HONG KONG action cinema legend Sammo Hung has been named the Filmmaker in Focus of the 43rd Hong Kong International Film Festival (HKIFF).

Hung has a storied career spanning over half a century of starring in, action choreographing, producing and directing more than 250 films. He is one of the screen icons representative of the golden age of Hong Kong cinema in the 1980s.

The HKIFF will host a retrospective during the upcoming edition showcasing 10 of Hung’s most celebrated works, as well as a “Face to Face” seminar March 30 where he will share his views and recount his experiences in the film industry. An accompanying commemorative book will also be published.

Born in 1952, Hung was trained from the age of 9 in Beijing opera at Hong Kong’s China Drama Academy and was the leading member of the academy’s Seven Little Fortunes performing troupe, which later went on to transform Hong Kong cinema with the acrobatic and daredevil action choreography designed and performed by its members. It also counted Jackie Chan among its ranks.

Hung made his first onscreen appearance at the age of 14 as a stunt performer. Armed with his skills in martial arts, acrobatics and dance, he soon became a stalwart of the wuxia cinema popularized by the Shaw Brothers Studio, dreaming up and executing breathtaking action sequences as a stunt man, stunt coordinator and action director. He made his directorial debut in 1978 with “The Iron-Fisted Monk.”

Hung’s work in the 1980s helped create a new style of Hong Kong action movies, ushering in the immensely popular action comedy genre, and the Chinese vampire horror-comedy subgenre.

He also helped make a star out of Michelle Yeoh when he produced the first film in which she received top billing, the police drama “Yes, Madam” (1985). In 1998, Hung became the first East Asian to headline a U.S. primetime TV series with the CBS surprise hit “Martial Law,” which showcased his martial arts expertise.

Hung’s contribution to Hong Kong action cinema has been considerable, which is not only evident in the genre’s popularity and worldwide influence, but also in the number of accolades he has received.

The HKIFF will be held from March 18 through April 1.

(SD-Agencies)