Hong Kong film star Lee Hsieh yin, for his self-written and self-directed film "Public Servant" (1984), won the 21st Taiwan Golden Horse Awards in 1984 and the Best Actor Award at the 4th Hong Kong Film Awards in 1985.
This star from the "Zhangjia class" was unique at that time, which made everyone look at it with astonishment.
Lee Hsiehyun at the 21st Taiwan Golden Horse Awards ceremony in 1984
"Public servant" refers to the police. The film depicts a story in which two police officers, Ya B (played by Lee So-hyun) and Ya Jie (played by Eddie), are a pair of friends who have a deep affection.
During a mission, Ya B failed to shoot in time due to a momentary hesitation, so that Ya Jie was shot by the robber and died immediately. Angry and angry, Ya B accidentally killed a young child when he was hunting down the robbers and shooting.
Images of Lee Xiu-hyun in the film The Servant (1984).
In Hong Kong, where police films abound, why was such an ordinary police film valued and welcomed by the society at that time? The reasons are manifold.
Coincidentally, when the film was about to be released, there were several incidents in Hong Kong where the police shot at the wrong pedestrian for social security, and there was a great controversy in the society about whether the police should shoot or not.
As a result, "Public Servant" has become a realistic film that shocks society and has attracted the attention of all walks of life. In addition, "Public Servant" has a healthy theme, a rich plot, and a rigorous production.
The film not only explores the use of police guns, the relationship between love, reason and law, and the relationship between people, but also exposes the dark side of evil forces such as drug management and robbery of passers-by in Hong Kong society.
Although the film has fierce chase scenes, it is not bloody and violent. From the artistic point of view of the film, it is simple and not exaggerated, and full of humanity.
Some of the chase scenes are very good at shooting techniques, and many film professionals think that they are shooting at a high level.
Ya B, played by Li Xiuxian, is a rough policeman who loves work, has a sense of social responsibility, has courage and insight, and is very emotional.
He played the inner world of such a character to the fullest, neither ugly nor deified, so that the audience saw a policeman living next to him on the screen.
Because of this, in some cases, his faults may be understood, sympathized with, and even resonated with varying degrees. Therefore, it is not unreasonable for some people to describe "Public Servant" as a "poll".
The motivation that triggered Li Xiuxian's film at that time was mainly from the fact that after a working police officer shot at the robbers and injured the citizens, his nerves were stimulated and he suffered from "autism".
Li Xiuxian consciously reflects this psychological state of the detectives through the film in a meticulous and layered manner, truthfully and emotionally.
Li Xiuxian and Lin Qingxia at the 22nd Taiwan Golden Horse Awards ceremony in 1985
In order to make a good film of "Public Servant", Lee Xiu-yin spent half a year running through the relocation area of Hong Kong to gain an in-depth understanding of the life of lower-class citizens. He spent more than three months in the police station, observing and experiencing the working life of police officers.
He interviewed a number of police officers involved in the shootings to gather the most authentic first-hand information. After some unremitting efforts, he finally made "Public Servant" into a film that is both entertaining and profound. It can be said that this is Li Xiuxian's work of speech.
Photo in the "Golden Horse 50" album
At the beginning of filming, Li Xiuxian was only the choreographer of "Public Servant", and then because the shooting period was approaching, he did not find a suitable actor, so he personally went to the battle. At that time, he only wanted to shoot good scenes, and he did not expect to become a "double film emperor".
When the media attributed Li Xiuxian's success to the "Zhangjiaban", the leading director of the "Zhangjiaban" Zhang Che (1923-2002) said: "Although Li Xiuxian was introduced to the film industry by me, he did not become popular in my hands. He is well known for making police films, which is his own achievement, and I can't plunder the beauty. ”
Images of 19-year-old Li Xiuxian and He Lili when filming the movie "Jianghu Xing" (1973) were interviewed by reporters
Indeed, Zhang Che's beloved, in addition to David Jiang and Dillon, is his righteous son Fu Sheng (1954-1983), and Li Xiuxian can only always be a supporting role in the movies starring David Jiang, Dillon and Fu Sheng.
Born on August 6, 1952 in Shanghai, Li Xiuxian is a native of Shantou, Guangdong Province, and grew up in Hong Kong. Because of his poor family, he lived in a slum at an early age, and since then, his young mind has had a dream: to grow up to become a policeman.
Forced by family burdens, Li Xiuxian dropped out of school and could only work in society to earn a living. He wanted to apply for the police academy, but gave up due to his mother's strong opposition.
