Johnny To, the maestro of Hong Kong crime fiction, has directed several masterpieces of the genre, from Diptych to Election to Exilé, Breaking News and PTU. However, one feature film stands out in his very diverse filmography, Revenge.
Released in 2009, the film follows Frances Costello (Johnny Halliday). The latter is a father who has come to Hong Kong to avenge his daughter’s victimization by murderers. His passport says “chef”. 20 years earlier he was a professional assassin.
When Alain Delon met Johnny To
A big fan of Jean-Pierre Melville, Johnny To wants to make a thriller in the style of Circle Rouge or Samurai, starring Alain Delon. The idea came to the filmmaker in March 2006.
The director will present it in May Elections 2 in the skin. After the festival, he flew to Paris to meet the legendary actor to talk about the film over a fine French dinner.
Delon is very interested in the project, and a second interview is scheduled when John has the first draft of the script for the actor to read. The two men met again in March 2007 for a retrospective on the director at the Cinematheque.
However, Alain Delon prefers not to be told about his progress on the script: “It’s always good when you tell, but then when you read, you’re disappointed, so you won’t tell me anything!”sings the artist.
Or Johnnie Toe returned to the charge in June 2007, sending Delon a 20-page treatise revealing the broad story lines. The film has a code name: “Gun Battle”. The actor is not at all satisfied with the reading, rejects the project and then completely disappears.
Johnny and Johnny Sparkle!
A month later, ARP Sélection, responsible for the production and distribution of Revenge, is asked by a banker’s friend to comment on a script proposed by the singer Johnny Hallyday, with whom he is close:
“Johnny needs professional advice, he hesitates, but he really wants to shoot.“ARP gave the banker a very honest answer: “She’s worthless! Better to do nothing than star in movies that exploit her star status, don’t be considered an actress”. Stunned by the distributor’s sincerity, Halliday wanted to meet him.
In October 2007, there is a meeting with the idol of the youth, the opportunity to talk about Johnny’s cinema, a great desire to return to acting, a fan of Jean-Pierre Melville, John Woo and…Johnny Toh’s film director’s world. Sparks fly! Costello, the revenge hero, wasn’t Delone, it was John! Big downside, Tho doesn’t have the slightest idea who Johnny Hallyday might be.
Johnny To and Johnny Hallyday
johnny halliday who is he
We are then in February 2008. The director is in Berlin for the screening of his new film, Beghura. ARP takes the opportunity to show him the last two live concerts of Patrice Leconte and John L’Homme du train.
A month later Johnny To won. If he liked The Man on the Train, he was especially surprised by the singer’s concerts. The two artists meet at a restaurant that John knows well near the Champs Elysées. As big lovers of good food, John and John are a perfect match. Filming will begin in the fall of 2008.
“My producers gave me DVDs of some movies and some concerts. I immediately saw that he had a lot of masculinity. The concerts made me hear about his immense popularity. I had no idea what kind of idol he was. But it wasn’t until I met him that I knew we could be together Let’s work.”
“I had to see her to understand everything she exudes. Her appearance, her silhouette, her presence, her face and her incredible eyes, full of a past that we imagine intensely. A current immediately flows between us, despite the language barrier. We liked each other, As people I realized that between us we could make a movie. trust me Johnny To
Source: Allocine
Rose James is a Gossipify movie and series reviewer known for her in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the latest releases. With a background in film studies, she provides engaging and informative reviews, and keeps readers up to date with industry trends and emerging talents.
