Sammo's the man!

ONE of the first remarks ever said about Sammo Hung was "boy, this fat guy can
sure move". Mr Hung has single-handedly changed the perception of "fat guys"
since he appeared on screen in 1961 in the movie "Education of Love".


In the Hong Kong film industry, Sammo is also called "Tai Loh" (Big Brother) by
those who know him well. Sammo's two closest friends and colleagues are Jackie
Chan and Yuen Biao. Both guys studied with Sammo at the Peking Opera School from
an early age.


Life in the opera school wasn't easy. Actually that's an understatement. It was
very hard, as Sammo later admitted. He along with the other little boys had to
learn martial arts and acrobatic skills. Sammo later became an attraction in the
troupe called Seven Little Fortunes. This group went on tours to showcase Wushu
martial arts. Since Sammo was the oldest compared to Jackie and Yuen Biao, he
became known as "big brother".


When he graduated from the Peking Opera School, Sammo quickly found work as a
stuntman. He was later much sought after as a stunt coordinator as well as an
action director. In 1973, Destiny kept its date with Sammo and this roly-poly
martial artiste appeared in a sparring match with the famous Bruce Lee in Enter
the Dragon.


Sammo was a close friend of Bruce and was later responsible for completing The
Game of Death when he took on the role of fight choreographer. He made his
directorial debut in "The Iron Fisted Monk" in 1977. One year later, in a
tribute to his deceased buddy Bruce, he starred and directed in Enter the Fat
Dragon.


Much to delight of Sammo, audiences in Southeast Asia found his role in comedy
kung fu movies refreshing and endearing. Often, Sammo was bouncing all over the
movies like a very elastic rubber ball, and deadly too when he needs be. Sammo's
biggest contribution to the world of martial arts was the policy of "never
underestimate the shape and size of your opponent".


Before I learnt about Sammo's background, I was always puzzled by his agility
and physical dexterity. After I dug a little deeper into his past, it became
quite clear that Sammo was an abnormal physical specimen having unusual
acrobatic skills.


In the 1980s, Sammo, Jackie and Yuen Biao became known as the Golden Trio. What
has been left relatively unknown to a lot of people around the world is Sammo's
directorial efforts of global proportions. He was the man behind "Wheels on
Meals", "Eastern Condors" and "Ashes of Times" (Wong Kar Wai's arthouse martial
arts film).


Sammo later became involved in two of Jean Claude Van Damme's movies "Double
Team" and "Knock Off". He was the action direction for one and second unit
director for the other. His other notable achievements were being the fight
choreographer for "A View From The Top" starring Gwenyeth Paltrow and Mike
Myers.


In recent years, Sammo Hung can be seen in the CBS TV series Martial Law in
which he plays Shanghai cop Sammo Law. Sammo's excellence as an action
choreographer resulted in his active participation in Jackie Chan's 2003 movie
The Medallion. At that time, it was Hong Kong's most expensive movie, costing
US$35 million.


His latest acting role was in SPL in which he played the role of an underworld
godfather starring Simon Yam and Donnie Yen. Born in 1952, Sammo Hung at 54 is
still amazing agile. He also goes by the names of Hung Kam Bo and Hong Jinbao.


Some movie viewers are of the opinion that fat guys almost never make it big in
the film industry. Sammo will beg to differ. In fact, he won't even want to
dignify the statement with a comment because he's too busy making millions from
his Hollywood and Hong Kong movie commitments.


So let's stand up and give our "fei koh" (fat brother) a big hand in his
outstanding success as an actor and director.