Stills from the movie "The Legend of the Condor Hero" (1977), Lee Xiu-hyun
In 1970, in order to cultivate film talents, Shaw opened an artist training class, and 17-year-old Li Xiuxian successfully applied for the exam and became the first batch of students.
Less than a week after joining, one night, Li Xiuxian and his classmates were practicing in the dojo, coinciding with the three people who passed by director Zhang Che, Wu Ma (1942-2014) and Bao Xueli. Zhang Che stopped for a moment and swept around, then reached out and pointed at Li Xiuxian.
Later, Zhang Che told people that he thought Li Xiuxian was in his early 20s, but this boy was the first "child laborer" in his company - under the age of 18.
The film "Chinese Superman" (1975) set, Li Xiuxian
It is precisely because of Zhang Che's "art of knowing people" that the fate of Li Xiuxian's life has been completely changed.
In 1971, Li Xiuxian officially debuted in "Two Heroes" and began an acting career of nearly half a century. After Zhang Che signed Li Xiuxian, none of the plays gave him the male lead, nor did any plays specifically praise him.
Lee Is Hyun is a master of bare-handed judo and motorcycles. In "Chinese Superman" (1975), in which he starred, he drove a motorcycle across the sky, soaring over the air, imposing and intimidating, showing the character's bravery and fortitude.
Stills from the movie "Fortune Star Gao Zhao" (1974), Lee Soo Hyun (middle)
In the co-production detective film "Cai Xing Gao Zhao" (1974), Li Xiuxian played three brothers by himself, which not only made him addicted to acting in literary and martial arts, but also learned Western shooting techniques and Italian language in the relationship with Italian directors and actors.
In 1976, Lee Xiu-hyun starred in a film "Bruce Lee and I" (1976), which reflected the deeds of Bruce Lee's life, and his imitation of Bruce Lee's expression and movements during his lifetime was very impressive, which was well received by the film circle.
Stills from the movie "One Way" (1981), Lee Seo-hyun
Li Xiuxian also starred in costume martial arts films such as "Tianlong Babu" (1977), "The Legend of the Archery Hero" (1977), "The Wind and The Sword Without a Trace" (1980) and so on.
Time passes in the ordinary, youth is consumed in the middle of nothing, and the short opportunity given to him by Zhang Che was fleeting a few years ago.
In this case, many of Zhang Che's many other disciples went with the flow, and Li Xiuxian began to re-plan his career, learning everything from film cutting, dubbing, screenwriting, and filming, laying a solid foundation for him to create a "universal" film industry and engage in behind-the-scenes work in the future.
Stills from the movie Friend Over Band (1982).
Li Xiuxian and Wang Qing formed an actor brother class and made a "One Way Road" (1981) for Shaw Company, which was his first film. The film depicts some young people who often hold racing activities in pursuit of excitement and undermine social order, thus reflecting the spiritual emptiness of some young people in Hong Kong.
In the early 1980s, Lee left Shaw to direct Friend Over Band (1982) for The Luck Company, making him a popular comedy director and "the director who knows best how to joke with police officers".
Stills from the movie "Modern Yamen" (1983), from left: Zheng Zeshi, Li Xiuxian, Feng Quanfan
Of the four films he directed at the time, all of them were based on the life of the police, including "Modern Yamen" (1983), all of which were played by himself as policemen. Therefore, he is known as a "police artist".
He is cheerful, composed, determined, and a little mischievously "weird". He often drove a motorcycle and suddenly sprinted to the side of an acquaintance like a flying arrow, frightening people to sweat.
He also used to put his feet on the white wall, raising his feet to make shoe sole marks on it, one higher than the other, and said: "This is gecko gong, people walk on the wall." "What a big boy.
Li Xiuxian's life photo, taken in 1987
Because he dared to "fire" at bad behavior, he became a famous "cow spirit". In addition to the film circle, his friends are not only policemen, but also small traders, workers driving trucks on the docks, etc., and they are all close friends with each other.
In the mid-1980s, Run Run Shaw announced the cessation of the film business and focused on television, and the once popular Shaw heroes lost their jobs. Li Xiuxian, who has been a supporting role in martial arts films for more than ten years, has made a beautiful turn, and at this time, the police and bandit genre films are also popular in Hong Kong.
Images of Lee Andh-hyun and Lin Wei in the film Brothers (1986).
Lee Seo Hyun's image in the film Brothers (1986).
