Film Workshop
Encyclopedia
Film Workshop Co. Ltd. is a Hong Kong
production company
and film distributor
. It was founded in April 1984 by producer
/director
Tsui Hark
and his wife, Nansun Shi
. Already a renowned director with a string of box office hits behind him, Tsui wanted to create a workshop where the foremost filmmakers could work on films with artistic merit, and at the same time, films that could be commercially rewarding for the financiers.
, turned out to be both a critical and commercial success in Hong Kong; and so were the two subsequent films that Tsui directed: The Working Class and Peking Opera Blues
. At this time, Tsui invited other directors to join in. With Tsui producing, John Woo
directed A Better Tomorrow
, which grossed US$4.5 million locally to set a new record as the highest grossing motion picture in Hong Kong.
Film Workshop continues to produce the films that Tsui either produces or directs. This includes films such as A Better Tomorrow 2
, A Better Tomorrow 3
, the Once Upon a Time in China film series series and Seven Swords
.
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
production company
Production company
A production company provides the physical basis for works in the realms of the performing arts, new media art, film, television, radio, and video.- Tasks and functions :...
and film distributor
Film distributor
A film distributor is a company or individual responsible for releasing films to the public either theatrically or for home viewing...
. It was founded in April 1984 by producer
Film producer
A film producer oversees and delivers a film project to all relevant parties while preserving the integrity, voice and vision of the film. They will also often take on some financial risk by using their own money, especially during the pre-production period, before a film is fully financed.The...
/director
Film director
A film director is a person who directs the actors and film crew in filmmaking. They control a film's artistic and dramatic nathan roach, while guiding the technical crew and actors.-Responsibilities:...
Tsui Hark
Tsui Hark
Tsui Hark , born Tsui Man-kong, is a Hong Kong New Wave film director and producer. He is viewed as a major figure in the Golden Age of Hong Kong cinema .-Early life:...
and his wife, Nansun Shi
Nansun Shi
Nansun Shi, born Shi Nan-Sun , is a Hong Kong film producer, presenter and a former Senior Advisor for Media Asia Group. She has been in the film industry for nearly thirty years, and has contributed a lot to the Hong Kong cinema scene since the late 1970s...
. Already a renowned director with a string of box office hits behind him, Tsui wanted to create a workshop where the foremost filmmakers could work on films with artistic merit, and at the same time, films that could be commercially rewarding for the financiers.
Films
In 1984, Film Workshop's first film, Shanghai BluesShanghai Blues
Shanghai Blues is a Hong Kong film directed by Tsui Hark, which had its premiere on September 1984. Kenny Bee, Sylvia Chang and Sally Yeh starred in this film. The music is composed by Wong Jim...
, turned out to be both a critical and commercial success in Hong Kong; and so were the two subsequent films that Tsui directed: The Working Class and Peking Opera Blues
Peking Opera Blues
Peking Opera Blues is a 1986 Hong Kong film directed by Tsui Hark. The movie combines comedy, Hong Kong action, and serious drama with scenes involving Peking Opera...
. At this time, Tsui invited other directors to join in. With Tsui producing, John Woo
John Woo
John Woo Yu-Sen SBS is a Hong Kong-based film director and producer. Recognized for his stylised films of highly choreographed action sequences, Mexican standoffs, and use of slow-motion, Woo has directed several notable Hong Kong action films, among them, A Better Tomorrow, The Killer, Hard...
directed A Better Tomorrow
A Better Tomorrow
A Better Tomorrow is a 1986 Hong Kong action film which had a profound influence on the Hong Kong film-making industry, and later on an international scale.Directed by John Woo, it stars Chow Yun-fat, Ti Lung and Leslie Cheung...
, which grossed US$4.5 million locally to set a new record as the highest grossing motion picture in Hong Kong.
Film Workshop continues to produce the films that Tsui either produces or directs. This includes films such as A Better Tomorrow 2
A Better Tomorrow 2
A Better Tomorrow 2 is a 1987 Hong Kong action and crime directed by John Woo and starring Chow Yun-fat, Dean Shek, Leslie Cheung, and Ti Lung.A follow-up to its popular predecessor, A Better Tomorrow...
, A Better Tomorrow 3
A Better Tomorrow 3
A Better Tomorrow 3: Love & Death in Saigon is a 1989 Hong Kong action film co-produced and directed by Tsui Hark. It is a loosely-based prequel to John Woo's A Better Tomorrow, though it was released after A Better Tomorrow 2....
, the Once Upon a Time in China film series series and Seven Swords
Seven Swords
Seven Swords is a 2005 Hong Kong wuxia film adapted from Liang Yusheng's novel Qijian Xia Tianshan. It was produced and directed by Tsui Hark, and starred Donnie Yen, Leon Lai, Charlie Yeung, Sun Honglei, Lu Yi and Kim So-yeon...
.