Wu Ma

Wu Ma ( Chinese  午 馬  /  午 马 , Pinyin Wǔ Mǎ , Jyutping Ng ⁵ Maa ⁵ , born as Fung Wang-Yuen 馮宏源  /  冯宏源 , Féng Hóngyuán , Jyutping Fung ⁴ Wang ⁴ jyun ⁴ , born September 22, 1942 in Tianjin , China ; † February 4, 2014 in Hong Kong ) was a Hong Kong actor , director , film producer and screenwriter . Wu Ma - real name Fung, Wang-Yuen - made his screen debut in 1963 and has become famous within fifty years with over 300 appearances including 49 directorial works. He was one of the most famous faces in the history of Hong Kong cinema and had his breakthrough in the West with the role of the ghost- hunting Taoist in A Chinese Ghost Story by director Ching Siu-Tung .

Career

At the age of 16 Ma learned the trade of machinist before moving to Hong Kong. After immigrating in 1962, Ma enrolled in an acting class at the Shaw Brothers studios . A year later he became a contract actor with Shaw Brothers Studios and made his debut with "Lady General Hua Mu-lan". He took a short stage name so that it would be remembered by the audience. When he was later offered the position of the prevented film assistant director on a trip to Japan for a film, he agreed. After his experiences on set, Wu decided to become a director. His directorial debut "Wrath of the Sword" followed in 1970. He shot forerunners of Kung Fu comedies. B. Sammo Hung (The fat man with the super punch; Iron Fisted Monk) and Jackie Chan ( The serpent in the eagle's shadow ; Two rascals in the bone mill ) became very successful in the same decade. The later martial arts stars often cast Wu Ma in their films.

Wu Ma shot with many stars of the genre and, in addition to his talent as a director, also repeatedly demonstrated his acting ability in many small roles. He was often cast as a police officer or monk.

After his role as a demon hunter in the Tsui Hark production A Chinese Ghost Story , he starred in many films that had supernatural themes.

Shortly afterwards he worked with filmmaker Tsui Hark on "Once upon a Time in China" and "Swordsman". After the film industry began to collapse in Hong Kong in the mid-1990s, Wu Ma's career also slowed down and he starred a lot in low budget films and television series.

Wu Ma died in 2014 of lung cancer, which he was diagnosed too late. He died peacefully at his home in Hong Kong at the age of 71.

Films (selection)

actor

• 1965: Temple of the Red Lotus (Wang Yu - The Temple of the Red Lotus)
• 1969: Return of the One-Armed Swordsman
• 1970: The Wandering Swordsman
• 1971: The Mad Killer
• 1971: The Deaf and Mute Heroine (Tang Ching - Furies on the Yellow River)
• 1972: The Water Margin (The Seven Strikes of the Yellow Dragon)
• 1972: The Delightful Forest (King of the Shaolin)
• 1973: The Young Tiger (Ting Lu- The Cruel Tiger)
• 1973: Devil & Angel (Wu Kung - Lord of the Bloody Knives)
• 1975: Conman and the Kung Fu Kid (Yellow Fist and Black Eye)
• 1975: All Men Are Brothers (The Conquerors)
• 1977: The Iron Fisted Monk
• 1977: Along came a Tiger (The Tiger with the Death Claw)
• 1977: The Iron Monkey (The School of Shaolin)
• 1978: Half a Loaf of Kung Fu (Cameo)
• 1978: Revenge of the Shaolin Kid [Cameo]
• 1979: Duel of the Dragon (The Breath of Death of the Golden Dragon)
• 1979: Master of Death (Shaolin Executor)
• 1980: By Hook or by Crook
• 1980: Encounter of the Spooky Kind
• 1980: Laughing Times
• 1981: The Prodigal Son (The Little Dragon's Fist of Death) [Cameo]
• 1982: The Dead and the Deadly
• 1982: Carry On Pickpocket
• 1983: Winners and Sinners
• 1983: Project A (The Superfighter)
• 1984: Hong Kong 1941
• 1984: Wheels on Meals (Powerman)
• 1984: Pom Pom (Crime Land)
• 1984: Hocus Pocus
• 1984: The Owl and Dumbo
• 1985: Twinkle Twinkle Lucky Stars (Powerman 2)
• 1985: Yes, Madam! (Ultra Force 2) [cameo]
• 1985: Heart of the Dragon (Powerman 3)
• 1985: Mr. Vampire
• 1986: Mr. Vampire Part 2
• 1986: Pom Pom Strikes Back
• 1986: 100 Ways to Murder Your Wife [cameo]
• 1986: New Mr. Vampire [cameo]
• 1986: The Millionaires' Express (Shanghai Police)
• 1986: Righting Wrongs (Days of Terror)
• 1986: Peking Opera Blues
• 1987: Return of the Demon
• 1987: A Chinese Ghost Story (Seduction from the Realm of the Dead Part 1)
• 1987: Vampire's Breakfast
• 1987: Scared Stiff
• 1987: Mr. Vampire Part 3
• 1987: Operation Eastern Condors
• 1988: Mr. Vampire Saga Four
• 1988: Painted Faces (life behind masks)
• 1988: Spooky, Spooky
• 1988: Police Story II
• 1988: Dragons Forever ( Action Hunter )
• 1989: Just Heroes (Hard Boiled II)
• 1989: Mr. Canton and Lady Rose ( Miracles )
• 1990: Magic Cop
• 1990: Swordsman (master of the sword)
• 1990: A Chinese Ghost Story II (Seduction from the Realm of the Dead Part 2)
• 1990: Pantyhose Hero
• 1991: The Magnificent Scoundrels
• 1992: China Dolls
• 1992: A Kid from Tibet
• 1993: Painted Skin
• 1993: Exorcist Master
• 1994: Deadful Melody
• 1995: High Risk (Total Risk)
• 1995: Don't Give a Damn
• 1996: Iron Monkey 2
• 2005: House of Fury
• 2007: Not without my corpse

