Ah Kam (Michelle Yeoh), who grew up and trained in martial arts in the Mainland, arrives in Hong Kong and joins Tung’s (Sammo Hung) stunt team. Starting as a stunt double, she gradually gains praise and acceptance, and becomes an action choreographer. At one point she gives up her career for love, moving to Shenzhen to manage her boyfriend’s (Jimmy Wong) karaoke bar. She eventually returns to the film industry, but tragedy strikes as Tung gets murdered by gangsters. The film offers a rare, behind-the-scenes look at film production through the eyes of a stunt performer by dramatising their trials and tribulations, and also touches upon the contemporary issue of the influence of organised crime on the film industry. Hung gives a superb, naturalistic performance as a caring and righteous ‘Big Brother’—as he is known in real life. As with Summer Snow (1995), director Ann Hui adds a woman’s touch to the story by focusing on the conflicts and dilemmas faced by professional women entering middle age. Yeoh shows off her dramatic chops in the role of a stunt performer who is tough and composed on the outside, but emotional and sensitive on the inside. She gives a layered, emotionally charged, and deeply impressive performance. Yeoh actually sustained a heavy injury when shooting the scene where she jumps off a flyover, and the footage has been included in the end credits as a salute to her selfless professionalism.

Courtesy of Orange Sky Golden Harvest Entertainment Group

The contents of the programme do not represent the views of the presenter. The presenter reserves the right to change the programme should unavoidable circumstances make it necessary.