[2026.07.15] IRON LADY OF THE FILM INDUSTRY SHI NANSUN PASSED AWAY

Shi Nansun lived a glorious life

Tsui Hark got choked up as he bid farewell to his former wife

Brigitte Lin (left) presented the Lifetime Achievement Award to Shi Nansun at last year's Hong Kong Film Awards, which now has become a memory

Shi Nansun contributed greatly to the film industry, Jackie Chan called her "Big Sister" out of respect
courtesy of on.cc

Brigitte Lin (left) posts a black and white photo with Shi Nansun to express how much she misses her

Brigitte Lin (left) presented to the Hong Kong Film Awards Lifetime Achievement Award to Shi Nansun last year

Carina Lau (left) posts a black and white photo with her husband Tony Leung Chiu Wai and Shi Nansun in remembrance

Winnie Yu (left) greatly praised Shi Nansun (right) as a the first heroine of Chinese film

Jackie Chan laments that with the passing of Shi Nansun, the film world has lost another legendary figure

Shi Nansun (center) over 20 years ago host the Commercial Radio program ON A CLEAR DAY
courtesy of mingpao.com

The death of the Chinese-language film "Gold Medal Producer" Shi Nansun has written a heavy stroke for the Hong Kong film industry. She firmly stood in the film circle for more than 40 years, produced and planned more than 60 films in her life. She was not only the mainstay of Hong Kong film production, but also an important promoter of Hong Kong films to the world. From the romantic fantasy of A CHINESE GHOST STORY (SIN NUI YAU WON) to the martial arts heroics of the ONCE UPON A TIME IN CHINA (WONG FEI HUNG) film series, then to the cop and robber classic of INFERNAL AFFAIRS (MO GAN DOH), she has laid the foundation of the golden age for Hong Kong film with a unique vision and perseverance. She fought side by side with Tsui Hark, and they were hailed as the "golden couple" in the film industry as they worked together to create countless classics. The heroic contribution of this film industry heroine would always remain in the light and shadow of the screen and become a bright memory of Hong Kong movies.

Shi Nansun passed away on July 13 at 8:51 p.m. at the Hong Kong Sanatorium and Hospital from multiple organ failure due to bacterial infection. She was 75. Ex-husband Tsui Hark met with the media outside the Hong Kong Sanatorium and Hospital at 11:30 that night. A teary eyed Tsui Hark revealed that Shi Nansun's health has not been as ideal due to immune system problems. Recently bacterial infection caused serious failure of multiple organs, but she persisted until the last moment of life and in the company of her family peacefully passed away. Tsui Hark said, "She and her family have always been grateful for everyone's concern, support and blessing. She hoped that everyone's parting with her, that kind of sadness and thought, would become a force to accept her farewell. May she rest in peace, her spirit will always be with us." When asked if Shi Nansun had any last wish, Tsui Hark did not answer, got on the vehicle and left the hospital.

Born in 1951, after graduating from Maryknoll College she briefly traveled to South Africa then went to study in the UK and earned a bachelor's degree in computer statistics. She returned to Hong Kong in the 1970s to join the media industry, working in production and administration on TVB, RTHK, CTV and RTV. With her proficiency in multiple languages and her excellent public relations skills, she quickly emerged. From the 1990s to the early 2000s, she helped several companies obtain television business licenses and develop the paid TV business.

In the 1980s the "New Wave" arose, Shi Nansun switched from TV to film, joined the Cinema City and became the only woman among the "Seven Eccentrics of Cinema City". With a keen business vision and decisiveness, she was responsible for capital scheduling, contract negotiation and global distribution and was known as the "housekeeper" in the industry. Under her promotion, Hong Kong-made films successfully entered the Asian, European and American markets and launched the golden age of Hong Kong films. In 1984, she co-founded the "Film Workshop Co., Ltd." with Tsui Hark, who led the creative side while she was responsible for administration, financing, distribution and publicity. The two collaborated closely to create a number of classics.

In the Millennium, she became vice president of Media Asia Films and produced the box office masterpiece INFERNAL AFFAIRS. She then founded Distribution Workshop that was dedicated to training new directors in Asia and promoting the work to the international community. She also served as Chair of the Board of Directors of the Bona Film Group, and produced a number of works such as OVERHEARD 2 (SIT TING FUNG WON 2), THE GREAT MAGICIAN, (TOH JEH), and the DETECTIVE DEE (DIK YUN KIT) film series.

