[2022.07.05] SCREENWRITER AND DIRECTOR ALEX LAW PASSED AWAY FROM HEART ATTACK

Alex Law made many classic films and won countless awards
courtesy of singtao.com

Alex Law made many classic films and contributions to the Hong Kong film industry

AN AUTUMN'S TALE is absolutely a Hong Kong film classic
courtesy of on.cc

Alex Law passed away from a heart attack at age 69

Alex Law's final public appearance was at BROKER's Hong Kong premiere date with Mabel Cheung on the 16th

The Shu Qi and Leon Lai starred CITY OF GLASS was shot on location at the Hong Kong University, a story about a couple that span 20 years.

The Sean Lau and Tang Wei starred A TALE OF THREE CITIES was the last Alex Law written film released in Hong Kong

The Alex Law written AN AUTUMN'S TALE, shot on location in New York, was a Hong Kong film classic.  The production was memorable to both Chow Yun Fat and Cherie Chung, who praised Alex Law the person.

ECHOES OF THE RAINBOW was based on Alex Law's childhood.  It starred Simon Yam and Sandra Ng and was shot on location on Wing Lee Street.

The Mabel Cheung produced, Alex Law directed ECHOES OF THE RAINBOW won the 2010 Berlin Film Festival Generation Kplus Crystal Bear prize for Best Film.
courtesy of mingpao.com

Famous Hong Kong director Alex Law Kai Yui was rumored to have passed way two days ago (the 2nd) from a heart attack at age 69. Reportedly Law Kai Yui around late evening two days ago suddenly felt discomfort in his heart and passed away on the way to the hospital in the ambulance. His companion Mabel Cheung Yuen Ting was by his side. The news of Director Law's death was rumored out of his alma mater Diocesan Boys' School alumni circle. Because Law Kai Yui has never had any news of illness, his sudden passing was hard for industry insiders to believe. Later Tin Kai Man confirmed the news. The Hong Kong Film Directors' Guild also issued an announcement.

Law Kai Yui and Cheung Yuen Ting in recent years constantly participated in many universities' forums, giving their all to examine and study the Hong Kong film arts and sparing no effort in cultivating new blood. About two weeks ago, Law Kai Yui's final public appearance was with Cheung Yuen Ting at the Hong Kong premiere of Korean director Song Kang-ho's new film. That night they were dressed as a couple and were full of smiles during their photo opportunity, nothing looked out of the ordinary. Their classic film AN AUTUMN'S TALE (CHAU TIN DIK TUNG WA)'s restored version has been scheduled for a theatrical release this month. No one expected now Director Law would suddenly pass away.

As the news of Law Kai Yui's sudden passed spread, stars he has worked with like Jackie Chan, Chow Yun Fat, Simon Yam Tat Wa and Cherie Chung Chor Hung all expressed deep regret and heartache. The Hong Kong Film Directors' Guild yesterday issued an announcement. "It is with deep pain that we inform everyone of this Guild's former president Mr. Law Kai Yui passed way last night (the 2nd) at age 69. As for the arrangements for Director Law's funeral, this Guild will notify everyone in the future. We plead with various media friends to not disturb Director Law's family for now, to reserve some peaceful space for those closest to him to mourn. This Guild on behalf of Director Law's family in thanking friends from everywhere for their concern and condolences."

The Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Mr Kevin Yeung, and the Permanent Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism cum the Vice-Chairman of the Film Development Council, Mr Joe Wong, were saddened today (July 3) to learn of the passing of famous film director Mr Alex Law Kai-yui.

Mr Yeung said, "Alex had been contributing a lot to the local film industry and created a lot of classic popular films which are full of cultural ambiance. His directed film Echoes of the Rainbow (2010) received high acclaim and became the first Hong Kong film to win the Crystal Bear for Best Film in the Generation Kplus category at the Berlin International Film Festival. Apart from these personal achievements, Alex had also been active in promoting the Hong Kong film industry development through various government initiatives. On behalf of the Bureau, I would like to extend my deepest condolences to his family and friends."

Mr Wong said, "Alex had a strong passion for film throughout his life. He was dedicated to nurturing talents and strived to promote the development of Hong Kong films over the years. We are deeply saddened by the passing of Alex and will fondly remember him."

Jackie Chan posted a photo online and remembered, "Director Law Kai Yui was a very talented creator, his screenwriting and directing skills were top notched. Classic films that he either directed or wrote like AN AUTUMN'S TALE, PAINTED FACES (CHUT SIU FOOK), ECHOES OF THE RAINBOW (SHUI YUET SUN TAU) were already familiar to film fans. He, director Cheung Yuen Ting and I have worked together many times. Many years ago, Director Cheung Yuen Ting helped me complete the documentary about my father, TRACES OF A DRAGON: JACKIE CHAN AND HIS LOST FAMILY. Lter they also shot the love story based on my father and mother A TALE OF THREE CITIES (SAM SING GEI). This appreciation has already remained in my heart. I just heard the news of Director Law's passing, my heart could not be at ease. I send my condolences to director Yuen Ting......one after another farewell would remind us not to forget the relationships that we had. 'Some things, I would remember for a lifetime.'"

