Filmmaker To transforms action into art

Johanna Davy
Published: Thursday, November 13, 2003

The phrases “ballet-like” and “Hong Kong action film” are not often heard together, but when talking about the work of director Johnny To, the description is apt.

To, whose new film “PTU” is having its Los Angeles premiere at the James Bridges Theater on Saturday, is known as much for his versatility as for the fluidity and poetry of his action sequences.

In 2001, the UCLA Film and Television Archive organized a retrospective of To’s work, scheduling the director to host a Q&A on opening night. Post-Sept. 11 security concerns prevented To from attending, but he is expected to attend the “PTU” premiere this weekend.

Cheng-Sim Lim, co-head of programming at the UCLA Film and Television Archive, organized both the 2001 retrospective and the “PTU” premiere. She acknowledges that, despite having made more than 30 films in every genre except horror, To is not as well-known in the United States as such Hong Kong filmmakers as John Woo.

“I make movies because I love cinema,” To said. “For me, personal gratification comes before anything else.”

He has nonetheless achieved unparalleled success in his home country by alternating between “personal, artistic projects” and the commercial films that have made him successful, according to Lim.

“I consider ‘PTU’ a personal film of mine,” To said. “I made ‘PTU’ by putting what I want ahead of what I think the audience would like to see.”

Like American director Sam Peckinpah, who To says is an influence on his work, To brings a sophisticated choreography to violent shootouts. Lim describes To’s films as “action transmuted as dance.”

“(A To action sequence is) not a ballet of blood; it’s a ballet of people,” Lim said.

“PTU” is a cop drama that unfolds over the course of one dark, gritty night. The film centers on Sergeant Lo (Lam Suet), who loses his gun while chasing a ruthless street gang. The missing gun leads to a series of events that culminate in a violent early morning shootout.

“PTU,” an acronym for Police Tactical Unit, opened at the Hong Kong International Film Festival in April and had its world premiere at the Berlin Film Festival in February.

Lim hopes that, besides rewarding loyal To fans, this screening will attract those who are curious about Hong Kong action films, particularly after the success of “Kill Bill: Volume 1.”

“I am very happy to see my work being enjoyed by audiences outside of Hong Kong, and I hope I can continue to make films I think are representative of my own style,” To said.

“PTU” will screen on Saturday, Nov. 15 at 7:30 p.m. in the James Bridges Theater.