Renowned Hong Kong filmmaker Shi Nansheng has been facing immune system issues in recent years, and a bacterial infection led to multiple organ failure, causing her to pass away at the age of 75 on the evening of the 13th at Hong Kong’s Union Hospital.
Shi Nansheng had nurtured stars like Brigitte Lin, Leslie Cheung, and Joey Wong. Brigitte Lin posted a black and white photo of their everyday interactions on the 14th, mourning on social media: “Heartbroken, still have to let go. As a good friend of Shi Nansheng, the best way to repay her is to pass on the energy of love just like her.” Stars like Joey Wong, Carina Lau, Donnie Yen, and Shu Qi all expressed their condolences.
With a career spanning over 50 years, Shi Nansheng and Tsui Hark were once the famous “eternal couple of wuxia films” in Hong Kong’s film industry, maintaining a personal and professional bond for 36 years. Despite their divorce in 2014, they remained friends and partners in their endeavors.
Following Shi Nansheng’s passing, Tsui Hark appeared visibly distressed on the 13th evening and choked up when speaking to the media at the hospital: “Over the years, Shi Nansheng’s immune system weakened, yet she continuously fought against the illness with indomitable spirit. Recently, her immune system significantly deteriorated, leading to viral infection and organ failures. She wished the sadness and longing for her departure to be transformed into strength and warmth, hoping for peace and her spirit to be with us.”
Known as the “Talented Lady of Hong Kong,” Shi Nansheng co-produced numerous iconic Hong Kong films with Tsui Hark during the golden age of Hong Kong cinema in the 1980s, including “A Better Tomorrow,” “A Chinese Ghost Story,” “Once Upon a Time in China” series, “New Dragon Gate Inn,” and “The Legend of the Swordsman”. While serving as the Vice President of the “Golden Harvest” film company, she produced classic Hong Kong films like “Infernal Affairs,” making significant contributions to Hong Kong cinema. She was also honored with international awards such as the Golden Camera Award at the Berlin International Film Festival and last year received the “Hong Kong Film Award for Lifetime Achievement” alongside Tsui Hark.
Shi Nansheng and Brigitte Lin shared a friendship of over forty years, with Brigitte Lin considering Shi Nansheng a precious person in her life. Shi Nansheng not only invited Brigitte Lin to Hong Kong in the 1980s for the filming of “The Swordsman,” but also produced “Swordsman II” in which Brigitte Lin starred. They never missed important moments in each other’s lives, such as when Brigitte Lin got married to Peter Chan; Shi Nansheng officiated the wedding. Brigitte Lin also served as the presenter when Shi Nansheng and Tsui Hark received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Hong Kong Film Awards last year.