„Island of Fire” HKL Interview:
Truant and Peking Opera
When I was small, I didn’t like to study. Everyone worked hard in my
family then. Society wasn’t as prosperous. Everyone had to work. Father
and Mother didn’t have time to take care of me. They had to work. The
servant would bring me to school and when he left, I left too. I always
played truant. Then a friend suggested I join the Peking Opera and
learnt from Master Yee. So I did and I was there 7 years.
Starting in the business
During my time in the Opera, as a young boy, I started doing child
parts. As I grew older, I started doing there action films. I was a
stuntman and a lion dancer and that’s it up to now.
His first break in films
Handsome men were lacking at that time, so they made me the lead, ugly and fat as I am.
Acting vs directing
I prefer to be behind the camera. I like to be director. I can express
my feelings, my everyday thoughts and feelings to an audience. I can
express myself to an audience when I’m directing. As an actor I
couldn’t do this. The actor has to listen to the director. We must act
accordingly to how the director interprets the story. As a
director, I can put into action whatever I like.
Future plans and new talent
I work behind the camera mainly and a little in front of the camera.
Sometimes I’m jealous of the actors in front of the camera. I want to
take part as well. If I write my own script and there is an interesting
character that suits me, then I will do it. But I encourage the young
actors to get rid of the oldies. I give them a chance.
Creating the stars of tomorrow
Yes, I have brought in a lot of people, Yuen Biao and Yuen Wah, Leung
Kar Yan and a lot of others. They are very talented. There is a chance.
I’m not the only one who makes it happen. But I brought in a lot of new
talent. Yes, my aim is to bring in as many people as possible, because
I feel there’s not enough actors a the moment. Under these
circumstances directors are afraid to introduce new faces, because
cinema is not very successful at the moment. The popular actors are the
very good ones, and they appear in every film. I hope more directors
and producers will support the new actors and I hope the audience will
accept them. Before it was easier for a director or a filmcompany to
push a new actor in the cinema. Nowadays it is difficult to push new
actors. I hope the directors and audience will give them plenty of
support. Otherwise you will always see the same faces.
Getting the balance right between action and comedy
I’m very confused. Because my main talent is in action and comedy. But
in my heart, I want to do more serious films. It’s a struggle. I can’t
always tell what the audience needs, or what they want me to be. So if
there’s a little action in the film, then I don’t lose my image, my
shadow. So I’m still struggling, but I mainly do kung fu.
How Sammo keeps his action style fresh after so many films
Yes, the techniques are all similar. You only change the image on the
screen. Also different rhythms. Each film is different. That’s how I
deal with it.
Is it difficult?
Very difficult, very difficult. But I think and think. I need more special food to replenish my brain.
Master of styles
When I know what style of kung fut he film is about, I will start
fromthere. For example if it’s Wing Chun style, I’ll learn it myself
first, then I will teach the actors. If it is Pak Pai or Nam Kuen, I’ll
learn it myself and teach them. Therefore I must know first which style
I want to express in a particular film. When I’ve decided, then I’ll
learn.
King of Kung-Fu?
No, I wouldn’t call myself the king of kung fu. I just do my best.
There are plenty better than me. For example, Bruce Lee, he has his own
style of fighting. We learn a lot from him, and we change a lot of his
stuff. I think films are changing all the time. This helps improve
everything for society as well as films and all mankind.