me first and let me know. I really looking forward to it (Laughs) The movies here are very different then Hong Kong, mostly because of bigger budgets. But in Hong Kong the movies, the techniques that are not much worse then here. What they do is good.

ASTYLE: Last time you arrived in NYC you wore all white and it is also in your last CD. Does the color white have any significance to you?

Andy: (Smiles) Wo xiang white seems to be lucky for me.

Question: There are many films here being screened at the festival, will you have a chance to see any of them?

Translator: Because of his busy schedule, he hasn't had any chance to view the other films of the festival, however he would like to.

Question: You have collaborated with directors like Chen Guo [Fruit Chan]. How do you support up and coming directors?

Andy: First of all, I would like to say thank you to Chen Guo I think around 1996 or 1997, Chen Guo couldn't get any support from any of the big movie companies. And then he started to do the movie "Made in Hong Kong." He spent about 0.8 million doing that movie. He finished And then he spent all his money to make that movie. And at that time, what he told me was he wanted to finish that movie and then that time, I didn't do any production. And there are some things left in my company and I gave the thing to Chen Guo and let him finish that movie. And after that, Chen Guo asked me 'are you going to be the producer of this movie?' Okay then let me have look first then. And I try to see the rushes. I think this is a good movie. It tries to do the attitude for the movie. And I think it's a very good chance for me to support Chen Guo to do that movie. And then I can gain a lot from the movie. After that, I think I will continue to support the people who want to take part in this business and whenever they want me, I'll be there for them.

Question: What do they usually ask you in the interviews?

Andy: They usually ask me how I was able in my career to make 50 or so albums, sell 35 million copies of them. Star in 99 films. . .they claim it is not possible.

Question: Well how do you do it?

Andy: Most actors in Hong Kong do this.... (laughs)

Question: Out of all these films you made which one was the most enjoyable?

Andy: I think… what's the name of that? (audience laughs) In Chinese it is Gauyat sandiu haplui.

Audience: Ahhh!….. "Savior of the Soul"

Andy: Ah… "Savior of the Soul." Yeah, I can't remember the name.

ASTYLE: What kind of projects are you currently working on? Is there anything exciting?

Andy: I'm going to make a movie in Thailand about Thai boxing.

ASTYLE: Is that the role where you needed to lose weight in order to play the role of a light weight class fighter? How did you do that?

Andy: I just kept on practicing. (Laughs) Yeah.

Question: Is that mustache your latest look?

Andy: Yes (brushes mustache and everyone laughs). Because in the movie, I have a daughter, so I have to look more mature. (Laughs)

Question: In most films you are a handsome guy, but now you are a father...

Andy: A father can also be a handsome guy too! (nods head and everyone laughs)

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