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For fans who grew up with kung fu films, first-generation Hong Kong martial artist star Sammo Hung is bound to be a household name. With around 60 years of experience under his belt, the actor is undoubtedly the perfect choice to grace the Singapore Chinese Film Festival (SCFF), which enters its 12th iteration this year.
The event, taking place from 26 April to 5 May, will include a masterclass by Hung and screenings of his most iconic movies as its first “Filmmaker in Focus” special segment. The former is scheduled for 4 May at LASALLE College of the Arts, while the latter spans across three days as follows:
| Date/Time | Screening Details |
| 3 May, 7pm | Warriors Two (1978): The origin of Wing Chun, which became famous overseas through the Ip Man films. The film is a great demonstration of martial arts style and techniques of the Sammo Hung Stunt Team. Through this film, director Hung will talk about his and the Team’s influence on martial arts-based action films in the 70s. |
| 4 May, 12pm | Encounters of the Spooky Kind (1980): The film that created the Hong Kong-style zombie films, a new direction of psychedelic thriller comedy, and one of the symbolic Hung’s works in the 80s that combined comedy and martial arts. Through this film, director Hung will share how he developed an original style of Hong Kong-style comedy and his influence on Hong Kong cinema. |
| 4 May, 7pm | Winners and Sinners (1983): First work of the Lucky Star series and a masterpiece of contemporary HK comedy, while Sammo Hung’s role Teapot was the prototype of his classic character Partridge. In the masterclass, the film is an introduction to the story of director Hong’s career in the 80s, and his success in the Hollywood. |
| 5 May, 11.30am | The Bodyguard (2016): One of Sammo Hung’s most recent works. A showcase on Hung’s excellence in both literary and martial arts. In the masterclass, Hung will share his experiences working in Mainland China in the 2000s. |
| 5 May, 7pm | Painted Faces (1988): The film adapted from Sammo Hung’s childhood, and for which he won Best Actor at the 8th Hong Kong Film Awards. In the masterclass, this film will bring out Director Hung’s childhood memories and the bits and pieces of the beginning of his career. *closing film of SCFF* |
All movie screenings will be held at Golden Village Bugis+ in Cantonese with English and Chinese subtitles. Tickets are priced at S$15.50 for the public, and S$14.50 for Singapore Film Society members, students and alumni of Singapore University of Social Sciences Faculty, and GV Movie Club members.
Hung is also set to make an appearance for two of the timeslots, attending the pre-screening greeting on 3 May and the post-screening Q&A for The Bodyguard screening. While best known for his martial arts prowess and action choreography, the industry veteran has worked on and starred in various films outside of the genre. These range from paranormal horror comedies Encounters of the Spooky Kind (1980) and The Dead and the Deadly (1982) to the comedy film series Lucky Stars.
In 1982, he won the best actor prize at the second Hong Kong Film Awards for his directorial stint on Carry on Pickpocket, as well as best action choreography for The Prodigal Son. More recently, Hung played major roles in two of the Donnie Yen-led Ip Man films, and would later be bestowed with a lifetime achievement honour at the Asian Film Awards 2023.
SCFF is organised by the Asian Film Awards Academy, and co-organised by the Singapore Film Society.
Si Jia is a casual geek at heart – or as casual as someone with Sephiroth’s theme on her Spotify playlist can get. A fan of movies, games, and Japanese culture, Si Jia’s greatest weakness is the Steam Summer Sale. Or any Steam sale, really.
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