Chin Tsi-Ang
Encyclopedia
Chin Tsi-Ang (February 22, 1909 – October 15, 2007), also Chin Tsi-(H)ang and Chi Chi-Ang, was one among the earliest martial-arts actors of the Chinese film industry, and the first female star. She debuted in Dream of South China (南华梦) in 1925 at the age of 16, and played a leading role in The Lady Swordfighter of Jiang-Nan (江南女侠, Jiangnan Nüxia) in 1930.
. When she was an infant, her parents were told by a fortune-teller that in order to avoid an early death, she would have to be brought up like a boy. She was therefore permitted to engage in activities usually reserved for males, although her gender sometimes had to be disguised. She began martial arts training at the age of 8, later going on to perform all of her own stunts as well as choreograph scenes.
She married director Hung Chung-Ho, with whom she had seven children (one of her grandchildren is Sammo Hung
), and having become a star in Shanghai, they moved to Hong Kong
, where they formed the Sanxing Film Company, which specialized in wuxia and produced the first Fong Sai-Yuk
film in 1938. It existed until 1963, when the Chinese government requisitioned its properties. Her husband died not long afterwards. She largely retired from filmmaking at this time, although she has since appeared in cameo roles, one of the most recent being in Kar Wai Wong's In the Mood for Love
at age 90.
Chin died in Hong Kong
on October 15, 2007.
Biography
Chin was born and raised in ShanghaiShanghai
Shanghai is the largest city by population in China and the largest city proper in the world. It is one of the four province-level municipalities in the People's Republic of China, with a total population of over 23 million as of 2010...
. When she was an infant, her parents were told by a fortune-teller that in order to avoid an early death, she would have to be brought up like a boy. She was therefore permitted to engage in activities usually reserved for males, although her gender sometimes had to be disguised. She began martial arts training at the age of 8, later going on to perform all of her own stunts as well as choreograph scenes.
She married director Hung Chung-Ho, with whom she had seven children (one of her grandchildren is Sammo Hung
Sammo Hung
Sammo Hung is a Hong Kong actor, martial artist, film producer and director, known for his work in many martial arts films and Hong Kong action cinema...
), and having become a star in Shanghai, they moved to Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
, where they formed the Sanxing Film Company, which specialized in wuxia and produced the first Fong Sai-Yuk
Fong Sai-Yuk
Fong Sai-yuk is a Chinese martial artist and folk hero. He is first introduced in Wuxia stories from the Qing Dynasty such as Wan Nian Qing. He is also featured in several forms of media, of which the most notable is the 1993 film Fong Sai-yuk.-Early life:Fong Sai-yuk is a native of Zhaoqing,...
film in 1938. It existed until 1963, when the Chinese government requisitioned its properties. Her husband died not long afterwards. She largely retired from filmmaking at this time, although she has since appeared in cameo roles, one of the most recent being in Kar Wai Wong's In the Mood for Love
In the Mood for Love
In the Mood for Love is a 2000 Hong Kong film directed by Wong Kar-wai, starring Maggie Cheung and Tony Leung...
at age 90.
Chin died in Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
on October 15, 2007.