The script of a new film about a real-life Hong Kong drug dealer, starring local heart-throb Andy Lau, has passed China's censors despite the sensitive subject matter, investors said Thursday.
They said they are hopeful the completed movie "Protege" will also secure approval when it is released early next year.
The film, with a budget of 4.6 million US dollars, took more than a year of research by director Derek Yee on the drug trafficking world in the southern Chinese territory.
It also stars Daniel Wu, Louis Koo, Anita Yuen and Zhang Jingchu.
One of the film's investors, Andre Morgan — co-producer of the Oscar-winning "Million Dollar Baby", said the script has passed China's censors and he hopes the entire film will be approved.
All movies shown in mainland China must pass strict censorship. In the past, some Hong Kong films were forced to shoot a seperate ending or cut sensitive scenes.
Morgan said only one version of "Protege" has been shot and there is no alternative ending.
"We do nothing to compromise. We had a very open and frank exchange of what their (Chinese authorities') concerns were and their concerns were legitimate. As filmmakers we have an obligation to not encourage and reinforce bad habits.
"Our objective was to send out a message: don't mess with drugs and drugs kill," he said.