Ip Man stands firm, hits hard

ANYBODY who knows Bruce Lee knows that the late actor learnt the basics from the School of Wing Chun and its master was Ip Man (pronouced Yip Mun in Cantonese). In the decades that followed Bruce Lee's martial arts career, first in America then in Hong Kong, not much was known about the low-profiled Ip Man.
So when the trailer about this movie surfaced several weeks ago, many asked "Who's this guy?" Wing Chun enthusiasts probably knew a little bit more about Ip but not much else. In a way, it is good that Hong Kong has decided to shed more than a little light on the early life of the man who was the force behind Wing Chun.
Blow-by-blow in martial arts terms, Ip Man is probably the best Chinese martial arts film this year. Since December is fast drawing to a natural conclusion, it is my humble opinion, Ip Man takes the cake for being the sleekest and certainly one of the most entertaining wushu movies produced by our Hong Kong brothers.
With Sammo Hung as action director, the film can only scale new heights in stylish knee-and-ankle blocks and counter-punches. Donnie Yen who plays Ip Man has stamped his mark as a martial arts actor in this movie. In his previous roles which also involved close quarter combat, Yen often didn't leave a lasting impression.
It is worth noting that this time, Yen has really nailed it. His Ip Man persona fits the character most appropriately. Because Yen has martial arts training and experience, the complicated hand and leg moves executed by him projected a realism that's really rare in Chinese kung fu movies.
Donnie Yen is no stranger to wushu. His mother was a well known figure in the Chinese martial arts world and Yen developed his wushu skill from an early age. His movie career began 24 years ago with Drunken Taichi. Ip Man will certainly be earmarked as an exciting culmination of Yen's accelerating movie career.
The story begins in Foshan, China, 1935, when the country was on the threshold of an eight-year war with Japan. Ip, his wife Cheung Wing-sing (Lynn Hung) and son were living in privileged conditions. Ip kept very much to himself and did not join other sifus who opened up martial arts schools.
Ip's destiny changed when a new sifu in town paid a visit to his house one day and challenged him to a private duel. With his compleat skills in Wing Chun, Ip defeats his guest with ease and elegance. However, news leaked through a curious onlooker that Ip had made a fool of the new sifu. This culminated in an exhibition of Chinese manners that some of us may want to be reminded of.
That particular fight scene was one of the most entertaining in recent years. It is probably an exaggeration to say that Ip Man hardly broke into a sweat in working over his opponent. But a kung fu master can only enhanced his reputation when he fights with grace and power.
The sombre mood of of bombed out buildings and poverty stricken neighbourhoods was splendidly fleshed out in tonal shades which gave the movie an arty feel. The story fast-forwarded to 1937 and China, in particular Foshan, was in the deadly grip of Japanese forces.
Ip Man and his family were ejected from their palatial home and had to join the masses, surviving only on scraps. But a man with solid wushu principles could not be robbed of his dignity and pride. Ip survives by shoveling coal and selling his pocket watch. It was at this time that he learns that the occupying forces, in particular Japanese General Miura, is using Chinese citizens as punching bags.
When Ip raises his fists with great reluctance and fights, the audience begins to learn the moral of the story. Fighting is only necessary when the weak and meek need to be saved.
There's a certain pathos in certain scenes of this movie that may draw tears to the eyes. Those of us whose grandfathers or relatives who have escaped from such trying conditions back in China would feel their heartstrings tugged a little tighter when reminded of family members sacrificing their lives for another at the hands of the enemy.
In the entire movie, Ip Man was shown only once losing his composure when he witnessed a friend sparred with Japanese soldiers for a handful of rice to feed his family and then was shot dead at the end of the bout.
But Ip Man the movie is more than just about the Wing Chun master who survived war-torn Foshan, it is about the essence of Chinese martial arts in which discipline, honour and compassion are very much part of the art.
In a poignant moment inside the darkened cinema hall, I felt a single tear rolling down my cheek. The heart of Wing Chun, as it is in other esteemed self-defence systems, lies in putting family before self, friends before honour and always compassion before revenge.
Ip Man the man embodies all that is good represented by Confucian ethics. Eons have passed since the famous Chinese philosopher walked the earth but some of the finest Confucian principles are still embedded in the various Chinese martial arts systems, especially Wing Chun. No doubt this movie will give Wing Chun schools a boost that will reverberate across the globe. Some of the fight scenes were very well choreographed and it is a joy to watch such fine fight manoeuvres.
It is as much to Sammo Hung's credit as it is also to Donnie Yen's prowess that Ip Man has brought to the fore, many of the principles forgotten by today's martial arts exponents. And many of these have nothing to do with knocking your rival down. It is the essence of martial arts that maketh an honourable man.
Ip Man was not produced to be a mindless action drama with pools of blood and endless minutes of senseless violence. To be sure, it has transcended to a level in which one catches a whiff of what true martial arts should be, could be and not what it has always been perceived to be.
This is a martial arts movie with the right attitude. It is worth watching twice if you have the inclination. A big round of applause for Donnie Yen, action director Sammo Hung and director Wilson Yip Wai-shun.

