Donnie Yen Addresses On-Set Profanities in “The Prosecutor”

Donnie Yen recently addressed a video that surfaced, showing him using profanities on the set of his latest film, "The Prosecutor." The movie, which premiered last month, is nearing the end of its run in cinemas. Loosely based on a real-life 2016 drug-trafficking case, the film features Yen as a police detective-turned-public prosecutor. He appears alongside Julian Cheung, who portrays a law-educated drug lord entangled with a wrongly accused defendant.

Yen, who also directed and co-produced the film, spoke about the clip during an appearance at the TVB Anniversary Awards on January 19. He defended the use of vulgarities, stating it is commonplace in the film industry.

"Everyone swears! Using profanity doesn't mean you're uncultured. Even cultured people swear too."
Said by: Donnie Yen

A 52-minute production reel uploaded to the production company's YouTube channel three weeks ago depicted Yen in tense moments, using strong language in meetings with crew members. Yen commented on the content, noting he was comfortable with the footage before its release.

"I was okay with it (the profanities in the clip) before I released the reel."
Said by: Donnie Yen

"The Prosecutor" showcases an impressive lineup of veteran actors including Kent Cheng, Michael Hui, Ray Lui, Mark Cheng, and Francis Ng. This ensemble cast contributes to the film's dynamic portrayal of a gripping narrative.

At the TVB Awards, Yen reminisced about his early career days with the Hong Kong broadcasting company TVB, offering praise to its actors. He shared insights into the demanding nature of filming decades ago, recalling long hours with reversed days and nights.

"I think using profanity doesn't determine whether one is cultivated, it's just the culture of a film set. I'm also not targeting anyone, it's normal."
Said by: Donnie Yen

Yen's reflections highlighted the evolution of his career and the intense environment of film production. His comments come as "The Prosecutor" continues to engage audiences with its thrilling storyline and complex characters.