Eric Tsang Chi Wai was also heavy hearted. The film industry lost another talent. Yesterday morning he already many calls and knew that the Directors' Guild and Derek Yee Tung Sing would help with the arrangements. Currently he did not want to disturb Cheung Yuen Ting. If TVB could lean a helping hand, he would welcome contact at anytime.

Law Kai Yui was a famous director and screenwriter. In 1976 after graduating from the Hong Kong University he went to study film in the U.S. In the 80s when he and his beloved Cheung Yuen Ting worked together on the film THE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT (FEI FAT YI MAN) they already began to show signs of their brilliance. This pair of Hong Kong film New Wave director "couple" was known as the "Bonnie and Clyde of Directors". Together they created many classic films including AN AUTUMN'S TALE, PAINTED FACES, NOW YOU SEE LOVE...NOW YOU DON'T (NGOR OI LAU MAN CHAI), THE SOONG SISTERS (SOONG GA WONG CHIU), CITY OF GLASS (BOR LEI JI SING), BEIJING ROCKS, and ECHOES OF THE RAINBOW. In 1987 Director Law with AN AUTUMN'S TALE won the Hong Kong Film Award for Best Screenplay. In 1988 PAINTED FACES received the Golden Horse Award for Best Director and in 1998 CITY OF GLASS received the Golden Horse Award for Best Original Screenplay. In 2010 ECHOES OF THE RAINBOW even received the 60th Berlin Film Festival Generation kplus category's Crystal Bear Prize for Best Film, the 5th Hong Kong Film Directors' Guild Award's "Outstanding Director of the Year" and the Hong Kong Film Award for Best Screenplay. In 2010, Law Kai Yui received the Hong Kong University honorary university fellows.

Law Kai Yui and Cheung Yuen Ting were the "Condor Couple", they not only were the best partners at work but also the most solid companions in love. They worked together in the 1980s on the film THE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT and began to show signs of their brilliance. Then they worked together as screenwriters, directors and producers on many classic Hong Kong films. Each time they appeared in public they were with each other. They encountered each other in 1982 at a classroom at New York University's film department. Because they were compatriots, they very naturally worked together on films and even began a couple. For 40 years they mostly maintained their work format from their film student days, as they came up with the story together. Some film work partners might due to differences of opinions and break out, but they were able to live and work together. Cheung Yuen Ting once said in an interview that different opinions were inevitable in film production, only the director would have the final say. During the shoot, when Law Kai Yui would bring up problems with anything, she would cautiously consider his opinion. If she disagreed, she would tell him the reason. Ultimately everyone wanted the best for the film, so they would not bear any grudge.

While many outsiders thought that they were already married, in an interview 10 years go they said that they still have not registered their marriage officially.

Cheung Yuen Ting once in an interview said that if she would be pregnant she would wed Law Kai Yui, but they both gave their all to their film work and were afraid that they would have time to take care of the next generation. Thus they never wed or had children. Although they were always a couple, whether professional or personally they were a publicly recognized pair. The outside described them as a "couple team" , not only have their worked together endless times on movies but also when they attended any event they were together.

Director Law Kai Yui had less films than Cheung Yuen Ting. He often joked that he would offer his girlfriend the role of the director because he was lazy. Actually they have worked together for many years and had chemistry long ago. Cheung Yuen Ting once said, "Whoever started the project would be the one who was more affected, so that one would be the director." She also praised Law Kai Yui for his intricate thinking, which enable them to make up for each other's shortcomings. Law Kai Yui once described his creative time with Cheung Yuen Ting as "half difficult half excellent", admitting that when they went to work they would study scripts together, after work at home they still would be reading scripts. Actually they would feel exhausted, but the business was making movies was too lonely. Only with a soul mate's support they were able to make the journey less tough.

Chow Yun Fat and Law Kai Yui worked together on AN AUTUMN'S TALE and NOW YOU SEE LOVE...NOW YOU DON'T, both were well remembered. Fat Gor felt the news of Law Kai Yui's passing was rather regrettable. Fat Gor remembered that their last meeting was over a year ago. At a recording studio he ran into the couple, who was providing their voices to a documentary film. At the time Law Kai Yui looked good and did not appear out of the ordinary.