At that time, major companies began to shoot hero films, and when "The True Colors of Heroes" was completed, the newly emerging head of Debao Pan Disheng invited Li Xiuxian and Wan Ziliang to star in "Brothers" (1986).
At the beginning of the release of "Hero's True Colors" in August of the same year, it won the top box office with the momentum of a dark horse, and "Brothers" was only released at the end of November, although the difference between "Hero's True Colors" at the box office was too large, but Li Xiuxian and Wan Ziliang were both nominated for film emperors with this film, but unfortunately lost to the popular "Little Horse Brother".
Images of Lee Hsieh yin and Chow Yun Fat in the film Dragon and Tiger Storm (1987).
At that time, Li Xiuxian had already led the way with superstars such as Zhou Runfa, Wan Ziliang, and Hong Jinbao; his behind-the-scenes contributions were more prominent, and he competed with major schools such as Wu Yusen, Lin Lingdong, and Ma Dangxiong.
At this time, the Mai Jia of the new art city "re-activated" Lin Lingdong filmed "Dragon and Tiger Storm" (1987) at the end of 1986, and the "Xiufa" group was born, which changed the fate of many main creators.
Lin Lingdong turned over the salted fish, Zhang Yaoyang became famous in a battle, and the protagonists Li Xiuxian and Zhou Runfa both became the inverted double males on the screen in the late 1980s.
After the success of "Dragon and Tiger Storm", New Art City continued to dig deeper into such themes, and then Lin Lingdong's "Prison Storm" (1987) was immediately launched, but unfortunately Li Xiuxian missed the film due to time problems, and Was topped by Leung Ka Fai.
Images of Li Xiuxian, Zhou Runfa and Ye Qianwen in the film "Two Heroes of Blood" (1989).
The reason why "Prison Storm" was pushed out was because the Golden Princess Company saw Li Xiuxian's ability to write and direct and act, decided to integrate its own resources, and invited him to create the "Universal" film industry, mainly filming police bandits, gun battles and crime documentary themes, and wholeheartedly building a police crime world.
However, it is surprising that Lee Xiu-yin ignored the market trend at that time, no matter how the Hong Kong film industry changes, he wrote and directed almost all of his own police films.
Images of Lee Hsieh-hyun and Chow Yun-fat in the film The Two Heroes of Blood (1989).
In 1986, "The True Colors of Heroes" led the trend of jianghu films, and Li Xiuxian was filming police movies; in 1987, "Ghost of a Woman" led the trend of ghost films, and Li Xiuxian was making police movies; in 1988, literary and art films were popular, Li Xiuxian was making police movies; in 1989, gambling films swept across the world, Li Xiuxian was filming police movies; in 1990, nonsense comedy arose, and Li Xiuxian still made police movies.
Although it was not made into "Prison Storm", the "Xiufa" group still appeared in films such as "Yiben Speechless" (1987) and "Jianghu Love" (1987).
Until the most impressive wu Yusen's "Blood Double Male" (1989), let the two males against the hot Xiangjiang, so that the "hair repair" combination is invincible - and Ye Qianwen in the movie always looks like a third party between the two brothers.
Where Zhang Che is, there is a jianghu, from left: Li Xiuxian, Wu Ma, Chen Guantai, Zhang Che, Jiang David, Wu Yusen, Dillon
In 1989, on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of Zhang Che's retirement from film, Li Xiuxian, who was the least favored by his master, stopped all the work of the "Almighty" Film Industry and devoted himself to production, and organized a grand and brilliant celebration party for Zhang Che - "Righteous Courage and Courage" (1989).
Co-produced by Li Xiuxian, Xu Ke and Jiang David, co-directed by Wu Yusen and Wu Ma, written by Ni Kuang and Hou Zhiqiang, dillon, Jiang David, Chen Guantai, Wu Ma, Luo Lie (1938-2002), Gu Feng and many other Shaw disciples gathered together.
Stills from the movie "Righteous Courage" (1989), from left: David Jiang, Noon Ma, Lee Xiu-hyun
In addition, Zhou Xingchi, Cheng Kui'an (1955-2009), Huang Bowen, Wang Juntang and other "universal" film companies appeared in unison. Supervisor, choreographer, director, and actor, each of whom is a big figure in the Hong Kong film industry, can really be described as: disciples and grandchildren are present, and there are elites in front of and behind the stage.
Almost all of the main creators in front of and behind the stage of "Righteous Courage" do not take salaries and work for Zhang Che voluntarily. After the film was released in the Golden Princess Theater, after deducting all the expenses, Li Xiuxian and other brothers gave all the income of more than 8 million yuan to Zhang Che.
