Sammo Hung has seen all of it. From battling Bruce Lee on display screen in “Enter the Dragon” (1973) to bossing Donnie Yen behind the digicam because the motion director of “Ip Man” (2008), the legendary martial artist now wields affect as jury president of this yr’s Asian Movie Awards. The person who helped outline Hong Kong motion cinema for generations is now evaluating its future.
The 73-year-old motion star, whose profession spans over 5 a long time, has transitioned seamlessly between appearing, directing, and producing, crafting a number of the most influential martial arts movies in cinema historical past. When requested in regards to the evolution of martial arts choreography from the traditional Golden Harvest days to at this time’s spectacles, Hung stays philosophical. “I feel there’s not a lot distinction. It at all times evolves with time and evolves with traits,” Hung tells Selection.
Hung’s collaborations with Jackie Chan and Yuen Biao have produced numerous iconic moments in motion cinema. “We at all times have a number of good recollections for each single film that we collaborate with one another,” he displays. “As an example, like in ‘Challenge A’ and likewise ‘Dragons Perpetually.’ For these two movies specifically, we at all times have good recollections from that point.”
In an period dominated by CGI, Hung emphasizes the bodily authenticity that outlined Hong Kong motion whereas acknowledging trendy strategies. “I’m preserving the JC model, not CG,” he says. “I don’t know a lot about laptop graphics, however we’re at all times utilizing our physique to precise, to ship the vitality, the character.”
He’s fast to make clear: “I’m not saying that laptop graphics is dangerous. I’m simply saying that now we have to see how we’re going to use it in a correct manner.”
Of all his many roles within the business, Hung finds directing probably the most difficult. “If I had been a producer or an actor, I had time to decide on, to know what I’m going to do. However as a director, it’s a must to seize each single minute, each second to assume after which to design what you’re going to do.”
On Hollywood’s appropriation of Hong Kong motion strategies, Hung observes: “Hollywood has been additionally following the Hong Kong motion movies. They’ve been following the Hong Kong traits, the Hong Kong movie kinds.”
Hung’s distinctive mix of bodily prowess and humor has been his trademark. “From my very own perspective or from my very own character, I feel it is very important incorporate comedy into motion movies,” he explains. “I’m not solely making kung fu or martial arts movies. I’m additionally making movies that individuals can take pleasure in and have enjoyable.”
The veteran performer has no favorites amongst his in depth filmography. “It applies to each single movie that I made and I used to be starring in. I simply hope that the viewers would love all of them.”
Hung notes that the method to martial arts filmmaking has developed considerably from the time he started working within the Nineteen Sixties to “Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In,” the motion dram in 2024 broke field workplace report in Hong Kong, and was chosen because the territory’s Oscar contender. “The sensitivity, or the sense of what a kung fu or martial arts movie needs to be like has been altering. Prior to now, as soon as we had a narrative, as soon as we had the characters fastened, then we may simply go for it. However as of late, that is far, much more sophisticated.”
Age has naturally impacted his bodily capabilities, however not his dedication. “After I was younger, after all, I may do much more motion stunts in contrast with what I can do proper now. I’m getting older now, however I nonetheless do my greatest, and I’ll nonetheless do what I can do inside my skill or vary.”
Having labored with Bruce Lee early in his profession and extra not too long ago with Donnie Yen, Hung displays on the stark distinction between these experiences. “After I was working with Bruce Lee, I used to be influenced by him considerably, as a result of he’s the boss, after all, and he advised me what to do. However within the case of Donnie Yen, I’m the boss, so I’m telling him what to do. That’s the numerous distinction.”
When requested if there’s any style he hasn’t tackled but, Hung jokes: “The one style that I haven’t been uncovered to, possibly these like steamy, scorching scenes, like horny scenes.” Requested if he’s wanting to discover it, he quips: “If there’s an opportunity, after all I’d.”
For aspiring filmmakers seeking to break into motion cinema, Hung’s recommendation is pragmatic: “Initially, luck is essential. They should be fortunate. I’m not denying that it’s a must to work arduous as properly. However in Cantonese, now we have a saying: now we have to work arduous, however we at all times say now we have to attend till the luck arrives.”
As for his legacy, Hung hopes to encourage the following era. “For me proper now, it’s arduous to make a movie that appears like what I did previously. It’s fairly unimaginable. So what I hope is the younger filmmakers will watch my earlier movies, and they’re going to study one thing, get inspiration from me. After which, after all, if they might, in return, encourage me, that will be an incredible factor.”
The Asian Movie Awards happen Sunday, after which Hung is attending Hong Kong FilMart.
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