Andy Lau Unveils Unlimited Budget for New Film 'The Story of That Turtle' as Production Begins
Thestandard · 1 SOURCESabout 2 hours ago6 MIN
Summary
Hong Kong legendary actor Andy Lau Tak-wah has launched production on his latest film project, The Story of That Turtle (關於那隻烏龜的故事), with an unusual commitment: he says there is no upper limit to how much he will invest. The movie officially began filming on Wednesday with a traditional ceremony in Chai Wan attended by Lau and the cast, praying for a smooth production. Actress Kitty Yuen Siu-yee, who stars in the film, had repeatedly urged Lau to appear alongside her, and he ultimately agreed, joking that the turtle in the film would command the highest salary on set. The team is considering a Lunar New Year release window and has even discussed inviting Cecilia Cheung Pak-chi to join the cast.
Key Points
- Andy Lau Tak-wah is both producing and financing The Story of That Turtle, directed by Herman Yau Lai-to, with no budget ceiling
- The film began filming on Wednesday with a traditional ceremony held in Chai Wan to bless the production
- Kitty Yuen Siu-yee repeatedly urged Lau to appear in the film, and he agreed, saying he wanted to act opposite every cast member
- Lau joked that the turtle character would earn the highest salary on set, while admitting slight concern about box office prospects
- The cast discussed inviting Cecilia Cheung Pak-chi, with Yuen having tagged her on social media to gauge her interest
- MIRROR member Lokman Yeung Lok-man offered to choreograph dance scenes for the film whenever needed
- The seven characters in the film share the story relatively evenly, so no single lead has been designated
Why It Matters
The project signals an unusual collaborative spirit in Hong Kong's film industry, with established stars like Lau and Yuen working together to support emerging talent and ambitious creative visions. Lau's open-ended financial commitment reflects a willingness to prioritize artistic quality over cost control, a rarity in the current commercial landscape where profitability often dictates production decisions. The potential inclusion of MIRROR's Lokman Yeung also suggests cross-generational appeal, potentially bridging Hong Kong's Canto-pop idol culture with traditional film artistry.
The project signals an unusual collaborative spirit in Hong Kong's film industry, with established stars like Lau and Yuen working together to support emerging talent and ambitious creative visions. Lau's open-ended financial commitment reflects a willingness to prioritize artistic quality over cost control, a rarity in the current commercial landscape where profitability often dictates production decisions. The potential inclusion of MIRROR's Lokman Yeung also suggests cross-generational appeal, potentially bridging Hong Kong's Canto-pop idol culture with traditional film artistry.