Less famous internationally than his peer Yuen Woo Ping or Samo Hung, the hard working choreographer Tony Leung Siu Hung is no less talented than those big names. His filmography speaks for itself: Coolie Killer, Long Arm of the Law 3, My Heart is That Eternal Rose, Angel, Tragic Hero, The Master Strikes… An impressive number of great action scenes bear his style. His talent and positive energy even lead him to the position of vice chairman of the Hong Kong Stuntmen Association. A great career this lengthy interview attempts to pay a tribute to.
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Once upon a time a stuntman in Hong Kong |
HKCinemagic : Can you tell us about your martial arts background?
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Tony Leung Siu Hung : I was trained by my elder brother, Bruce Leung. He taught me Karate, Wing Chun, Tae Kwon Do and all the skills to be a stuntman. When I grew up, I studied myself other styles like Hung Kuen and different other styles of Kung Fu (Tai Chi, Bao Gua …); all the styles needed to become a stunt choreographer.
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HKCinemagic : So, from the start, you did all this in order to work as an action choreographer?
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Tony Leung Siu Hung : Yes. The first day I started as a stuntman, I'll always remember those words from my brother “Don't ever think to always be a stuntman. You are getting older and older and you can't do anything when you are old. So, at least, you should become a stunt choreographer”. I'll always remember that. And that's why I learned all those styles. |
Bruce Leung, brother and teacher of Tony Leung Siu Hung |
HKCinemagic :
The first credit we have for you is on Rage of the Wind in 1973. But I guess you already worked in the industry before
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Tony Leung Siu Hung : Yes, I did some stunt work and was also an assistant for my brother. |
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HKCinemagic : You did it independently or for big studios like Shaw Brothers?
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Tony Leung Siu Hung :
At the very beginning of my career, I worked for Shaw Brothers. After that, I went to different independent companies. When I started to choreograph, I basically worked as a freelance, sometimes for Shaw Brothers or any other company ready to hire me. |
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The master strikes : Leung in front of the cameras |
HKCinemagic :
Let's talk about your short acting career. You never made it to the top, was it a deliberate choice from you?
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Tony Leung Siu Hung : I did several works as the lead, including for Shaw Brothers. There was one in which I co-starred with Austin Wai but I forgot the title… |
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HKCinemagic : Did you enjoy the experience?
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Tony Leung Siu Hung : Well, you got to be punctual when you are an actor. Be on time on the set and try to do your job the best possible. And that's it. Being a stunt choreographer or a director, you have to deal with all the time constraints. You work 9 Hours a day, all the week and usually, there will be some overtime work. But it's not enough to make a movie! It's so tough to be the director or the stunt choreographer. |
Tony Leung Siu Hung action movie star in Enter the Fat Dragon |
HKCinemagic :
Then, why didn't you stay in the acting department?
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Tony Leung Siu Hung : On the other hand, the job of director or stunt choreographer deals with creativity. It makes you really happy when you manage to make your idea real. This feeling was much better for me than just being an actor. |
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HKCinemagic : In 36 Crazy Fists, you were directed for the action by Jackie Chan. How was your collaboration? |
Tony Leung Siu Hung : We know each other since we are little boys. But we have different styles of action choreography. I got some difficulties working with him because of this difference. |
Tony Leung Siu Hung (far left) in Monkey Kung Fu
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HKCinemagic : He was more into acrobatics?
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Tony Leung Siu Hung : Yes. And even if we learned the same Kung Fu style, like Tiger Claw, we have a different way to do it, different combination, and different speed. So I got to be acquainted to his style at the very beginning and it was tough. After that, it went fine. |
French poster of 36th Crazy Fists
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HKCinemagic :
Do you think he used your full capacities as a martial artist or you still had much to give?
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Tony Leung Siu Hung : I just did what he asked me. Sometimes, the director also asked me to do something by myself. But I can tell you, I'm not very good at somersaults. I can do something but not as well as Jackie Chan. So he realised that and compromised with the decision of the director and also designed somersaults which were better suited for me. |
Tony Leung Siu Hung fighting Fung Hak On in 36 th Crazy Fists |
HKCinemagic :
In Enter the Fat Dragon, you worked with Sammo Hung… |
Tony Leung Siu Hung :
Ah, yes, Samo!
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HKCinemagic :
In there, you had a very short scene as a fake Bruce Lee. How did you get this part? |
Tony Leung Siu Hung : I was a stuntman then and my profile looked like Bruce Lee. And that's why I got asked to play him. |
Tony Leung Siu Hung acting as a fake Bruce Lee
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HKCinemagic : Was it difficult to do the scene as Samo is known for his power?
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Tony Leung Siu Hung : Not really, because as a stuntman, I'm used to take any kind of hit. There was no problem at all. |
Tony Leung Siu Hung about to be hit by the great Samo Hung in Enter the Fat Dragon
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