Lai Pak-hoi
Encyclopedia
Lai Pak-hoi or Li Beihai (1889–1950) was a Chinese
actor
and producer
based in Hong Kong
, and an early pioneer of the Hong Kong film industry.
, although this has been disputed, since no records of the film remain. Lai was involved in the making of Zhuangzi Tests His Wife
, the first confirmed Hong Kong-produced film, acting as owner of the company that financed the film, the China-America Company. The China-America Company, or Hua Mei, was founded by Lai with his former colleague Brodsky and Lai's brother, Lai Man-Wai
.
Lai, along with his brothers Lai Man-wai and Lai Hoi-shan, founded the first Chinese-owned production company in China, the Minxin Film Company
. The British colonial government
rejected their plans to build the studio in Hong Kong, so they were forced to do so in neighboring Guanzhou
in 1924.
He also started the China Sound and Silent Movies Company, which released the first Cantonese
talkie, Conscience, in Hong Kong. In 1925, Lai directed Rouge, the region's first feature length film. Conscience was only a partial sound film however, a full sound film, An Idiot Disturbs the House, was released the same year.
Lai left the Hong Kong film industry in 1935, and died later in 1950.
in Hong Kong
.
Chinese people
The term Chinese people may refer to any of the following:*People with Han Chinese ethnicity ....
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 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...
based in Hong Kong
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...
, and an early pioneer of the Hong Kong film industry.
Biography
Lai began his career as an actor, and was involved in one of the first films made in China, Stealing a Roast Duck, a silent short directed by Liang Shaobo in 1909. The film was financed by the Asia Film Company, owned an American cinematographer and producer, Benjamin Brodsky, allegedly predating Zhuangzi Tests His WifeZhuangzi Tests His Wife
Zhuangzi Tests His Wife is a 1913 Hong Kong drama film directed by Li Minwei. It is the first ever feature film in Hong Kong cinema...
, although this has been disputed, since no records of the film remain. Lai was involved in the making of Zhuangzi Tests His Wife
Zhuangzi Tests His Wife
Zhuangzi Tests His Wife is a 1913 Hong Kong drama film directed by Li Minwei. It is the first ever feature film in Hong Kong cinema...
, the first confirmed Hong Kong-produced film, acting as owner of the company that financed the film, the China-America Company. The China-America Company, or Hua Mei, was founded by Lai with his former colleague Brodsky and Lai's brother, Lai Man-Wai
Lai Man-Wai
Lai Man-Wai , now known as Father of Hong Kong Cinema, was the director of the first Hong Kong movie Zhuangzi Tests His Wife in 1913...
.
Lai, along with his brothers Lai Man-wai and Lai Hoi-shan, founded the first Chinese-owned production company in China, the Minxin Film Company
Minxin Film Company
The Minxin Film Company or the China Sun Film Company was one of the earliest movie studios in the history of Chinese cinema.- History :...
. The British colonial government
British Hong Kong
British Hong Kong refers to Hong Kong as a Crown colony and later, a British dependent territory under British administration from 1841 to 1997.- Colonial establishment :...
rejected their plans to build the studio in Hong Kong, so they were forced to do so in neighboring Guanzhou
Guanzhou
Guanzhou Island is an island at the southeast of the central district of Guangzhou, Guangdong, China. It has the total area of 1.8 square kilometers...
in 1924.
He also started the China Sound and Silent Movies Company, which released the first Cantonese
Cantonese
Cantonese is a dialect spoken primarily in south China.Cantonese may also refer to:* Yue Chinese, the Chinese language that includes Cantonese* Cantonese cuisine, the cuisine of Guangdong province...
talkie, Conscience, in Hong Kong. In 1925, Lai directed Rouge, the region's first feature length film. Conscience was only a partial sound film however, a full sound film, An Idiot Disturbs the House, was released the same year.
Lai left the Hong Kong film industry in 1935, and died later in 1950.
Legacy
Lai is commemorated with a star at the Avenue of StarsAvenue of Stars, Hong Kong
The Avenue of Stars , modelled on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, is located along the Victoria Harbour waterfront in Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong. It honours celebrities of the Hong Kong film industry.-History:...
in Hong Kong
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...
.