Celebrities and Hong Kong film industry veterans pay their respects at memorial service for legendary producer Raymond Chow
- Superstar Jackie Chan and son Jaycee among 300 guests attending private service in Hung Hom
Celebrities and veterans in the Hong Kong film industry turned out in droves at a memorial service for Raymond Chow Man-wai on Monday, remembering how the entertainment mogul was a “polished gentleman” who always wore a smile and showed respect to others.
The 2½-hour service, held at the Kerry Hotel in Hung Hom, was attended by about 300 guests, including superstar Jackie Chan, his son Jaycee, showbiz tycoon Albert Yeung Sau-shing of Emperor Group, veteran director Wong Jing and politician Ma Fung-kwok, as well as friends in the film sector.
Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor sent a wreath. Tycoon Li Ka-shing and his sons Victor Li Tzar-kuoi and Richard Li Tzar-kai, actors Andy Lau Tak-wah, Stephen Chow Sing-chi and Beijing liaison office deputy director Yang Jian, among others, also sent wreaths.
Chow died late last month, aged 91.
Raymond Chow, film producer who brought world Bruce Lee, dies at 91
Regarded as the “godfather of the Hong Kong film industry”, Chow produced more than 600 movies in a range of genres, from action and comedy to art house. He was also widely remembered as the man who had thrust Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan to global stardom.
The family had requested the service be a private event for friends in the film sector.
In her eulogy, Chow’s daughter, Roberta, remembered her father as “a man who was always keen to learn”.
“He liked to read newspapers in the morning,” she said, adding that he would immediately look up the dictionary to check vocabulary, English or Chinese.
“He said he didn’t want to misunderstand one word of the piece.”
Her brother, Terence, also said: “He was a great man. And he will always be in our mind.”
True to Chow’s low-key style, the venue of the memorial service was decorated in a simple style. At the centre stood a portrait of Chow.
On the wall, a presentation of old pictures of Chow played on a screen.
One of the guests, director Stanley Tong, remembered Chow as a “polished gentleman”.
“He was nice, always wearing a smile,” Tong said.
Recalling the time as a novice director he met Chow, said: “He would show respect to others. Even when I was only small fry, he would spare the time to see me and gave me a chance.”
Tong directed the box office hit Police Story 3: Super Cop, starring Jackie Chan in the early 1990s.
Director Wong Jing said: “It is a great loss to the Hong Kong film industry. He made huge contributions to the sector. I did not know Chow personally. But as a member of the film industry, I felt compelled to come to pay my respects to him.”