Fat Gor said that Director Law was a very talented director and screenwriter. Mild mannered, on the set when the shoot ran into anything rough he would very patiently listen to the actors. Everyone's communication was great. Unlike some directors and screenwriters who were unwilling to listen, he was very receptive to actors' opinions. "The script Law Kai Yui wrote was outstanding, with Cheung Yuen Ting directing, they were the flawless 'Condor Couple'!" Fat Gor remembered when they worked on AN AUTUMN'S TALE in New York, due to the limited budget of the film the production was very difficult. It was also the era of production with film. Back then producer Winnie Yu Tsang would watch the shoot on the set, after work she would watch the film at the screening room. Whenever any flaw or bad places were found they would meet and shoot anew. Law Kai Yui was very patient, because he actually loved film. Law Kai Yui and Cheung Yuen Ting had no temper, and could not be any better people. "They were very mild mannered, university students, cultured people. When they spoke they spoke softly, truly regrettable that he passed away at such a young age of 69!" Fat Gor sent his condolences to Cheung Yuen Ting. "Yuen Ting might have lost her companion, as well as a beloved partner and colleague, but she still would need to stay tough!"

Speaking of AN AUTUMN'S TALE restored version being released this month, Fat Gor felt that it would be well worth the effort. He really like this story as well, simple depictions of the two characters were written in great details and well shot. The shoot in New York brought him many beautiful memories that he savored. "Truly very few would write romantic relationship to be so innocent yet stick to the bone. It truly was very rare. I never ran into such a detailed movie since I have been in the business!"

Working with Director Law on AN AUTUMN'S TALE, Chung Chor Hung remembered, "AN AUTUMN'S TALE was one of the few complete script I received. When I was reading it then I laughed and I cried, I cried then I laughed. I was fortunate to be able to take part in it. I remembered your forever smile, your gentlemanly and humble attitude while shooting on the streets of New York back then. I would never forget it. Alex, have a safe journey. Mabel, my condolences. Thank you for accomplishing AN AUTUMN'S TALE."

Carol Cheng Yui Ling worked with Director Law on NOW YOU SEE LOVE...NOW YOU DON'T. She was saddened to hear about Director Law's passing. She remembered when she made this Lunar New Year she was very happy, it had many romances. In addition at the time she has not worked with Chow Yun Fat in three years. Law Kai Yui and Cheung Yuen Ting was already very famous as a 'couple team', so the shoot was extra pleasant. Sister Do's impression of Director Law was serious at work, doing all of his homework and taking care of the actors, which made every shoot very smooth. Unfortunately they only worked together once.

Her NOW co-star Teresa Mo Shun Kwan was very shocked to hear the news from friends. She admitted that lately her mood has been very poor because her friends passed one after another. She lamented that this generation seemed to be already ending with each passing of a friend, and death was getting closer and closer. Her impression of Law Kai Yui and Cheung Yuen Ting was that this couple team was particularly complementary. They never argued on the set and would discuss everything. Thus she worried about Cheung Yuen Ting's mood and did not dare to contact her. She sent her condolences and pleaded with everyone to cherish their time together on every movie production.

Simon Yam Tat Wa felt regret and heartache over the news of Law Kai Yui's passing. He said that they would talk over the phone once in awhile. Sometimes even when he was working in the Mainland he would tell him. They had contact early in the year. In his heart, Law Kai Yui was oozing with talent, full of passion for film and life. His life attitude was responsibility to himself and film. His passing was an enormous loss to the film industry and the friend circle.

Yam Tat Wa said, "While working on ECHOES OF THE RAINBOW, we had breakfast together everyday, congee and rice noodle. This was Director Law's childhood memory when he was overseas. At the time Director Law would also bring me to see a cobbler to learn how to make shoes. Even when we had to wait a very long time for the master we would still wait. He was someone who knew how to bend, with a lot of his own opinion on every drop of life." Yam Tat Wa also revealed that he and Director Law originally planned to go to Cuba, but they now could no longer be able to. Even though he was upset over Director Law's passing, he also wished that during this time everyone would give Cheung Yuen Ting more space.

His fellow ECHOES OF THE RAINBOW co-star, Sandra Ng Kwan Yu said, "I am very saddened that Hong Kong has lost a very outstanding screenwriter and director. While working on ECHOES OF THE RAINBOW I really sensed how complementary Law Kai Yui and Cheung Yuen Ting were, they absolutely were a couple that respected, loved each other and wenht3 through the hard times together. Today with the passing of the Director, I sincerely hope that Mabel would bravely live on."

Clifton Ko Chi Sum remembered, "Director Law Kai Yui, have a safe journey. I remember when you (and director Cheung Yuen Ting) invited me to take part in ECHOES OF THE RAINBOW. Although we only shot for a day, your mild mannered and elegant guidance left me with a deep impression; thank you for leaving your outstanding films, including my favorite AN AUTUMN'S TALE."