Filmmaker Peter Chan returned to the Tokyo International Film Festival nearly three decades after his UFO films drew massive crowds, sharing insights on his market-driven career from Hong Kong's golden age to mainland China productions. In a conversation with festival programming director Ichiyama Shozo, Chan discussed the indie spirit of United Filmmakers Organization, the collapse of the Taiwan market, and adaptations in the industry. His latest film 'She Has No Name' screened as part of the event.
Event Overview
Peter Chan Ho-sun spoke at the Tokyo International Film Festival on November 1, 2025, reflecting on his career trajectory. He recalled the 1993 and 1994 festivals where his films “He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Father” and “He’s a Woman, She’s a Man” packed Shibuya theaters. Chan co-founded UFO in 1992 with directors like Jacob Cheung to create films about ordinary people, inspired by United Artists. “Those were the best days of my life,” he said of the UFO period.
Industry Challenges
Chan detailed the Hong Kong film industry's decline starting in 1991-1992, triggered by the Taiwan market collapse. Taiwanese distributors began dictating content based on past successes, leading to a 1994 price cap that allowed Hollywood majors to dominate. “Overnight, like in a year or two, the percentage of Chinese language films versus English language films... became by the time 2000 it was 98% English language,” Chan explained. This shift ended UFO's independence, pushing him toward Hollywood and then pan-Asian co-productions via Applause Pictures.
Career Evolution
After a brief Hollywood stint with “The Love Letter,” Chan focused on mainland China, directing films like the 2005 musical “Perhaps Love,” 2007’s “The Warlords,” and 2013’s “American Dreams in China.” He emphasized adapting to market needs: “I make movies that the market needs. Because if the market don’t need that movie, you can’t get funding.” His latest, “She Has No Name,” premiered at Cannes 2024 and explores a 1945 Shanghai murder case with Zhang Ziyi; part two is slated for 2026. Chan noted challenges returning to Hong Kong due to inflated crew costs from Chinese productions. He highlighted “Comrades: Almost a Love Story” as his most enduring film due to perfect timing.