It's a wonderful world with Wonderful Life

OKAY, this movie came out when your dad was probably in his teens, or maybe even
during your grandfather's prime years. A lot of people have forgotten about it.

So it is my duty to remind you that it is truly one of the best movies ever
made. One year after the Second World War ended, director Frank Capra released a
black and white movie called It's A Wonderful Life.
The main stars were James
Stewart, Donna Reed, Lionel Barrymore, Thomas Mitchell and Henry Travers.
When it was released in 1947, the movie hardly created ripples in the Hollywood
pond.

It might triggered a discernible stirring or two but that was about it. In the
ensuing years, the movie became part of the Christmas tradition because it kept
on popping up on TV sets during yuletide.
The movie has such an infectious story and a feel-good warm that Frank Capra
later confessed that it was his favourite movie. I was delighted to learn later
that it was Jimmy Stewart's favourite movie as well.

Even though the movie was screen in 1947, it did not receive the kind of
attention it deserved until almost 40 years later. Apparently, the company that
produced the film was called Liberty Films, and it was bought over by Paramount
Pictures and remained a subsidiary until 1951.


The rights to It's A Wonderful Life was later sold to U.M.&M TV Corp. National
Telefilm Associates then got the rights to the movie and history would later
record that a clerical error prevented the movie from surfacing until 1974.


It was only then that It's A Wonderful World made its entrance into the
television realm free of royalties and other charges. Suddenly, in the 1980s,
this movie which had been gathering dust in the film library for decades finally
"saw the light". Television networks begun showing it during the holiday season
around Christmas and it caught fire.


Before TV producers could check with their accountants, there was a public
clamour for this movie which quickly became a holiday favourite.


It's A Wonderful Life is based on a story by Philip Van Doren Stern. The story
was entitled The Greatest Gift. Its estimated production budget in 1946 was
US$3.18 million. A pittance compared to today's standards.


Apparently, the movie was so well received that it was nominated for five
academy awards. The fact that it came up empty-handed must have shocked its
nominators. However, justice has been served.

Today, It's A Wonderful Life ranks 11th on the American Film Industry's Best 100
Movies of the Century.
The story of that wonderful life is basically a story about many of us ordinary
Joes. George Bailey is a small town guy who has big aims to venture into the
brave new world and harbours great ambitions to do wonderful things.


However, fate decides it has better plans for George so he's stuck where he is,
while his brother goes off to war and later returns a hero.

George is frustrated by the twist in events.
On top of that, he's falling in love with sweet next-door-type girl Mary Hatch.
Love to George is a nuisance. It will spoil the big plans he has for himself.

But the attraction between him and Mary proves to be too strong, and he
surrenders to its magic and marries her.
The years passed by rather swiftly. George's big heartedness makes him a regular
good samaritan and he helps the numerous people he comes across in a thousand
little ways.

These are not spectacular acts of heroism but mundance acts of kindness which go
a long way in alleviating other people's burden.
Then one day, George's family business, a bank, falls into deep trouble.

It seems to be George's fault because he misplaces some money. To make his
troubles even bigger, the wicked rich man in Bedford Falls, Mr Potter, is on the
verge of taking over the family business.
George becomes desperate and suicidal. He walks to a bridge and contemplates
suicide. Just then, an old man appears.

His name is Clarence and he's an angel. As it is with God who's forever working
in myterious ways, Angel Clarence jumps into the river first.

That triggered George's basic goodness and he jumps in to save that silly old
man, or so he thought.
The real story of It's A Wonderful Life thus begins.

It starts at the the closing chapter, rewinds to the beginning, races through
the entire episode of George's ordinary life, and starts again with George
telling Clarence that he wishes he were dead.

