Once hailed as one of Hong Kong's most talented art-house directors, Stanley Kwan is now increasingly working as a producer.

The 59-year-old veteran, who directed dozens of hits including Rouge (1988), based on a female ghost's love story, and Center Stage (1992), based on 1930s Shanghai megastar Ruan Lingyu's life, is now partnering with Taiwan director Lin Yu-hsien on a romance called Never Said Goodbye.

The feature will debut in the Chinese mainland on Aug 9, when China marks the Qixi Festival, which is referred to as China's Valentine's Day.