Details
Biography
Career Leap: From "As Tears Go By" to the "Young and Dangerous" Universe
In 1988, Lau received his first nomination for Best Cinematography at the Hong Kong Film Awards for "As Tears Go By," directed by Wong Kar-wai. His handheld camera work and dynamic aesthetics drew significant attention. Transitioning to directing in 1990, his debut film "Against All" focused on youth gangs, showcasing his insight into marginalized social themes. In 1995, he co-founded "Best of Best (BoB)" with Manfred Wong and Wong Jing, adapting the comic "Young and Dangerous" into a series of films. Over six months, they released a trilogy that dominated the box office, successfully popularizing gangster culture and launching stars like Ekin Cheng and Jordan Chan, solidifying his "street aesthetic." In 1998, he directed "The Storm Riders," which integrated computer effects and anime aesthetics, becoming the year's box office champion with a revenue of HKD 41.53 million and setting a new standard for Hong Kong comic adaptations.
Pinnacle Works: The "Infernal Affairs" Trilogy and International Breakthrough
In 2002, Lau teamed up with Felix Chong and Alan Mak to create the crime epic "Infernal Affairs," which won Best Film and Best Director at the Hong Kong Film Awards and the Golden Horse Awards in Taiwan. It was later remade by Hollywood as "The Departed," directed by Martin Scorsese, becoming the first Hong Kong adaptation nominated for an Oscar for Best Picture. The film's dual undercover structure subverted traditional gangster narratives and was hailed as a "savior of the industry," with its screenplay selected as one of Time magazine's "100 All-Time Greatest Movies." In 2005, he directed "Initial D," merging racing manga with themes of youthful growth, leading Jay Chou to win Best New Performer at the Hong Kong Film Awards, with Asian box office earnings exceeding 100 million.
Transnational Challenges: From Korea's "Daisy" to Hollywood's "Revenge of the Green Dragons"
In 2006, Lau directed his first Korean film, "Daisy," employing a three-line narrative to portray misplaced love, setting a box office record for Hong Kong-Korea co-productions. In 2007, he made his Hollywood debut with the thriller "The Flock" exploring themes of the American justice system. In 2014, he released the gangster epic "Revenge of the Green Dragons," produced by Martin Scorsese, which authentically depicted the struggles of Chinese brothers in New York’s underworld and was nominated for the Toronto International Film Festival.
Industry Leader and Controversial Anecdotes
Lau's career spans cinematography, directing, and producing. In 2008, he became the president of the Hong Kong Professional Cinematographers Association and was later appointed president of the Hong Kong Directors Guild in 2015, also serving as vice chairman of the board for the Hong Kong Film Awards. His forthright personality has sparked discussion as well: in 2005, he misread a winner's name at the awards, leading to criticism about his Chinese proficiency; in 2022, he expressed lingering frustration over Martin Scorsese mispronouncing his name during an Oscar speech.
Family and Creative Philosophy
Privately, Lau is known for his family-oriented image, being married to Leanne and having three sons and a daughter, with his eldest son following in his footsteps in the film industry. He humorously remarks, "Every day I wake up to a dozen people waiting for breakfast," which drives his insistence on efficient filming practices, emphasizing the industry's reputation for "actors finishing on time." In recent years, he has directed films like "The Captain" and "Chinese Doctors," achieving box office success while remaining true to his roots. In 2025, he produced "The Dumpling Queen," which reflects the grassroots struggles of 1970s Hong Kong, stating, "Everyone remembers me for making gangster films, but I want to preserve the lost sense of humanity."
