Lai Shi, China’s Last Eunuch

When Jacob Cheung joined Bo Ho Films, he was recommended by Eric Tsang to direct Lai Shi, China’s Last Eunuch. It was Cheung’s directorial debut, based on a semi-autobiography of Sun Yaoting, one of the last eunuchs of the Qing dynasty. Eddie Fong wrote the script, condensing an epic historical saga into a 90-minute film, marking one of the only times the action-focused Bo Ho produces a historical drama. Producer Sammo Hung not only appeared in a role, but also brought in Lam Ching-ying, Wu Ma, and Andy Lau as guest stars, assembling a remarkable and rarely seen line-up for a drama film.

The story begins in 1911 at the end of Qing Dynasty rule, and ends in 1924, after the last emperor Puyi and his subjects were evicted from the Forbidden City. Liu Laishi (Max Mok Siu-chung) had become a eunuch to support his impoverished family, only to be forced to leave from the Forbidden City soon after starting his service. He later reunites with childhood friend Zhaodi (Irene Wan), hoping to start a family and live a normal life once again…

Lam Ching-ying, Sammo Hung, and Wu Ma played Laishi’s father, an opera troupe leader, and Eunuch Ding respectively. Their characters’ interactions with Laishi represent three different sets of relationships in his life—father-son, teacher-apprentice, and master-servant—a set-up that illustrates the influence of nation and history on the individual and the family. Laishi’s point of view on the sidelines of history reveals the tragedy of one caught in the upheavals of dynastic change from the late Qing Dynasty to the Republic era. Early in his career, Cheung already showed a clear mastery of his craft, as well as a knack for arthouse dramas. The film was nominated for four Hong Kong Film Awards: Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Actor (Max Mok Siu-chung), and Best Supporting Actor (Wu Ma), a remarkable achievement for a directorial debut.

Date	Time	Venue
7/11/2026 (Sat) #	11:00am	Cinema, Hong Kong Film Archive

# Post-screening talk with Jacob Cheung and Thomas Shin (moderator)

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