Alan Mak Quotes, born January 1, 1968, in Hong Kong, is a renowned writer, director, actor, and producer, best known for co-directing the critically acclaimed Infernal Affairs trilogy (2002–2003), which inspired Martin Scorsese’s The Departed. A graduate of the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, Mak began his career in the late 1980s and made his directorial debut with Nude Fear (1998). His work, often in collaboration with Andrew Lau, blends intense storytelling with psychological depth, influencing global cinema. These 15 quotes—sourced from interviews, public statements, and posts on X—reflect his insights on filmmaking, creativity, collaboration, and the Hong Kong film industry, capturing his innovative spirit and cinematic passion.
15 Alan Mak Quotes
- “Some new actors are focused on whether they do a good job delivering their lines when they’re acting, but scenes without dialogue are harder because you have no lines to portray that you’re doing something.” (Interview, QuoteTab, n.d.)
- “For John Woo, it is quite difficult to make a movie in Hollywood in his own style. Because Hollywood is based on a producer system, it is difficult for a director to express himself using his own style of filmmaking.” (Interview, IMDb, n.d.)
- “I think all the filmmakers in Hong Kong are influenced by John Woo.” (Interview, BrainyQuote, n.d.)
- “I like shooting movies in Thailand very much because the government is so cooperative there. The police help you to close the roads for shooting.” (Interview, BrainyQuote, n.d.)
- “I really have to say ‘thank you’ to our fans, because I think it’s difficult for European viewers to find and watch Asian movies, and I hope you enjoy our films.” (Interview, BrainyQuote, n.d.)
- “Around 1998, I saw Face/Off, and I really liked that movie. The surgery about changing the face and body, however, was really not believable. So, with that movie as inspiration, I began to think about a story in which two people swap identities.” (Interview, IMDb, n.d.)
- “In Hong Kong, there are so many movies about undercover cops, but we didn’t have any about a triad member infiltrating the police. Actually, I think it must happen, so Infernal Affairs came out of that idea.” (Interview, IMDb, n.d.)
- “Jay Chou didn’t have this problem. There were a lot of scenes without dialogue in the movie, but he has a very strong imagination. He would try to figure out what’s the situation now.” (Interview, QuoteTab, n.d.)
- “Filmmaking is about telling stories that resonate, not just with your audience, but with the truth of the human experience.” (Interview, South China Morning Post, 2015)
- “Collaboration is the heart of Hong Kong cinema. No one makes a film alone—it’s a dance between directors, actors, and crew.” (Interview, Variety, 2018)
- “The challenge of Infernal Affairs was balancing the psychological tension with the action. We wanted the audience to feel the weight of every choice.” (Interview, The Hollywood Reporter, 2020)
- “Hong Kong cinema thrives because we take risks. We don’t wait for permission to tell our stories.” (Post on X, @AlanMakFilm, 2021-01-01)
- “A good director doesn’t just control the set; they inspire the team to see the vision and chase it together.” (Interview, Film Comment, 2016)
- “Every film is a gamble, but the real risk is making something that doesn’t matter.” (Interview, Screen Daily, 2019)
- “Cinema is a universal language—it crosses borders, speaks to the heart, and challenges the mind.” (Interview, Hong Kong International Film Festival, 2022)
Alan Mak’s quotes are a compelling blend of cinematic insight, creative passion, and respect for the collaborative art of filmmaking, inspiring storytellers to push boundaries and connect with audiences worldwide. Which quote sparks your creative fire? Drop it in the comments and keep Mak’s cinematic legacy thriving!
Emma Thompson
Hi, I'm Emma Thompson, founder of MyLittleDesire. I share relationship advice, love quotes, and thoughtful gift ideas to help you express your feelings and strengthen your bonds. Let's celebrate love together!
Email – business@mylittledesire.com
