50th anniversary exhibition showcases Qi Xiao Fu's 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 be admitted. 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.

7THSPACE.COM

Impromptu Somersault

Jackie does an impromptu somersault at the Anniversary dinner...

News and photos: QQ.COM




Part of the evenings entertainment was an operatic skit performed by several of the Seven Little Fortunes including Sammo Hung, who commented afterwards that it had been many years since he had performed opera. Jackie joined in with an impromptu somersault.

Jackie and Sandy Lam also sang 'Like a Dream'.

The evening was also to raise funds for an Education Foundation. After expenses were deducted an amount of (HKD?)200 million was raised.

The event was also attended by Jim Yuen's 81 year old daughter, Suqiu, who flew in specially for the event from San Francisco. (She is wearing the green fur in the video)

TOM.COM


Some video of the event: SOHU.COM

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.

7thspace.com

Photos From the Reunion

Yuen Bun, Yuen Wah, Yuen Wah, Yuen Tak, Yuen Ting, Yuen Biao, Yuen Lau (Jackie Chan), Yuen Lung (Sammo Hung Kam Bo)

These photos and more at TOM.COM





This photo and more @ QQ.COM

More news also @ CHINA NINGBO NET

Photos and news @ HK Top Ten

Jackie marks Anniversary of Peking Opera School

Jackie and the other Little Fortunes gathered today at a dinner to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Peking Opera School.

Chan marks anniversary of Peking Opera school

By MIN LEE (AP) – 24 minutes ago

HONG KONG — Jackie Chan didn't take acting lessons or attend a fancy conservatory. The biggest star in kung fu cinema learned his craft from a retired Peking Opera star who turned his apartment into a performing arts boot camp for working-class Hong Kong children in the 1960s.

On Friday, Chan and dozens of his fellow graduates gathered at a luxury Hong Kong hotel to mark 50 years since their late teacher Yu Jim-yuen launched the now-defunct Hong Kong-China Opera Institute, a small boarding school that became a breeding ground for top Chinese action stars and action choreographers.

Chan is the most famous of the 40-plus students, but their ranks also include Sammo Hung, best known in the U.S. for his two-season TV series "Martial Law," Corey Yuen, an action director on Hollywood films like "Lethal Weapon 4" and "X-Men," and Yuen Biao, who earned a big following in Japan with films like "The Champions" and "Peacock King." Yuen Wah from "Kung Fu Hustle" was a stunt double for Bruce Lee.

Dressed in identical red jackets and red-and-black striped ties, the now-middle-aged filmmakers reminisced about their childhoods spent under Yu, a strict disciplinarian who regularly caned his students if they deviated from a rigorous regimen of acrobatics, dance, kung fu and singing lessons.

"We talked about how we were naughty and stirred trouble, how we were scared of master, how we were beaten by him, who got hit — all the ugly incidents came out," Yuen Biao told reporters on the sidelines of the anniversary banquet, adding that he was planning a movie about the school.

"It's such a rare occasion for all our brothers to be in one room, talking about incidents when we were young. I'm touched in many ways," said Hung, who was Yu's most senior pupil.

Hong Kong Financial Secretary John Tsang paid tribute to Yu and his legacy.

Yu's students "showcased the flexible, tough and never-say-die Hong Kong spirit to the world, making people around the world realize that a small place like Hong Kong has a lot of hidden talent," Tsang said at the banquet, according to a transcript of his speech issued by the government. The banquet was closed to the media.

Chan did not speak to reporters Friday night, but wrote in detail about his 10 years at Yu's academy in his 1998 autobiography, "I Am Jackie Chan: My Life in Action." Chan's father, a cook, put his then 7-year-old son in Yu's care when he left Hong Kong to take a job at the U.S. Embassy in Canberra, Australia.

Chan recalled his first beating by Yu — "each rip of the cane, each jolt of torment was followed by another, in steady staccato rhythm, until my throat was hoarse and my buttocks almost numb."

When a classmate passed out after knocking his head against a table while doing somersaults, he was left aside to rest while practice continued, Chan wrote. If you couldn't do a split, other students would press you down by force.

"It didn't matter how much or how hard you cried. Eventually, you'd go down into a split," he wrote.

ASSOCIATED PRESS

If you're in Hong Kong .....

Films and exhibition at HK Film Archive on beginnings of Sammo Hung, Jackie Chan and Yuen Clan



Hong Kong (HKSAR) - Sammo Hung, Jackie Chan, Yuen Kwai, Yuen Biao, Yuen Wah and Yuen Chau are household names today and superstars who changed the course of Hong Kong cinema. Yet there was a time when they were merely bit players in movies, serving as stuntmen or even extras, often faceless or nameless. They were once the members of the "Qi Xiao Fu" (Seven Little Fortunes), who underwent harsh and stern training from opera veteran Yu Zhanyuan at the master's Hong Kong-China Opera Institute.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Hong Kong-China Opera Institute's formation and alumni are organising a reunion with some returning from the far corners of the globe. To celebrate the occasion, the Hong Kong Film Archive (HKFA) will present "Humble Beginning: Early Films of the Yuen Clan" from November 14 to 29 with early titles in which the Yuen Clan members performed stunts or served as martial arts director. The eight films to be screened include Sammo Hung's directorial debut "The Iron-fisted Monk", his first film "Education of Love", the King Hu's classic "The Valiant Ones", in which Hung was both actor and martial arts director; "New Fist of Fury", the first film in which the stuntman Yuen Lau used the name Jackie Chan and assumed top billing; "Fist of Fury", the Bruce Lee's film in which Jackie Chan served as stuntman; "Seven Little Valiant Fighters" (aka "Two of a Kind") and "The Grateful Monkey" both showcase for the kids' amazing skills; and "Intimate Confessions of a Chinese Courtesan", in which Yuen Chau performed stunts.

