Happy 67th Birthday, Ching Siu-tung! Born today in 1953 as Xiaodong Cheng, this Hong Kong action choreographer, actor, producer, and film director's style of action choreography is known for its kinetic power, visual flair and lively energy.
Born in Anhui, China, Siu-tung had grown up on film sets and never paid much attention to his studies.
As and actor, Siu-tung's debut was appearing in Chinese film director and actor King Hu's ('A Touch of Zen') 1966 Hong Kong wuxia action/martial arts film 'Dà Zuì Xiá' ('Come Drink with Me'). Siu-tung was credited as Boy Killed at Monastery.
When he was around seven or eight, Siu-tung's father, Chinese film director Gang Cheng, was a Shaw Brothers Studio director.
Cheng later sent Siu-tung to The Eastern Drama Academy, operated by veteran Cantonese opera playwright, scriptwriter, and film director Tang Ti-sheng.
This was to learn Peking opera and the Northern style of martial arts.
Sui-tung later studied in the Eastern Drama Academy and trained in Northern Style Kung Fu for seven years.
After this time, he began working as a martial arts stuntman and body double on film sets.
In the 1970s, Sui-tung was promoted to the position of martial arts coordinator.
He then followed Chinese stuntman, actor, producer and director Anthony Leung (also known as Pasan Leung) to work at Commercial Television as assistant martial arts coordinator.
Siu-tung later became the chief martial arts coordinator on a television series.
At the invitation of Chinese film director Siu Sang, Sui-tung joined Rediffusion TV and was involved with a handful of series.
He also appeared in front of the camera, playing the leading role in a couple of films as well as acting as martial arts coordinator.
In the early 1980s, Siu-tung he made his directorial debut.
This was with his ground-breaking wuxia classic, being the 1982 Hong Kong action/drama film 'Xian si jue' ('Duel to the Death').
The following year, he was recruited by TVB and served as the martial arts coordinator on various series.
Three years later, Siu-tung directed and coordinated the martial arts for his 1986 Hong Kong supernatural horror film 'Qi yuan' ('Witch from Nepal').
One year later, the film won Best Action Choreography. This occurred at the 6th Hong Kong Film Awards in late April 1987.
Later that same year, Siu-tung directed the film of which he is best known.
This was the 1987 Hong Kong romantic comedy horror/fantasy film 'Qiàn Nǚ Yōu Hún' (lit. 'The Ethereal Spirit of Beauty'). It is best known as 'A Chinese Ghost Story'.
The film was produced by Hong Kong film director, producer and screenwriter Tsui Hark ('Peking Opera Blues', 'Once Upon a Time in China').
In this martial arts film, Ling Choi San (Leslie Cheung), a traveling tax collector, takes shelter for the night in an abandoned temple.
When he meets the lovely maiden Lip Siu-sin (Joey Wang), Ling immediately falls for her.
Unfortunately, Ling later discovers that she is a ghost who is forced to serve a cruel demon, and he resolves to save her from the evil spirit.
Enlisting the aid of Taoist warrior Yin Chek Hsia (Wu Ma), Ling ventures into a supernatural realm to save Lip's soul.
The film was popular in Hong Kong and several Asian countries, including South Korea and Japan.
Although 'A Chinese Ghost Story' could not gain access to movie theaters in mainland China when it was first released, it became a cult film among young people in the mainland, especially the generation born in the 1980s.
Most notably, the film boosted the stardom of Wong, won Cheung popularity in Japan, and sparked a trend of folklore ghost films in the Hong Kong film industry.
This included two sequels, an animated film, a television series and a 2011 remake of the same name.
Of his directorial output, Siu-tung's most notable is his 1990 Hong Kong comedy horror/romance film 'Sien lui yau wan II: Yan gaan dou' ('A Chinese Ghost Story II: The Story Continues'). Again, Hark served as producer.
In the early 2000s, Siu-tung continued his role as action director/choreographer throughout this period, and has continued to work in that role on high-profile international successes.
These included the 2001 Hong Kong/Chinese sports comedy/action film 'Shàolín Zúqiú' ('Shaolin Soccer'), the 2002 Chinese wuxia action/drama film 'Yīngxióng' ('Hero'), and the 2004 Chinese/Hong Kong wuxia action/romance film 'Shí Miàn Mái Fú' ('House of Flying Daggers').
During this time, Siu-tung was nominated twice for Best Action Choreography at the 21st Hong Kong Film Awards. This occurred in late April 2002.
The following year, he won for his efforts on 'Hero'. This occurred at the 33rd Hong Kong Film Awards in early April 2003.
Later that same year, Six-tung made his film debut in the United States. This was in directing Steven Seagal in the direct-to-video 2003 American action film 'Belly of the Beast'.
The film was ranked number 50 of the Best 100 Chinese Motion Pictures. This occurred at the 24th Hong King Film Awards in late March 2005.
Three years later, Chinese film director, producer, writer, actor, and former cinematographer Zhang Yimou ('Red Sorghum', 'Raise the Red Lantern', 'Hero'), invited Siu-tung to act as the chief action choreographer at the opening ceremony of the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing.
Also known as Tony Ching, Siu-tung has been active from 1966–present.
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