Hong Kong veteran filmmaker Shi Nansheng passed away before her birthday at the age of 75, reigniting interest in the classic stories she left behind in the film industry. One of the stories that stands out is how Maggie Cheung, before making her debut, worked as a children’s clothing saleswoman in a department store. Despite being rejected by a director for not being “pretty enough,” Shi Nansheng’s encouragement led her to participate in the Miss Hong Kong pageant, eventually rising to become an international film queen.
During her time at “New Art City,” Shi Nansheng nurtured a large number of new actors. She earnestly advised new actors like Yuen Kit Ying, Law Mei Mei, Chan Ka Ling, and Law Ming Chu to read more, emphasizing the importance of self-improvement through education. She believed that knowledge is the best dowry one could have, and reading books was the best way to self-improve. She candidly told the newcomers, “Hard work is crucial in this industry. Diligence does not guarantee success, but without effort, one surely has no chance. Relying solely on appearances is not sustainable in the long run.”
Maggie Cheung, back when she was working as a sales clerk in the children’s department at Lane Crawford, a British department store in Central, caught the attention of director Yang Fan, who recommended her to Shi Nansheng, describing her as having a unique charm. After meeting Maggie Cheung, Shi Nansheng recalled, “The first time she came to see me, I remembered what she was wearing. She had buck teeth, a cheerful personality, not a conventional beauty but exuded elegance.”
Having high regard for Maggie Cheung, Shi Nansheng enthusiastically recommended her to director Stone for the film “Chasing Girls.” However, after auditioning Maggie Cheung, Stone dismissed her with the comment, “Not pretty enough,” casting two other actresses for the leading roles. While Shi Nansheng was disappointed, she could do nothing about it.
After facing setbacks in the film auditions, Maggie Cheung confided in Shi Nansheng about her intention to compete in the Miss Hong Kong pageant. Without hesitation, Shi Nansheng encouraged her, saying, “Go for it, this is a shortcut to fame!” In 1983, Maggie Cheung rose to fame in the Miss Hong Kong pageant, winning the first runner-up and the award for “Most Photogenic,” which marked the beginning of her acting career.
As Maggie Cheung quickly gained fame, directors who had previously rejected her seemed to have a change of heart and sought out Shi Nansheng to cast her in their films. Responding firmly to the requests, Shi Nansheng bluntly said, “It’s too late! She has already signed with TVB.” This showed her unwavering support and protection of Maggie Cheung.
Entering the entertainment industry, Maggie Cheung starred in popular Hong Kong dramas like “New Justice Bao” and “Painted Rainbow,” as well as in nearly 80 films. She garnered five Hong Kong Film Awards and four Taiwan Golden Horse Awards for Best Actress, holding the record for both accolades. Additionally, Maggie Cheung remains the only Chinese actress to have won top acting awards at prestigious events like the Berlin International Film Festival, Cannes Film Festival, and Asia-Pacific Film Festival.
Maggie Cheung considers Shi Nansheng as her mentor and dear friend for life, expressing her gratitude through various heartfelt and thoughtful gestures. During Shi Nansheng’s later years and hospitalization, Maggie Cheung was frequently seen discreetly visiting her in the hospital, setting aside all work and distractions to silently accompany Shi Nansheng through the final journey of her life.
Author Amy Cheung portrayed the classic independent female character “Cheung Nam Soon” in the novel “Flowing Golden Years,” with the real-life inspiration being Shi Nansheng. In the film adaptation of “Flowing Golden Years,” Maggie Cheung portrayed the role of “Cheung Nam Soon,” showcasing Shi Nansheng’s sophisticated, free-spirited, and extraordinary demeanor on the big screen as a profound tribute and expression of gratitude towards her mentor.
In her career choices, Maggie Cheung has been deeply influenced by Shi Nansheng’s encouragement to “be yourself and not blindly follow traditional standards.” Her later rejection of being labeled as a flower vase, following her inner voice, and even stepping back from the film industry to pursue her music dream, exemplify her genuine personality that continues to uphold Shi Nansheng’s strength of character.