Stephen Fung on Chow Yun-fat, John Woo and Elon Musk: the Hong Kong movie actor and director reflects on action classic A Better Tomorrow, time, timepieces and ageing gracefully

Jul 5 , 2023

What’s that on Hong Kong actor/director Stephen Fung’s wrist? We spy a J12 Spatiotemporal watch. Photo: Chanel

“When I first saw the movie A Better Tomorrow, I was attracted by Chow Yun-fat’s cool-looking character, and I was around 12 years old at that time,” recalls Stephen Fung Tak-lun in a sit-down interview with Style, reminiscing about the lasting impact the film left on his young mind. “As a kid, you’re drawn to the action and style, but as an adult, you appreciate the themes of brotherhood and moral code in the movie.”

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Fung (middle) chose to wear a T-shirt featuring a classic scene from A Better Tomorrow at the Marché du Film in Cannes this May. Photo: Marché du Film

The actor-turned-director and producer has kept that passion for John Woo’s classic gangster flick alive and, 36 years later, was invited to participate in a panel discussion on the future and significance of Hong Kong film during this year’s Cannes Film Festival. Onstage, he even wore a T-shirt featuring a classic scene from the 1986 action flick – that follows two brothers on opposing sides of the law as they grapple with loyalty, betrayal and redemption – crediting Woo’s work for igniting his lifelong passion for filmmaking.

Age has helped me understand what really matters. I’m not interested in empty compliments any more – life’s too short

Pushing creative boundaries

Making his entrance as a singer and actor in the mid-1990s, Fung made waves in the world of directing with his 2004 debut, Enter the Phoenix. He followed up with a remarkable 2005 collaboration with renowned martial arts choreographer and director Yuen Woo-ping on House of Fury, earning a nomination for best new director at the 25th Hong Kong Film Awards. In 2009, Fung directed the hit Jump, produced by the inimitable Stephen Chow.

Fung took on the roles of executive producer, director and action director for AMC’s Into the Badlands. Photo: AMC

In 2012, Fung delivered the visually striking, steampunk-inspired Tai Chi Zero and Tai Chi Hero before taking on the roles of executive producer, director and action director for AMC’s Into the Badlands, crafting breathtaking fight scenes and working with international stars like Daniel Wu and Nick Frost.

Five years later, Fung returned to the silver screen with the star-studded The Adventurers, showcasing his signature blend of humour and action in a film featuring legends Andy Lau and Jean Reno. In 2019, he expanded his reach further, shaping Netflix’s Wu Assassins.

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Turning limitations into innovation

While audiences see the creativity and artistry of directors brought to life on screen through visuals and story, the ever-humble Fung readily admits the limitations of even his role as filmmaker. “Directors are simply the ones executing the script, so it’s not like they can do whatever they want,” quips the 48-year-old.

Given the need to navigate everything from production approvals to funding and casting, Fung claims a director’s role is often more about puzzle-solving than unfettered creativity, citing Johnnie To’s 1999 film The Mission as an example. “The funding was very limited, but the director managed to think out of the box and make things interesting with the limited resources.”

Restrictions force directors to problem-solve in new ways: “I think these frameworks also stimulate us to think more, and that is a form of creativity.”

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Life’s true currency

Parallel to the evolution of his career, Fung’s personal style journey has also seen a transformation over the years. The former heartthrob who captivated audiences in the movie Bishonen has matured gracefully. As he navigates middle age, he exudes a refined elegance, while his charming smile remains as captivating as ever.

We also noticed what was on his wrist – for our interview, Fung donned a sophisticated black and white Chanel cardigan, accentuated by a J12 Spatiotemporal watch that’s clearly much more than just an accessory to him.

During the interview, Fung donned a sophisticated black and white Chanel cardigan, accentuated by a J12 Spatiotemporal watch. Photo: Chanel

The passage of time has given Fung a deeper appreciation for life’s fleeting moments and the relationships that truly matter. “Elon Musk once said, ‘Time is the only true currency’ and I couldn’t agree more,” the 48-year-old muses.

“Some people say life teaches you to choose your words wisely. But for me, age has helped me understand what really matters. I’m not interested in empty compliments any more – life’s too short, so I focus on things that truly resonate with me and avoid wasting time on what doesn’t.”

Time well spent

Fung’s background in graphic design has given him an artistic eye that extends beyond film to other visual mediums – and that evidently includes fine watches. When asked, he’s quick to praise the craftsmanship and history behind Chanel’s 2023 Mademoiselle Privé Pique-Aiguilles series.

At 55mm, the watch in question makes an impression with its generous size and, viewed from the side, its gently arched surface is a subtle delight. As Fung observes, “From front on, the arch is barely perceptible, demonstrating the craftsman’s skill. Like cameras, lenses have always been the costliest component.”

The Chanel 2023 Mademoiselle Privé Pique-Aiguilles up close. Photo: Chanel

Beyond the watch’s craftsmanship, Fung finds the history behind its design enchanting, since it references Coco Chanel’s tools of the trade. In her famous Paris studio, Chanel was rarely without scissors on a ribbon around her neck and a pin cushion on her wrist. The latter inspired this series, envisioned by Arnaud Chastaingt, director of Chanel watchmaking, who adapted the tool to create it.

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Minimalist maximalism

Fung, an avid fan of black and white photography, says he’s also been captivated by the monochromatic designs of Chanel’s Interstellar capsule collection. The collection’s palette resonates with his aesthetic interests too, embodying the essence of black and white photography.

Fung is an avid fan of black and white photography. Photo: Chanel

And it’s not just about nostalgia. The absence of colour invites the viewer to focus on composition, textures and contrasts.

A standout of the collection is, not coincidentally, the watch on Fung’s wrist when we meet – one-half of the J12 Spatiotemporal duo, a pair of timepieces defined by their striking black and white dials, reminiscent of the captivating beauty of an eclipse.

Chanel’s J12 Spatiotemporal pair, reminiscent of an eclipse. Photo: Chanel

A sophisticated fusion of white and matt black ceramic with 18k white gold accents, each of the 12 limited pieces also flaunt baguette-cut diamonds and are complemented by a brilliant-cut diamond on the crown.

Ever marching to the beat of his own internal timekeeper, Fung reminds us that time is fleeting, but imagination is forever.

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Fame and celebrity

Stephen Fung Tak-lun touchingly donned A Better Tomorrow T-shirt at this year’s Cannes Film Festival, paying tribute to John Woo, the legendary director who inspired him to get into film
Now with numerous films under his own belt – from House of Fury to Jump – the actor-turned-director finds pleasure in the smaller things, including perfectly monochrome Chanel timepieces