Clarence looks heavenwards and says to George: "Your wish is granted." And so,
George Bailey ceases to exist as a person in Bedford Falls.
What follows is a chain of events that shocks and frightens George to the core.

That's the Christmas story that has warmed the hearts and gladdened the souls of
all who have watched this movie during many Christmases from one end of the
globe to the other.
It's A Wonderful Life never fails to bring cheer to all homes. It tells the
truth about the importance of every person you meet.

Nobody is unimportant. Every single individual is a special gem in the eyes of
God. We are all never forgotten. We are always remembered.

And it is through characters like George Bailey that hope springs eternal and
love is forever fresh.
James Stewart had admitted that this movie had tugged at his heart-strings, just
as it did for director Frank Capra.

The movie may not have won any Oscars but for decades across the world, it has
brought hope, laughter, tears, joy and love to every household whenever it
appears on the TV screen.
That is its lasting legacy.


It is untouchable as one of the best Hollywood has to offer and indeed when it
was released, it was deemed to be Hollywood's finest hour. It is still one of my
favourite movies.


Time to call Astro or RTM to screen it again.

Lo LIeh and his Five Fingers of Death

WHEN a friend told me that one of my favourite Hong Kong movie stars was
actually an Indonesian, he could have floored me with his little finger. It
turned out to be true. Lo Lieh was born in Indonesia in 1939.


Apparently, his parents felt that young Lo needed to be more Chinese and was in
urgent need of a "fuller" education, so they sent him back to China. So his
memories of his country of birth is mired in the murky waters of a very distant
past. I am just guess but Lo was probably under 10 years old. He later lamented
to friends that he missed having a more wholesome family experience.


Lo Lieh was one of those Hong Kong actors who was neither very famous nor very
forgettable. I honestly remember him as one of those guys who played a villain
very well. Perhaps it was because he had the kind of face that seems to be quite
suitable on a Wanted poster.


In the 1960s and 1970s, Lo Lieh held sway in the Chinese movie cinemas. Between
1965 and 1979, Lo acted in about 90 movies. That averaged about eight and a half
movie every year. With that kind of a record, it must be assumed that the actor
is either very hardworking or slightly insane.


However, back in those days of the Shaw Brothers Film Production, such a hectic
acting schedule was quite common.

This actor of no remarkable looks had a fine reputation among his peers. It
seemed that his fellow actor friends and movie directors liked him very much.
His popularity helped to put him in the good books of directors like Liu Char
Liang and Chang Cheh.


I remember Lo Lieh vividly in the lead role of King Boxer. It was produced in
1971, at a time when Bruce Lee was the rage of the Eastern and Western cinema
worlds.

Over in the West, King Boxer was re-titled as The Five Fingers of Death.


For a while back then, Lo Lieh was THE villain.

Most of youngsters (those who could afford to see a cheap matinee) loved hating
Lo Lieh. He was often cast as a villain. Like I said, this guy really has got
the persona of a criminal.


But when he played the role of a good guy, he wasn't that bad either. Move goers
tended to feel his "pain" that Lo convincingly put across on the screen. Some of
his contemporaries were Cheng Pei Pei, Angela Mao, Chow Yun-Fatt, Gordon Liu, Ti
Lung, David Chiang and Wang Yu.


It must have been tough during those days when every young actor wanted to be
No. 1 on the screen, so Lo Lieh had to act in multiple films during a tight time
frame. It was said that Lo had boasted once to someone that he could do with
just four hours of sleep every night because that would allow him 16 hours more
to make more movies and earn more money!


Recently, I watched King Boxer again. It struck me how unpolished those kung fu
moves were then but still at that time in the 1970s, there was no basis for
comparison, so Lo Lieh's martial marts moves were really great.


Not much is said about Lo Lieh these days but some of my friends who have seen
his movies and had enjoyed them very much, have only good things to say about Lo
Lieh.


Lo died on Nov 2, 2002 in Hong Kong, apparently of a heart attack. He was 63.
Altogether Lo Lieh starred in about 214 movies from 1965 to 2001.

He directed nine movies and a producer of three movies. That's one long and
memorable movie career. I doubt there are many Hong Kong actors out there who
can brag of such a record.