Director Lou Ye, known for frequently tackling taboo subjects in China, last year won the Golden Horse Awards for Best Director and Best Feature Film for his depiction of the pandemic in "An Unfinished Film." However, yesterday (24th), it was revealed that his film "Three Words" (starring Jackson Yee), completed three years ago and yet to be released, is not simply held up due to possibly sensitive content, as many believed, but rather because of a financial dispute. Investor Freemore Motion Pictures accused director Lou Ye of misappropriating over 10 million RMB (about 5.9 million ringgit). Lou Ye, however, stated that this was slander.
The investors have completely fallen out with Lou Ye, accusing him of embezzling and misappropriating the production funds. After multiple unsuccessful attempts to resolve the issue, they terminated all his positions in the film and have reported the matter to the police. Lou Ye swiftly issued a statement in response: “This is pure fabrication, a slander against me personally. In the face of long-term rumors and defamation regarding 'Three Words' and myself, as a film director, I will protect my authorship rights and personal rights through legal means, and safeguard the interests of the film and all actors and staff involved in 'Three Words' from infringement.”
"Three Words" boasts a strong cast, including not only Jackson Yee, but also Qin Hao, Chun Xia, Li Xian, Wang Chuanjun, Zhang Yu and others. Upon learning of the financial dispute, netizens commented that they only had one question: “Will 'Three Words' ever be released?”
Source: Apple Online News