Ng See-Yuen
Encyclopedia
Ng See-yuen, born 1944 in Shanghai
is a Chinese
director of independent film
companies
in Hong Kong
. He has worked in the Hong Kong film industry
since 1970, particularly in Hong Kong action cinema
, with roles including film director
, producer
and screenwriter
.
Ng is the chairman of the Federation of Hong Kong Filmmakers.
, where his official title was "Executive". The first film he was involved in was The Chinese Boxer (1970), on which he worked as assistant director
to film director
Jimmy Wang Yu
.
In 1975, he founded Seasonal Films Corporation. The first film produced by the company was Secret Rivals
in 1976, which Ng also directed.
Ng produced and co-wrote Snake in the Eagle's Shadow
(1978) and Drunken Master
, which were both the first films directed by Yuen Woo-ping
, and Jackie Chan
's first real successes at the domestic box office.
In 1985, Ng was the first Hong Kong producer to make a film in the USA that successfully showed the Hong Kong style of action, when he worked with Corey Yuen
on No Retreat, No Surrender
, which starred then unknowns Kurt McKinney
and Jean-Claude Van Damme
.
Other notable films that Ng See-yuen worked on include Ninja in the Dragon's Den
(as co-writer and producer) and Legend of a Fighter
(as producer and writer), both in 1982. He also co-produced Jackie Chan's 1992 film Twin Dragons, and four of the Once Upon a Time in China series.
Still working in the industry, he produced Alfred Cheung
's romantic comedy
Contract Lover in 2007, and is credited as presenter for the 2008 film Legendary Assassin
.
. He holds several additional titles including Chairman of the Federation of Hong Kong Filmmakers, Honorary Permanent President of the Hong Kong Film Directors' Guild, and Advisor of the Hong Kong International Film Festival
.
In April 2007, he became an official member of the Hong Kong Film Development Council. In this capacity, he has been a vocal advocate for the introduction of a motion picture rating system
in China
and has spoken out on issues such as Mainland China's policies toward the co-production of films with other nations and censorship.
Ng is also the founder of "UME International Cineplex," one of the largest cinema chains in China, with five-star cineplexes in Guangzhou, Shanghai, Chongqing, Hangzhou and an IMAX
cineplex in Beijing. "UME" is an acronym for Ultimate Movie Experience.
Shanghai
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...
is a Chinese
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
director of independent film
Independent film
An independent film, or indie film, is a professional film production resulting in a feature film that is produced mostly or completely outside of the major film studio system. In addition to being produced and distributed by independent entertainment companies, independent films are also produced...
companies
Production company
A production company provides the physical basis for works in the realms of the performing arts, new media art, film, television, radio, and video.- Tasks and functions :...
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...
. He has worked in the Hong Kong film industry
Cinema of Hong Kong
The cinema of Hong Kong is one of the three major threads in the history of Chinese language cinema, alongside the cinema of China, and the cinema of Taiwan...
since 1970, particularly in Hong Kong action cinema
Hong Kong action cinema
Hong Kong action cinema is the principal source of the Hong Kong film industry's global fame. It combines elements from the action film, as codified by Hollywood, with Chinese storytelling and aesthetic traditions, to create a culturally distinctive form that nevertheless has a wide transcultural...
, with roles including film director
Film director
A film director is a person who directs the actors and film crew in filmmaking. They control a film's artistic and dramatic nathan roach, while guiding the technical crew and actors.-Responsibilities:...
, producer
Film producer
A film producer oversees and delivers a film project to all relevant parties while preserving the integrity, voice and vision of the film. They will also often take on some financial risk by using their own money, especially during the pre-production period, before a film is fully financed.The...
and screenwriter
Screenwriter
Screenwriters or scriptwriters or scenario writers are people who write/create the short or feature-length screenplays from which mass media such as films, television programs, Comics or video games are based.-Profession:...
.
Ng is the chairman of the Federation of Hong Kong Filmmakers.
Filmmaking
His career in the industry began at Shaw Brothers StudioShaw Brothers Studio
The Shaw Brothers Studio , owned by Shaw Brothers Ltd., was the foremost and the largest movie production company of Hong Kong movies.From their distribution base in Singapore where they founded parent company Shaw Organization in 1924, and as a strategic development of their movie distribution...
, where his official title was "Executive". The first film he was involved in was The Chinese Boxer (1970), on which he worked as assistant director
Assistant director
The role of an Assistant director include tracking daily progress against the filming production schedule, arranging logistics, preparing daily call sheets, checking cast and crew, maintaining order on the set. They also have to take care of health and safety of the crew...
to film director
Film director
A film director is a person who directs the actors and film crew in filmmaking. They control a film's artistic and dramatic nathan roach, while guiding the technical crew and actors.-Responsibilities:...
Jimmy Wang Yu
Jimmy Wang Yu
Jimmy Wang Yu is a Chinese actor, director, producer, and screenwriter. He shot to fame with the Shaw Brothers Studio's martial arts film, The One-Armed Swordsman, in 1967...
.
In 1975, he founded Seasonal Films Corporation. The first film produced by the company was Secret Rivals
Secret Rivals
Secret Rivals aka Northern Leg, Southern Fist aka Silver Fox Rivals is a 1976 kung fu film directed by James Nam and Ng See Yuen and starring Hwang Jang Lee, John Liu and Wong Tao.-Plot:...
in 1976, which Ng also directed.
Ng produced and co-wrote Snake in the Eagle's Shadow
Snake in the Eagle's Shadow
Snake in the Eagle's Shadow is a 1978 Hong Kong martial arts action film directed by Yuen Woo-ping his directorial debut, who has since gained international stardom as the action choreographer for films such as Iron Monkey, Fist of Legend, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, The Matrix series, Kill...