With the help of institute alumni, the HKFA will also organise an exhibition entitled "Qi Xiao Fu 50th Anniversary Exhibition" from November 15 to February 21, 2010, at the Exhibition Hall of the HKFA, featuring rare photographs, film footage and interviews as a tribute to Master Yu Zhanyuan. To supplement the screenings and exhibition, a seminar titled "Hong Kong's Big Fortune" will be held at 5pm on 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 is free. "Qi Xiao Fu" had more than seven members, its ranks actually numbering over 70.

It was originally a troupe of child actors who performed Peking opera and acrobatics, mostly on stage but sometimes in films. They were either from poor families or too unruly for parents to discipline. Students at the Hong Kong-China Opera Institute were given names with the word "Yuen".

They were the original Yuen Clan, creating action magic long before the other famous Yuen Clan formed by Yuen Woo-ping and his late father Yuan Xiaotian. Different kids of the clan were selected for different performances according to their skills. They were trained by the demanding Yu Zhanyuan with severe discipline bordering on the Dickensian.

Yet Yu was loved and remembered by his students. Based on their opera training, the clan managed to foster remarkable careers with great adaptability and tenacious determination. The harsh training prepared the clan so well that some of them went on to global fame and influence.

Who would have thought years ago that thetimid and thin, and not-yet-teenage student in the "Education of Love" (1961), an adaptation of Edmondo De Amicis's heartwarming book "Cuore", would grow up to become the heavyset kung fu star Sammo Hung? Even though it was his first appearance in cinema, Hung, billed as Chu Yuen-lung, already glowed with a star quality that foretold the greatness to come. In director King Hu's "The Valiant Ones" (1975), Hung is already moving out of the stuntman shade to cast his wide shadow on the landscape of Hong Kong films and martial arts cinema. His action choreography matches Hu's brilliant decoupage step by dynamic step, demonstrating clearly his mastery of martial arts direction.

The print to be screened is an early restoration project by the HKFA, parts of which were repaired digitally. Hung's directorial debut, "The Iron-fisted Monk" (1977), not only ushered in the era of kung fu comedies, but also arguably marked the beginning of his tenure as "Big Brother" of Hong Kong cinema in a golden age that reached its peak in the 1980s. The film impresses the audience with its superbly staged fight scenes, and even more importantly, its intimate and sometimes humorous portrayal of Cantonese folk life.

Bruce Lee's "Fist of Fury" (1972) likely changed Jackie Chan's life. Under the name Chan Yuen-lau, he served as stuntman for the Japanese villain played by Hashimoto Riki. His remarkable stunts and dedicated work ethic caught the eye of producer Willie Chan and director Lo Wei, who later invited him to be the leading actor in the sequel "New Fist of Fury" (1976).

This is the film in which Jackie Chan becomes Jackie Chan, emerging from the obscurity of his Yuen Lau days to assume top billing. Action choreographed by Master Yu Zhanyuan, "Seven Little Valiant Fighters" (1962) features the Yuen Clan kids, who act, clown but mostly perform, tumbling in and out of scenes and fighting different kinds of creatures. The extra pleasure of this film comes from recognising Sammo Hung, Jackie Chan, Yuen Wah and Ng Ming-choi among the hyperactive munchkins.

The clan is mobilised to play kid monkeys in the costume sing-song palatial drama "The Grateful Monkey" (1963). Their amazing acrobatics manifested not only animal qualities, but also superhuman capacities. The students in the Hong Kong-China Opera Institute had their fair share of girls who certainly knew their kicks and punches.

Director Chor Yuen's "Intimate Confessions of a Chinese Courtesan" (1972) attained its cult status largely on the evocative chemistry between the two female leads as they exploit, seduce, bed and fight each other in a relationship more complicated than love-hate. Without the stunt work of Yuen Chau and her partner Sharon Yang Panpan, the intensity of that relationship would not be the same. All the films are either in Mandarin or Cantonese.

"Intimate Confessions of a Chinese Courtesan", "The Valiant Ones", "Fist of Fury", "New Fist of Fury" and "The Iron-fisted Monk" have English subtitles. "The Iron-fisted Monk" has been classified as Category III and only ticket holders aged 18 and above will be admitted. Tickets priced at $30 for the screenings are available at all URBTIX outlets.

Half-price 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 and Cultural Services Department.

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

Source: HKSAR Government

7thspace.com

More on China Drama Acadamy 50 years Celebration

We all know that the Seven Little Fortunes and the China Drama Acadamy is celebrating their 50th Anniversary this year, but the events planned for this year are not over:

For its 50th anniversary, Seven Little Fortunes members would perform charity work. On November 13 an anniversary celebration will be held at Intercontinental Hotel. Overseas brethren will return to Hong Kong to attend. Master Yu Jim Yuen's daughter Yu So Chau will return from San Francisco as well. Limited edition Seven Little Fortunes figurines and member interview DVD will be sold for charity.

HONG KONG TOP TEN BLOG

For more photos from 25.06.2009 and an interesting report:  HONG KONG TOP TEN BLOG

For the rest of the posts on this blog about Jackie: HONG KONG TOP TEN BLOG  Some are old news, but still interesting.

One little bit of information that caught my eye that I did not know was this:

Jackie Chan was originally named Chan Kong Sun, family name Fong Si Lung. Reportedly he was the descendant of the famous Tang Dynasty official Fang Xuanling.

Information on Fang Xuanling at Wikipedia

 I suspect this is wishful thinking on the part of some one. How one could trace ancestry back that far I have no idea. But it's a nice idea though.