Director

• 1970: Wrath of the Sword
• 1971: Deaf and Mute Heroine
• 1972: The Water Margin
• 1973: The Young Tiger
• 1973: The Pirate
• 1974: The Dumb Ox
• 1974: Wits to Wits
• 1974: The Manchu Boxer
• 1974: April Fool
• 1974: The Protectors
• 1975: All Men Are Brothers
• 1975: The Golden Triangle
• 1976: The Shaolin Avengers
• 1976: The New Shaolin Boxers
• 1976: Shaolin Temple
• 1976; Seven Man Army
• 1977: Along Comes a Tiger
• 1977: The Naval Commandos
• 1977: Shaolin Deadly Kicks
• 1977: Magnificent Wanderers
• 1978: Showdown at the Cotton Mill
• 1978: The Murder of Murders
• 1978: Snake Crane Secret
• 1979: The Handcuff
• 1979: Eunuch of the Western Palace
• 1979: Flying Sword Lee
• 1980: The Heroes
• 1980: Kung-Fu of Eight Drunkards
• 1981: Beware of Pickpockets
• 1981: Brave Commando
• 1982: The Dead and the Deadly
• 1985: Mr. Boo Meets Pom Pom
• 1986: Shyly Joker
• 1987: My Cousin the Ghost
• 1988: Picture of a Nymph
• 1989: Just Heroes
• 1989: Burning Sensation
• 1990: Stage Door Johnny
• 1990: Story of Kennedy Town
• 1991: Fox Legend
• 1991: Devil Gambler
• 1993: kickboxer
• 1993: Exorcist Master
• 1994: The Chinese Ghostbuster
• 1994: Circus Kids
• 1999: Generation Consultant
• 1999: Pendragon generation
• 2005: Insuperable Kid Huoyuanjia
• 2006: The Best Banquet in the World

Hong Kong Film Awards

Best supporting role

• 1987: Nominated: Wu Ma; "Righting Wrongs"
• 1988: Nominated: Wu Ma; "A Chinese Ghost Story"
• 1989: Nominated: Wu Ma; "Last Eunuch in China"

Best director

• 1984: Nominated: Wu Ma; "The Dead and the Deadly"

Best movie

• 1984: Nominated: "The Dead and the Deadly"

Web links

• Wu Ma (午 馬 / 午 马) at Internet Movie Database (English)
• Wu Ma (午 馬 / 午 马) at Chinese Movie Database (Chinese, English)
• Wu Ma (午 馬 / 午 马) at Hong Kong Movie Database (Chinese, English)
• Wu Ma (午 馬 / 午 马) at Hong Kong Cinemagic (French, English)

Note: This article places the family name before the person's first name. This is the usual order in Chinese. Wu is the family name here, Ma is the first name.