50th Anniversary reveals humble beginnings

Hong Kong (HKSAR) - ¡§The times on the film set were the happiest times for me. I have the fondest memories of Qi Xiao Fu.¡¨--- Sammo Hung ¡§I'm most grateful to Master for our achievements today.¡¨--- Yuen Biao Sammo Hung, Jackie Chan, Yuen Bun, Yuen Biao, Yuen Kwai, Yuen Chau and Yuen Wah are superstars, famous directors or action-choreographers nowadays. However, they were once the members of the ¡§Qi Xiao Fu¡¨ (Seven Little Fortunes), who underwent stern training from opera veteran Yu Zhanyuan at the master¡¦s Hong Kong-China Opera Institute.

Precious photographs, film footage and interviews of ¡§Qi Xiao Fu¡¨, featuring their training in the institute, performances in the Lok Kung Restaurant and Nightclub, Lai Chi Kok Amusement Park and Savoy Nightclub as well as being stuntmen and extras in various action films will be on display at the exhibition entitled ¡§Qi Xiao Fu 50th Anniversary Exhibition¡¨ from tomorrow (November 15) to February 21, 2010, at the Exhibition Hall of the Hong Kong Film Archive (HKFA). To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Hong Kong-China Opera Institute, HKFA has organised a retrospective programme ¡§Humble Beginning: Early Films of the Yuen Clan¡¨ with an exhibition, screenings and a seminar for audiences to learn about the early days and success stories of the Yuen Clan. The opening reception of the exhibition was held today (November 14) at the Exhibition Hall of the HKFA.

Guests attending the reception included the Assistant Director of the Leisure and Cultural Services (Heritage and Museums), Dr Louis Ng Chi-wa and more than 20 members of ¡§Qi Xiao Fu¡¨. Speaking at the opening ceremony, Dr Ng said the outstanding action movies produced in Hong Kong, which had achieved international recognition, were the products of a group of brave and selfless actors, stuntmen and action-choreographers. He said the Yuen Clan was under harsh training when they were young.

Even though the economic situation was not that good at that time, Master Yu took good care of the Yuen Clan¡¦s daily lives, training them with authentic acrobatic skills and fostering them to have never-give-up spirit. Hong Kong was proud of ¡§Qi Xiao Fu¡¨ and this team was the miniature of Hong Kong¡¦s spirits - being perseverant and determined, he said. Apart from the exhibition, a selection of eight early titles, in which the Yuen Clan members performed stunts or served as martial arts director, will be shown from today to November 29 at the Cinema of the HKFA.

The films are Sammo Hung¡¦s directorial debut ¡§The Iron-fisted Monk¡¨ (1977), his first film ¡§Education of Love¡¨ (1961), director King Hu¡¦s classic ¡§The Valiant Ones¡¨ (1975), in which Hung was both actor and martial arts director; ¡§New Fist of Fury¡¨ (1976), the first film in which the stuntman Yuen Lau used the name Jackie Chan and assumed top billing; ¡§Fist of Fury¡¨ (1972), the Bruce Lee film in which Jackie Chan was a stuntman; ¡§Seven Little Valiant Fighters¡¨ (1962) (aka ¡§Two of a Kind¡¨) and ¡§The Grateful Monkey¡¨ (1963) both showcase the kids¡¦ amazing skills; as well as ¡§Intimate Confessions of a Chinese Courtesan¡¨ (1972), in which Yuen Chau performed stunts. ¡§The Iron-fisted Monk¡¨ has been classified as Category III and only ticket holders aged 18 and above will beadmitted. To supplement the screenings and exhibition, a seminar titled ¡§Hong Kong¡¦s Big Fortune¡¨ will be held at 5pm next Saturday (November 21) at the Cinema of the HKFA.

Cultural critic Dr Ng Chun-hung and film critics Po Fung and Fung Ka-ming will share their views on the influence of the Yuen Clan on Hong Kong¡¦s cinematic culture and world cinema. The seminar will be conducted in Cantonese. Admission to the seminar and exhibition is free.

HKFA has also published a booklet ¡§Hong Kong¡¦s Big Fortune - The Films of the Seven Little Fortunes¡¨. The articles from film critics in the booklet will provide audiences with more insights on ¡§Qi Xiao Fu¡¨. Tickets priced at $30 for the screenings are available at all URBTIX outlets.

Half-price concessionary tickets are available for senior citizens aged 60 and above, people with disabilities, full-time students and Comprehensive Social Security Assistance recipients. Reservations can be made by phone on 2734 9009, or on the internet at www.urbtix.hk. Detailed programme information and various discounts can be obtained in the ¡§ProFolio 49¡¨ distributed at all performing venues of the Leisure Cultural Services Department.

For enquiries, please call 2739 2139 or 2734 2900 or browse the website: www.lcsd.gov.hk/fp.

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