Biography
While he has not yet wooed Western audiences with the success of his "younger brother" international superstar Jackie Chan, producer-director-actor Sammo Hung has been an even more important creative force in the development of contemporary Hong Kong film. Sadly, to the Western viewer, he may still be best known for fighting Bruce Lee at the start of "Enter the Dragon" (1973). In fact, like Chan, he has achieved distinction as a director and producer in addition to being a popular performer. While both are comparable martial artists, Hung is generally acknowledged to be far superior as a director and storyteller, most notably in full-blooded kung fu films. Significantly he served as helmer on several of Chan's most memorable features including the landmark action comedy "Project A" (1984). When Chan directed himself, his films had great visual inventiveness but the pacing would sag in the middle and physical comedy and gags were emphasized over action. As a director, Hung brought harder-edged action scenes, a more brisk sense of timing, polished compositions and an inspired use of locations to their collaboration. Not known for his ego, he happily played second fiddle to his old school chum.
