Stephen Fung on Chow Yun-fat, John Woo and Elon Musk: the Hong Kong movie actor and director reflects on action classic A Better Tomorrow, time, timepieces and ageing gracefully

Jul 5 , 2023

What’s that on Hong Kong actor/director Stephen Fung’s wrist? We spy a J12 Spatiotemporal watch. Photo: Chanel

Stephen Fung Tak-lun touchingly donned A Better Tomorrow T-shirt at this year’s Cannes Film Festival, paying tribute to John Woo, the legendary director who inspired him to get into film

Now with numerous films under his own belt – from House of Fury to Jump – the actor-turned-director finds pleasure in the smaller things, including perfectly monochrome Chanel timepieces

“When I first saw the movie A Better Tomorrow, I was attracted by Chow Yun-fat’s cool-looking character, and I was around 12 years old at that time,” recalls Stephen Fung Tak-lun in a sit-down interview with Style, reminiscing about the lasting impact the film left on his young mind. “As a kid, you’re drawn to the action and style, but as an adult, you appreciate the themes of brotherhood and moral code in the movie.”

Fung (middle) chose to wear a T-shirt featuring a classic scene from A Better Tomorrow at the Marché du Film in Cannes this May. Photo: Marché du Film

The actor-turned-director and producer has kept that passion for John Woo’s classic gangster flick alive and, 36 years later, was invited to participate in a panel discussion on the future and significance of Hong Kong film during this year’s Cannes Film Festival. Onstage, he even wore a T-shirt featuring a classic scene from the 1986 action flick – that follows two brothers on opposing sides of the law as they grapple with loyalty, betrayal and redemption – crediting Woo’s work for igniting his lifelong passion for filmmaking.

Age has helped me understand what really matters. I’m not interested in empty compliments any more – life’s too short

Pushing creative boundaries

Making his entrance as a singer and actor in the mid-1990s, Fung made waves in the world of directing with his 2004 debut, Enter the Phoenix. He followed up with a remarkable 2005 collaboration with renowned martial arts choreographer and director Yuen Woo-ping on House of Fury, earning a nomination for best new director at the 25th Hong Kong Film Awards. In 2009, Fung directed the hit Jump, produced by the inimitable Stephen Chow.

Fung took on the roles of executive producer, director and action director for AMC’s Into the Badlands. Photo: AMC

In 2012, Fung delivered the visually striking, steampunk-inspired Tai Chi Zero and Tai Chi Hero before taking on the roles of executive producer, director and action director for AMC’s Into the Badlands, crafting breathtaking fight scenes and working with international stars like Daniel Wu and Nick Frost.

Five years later, Fung returned to the silver screen with the star-studded The Adventurers, showcasing his signature blend of humour and action in a film featuring legends Andy Lau and Jean Reno. In 2019, he expanded his reach further, shaping Netflix’s Wu Assassins.