Personal Info
Known ForDirecting
Born1955-04-22
BirthplaceHong Kong, British Crown Colony [now China]
Johnnie To
Directing
Biography
Johnnie To Kei-Fung (Chinese: 杜琪峯, born 22 April 1955) is a Hong Kong film director and producer. Popular in his native Hong Kong, To has also found acclaim overseas. Intensely prolific, To has made films in a variety of genres, though in the West he is best known for his action and crime movies, which have earned him critical respect and a cult following.
His films, often made in collaboration with the same group of actors, screenwriters and cinematographers, frequently explore themes of friendship, fate and the changing face of Hong Kong society. Sometimes described as "multifaceted and chameleonic" due to his ability to switch tones and genres between movies, To is nonetheless seen as having a consistent style, which involves mixing subdued realism and social observation with highly stylized visual and acting elements. To heads the Hong Kong-based production company Milkyway Image with his frequent co-director Wai Ka-Fai.
Notable Works
Prominent titles featuring Johnnie To
Filmography
Acting (15)
2017
In the Mood for Melvilleas Self
4.5
2016
Threeas Wong Superintendent (voice)
6.0
2013
Boundlessas Self
7.7
2010
Johnnie Got His Gun!as Himself
2010
Code Name: Melvilleas Self
6.7
2004
Katanas, yakuzas y cintas de videoas (archive footage)
2001
2001
Hong Kong Superstarsas Self
10.0
6.4
9.0
1991
5.8
1991
The Royal Scoundrelas Taxi Driver
5.4
7.0
1988
It's No Heavenas Club Patron
5.0
Production & Directing (161)
2023
Mad FateProducer
6.4
2023
Mad FateExecutive Producer
6.4
2022
Septet: The Story of Hong KongDirector
6.9
2022
Septet: The Story of Hong KongProducer
6.9
2022
6.9
2019
Chasing DreamProducer
6.8
2019
Chasing DreamDirector
6.8
2018
A or BProducer
6.3
2016
ThreeProducer
6.0
2016
ThreeDirector
6.0
2016
TrivisaProducer
7.2
2015
OfficeDirector
5.6
2015
OfficeProducer
5.6
2015
OfficeCo-Executive Producer
5.6
2014
Don't Go Breaking My Heart 2Director
5.7
2014
Don't Go Breaking My Heart 2Producer
5.7
2013
Blind DetectiveProducer
6.2
2013
Blind DetectiveDirector
6.2
2013
A Complicated StoryExecutive Producer
4.8
2012
Drug WarDirector
6.9
2012
Drug WarProducer
6.9
2012
MotorwayProducer
6.2
2012
Romancing in Thin AirDirector
5.2
2012
Romancing in Thin AirProducer
5.2
2011
Life Without PrincipleDirector
6.7
2011
Life Without PrincipleProducer
6.7
2011
PunishedProducer
6.3
2011
Don't Go Breaking My HeartDirector
6.4
2011
Don't Go Breaking My HeartProducer
6.4
2009
AccidentProducer
6.7
2009
Tactical Unit - PartnersProducer
6.3
2009
VengeanceDirector
6.6
2009
VengeanceProducer
6.6
2009
NewsmakersOriginal Film Writer
5.0
2009
Tactical Unit: Comrades in ArmsProducer
6.5
2008
Tactical Unit - The CodeProducer
6.8
2008
Tactical Unit - Human NatureProducer
6.5
2008
SparrowDirector
6.4
2008
SparrowProducer
6.4
2008
Tactical Unit - No Way OutProducer
6.6
2008
LingerDirector
4.3
2008
LingerProducer
4.3
2007
Mad DetectiveDirector
7.1
2007
Mad DetectiveProducer
7.1
2007
TriangleProducer
6.5
2007
TriangleDirector
6.5
2007
TriangleExecutive Producer
6.5
2007
Hooked on YouProducer
5.8
2007
Eye in the SkyProducer
6.7
2006
ExiledDirector
7.2
2006
Election 2Director
7.4
2006
Election 2Producer
7.4
2006
2 Become 1Producer
6.0
2005
ElectionDirector
7.2
2005
ElectionProducer
7.2
2005
The Open RoadDirector
7.0
2004
Yesterday Once MoreDirector
6.5
2004
Yesterday Once MoreProducer
6.5
2004
Throw DownDirector
6.8
2004
Throw DownProducer
6.8
2004
Breaking NewsDirector
