Oscar-winner Peter Pau’s film about a demon slayer piles on the special effects

Based on blood ties and merit, Peter Pau Tak-hei is a member of Hong Kong cinema royalty. The son of famous actor Bao Fong and brother of award-winning actress Nina Paw Hee-ching (), he lifted the best cinematography Oscar in 2001 for his work on .

Still, Pau didn't envisage that when the time came to have a distinguished-looking older man play the Jade Emperor in , opening this week, he would be the choice of producer Ann An Xiao-fen and co-director Zhao Tianyu.

Although the 62-year-old film veteran has appeared on screen before, he much prefers to work behind the camera. So, for that and a number of other reasons, "I was the last person I wanted for the role", he says.

In the end, however, logistical issues mandated that Pau take on the role in this epic fantasy action-drama, which he initially joined as co-producer and photography and special visual effects director but also went on to co-direct.

Three years in the making, tells the story of a hot-headed demon slayer, the beautiful icy demon who beguiles him, and a powerful artefact he steals from hell for the good of humanity. As one would expect of a production that bears Pau's imprint, the film looks impressive, with visual effects used in 77 per cent of the scenes.