HKFA presents Yuen Clan films and exhibition

As we previously reported, this year marks the 50th anniversary of the formation of Master Yu Jim-yuen’s China Drama Academy which provided the demanding Chinese opera training for Jackie Chan, Sammo Hung, Yuen Biao, Yueh Wah, Corey Yuen, and many other Hong Kong action film talents of the past 40 years.

In June, Seven Little Fortunes alum reunited in Hong Kong to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the formation of Master Yu Jim-yuen’s China Drama Academy. Pictured is Jackie Chan, Sammo Hung and Yuen Biao.

To this day, most of these members retain the stage name “Yuen” to honor their master, hence being collectively called the Yuen Clan. I should point out that when referring to the Yuen Clan on this site, unless otherwise stated we’re usually talking about a different group of Chinese-opera trained film talents comprised of the late Simon Yuen Siu-tien and six of his 11 children including Yuen Woo-ping who followed him into the filmmaking business.

In celebration of the other Yuen Clan’s anniversary, the Hong Kong Film Archive is presenting “Humble Beginning: Early Films of the Yuen Clan.” From November 14 to 29, the organization will screen eight films featuring China Drama Academy alumni.

Films to be screened include Sammo Hung’s directorial debut THE IRON-FISTED MONK, Hung’s very first film EDUCATION OF LOVE, King Hu’s THE VALIANT ONES with acting and fight work from Hung, NEW FIST OF FURY which was the first film that Jackie Chan appeared in after dropping his opera stage name of “Yuen Lung,” Bruce Lee’s FIST OF FURY in which both Jackie Chan and Yuen Wah were stuntmen, INTIMITE CONFESSIONS OF A CHINESE COURTESAN where KUNG FU HUSTLE actress Yuen Qiu had her first stunt performance, and finally SEVEN LITTLE VALIANT FIGHTERS and THE GRATEFUL MONKEY which both showcase members of Master Yu’s Seven Little Fortunes troupe.

In addition to the screenings, the HKFA is organizing the “Qi Xiao Fu 50th Anniversary Exhibition” which will be open to the public from November 15 to February 21, 2010. This exhibition will feature rare photographs, film footage and interviews paying tribute to Master Yu. Coinciding with this exhibition, there will also be a free Cantonese-language seminar titled “Hong Kong’s Big Fortune” on November 21st at 5pm. Cultural critic Dr. Ng Chun-hung and film critics Po Fung and Fung Ka-ming will discuss the influence of the Yuen Clan on Hong Kong and world cinema.

For ticket information and other inquiries visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/fp or call 2739 2139 2900.

Tags: events, Hong Kong Film Archive, Seven Little Fortunes