A Chinese Odyssey Part Two: Cinderella

Jeff Lau is one of the most successful directors in Hong Kong. He is best known for writing, directing and producing Hong Kong style comedy.

He had studied graphic design in the U.K., then returned to Hong Kong and worked in advertising. He co-founded the film companies Century Films and Wu Zhou Century Films with director Dennis Yu in 1980, and the duo produced various classics during the New Wave Cinema era.

With the support of actor-producer Alan Tang, Lau got his directorial debut with The Haunted Cop Shop, which showcased his distinctive style in supernatural comedies. The genre, along with its vampire and horror counterparts, soon became prominent in Hong Kong Cinema.

The renowned producer Wu Szu-yuan recognized Lau’s talents and invited him to develop All For The Winner with Corey Yuen in 1990. The film became one of the top-grossing films in Hong Kong Cinema and sent its leading man Stephen Chow on his way to stardom.

In 1992, under his pseudonym Chi An, Lau wrote the cult classic 92 Legendary La Rose Noire which pioneered the nostalgic musical genre. In 1995, Lau reunited with Stephen Chow on A Chinese Odyssey and Out Of The Dark. Although the two films are polarized in content and form, yet both are heralded by audience as screen classics.

Lau partnered with Corey Yuen again in 1997 and founded Cinemagic, where he wrote such titles as Mahjong Dragon and 97 Legendary La Rose Noire. In 2002, he was invited by Johnnie To and Wong Kar-wai to direct Second Time Around and Chinese Odyssey 2002.

He was also the producer of Stephen Chow’s latest blockbuster Kung Fu Hustle in 2004. —Celestial Pictures