6.9
2004
Breaking NewsProducer
6.9
2003
Love Under the SunProducer
5.0
2003
Running on KarmaDirector
6.5
2003
Running on KarmaProducer
6.5
2003
Memory of the YouthProducer
6.5
2003
Turn Left, Turn RightDirector
7.2
2003
Turn Left, Turn RightProducer
7.2
2003
1:99 ShortsDirector
6.3
2003
PTUDirector
7.0
2003
PTUProducer
7.0
2003
Looking for Mr. PerfectProducer
4.1
2003
Love for All SeasonsDirector
6.9
2003
Love for All SeasonsProducer
6.9
2002
My Left Eye Sees GhostsDirector
6.3
2002
My Left Eye Sees GhostsProducer
6.3
2002
Fat Choi SpiritDirector
6.4
2002
Fat Choi SpiritProducer
6.4
2002
Second Time AroundProducer
5.8
2001
Running Out of Time 2Producer
6.1
2001
Running Out of Time 2Director
6.1
2001
Fulltime KillerDirector
6.8
2001
Fulltime KillerProducer
6.8
2001
Love on a DietDirector
6.1
2001
Love on a DietProducer
6.1
2001
Gimme GimmeProducer
8.8
2001
Wu YenProducer
6.4
2001
Wu YenDirector
6.4
2000
ComeuppanceProducer
7.0
2000
Help!!!Director
5.9
2000
Help!!!Producer
5.9
2000
Needing You...Director
6.3
2000
Needing You...Producer
6.3
2000
Spacked OutProducer
5.0
1999
The MissionDirector
7.5
1999
The MissionProducer
7.5
1999
Sealed with a KissProducer
8.2
1999
Running Out of TimeDirector
7.3
1999
Running Out of TimeProducer
7.3
1999
Where a Good Man GoesDirector
6.6
1999
Where a Good Man GoesProducer
6.6
1998
A Hero Never DiesDirector
6.9
1998
A Hero Never DiesProducer
6.9
1998
Expect the UnexpectedProducer
6.4
1998
The Longest NiteProducer
6.9
1997
IntruderProducer
6.0
1997
The Odd One DiesProducer
6.3
1997
Too Many Ways to Be No. 1Producer
6.7
1997
Final JusticeProducer
8.5
1997
LifelineDirector
7.2
1996
Beyond HypothermiaProducer
6.2
1996
A Moment of Romance IIIDirector
5.2
1996
A Moment of Romance IIIProducer
5.2
1995
Only Fools Fall in LoveProducer
6.9
1995
Loving YouDirector
6.0
1995
Dead EndProducer
5.0
1995
Dead EndDirector
5.0
1995
Fatal AssignmentProducer
1994
The Lone SabreProducer
1993
Heroic Trio 2: ExecutionersProducer
5.9
1993
Heroic Trio 2: ExecutionersDirector
5.9
1993
The Mad MonkDirector
5.8
1993
A Moment of Romance IIProducer
5.7
1993
The Bare-Footed KidDirector
6.2
1993
Edge of JusticeProducer
1993
The Heroic TrioDirector
6.7
1992
Iron Butterfly III: TomorrowProducer
8.0
1992
8.0
1992
Iron Butterfly III: TomorrowDirector
8.0
1992
Justice, My Foot!Director
6.7
1992
Lucky EncounterDirector
7.3
1991
Casino Raiders IIDirector
6.3
1991
The Royal ScoundrelDirector
5.4
1990
Behind BarsDirector
1990
Behind BarsProducer
1990
The Story of My SonDirector
8.0
1990
The Story of My SonWriter
8.0
1990
The Iron Butterfly IIScreenplay
7.0
1990
The Iron Butterfly IIDirector
7.0
1990
A Moment of RomanceProducer
7.2
1990
The Fun, the Luck & the TycoonDirector
6.4
1990
The Fun, the Luck & the TycoonProduction Design
6.4
1989
Story of NamProducer
6.0
1989
Story of NamDirector
6.0
1989
The Iron ButterflyDirector
1989
The Iron ButterflyProducer
1989
All About Ah-LongDirector
7.3
1988
The Big HeatDirector
6.3
1988
The Eighth HappinessDirector
6.4
1988
It's No HeavenDirector
5.0
1988
The BetrayalDirector
5.0
1987
Magnificent WarriorsSecond Unit Director
6.6
1987
Seven Years ItchDirector
5.8
1986
Happy Ghost IIIDirector
6.9
1986
Royal WarriorsSecond Unit Director
7.1
1985
It's a Drink! It's a Bomb!Assistant Director
7.0
1980
The Enigmatic CaseDirector
7.0
1978
The Good, the Bad and the BeautiesAssistant Director
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In the Qing DynastyProducer
—
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Two-Gun CohenDirector