Shi Nansun also appeared in international Film Festivals like Berlin and Cannes on behalf of Chinese-language films, serving as a member of the jury member and president, and has won many awards. In 2017 she became the first female producer to win the Gold Camera Award at the Berlin International Film Festival in recognition of her outstanding contribution to the film industry. She has also won the Udine Far East Film Festival Lifetime Achievement Award and the French Art and Literary Officer's Medal. Last year, she and Tsui Hark were awarded the 43rd Hong Kong Film Awards for Lifetime Achievement.

The Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism of the HKSAR Government, Ms. Rosanna Law Shuk Pui, mourned the passing of Shi Nansun and extended her deep condolences to her family. Law Shuk Pui said that Shi Nansun dedicated her life to the film and television industry, leaving valuable memories of light and shadow for the people of Hong Kong, and she would be forever missed for her extraordinary contribution to the Hong Kong film and television industry .

From 2007 to 2015, Shi Nansun was appointed by the Government as a member of the Hong Kong Film Development Council. The Cultural, Sports and Tourism Bureau statement praised Ms. Shi for her contribution to the long-term development of the Hong Kong film industry. The statement also said that from 2013 to 2019, Shi Nansun was appointed by the Government as a member of the Hong Kong Tourism Development Council, and she provided valuable advice for the promotion of Hong Kong tourism with her extensive networking and professional planning experience in the international film industry. The statement mentioned that Shi Nansun was invited to serve as a member of the jury members and presidents of major international film festivals over the years, received many local and international awards in recognition of her international vision and excellent marketing ability, and made a significant contribution to the promotion of Hong Kong films to the international film industry.

Many friends in the circle also posted eulogy to mourn Shi Nansun. A close friend of Shi Nansun, Brigitte Lin (Lam Ching Ha) posted on the social platform a black and white life photos of them in the past and wrote, "Reluctant, reluctant, but still have to let go. As a good friend of Shi Nansun, the best reward for her was to pass on the energy of love like her." Jackie Chan shared a photo of the two on social media and wrote, "I was shocked to hear that Ms. Shi Nansun was gone, and the film world lost another legendary figure. Fortunately, no matter when you look back, behind those classic works, everyone would remember her heroics and strength of character. Big Sister, have a safe journey. I salute you, and would always miss you." Carina Lau Ka Ling posted a black-and-white photo with Tony Leung Chiu Wai and Shi Nansun on the Internet. "I am grateful to have met you in this life, and learning countless wisdom from you. You are the most respected representative of female and filmmaker of Tony and I, may you rest in peace in heaven." Donnie Yen Chi Tan expressed, "Nansun, you have burned out all your life for film, and we will meet again in the light and shadow. Only the endless nostalgia will remain." Shu Qi wrote a short tribute with "Have a safe journey."; Zhou Xun posted, "See you later. Love you." Li Bingbing said, "I was shocked to hear the bad news, as your voice and smile remained. I will always miss you! May you have a safe journey..." Song Jia also remembered, "I have the privilege to work with you in the New Talent Award jury of the Shanghai Film Festival. Every morning we got up early to watch the films, I was always a mess but I remember that you were always beautiful, exquisite and decent in front of everyone, as the chair of the jury you were humble and gentle, competent, elegant to the utmost. Sister Nansun, have a safe journey."

Winnie Yu Tsang visited Shi Nansun for several days while she was at the hospital. She posted her photo with Shi Nansun on social platforms and shared a video of her talk about YUKULELE at the Academy of Performing Arts in April. In it Shi Nansun showed her support in the audience. Yu Tsang said on the stage, "I have helped many movies with promotional packaging, I want to thank Ms. Shi Nansun for giving me the opportunity to come in contact with how to market, how to make her originally very success work even better! Nansun, thank you very much! Ms. Shi Nansun is the first heroine of Chinese film."

