Another day, another spur of the moment adventure with Bey Logan and his meeting with one of Hong Kong’s finest filmmakers - Ng See-Yuen. About Ng See-Yuen (be blown away by his IMDB)
If you are a Jackie Chan fan you will certainly be familiar with Drunken Master (1978), Snake in the Eagle’s Shadow (1978) & Twin Dragons (1992). These are films that Ng See-Yuen produced/ co-wrote.
Ng is one of Hong Kong’s treasured filmmakers, having made over 40 Chinese films,
including (Drunken Master (1978), Andy Lau in God of Gamblers (1991), Once Upon Time in China, I, II, III, Game of Death IIand Stephen Chow in “The Saint of Gamblers”.
His film “No Retreat, No Surrender” (1986), which he wrote and produced was a cult classic that marked the beginnings of martial art films in Hollywood.
This man was responsible for discovering talents of Jackie Chan, Jean Claude Van Damme, Woo Ping, Billy Blanks, Tsui Hark, and Corey Yuen.
Bey then retold his comical early years of chasing down Mr Ng for an interview, after being so persistent, leaping onto Mr Ng’s boat (at the same time, almost missing it), and finally achieving the task that he set out.
“Epic fail, Maria!,” my internal voice kicked in. How did I not know this?
I sighed with relief that there was no action film entry test to get into Hong Kong; because if I'd failed I could imagine border security would of unleashed their band of Kung Fu fighters and beaten me to a pulp.
And here I am, sitting wedged between Bey and Ng, while my insides were jello that I had a hard time eating the scrumptious Yum Cha at Ecky’s (Nathan Rd, Tsim Sha Tsui).
I must say, I’m quite impressed with Bey’s Cantonese, prior to that, he even impressed an older lady in the elevator – who was shocked that I knew nothing and a “Gweilo” was so conversationally versed in it.
Anyhow, back to the table. The conversations between Bey, Ng and the committee was engaging. Even though, I didn’t speak Cantonese, I can pick up bits of what the conversation was going. It was about, films galore – the past, the present and the future, in Hong Kong, China and the world.
I got to hear what’s going on in terms of the market, the who’s who of what and future directions for the next generations. Then this hit me, if it wasn't for the 'Quest' I would of been at home speculating like most people. I would of still moaned and groaned about the industry and its lack of support. Of course the industry doesn't support moany or poor-me attitudes but perseverance and hard work.
The people who are at the top like Ng have worked bloody hard. I believe they develop extra sensory mechanisms to detect the energy levels of their stakeholders, colleagues and audience. I mean, if they don't, then there is such a high chance of "missing it", whether through the cast, crew, investors or audience.
Intriguing isn't? High Emotional Intelligence (EI) and low EGO (Energy that Goes Over-the-top). [I made that up...].
It interesting though, being amongst people who are constantly churning stuff out, good, bad or weird, doesn't matter, but the level of energy to surpass a "one hit wonders" but "many wonders" consistently is amazing.
And in the magic of HK cinema is, its seems once your are in, you are family. Everyone knows each other, and while sometimes sibling rivalry may occur between companies or people, there are still tender moments where team spirit plays out.
The conversations then lead to Cynthia Rothrock, Jackie Chan, Donnie Yen, Maggie Q, Tony Jaa etc…Imagine…these are some of the hottest properties in Asian action pictures, and I’m here listening to it (My ears! I ain’t washing them).
Bey even mentioned “Maximum Choppage” to Ng (Timothy Ly, that’s one to you, and if you got a copy to spare , send it over so he can check it out).
12.33am....comfortably alone...amongst the greats of knowledge...and kick ass DVDs
Just had dinner and now doing some transcript work for the documentary for “The Blood Bond”. This is perhaps B&E Productions film release of their film and will be hitting cinemas across Hong Kong from the 27th of January, 2010. Check out the trailer here. The book is a good read and you can check it out at Dymocks or HMV in Hong Kong.
Me? How am I feeling? Its been almost 6 months of my travel time (across the states of Australia, country New South Wales and now Hong Kong). I’m missing home, and feeling very rugged. I have literally been leaving out of my suitcase and my wardrobe attire has been less than pleasing. I wash my panties Jackie Chan style (in the bathroom and air dried). My sleep patterns are unpredictable when there are strange things that I share a space with go bump in the night.
By the way, I haven’t heard much from Dad or Mum, they must of replaced me with that cactus I bought them a year ago. Well...at least it won't fight back.
Only 3 weeks to go and then home time. Then I got to plan to for “Quest for Jackie Chan!” production shoots, post production, marketing and promotions and epic launch at Information & Cultural Exchange (ICE) state of the art exhibition centre by December, 2011. Then, of course, the nation-wide screenings that I have to secure and the to wrap up the project and move on to bigger and better things.
Yea..you must be wondering, what the hell is “Quest for Jackie Chan!” all about? A doco? A movie? What’s its feel? Where’s the script? Lol! All I can promise you is, I will deliver. Whatever the outcome is, there will be a story told. I'm crazy, visionary, and pedantic and I never settle for failure. I think that is a trait that became more so evident during this project. Every moment is precious....
So stay tuned and stop asking so many questions!
Signing out,
Maria Tran
Bey Logan, Maria Tran & Ng See Yuen
to earth yet daring and she is bloody hard working. From being a bikini model to now a full time business owner of "Design for Pleasure" she's definitely boldly independent, even with two very young kids of her own.
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