Lau Kar Leung recognition

[ASaroch]

I was delighted to read that 'The Pops' got a lifetime achievement award at the HKFA. One of the great directors of the east, the man who perhaps put the 'art' into martial arts cinema (alongside King Hu), its excellent that his legacy is not forgotten. Who knows, perhaps one day the 'serious' critics in the West will 'discover' him the way they eventually did with King Hu, Kenji Mizoguchi and so many others.

[Phil]

Definitely long overdue, but I wonder how much awards like that actually mean to people in the industry. Sure, it's nice to receive any kind of recognition, but doesn't the lifetime achievement award almost feel a degree of admittance that your career is all but over?

[econdor]

Agreed well deserved, but you have to say he's in the twilight of his career I mean what he's gotta be 70 ish now, is he doing anything at the moment film wise?

[ASaroch]

But it does sometimes bring about a re-appraisal of past work.

[Charlie Parker]

He only worked on two movies last decade, Drunken Monkey and Seven Swords

[ASaroch]

But its not about what he's doing here and now. Its ensuring that his name will be appreciated by modern Asian audiences for his legacy. If he never steps foot into a film studio again, an award like that is still an appreciation of the fine body of work he's left behind.

[Charlie Parker]

I agree, sorry should've quoted econdor's question there. I can't say I pay any heed to awards or prizes but anything that gets a worthwhile name out there is worth a punt.
If anything the kung fu film maker as auteur that Lau Kar Leung epitomised is dead and gone. There's maybe some Thai style guys but they don't got the soul that Pops put into his stuff

[ASaroch]

Very true sir.

[ASaroch]

On a separate note, it's also great to see Hui Ying Hung winning an award at the HKFA.

[Phil]

Seconded, made me want to check out 'At the End of Daybreak' too