Shi Nansheng produced many cinematic classics during her lifetime, and after divorcing Tsui Hark they remained the best of partners. Sixteen years ago, the two approached superstar Andy Lau (Hua Zai) to shoot 'Detective Dee and the Mystery of the Phantom Flame'. Lau revealed that, despite having been in the industry for over 30 years, it was his first time working with Shi Nansheng—mainly because Shi had thought he 'came off as too much of an idol'!
Tsui Hark served as director, Shi Nansheng as producer, and they invited Andy Lau, Carina Lau, Li Bingbing, Deng Chao, and Tony Leung Ka-fai to star in 'Detective Dee and the Mystery of the Phantom Flame', with Sammo Hung as the action choreographer. The film was successful both at the box office and with critics, garnering 13 nominations at the 30th Hong Kong Film Awards and winning 6, including Carina Lau's first-ever Best Actress win at the Hong Kong Film Awards.
It was Andy Lau's first time working with Tsui Hark, and when asked why it took him 30 years to finally film a Tsui Hark movie, he laughed and said it was Shi Nansheng's dislike—she thought he 'couldn't shake off being an idol.' Lau disclosed at the time: 'Many years ago, she (Shi Nansheng) approached me to play Xu Xian in