Mary Jean Reimer (Yung Jing Jing) recalled, "Back then Master Lau (Lau Kar Leung) caught severe pneumonia while making SEVEN SWORDS (CHUT GIM) and needed to immediately return to Hong Kong for treatment. During the process, Shi Nansun was the one who kept in contact with me, kept comforting me so I was able to get over this difficult time. I will miss you always."

Shi Nansun over 20 years hosted the Commercial Radio program ON A CLEAR DAY, Yuen Tsz Kin was the program production assistant. Yesterday on the program he shared with Michelle Lo Mik Suet his time with Shi Nansun. Yuen Tsz Kin described Shi Nansun as a "water that benefits everything without doing any harm", he was able to sense his elder's skills inside. She was gentle and clear with her directions.

Lo Mik Suet has known Shi Nansun for years and said that although she was a "foreign educated girl", she was just as great in Chinese. She seemed to have super powers as she was able to handle any and everything. She visited Shi Nansun at home once and knew that Shi would train her foreign domestic helper to cook international level cuisine. "She was both pretty and talented that people would submit to her. Her friendliness wouldn't make people afraid yet know to yield." Lo Mik Suet said Shi Nansun was very filial. When Mother Shi had dementia and would only be the most alert while playing mahjong, Shi Nansun made a schedule with her family to play mahjong with Mother. She was never absent.

Yik Shu wrote essays about Nansun in her collection. "She (Shi Nansun) is a super special effect silver screen color epic that takes years to make with heart and blood", "Anything ordinary or monotonous through her narration would immediately appear in front of your eyes vividly." Some said that Shi Nansun was whom Yik Shu based her female protagonist Chiang Nan Suen in LAST ROMANCE (LAU GUM SHUI YUET) on.

Shi Nansun's dedication was even more admirable. She already signed a consent form to donate organs for medical research. She devoted her life to the film and television industry, and once said, "Selfless contribution, without any complaints, any doubt, doing one thing well for a lifetime, I think everyone should reflect on this."

Shi Nansun's "best partner" on the road of life had to be the director Tsui Hark. In 1977 Shi Nansun met Tsui Hark at Commercial Television. During her interview she recalled that Tsui Hark was extremely thin when they first met. She said bluntly, "He's like a Vietnamese refugee." Known each other for half a century, this Hong Kong film industry "golden couple" self-organized formed the Film Workshop, made A BETTER TOMORROW (YING HUNG BOON SIK), A CHINESE GHOST STORY (SIN NUI YAU WON), the ONCE UPON A TIME IN CHINA (WONG FEI HUNG) film series, THE SWORDSMAN II (SIU NGO GONG WU II DONG FONG BUT BAI) and other classics. In 1996 the two married and did not have any children. Shi Nansun could not have been more attentive to Tsui Hark, privately even calling him "Old Master". Unfortunately this marriage that was the envy of many lasted only 18 years. Tsui Hark once publicly praised Shi Nansun as "always the best woman". Later Tsui Hark was working in the mainland long tern and geography kept the couple apart. In 2011 Tsui Hark was said to have hooked up with a female assistant 30 years his junior and in 2014 Shi Nansun finally admitted that she and Tsui Hark were divorced. She stressed that she did not have any ill word toward Tsui Hark, only said that "What happened between two people have nothing to do with the third party". Despite that, the two were always the best partner in their careers. After the divorce, Shi Nansun still served as a producer for her ex- husband's DETECTIVE DEE (DIK YUN KIT) and showed a deep relationship of professional collaboration.

Tsui Hark once said, "Of course (Shi Nansun) is a person with high administrative ability. Without her, you will feel empty." He also said that she let him see many possibilities in life. Shi Nansun said, "I really learned a lot from one person -- my ex-husband Director Tsui Hark."

Over the years Shi Nansun continued to search for new faces with potential in the film industry and has made stars such as Brigitte Lin (Lam Ching Ha), Maggie Cheung Man Yuk and Leslie Cheung Kwok Wing to the world. When Cheung Man Yuk was still working as a sales clerk in the children's clothing department of a department store, director Yonfan discovered her and recommended her. Shi Nansun recalled, "I still remember the first time she came to see me. With her rabbit buckteeth, cheerful character, not a typical beauty but has quite the aura." Shi Nansun strongly recommended her to director Dean Shek Tin, who was preparing to make the film CHASING GIRLS (JUI NUI JAI). Yet at the time Shek Tin did not think she was pretty enough and turned her down. Although Shi Nansun was angry, she was helpless. Later Cheung Man Yuk said that she wanted to participate in the Miss Hong Kong beauty pageant, Shi Nansun immediately supported and encouraged her. "Go quickly, this is a shortcut to fame." Sure enough, she was the Miss Hong Kong first runner-up. The directors finally woke up like they were dreaming, and chased Shi Nansun to find Cheung Man Yuk for films.

