Hong Kong filmmaker Johnnie To has donated almost every award he has won
to a local film archive. Industry observers say the gesture shows his
indifference to fame.
A total of 36 awards of the internationally-acclaimed director and producer
will be permanently kept by the Hong Kong Film Archive, which is dedicated to
preserving and showcasing local film culture, Wen Wei Po reported yesterday.
According to the newspaper, the archive will hold a ceremony tomorrow to
officially accept To's donations. This will be followed by a discussion led by
To about his experiences as a filmmaker.
To's donations include awards for Best Director at the 2004 Hong Kong Film
Awards for "PTU"; Best Director at the same year's Taiwan Golden Horse Awards
for "Breaking News"; and the Carnet Jove Jury Award at the 2006 Sitges -
Catalonian International Film Festival in Spain for "Exiled."
Johnnie To first announced he would donate his awards a year ago in an
interview with Beijing News. He was quoted as saying, "These trophies are just
decorations. [Fame] is not a big deal."
To is among Hong Kong's most renowned filmmakers, and is credited with
popularizing crime thrillers.
