Yu So-chow was born into a Beijing opera family, with her grandfather, father (Yu Zhanyuan), mother, uncle and aunts, all hailing from the Beijing opera stage. Beginning training in operatic techniques as early as seven, she later caught the eye of Mei Lanfang who mentored her in the art of swordplay. Yu made her stage debut at nine, specialising in playing female warrior roles in which she demonstrated her tuo shou artistry – adept footwork and wielding of tasselled spears. The Invincible Yeung Generals provides ample opportunity to showcase her acrobatic prowess. The film is set in Northern Song when its borders are threatened by the Western Xia forces. To defend his country, Song chancellor Kau Chun enlists the services of the Yeung clan, appointing their son Yeung Man-kwong (Lam Kar-sing) as general, his mother Muk Kwai-ying (Yu So-chow) as army censor and Grand Matriarch Sei (Poon Yat On) as attaché. The gallant trio duly accomplish the task entrusted to the Yeung clan by breaking the Five-Dragon Formation laid by Princess of Western Xia (Chan Ho-kau). A tightly plotted period piece with action aplenty, this film is also chosen as a tribute to Lam Kar-sing, who passed away this August.

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