The late superstar Cheung Kwok Wing also regarded Shi Nansun as "Sister." Raymond Wong Pak Ming once revealed that when Cheung Kwok Wing recommended himself for A BETTTER TOMRROW but Tsui Hark rejected him. He immediately turned to Shi Nansun, and finally successfully won the classic role of "Sung Chi Kit". This respect not only stayed in words, but also showed in action -- in 1994 Cheung Kwok Wing gave the commemorative red high heels to Shi Nansun after the concert at the Hong Kong Coliseum in Hung Hom in 1994. To be able to receive such a cherished gift from Cheung Kwok Wing, it showed the important position of Shi Nansun in his heart. She only wore the gift once and then properly added it to her collection.

In addition, when Tsui Hark was preparing the film A CHINESE GHOST STORY he intended for Japanese star Akina Nakamori to play the lead role of "Lip Siu Sin". However some said that his invitation was rejected repeatedly and the casting was stuck in the muck. At the time rising star Joey Wong Cho Yin offered her services. At first Shi Nansun felt that her sunny disposition was in contrast of the female ghost image and declined her request for an audition, but Wong Cho Yin did not give up and continued to fight for the chance to audition. Finally she surprised the entire team and became an overnight success with the role. She sincerely thanked Shi Nansun.

Shi Nansun and Brigitte Lin (Lam Ching Ha) met in the 1980s, she contributed to Lam Ching Ha's development from Taiwan to Hong Kong to complete the role transformation. Later they collaborated on the filming of the martial arts film ZU: WARRIORS FROM THE MAGIC MOUNTAIN (SHOOK SHAN) and THE SWORDSMAN II (SIU NGO GONG WU II DONG FONG BUT BAI), which made them close friends who supported each other for more than half a century. They presented lifetime achievement awards to each other at film festivals.

Lam Ching Ha in her book "In Front of and Behind the Mirror" detailed her relationship with Shi Nansun. Her avant-garde character and independent image impressed her, as she revealed her side. "People who don't know Shi Nansun perhaps would feel that she is unattainable, difficult to get close to. If you enter into her inner world, you would not be able to imagine her inner tenderness and feelings -- which is exactly the opposite as her cool appearance. She has a set of unique martial arts, as long as she is in the mood she would imitate the broadcasting accent of the German, Singapore, India, the mainland and the Hong Kong flight attendants in English. Coupled with the usual action and expression of various countries, the performance is exquisite. Every time she would attract table and chair slapping laughter, and for decades it has been tried and true. This is her sacred scroll."

"Shi Nansun cared for the society and sympathized with the disadvantaged groups, participated in many public welfare activities, and also served as vice chair of the (Josephine) Siao Fong Fong founded End Child Sexual Abuse Foundation. It is easy to like a friend, respect a good friend is not very common. With Nansun it is beyond respect from me, especial when I heard that she signed the consent form and decided to donate her organs for medical research, and then turned into soil to nourish the growth of flowers and trees. She dedicated her love to Tsui Hark, her intelligence to the film industry and the general public, and would not hesitate to dedicate her body to the earth and the universe in the future."

Tsui Hark in 1980 went to the U.S. to invite Lam Ching Ha to return to Hong Kong to make ZU. When Lam Ching Ha first arrived in Hong Kong she was a stranger in a strange land, and Shi Nansun volunteered to help her negotiate many film contracts. Lam Ching Ha wrote a letter with a check to thank her. Shi Nansun only accepted the letter, returned the check and stated that she did not ask for anything in return for helping a friend. Lam Ching Ha remembered these words for over 40 years. Later when Lam Ching Ha wed Ying Lee Yuen, their witnesses were Shi Nansun and Tsui Hark.