Director dons producer's hat - now working on a romance film

Once hailed as one of Hong Kong's most talented art-house directors, Stanley Kwan is now increasingly working as a producer.

The 59-year-old veteran, who directed dozens of hits including Rouge (1988), based on a female ghost's love story, and Center Stage (1992), based on 1930s Shanghai megastar Ruan Lingyu's life, is now partnering with Taiwan director Lin Yu-hsien on a romance called Never Said Goodbye.

The feature will debut in the Chinese mainland on Aug 9, when China marks the Qixi Festival, which is referred to as China's Valentine's Day.

The Taiwan and Hong Kong's releases will come later, followed by South Korea if the movie performs well in the Chinese market, says Lin.

Kwan's latest production effort follows actress Zhao Wei's So Young and photographer Luo Dong's New York New York - their directorial debuts.

Speaking about his new role on the sidelines of the film's launch press conference on July 6, Kwan says he would like to "escort young talents", and adds that he also wants to give opportunities to newcomers.

Asked about working with newbie directors from diverse backgrounds, Kwan says it offers him a window to look at unfamiliar fields.

In the case of So Young, the 2013 hit, which raked in a record box-office tally of 720 million yuan ($108 million) and sparked a boom in coming-of-age romances, it offered Kwan a chance to look closely at an A-list actress' raw, yet stylized directing.

"Most people thought that I taught Zhao directing. But as a veteran actress, she had her experience to coach the cast. It was inspiring for me," he says.

As for Never Said Goodbye, it is his second production effort with Lin, a talented Taiwan director known for his humorous takes on culture and life.

While Lin is reluctant to reveal details of his latest project, he tells China Daily that the new film is about a bittersweet romance between a South Korean engineer and a young Chinese woman.

"For some reason, the man has to watch his beloved woman from a distance," he says.

"The story can be understood as: 'I'm always here with you, but I cannot let you know I'm here'," he says.

Giving more details, Kwan says the film moves from the narrow alleys of Shanghai to sunny Sicily in Italy, symbolizing the transformation of the protagonists' personalities.

"Sicily is a beautiful island full of sunshine and surrounded by the ocean. I believe that only a place as open as Sicily can help you let go of all your sorrows and desperation," he says when asked if Italy's policy of encouraging foreign filmmakers to come to the country drew them there.

The cast for the film is international. It stars South Korean actor Lee Joon-gi, known for his role in King and the Clown, Chinese mainland actress Zhou Dongyu, and Taiwan actor Ethan Juan.

Despite its star power, the film may face challenges in the mainland market, because the genre is not favored here.

Speaking of film's prospects, Lin says: "Since we began work we've heard two views. One is romance is no longer a popular genre, and the other is Sino-South Korean productions don't do well in the mainland."

Kwan, the cinematic master of romance, whose 1990s classics gained recognition in Europe, is also measured in his comments. He says: "Romance is a difficult genre. It cannot draw attention easily like a big action film.

"Love stories occur in our daily lives. Love is an inexhaustible source for inspiration. It just depends on how you use it. The key to making a good romance is to put your heart into it."