HK filmmakers Wong Jing (left) and Stephen Chow have both stated that they are not interested in working together again. Photos: Wong Jing/YouTube, Handout
Hong Kong filmmaker Wong Jing recently opened up about his past with Stephen Chow.
In the first episode of his new YouTube series, Wong reminisced about their first meeting in 1989 when Chow approached him to discuss a potential collaboration.
“I told him he had been filming a lot of movies like Triad Story lately, which are filled with foul language from start to finish.
“I said he should stop making those kinds of films as they wouldn’t work out,” the 69-year-old said, adding that Chow agreed with his perspective at the time.
Their first collaboration was the 1990 classic God Of Gamblers II, which also stars Andy Lau.
They went on to work together in other films such as Tricky Brains (1991), Royal Tramp (1992), its sequel Royal Tramp II (1992) and The Tricky Master (1999).
Wong recalled having a close friendship with Chow, who would often talk to him about his love life and share his secrets.
He revealed that Chow, 62, had mentioned undergoing double eyelid surgery and hiding out at his former girlfriend’s house for several weeks.
“She brought him lunch boxes every day. This is true,” he said with a laugh.
However, the friendship between the two changed during the shooting of Royal Tramp II.
According to Wong, Chow, who used to share everything about his personal life, became a little distant then.
“I don’t know why there was a barrier between us. I gradually realised he wanted to become a director and not be directed by others. He didn’t want anyone to guess his next step,” he added.
Wong also recounted a time Chow made him uneasy.
Wong said: “We were filming one day and I asked him, ‘What are you thinking about? You have been thinking for so long,’ and he suddenly snapped, ‘I’m thinking for you!’”
Wong admitted he was taken aback by Chow’s attitude, finding it “unnecessary”.
“Why have such an attitude? I felt a crack in my heart ...,” he lamented.
In 2012, Wong criticised Chow for loving money more than making movies and being difficult to work with.
At the time, both stars vehemently stated that they are not interested in working together again.
