The Chinese film industry has once again lost a great star behind the scenes. Veteran Hong Kong film producer Cheng Chun-pong was reported to have passed away on the 10th. His exact age has not been officially released, but rumors online suggest he was 58 years old at the time of his death. Cheng was not only a close friend of the late superstar Leslie Cheung, but also a pivotal figure in driving Hong Kong-Japan cross-border film collaborations. His legendary act of mortgaging his own property to support a film production remains an enduring tale in the industry.
Starting his journey in the film industry in the late 1980s, Cheng worked his way up from the grassroots. He studied filmmaking at Japan Engineering College, equipping himself with fluent Japanese. This background made him an indispensable translator and communication bridge for film crews when stars like Alan Tam and Jackie Chan went to Japan for filming.
After returning to Hong Kong, Cheng leveraged his solid professional skills to rise from script supervisor and assistant director to producer. He also utilized his connections to spearhead several well-loved cross-border blockbusters for movie fans, including the China-Hong Kong drama "Moonlight Express" starring Tony Leung Chiu-wai, "Sleepless Town" featuring Takeshi Kaneshiro, and the action film "China Strike Force" starring Aaron Kwok and Norika Fujiwara. All these were accomplished through Cheng's tireless efforts, making him instrumental in bringing Hong Kong films into the Japanese market.
Beyond cross-border productions, Cheng's passion for local cinema was nothing short of "burning the bridges behind him." While filming the classic comedy "Black Rose II" in 1992, he resolutely mortgaged his own property to provide funds for the crew's operation. This unwavering dedication to art and commitment to the industry not only created a box-office legend at the time but also earned him high esteem across the industry.
Cheng was also known for his excellent connections in the film circle. He was not only a long-time close friend of Leslie Cheung, but also once served as the agent for the late actress Kathy Chow, boasting strong ties with many superstars. Even in recent years, he remained active at the forefront, producing a diverse range of works including "The Mobfathers," "The Four 3," "Zombie Fight Club," and "God of War."
News source: Liberty Times Entertainment
After returning to Hong Kong, Cheng leveraged his solid professional skills to rise from script supervisor and assistant director to producer. He also utilized his connections to spearhead several well-loved cross-border blockbusters for movie fans, including the China-Hong Kong drama "Moonlight Express" starring Tony Leung Chiu-wai, "Sleepless Town" featuring Takeshi Kaneshiro, and the action film "China Strike Force" starring Aaron Kwok and Norika Fujiwara. All these were accomplished through Cheng's tireless efforts, making him instrumental in bringing Hong Kong films into the Japanese market.
Beyond cross-border productions, Cheng's passion for local cinema was nothing short of "burning the bridges behind him." While filming the classic comedy "Black Rose II" in 1992, he resolutely mortgaged his own property to provide funds for the crew's operation. This unwavering dedication to art and commitment to the industry not only created a box-office legend at the time but also earned him high esteem across the industry.
Cheng was also known for his excellent connections in the film circle. He was not only a long-time close friend of Leslie Cheung, but also once served as the agent for the late actress Kathy Chow, boasting strong ties with many superstars. Even in recent years, he remained active at the forefront, producing a diverse range of works including "The Mobfathers," "The Four 3," "Zombie Fight Club," and "God of War."
News source: Liberty Times Entertainment