John Shum
Encyclopedia
John Shum Kin-Fun is a Hong Kong
actor
and film producer
. His English
name is sometimes written as John Sham.
Whilst known primarily for his comedic acting roles in Hong Kong cinema
, he also spent time as a political activist.
He is easily recognisable from his spectacles and curly hair.
In 1983, he set up the film production company D&B Films, along with Sammo Hung
and Dickson Poon
. He later founded another film company with John Chan, Maverick Films Ltd.
Shum's most prolific period working as an actor was during the 1980s. Of the 45 films he has appeared in, 33 were during this period. Notable appearances include Sammo Hung's Lucky Stars
films Winners and Sinners
(1983) and Twinkle, Twinkle Lucky Stars
(1985), and starring roles alongside comedy partner Richard Ng
in the Pom Pom series (1984–1986).
Shum is credited as a producer on over 20 films including Hong Kong 1941
(1984), Legacy of Rage
(1986) and The Banquet
(1991).
He worked as assistant director on the 1987 Michelle Yeoh film Magnificent Warriors
and also has credits on a number of other films, with roles such as planning, executive production and presentation.
In 1992, Shum co-hosted the Hong Kong Film Awards ceremony.
Throughout much of the 1990s, films took a back seat as Shum was heavily involved with the Pro-Democracy movement in Hong Kong.
In 2005, he was appointed the Executive Secretary of the Federation of Hong Kong Filmmakers, by the government-sponsored Film Development Committee (FDC). In December 2007, he was enrolled as an executive committee member of the Hong Kong Performing Artistes Guild
.
His latest role is as executive producer, alongside Jackie Chan
, for the forthcoming film Wushu (2008), which will be directed by Antony Szeto
and will star Sammo Hung
.
Hong Kong people
Hong Kong people refer to people who originate from Hong Kong. The term has no legal definition in Hong Kong. Rather, terms such as Hong Kong permanent resident and Hong Kong resident are used...
actor
Actor
An actor is a person who acts in a dramatic production and who works in film, television, theatre, or radio in that capacity...
and film 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...
. His English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
name is sometimes written as John Sham.
Whilst known primarily for his comedic acting roles in Hong Kong cinema
Cinema of Hong Kong
The cinema of Hong Kong is one of the three major threads in the history of Chinese language cinema, alongside the cinema of China, and the cinema of Taiwan...
, he also spent time as a political activist.
He is easily recognisable from his spectacles and curly hair.
Biography
Shum graduated from the University of Hong Kong, and subsequently undertook further study in the UK and US. Upon his return to Hong Kong, he co-founded "City Magazine" with John Chan, and worked as its editor. At the same time, he began working in television and radio.In 1983, he set up the film production company D&B Films, along with Sammo Hung
Sammo Hung
Sammo Hung is a Hong Kong actor, martial artist, film producer and director, known for his work in many martial arts films and Hong Kong action cinema...
and Dickson Poon
Dickson Poon
Dickson Poon, SBS is a Hong Kong businessman in the luxury goods retailing sector. Poon is the executive chairman of his Hong Kong listed vehicle Dickson Concepts , which owns companies including Harvey Nichols and S. T. Dupont...
. He later founded another film company with John Chan, Maverick Films Ltd.
Shum's most prolific period working as an actor was during the 1980s. Of the 45 films he has appeared in, 33 were during this period. Notable appearances include Sammo Hung's Lucky Stars
Lucky Stars
Lucky Stars Lucky Stars Lucky Stars (or Five Lucky Stars; was a Hong Kong action comedy film series in the 1980s and 1990s, blending Chinese martial arts with bawdy comedy...
films Winners and Sinners
Winners and Sinners
Winners and Sinners is a 1983 Hong Kong action comedy film directed, co-written by and starring Sammo Hung. It was the first in the Lucky Stars series of films - a highly successful series in Hong Kong....
(1983) and Twinkle, Twinkle Lucky Stars
Twinkle, Twinkle Lucky Stars
Twinkle, Twinkle Lucky Stars is a 1985 Hong Kong action comedy film directed and co-written by Sammo Hung. It is the third instalment in the Lucky Stars series, following Winners and Sinners and My Lucky Stars...
(1985), and starring roles alongside comedy partner Richard Ng
Richard Ng
Richard Ng Yiu-Hon is a Hong Kong actor. He is known for playing comedic roles, particularly in Hong Kong films of the 1980s and 90s.-Film and television career:...
in the Pom Pom series (1984–1986).
Shum is credited as a producer on over 20 films including Hong Kong 1941
Hong Kong 1941
Hong Kong 1941 is a 1983 Hong Kong film, directed by Leong Po-Chih and written by Sammo Hung.-Synopsis:The film takes places shortly before and during the Japanese occupation of Hong Kong during World War II...
(1984), Legacy of Rage
Legacy of Rage
Legacy of Rage is a 1986 Hong Kong action film starring Brandon Lee in his film debut, Michael Wong, Regina Kent, Chung Lam and a cameo appearance by Bolo Yeung who had appeared in Lee's father Bruce Lee's last film Enter the Dragon. It was directed by Ronny Yu and made in Cantonese...
(1986) and The Banquet
The Banquet (1991 film)
The Banquet , also known as Party of a Wealthy Family, is a 1991 Hong Kong comedy film...
(1991).
He worked as assistant director on the 1987 Michelle Yeoh film Magnificent Warriors
Magnificent Warriors
Magnificent Warriors is a 1987 Hong Kong action film starring Michelle Yeoh and Richard Ng and directed by David Chung....
and also has credits on a number of other films, with roles such as planning, executive production and presentation.
In 1992, Shum co-hosted the Hong Kong Film Awards ceremony.
Throughout much of the 1990s, films took a back seat as Shum was heavily involved with the Pro-Democracy movement in Hong Kong.
In 2005, he was appointed the Executive Secretary of the Federation of Hong Kong Filmmakers, by the government-sponsored Film Development Committee (FDC). In December 2007, he was enrolled as an executive committee member of the Hong Kong Performing Artistes Guild
Hong Kong Performing Artistes Guild
Hong Kong Performing Artistes Guild or HKPAG is the main non-profit labour association for Hong Kong artistes, canto-pop singers and stage performers. It was formed on 12 December 1993. Its current Chairman is singer Eric Tsang....
.
His latest role is as executive producer, alongside Jackie Chan
Jackie Chan
Jackie Chan, SBS, MBE is a Hong Kong actor, action choreographer, comedian, director, producer, martial artist, screenwriter, entrepreneur, singer and stunt performer. In his movies, he is known for his acrobatic fighting style, comic timing, use of improvised weapons, and innovative stunts...
, for the forthcoming film Wushu (2008), which will be directed by Antony Szeto
Antony Szeto
-Background:Szeto was born in Sydney, Australia, but moved to Hong Kong when he was very young. He grew up in Hong Kong and returned to Australia to complete his high school. Soon after finishing school he went to China where he studied at the Beijing Sport University majoring in Chinese martial arts...
and will star Sammo Hung
Sammo Hung
Sammo Hung is a Hong Kong actor, martial artist, film producer and director, known for his work in many martial arts films and Hong Kong action cinema...
.