(1978) and Drunken Master
Drunken Master
Drunken Master, also known as Drunk Monkey In The Tiger's Eye, is a 1978 Hong Kong martial arts comedy film directed by Yuen Woo-ping, and starring Jackie Chan, Yuen Siu-tien, and Hwang Jang Lee...
, which were both the first films directed by Yuen Woo-ping
Yuen Woo-ping
Yuen Woo-ping is a Chinese martial arts choreographer and film director, renowned as one of the most successful and influential figures in the world of Hong Kong action cinema. He is one of the inductees on the Avenue of Stars in Hong Kong...
, and Jackie Chan
Jackie Chan
Jackie Chan, SBS, MBE is a Hong Kong actor, action choreographer, comedian, director, producer, martial artist, screenwriter, entrepreneur, singer and stunt performer. In his movies, he is known for his acrobatic fighting style, comic timing, use of improvised weapons, and innovative stunts...
's first real successes at the domestic box office.
In 1985, Ng was the first Hong Kong producer to make a film in the USA that successfully showed the Hong Kong style of action, when he worked with Corey Yuen
Corey Yuen
Corey Yuen Kwai is a Hong Kong actor, filmmaker and producer. He was a member of the Peking Opera Schools and one of the Seven Little Fortunes.-Life and career:...
on No Retreat, No Surrender
No Retreat, No Surrender
No Retreat, No Surrender is a 1986 American martial arts sports film written and directed by Corey Yuen his American directorial debut, and starring Kurt McKinney, Jean-Claude Van Damme and Tai Chung Kim.-Plot:...
, which starred then unknowns Kurt McKinney
Kurt McKinney
Kurt Robin McKinney is an American former actor. McKinney is perhaps best known for his role as Jason Stillwell in 1986 martial arts film No Retreat, No Surrender.-Prior to acting:...
and Jean-Claude Van Damme
Jean-Claude Van Damme
Jean-Claude Camille François Van Varenberg , professionally known as Jean-Claude Van Damme, is a Belgian martial artist and actor, best known for his martial arts action films, the most successful of which include Bloodsport , Kickboxer , Double Impact , Universal Soldier , Hard Target , Timecop ,...
.
Other notable films that Ng See-yuen worked on include Ninja in the Dragon's Den
Ninja in the Dragon's Den
Ninja in the Dragon's Den is a 1982 Hong Kong martial arts film written and directed by Corey Yuen made his directorial debut, and starring Conan Lee, Hiroyuki Sanada and Hwang Jang Lee.-Plot:...
(as co-writer and producer) and Legend of a Fighter
Legend of a Fighter
Legend of a Fighter is a 1982 Hong Kong martial arts film based on the story of Chinese martial artist Huo Yuanjia...
(as producer and writer), both in 1982. He also co-produced Jackie Chan's 1992 film Twin Dragons, and four of the Once Upon a Time in China series.
Still working in the industry, he produced Alfred Cheung
Alfred Cheung
Alfred Cheung Kin-ting is a Chinese actor, director, writer and producer.-Biography:On graduating from the Chinese Language & Literature Faculty of the Hong Kong Baptist University, Alfred Cheung earned a diploma in film production from the Chinese University of Hong Kong...
's romantic comedy
Romantic Comedy
Romantic Comedy can refer to* Romantic Comedy , a 1979 play written by Bernard Slade* Romantic Comedy , a 1983 film adapted from the play and starring Dudley Moore and Mary Steenburgen...
Contract Lover in 2007, and is credited as presenter for the 2008 film Legendary Assassin
Legendary Assassin
Legendary Assassin |thriller film]] directed by and starring Wu Jing made his directorial debut along with fight choreographer Nicky Li. The film also marks the screen debut of singer, songwriter and model Celina Jade...
.
Other industry roles
Ng See-yuen is an Honorary Advisor and jury member for the Asian Film AwardsAsian Film Awards
The Asian Film Awards are presented annually by the Hong Kong International Film Festival Society to recognize excellence of film professionals in the film industries of Asian cinema.-History:...
. He holds several additional titles including Chairman of the Federation of Hong Kong Filmmakers, Honorary Permanent President of the Hong Kong Film Directors' Guild, and Advisor of the Hong Kong International Film Festival
Hong Kong International Film Festival
The Hong Kong International Film Festival is a platform for filmmakers, film professionals and filmgoers from all over the world to launch and experience new film work. There are seminars, conferences, exhibitions, and parties celebrating the festival community...
.
In April 2007, he became an official member of the Hong Kong Film Development Council. In this capacity, he has been a vocal advocate for the introduction of a motion picture rating system
Motion picture rating system
A motion picture rating system is designated to classify films with regard to suitability for audiences in terms of issues such as sex, violence, substance abuse, profanity, impudence or other types of mature content...
in China
People's Republic of China
China , officially the People's Republic of China , is the most populous country in the world, with over 1.3 billion citizens. Located in East Asia, the country covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometres...
and has spoken out on issues such as Mainland China's policies toward the co-production of films with other nations and censorship.
Ng is also the founder of "UME International Cineplex," one of the largest cinema chains in China, with five-star cineplexes in Guangzhou, Shanghai, Chongqing, Hangzhou and an IMAX
IMAX
IMAX is a motion picture film format and a set of proprietary cinema projection standards created by the Canadian company IMAX Corporation. IMAX has the capacity to record and display images of far greater size and resolution than conventional film systems...
cineplex in Beijing. "UME" is an acronym for Ultimate Movie Experience.