From left: Li Xiuxian, Zhang Che, Zhou Xingchi
When Zhang Che died in 2002, Li Xiuxian and Jiang David paid for their master's funeral. A teacher for a day, a father for life.
Cai Lan once said: "The most hearted and filial piety is Li Xiuxian, but Zhang Che loved him the most before he died." Li Xiuxian has today's position in the film industry, and Zhang Che has not helped. ”
Images of Li Xiuxian, Zeng Zhiwei and Li Zhi in the movie Dragon Tiger Zhi Duo Xing (1988).
The famous director Cheng Gang (Cheng Xiaodong's father) once said: "Li Xiuxian is a very well-behaved child, as long as you know how filial piety he is, you will think he is very cute, a person who is filial to his parents, even if it is bad, it is not bad to do any tricks, you believe me to say." ”
In addition to filial piety to his mother, gratitude to his master, and respect for his predecessors, Li Xiuxian is even more stingy with the younger generations. Many of the most well-known big figures in today's film industry have received help from Li Xiuxian when they entered the industry.
Images of Li Xiuxian and Wang Zuxian in the movie "Zhi Duo Xing" (1990).
In 1978, Lee Xiu-hsien dug into the industry; "Big Fool" won the 23rd Taiwan Golden Horse Awards in 1986 and the 6th Hong Kong Film Awards in 1987 with double nominations for Best Supporting Actor with "Royal Meal" (1986), and has since become famous in the film industry.
It can be said that cheng kui'an can be seen in almost every li xiuxian movie.
Stills from the movie "Thunderbolt Pioneer" (1988), Cheng Kui'an
In 1988, through the recommendation of Wan Ziliang, Zhou Xingchi was reused. Stephen Chow won the Best Supporting Actor at the 25th Taiwan Golden Horse Awards in 1988 for "Thunderbolt Pioneer" (1988); "Wind and Rain on the Same Road" (1990), "Love Saint" (1991), "The Dragon's Descendant" (1991) and other early works of Zhou Xingchi were all produced by "Universal".
The encounter with Zhou Xingchi actually represents the "rupture" of the two eras.
Images of Lee Xiu-hyun in the film Thunderbolt Pioneer (1988).
Images of Lee Hsieh yin and Stephen Chow in the film Thunderbolt Pioneer (1988).
If Deng Guangrong, Hong Jinbao, Li Xiuxian and others represent the feelings of the older generation of the Hong Kong film industry, they often mix with "righteousness" in the rivers and lakes, and in this generation dominated by Chow Sing Chi and Leung Chao-wai, they are basically premised on "profit", and Zhou Runfa, who is sandwiched in the middle, does not rely on either side.
Although you have the grace of knowing me, you should not stop me from "making money". After all, for Li Xiuxian's generation, people who came out of traditional education grew up under the influence of "suffering losses is a blessing" in their bones.
Images of Lee Hsieh-hyun and Stephen Chow in the film The Same Road in the Storm (1990).
Images of Lee Sau-hyun, Stephen Chow and Chow Hui-min in the film The Wind and Rain (1990).
He himself came this way, and naturally thought that I was like this to the next generation, and the next generation should "identify" and "bear", which led to a complete "rupture" in concepts and concepts, and since then the rivers and lakes of Hong Kong have gradually disappeared.
Even if Stephen Chow later set up a company and signed artists, he was not repeating some past situations. However, Zhou Xingchi's artists at that time were more "fierce" and "fast" to terminate their contracts with him.
Images of Jiao Jiao, Aaron Kwok and Lee Xiu-hyun in the movie "Accompany Me" (1992).
Most of the characters played by Lee Sau Yin are police characters, and the style of the characters he plays is also a hero and a relatively positive image of the police, and more than half of the movies in his career are mostly police films, so Lee Xiu Xian has dedicated his life to Hong Kong police movies.
Li Xiuxian's usual clothes are very casual, but he is very disciplined and rigorous in life, he is a good husband who loves his wife and a good friend who is righteous.
Images of Li Xiuxian, Wu Yusen, Huang Xia, and Cheng Kui'an in the talk show "No Defense Tonight"
It is understood that Li Xiuxian's wife is an outsider, once a flight attendant, the two married very early, had a daughter, the daughter is already the mother of two children.
Li Xiuxian has never passed on any gossip in his life, and the two who have been married for many years have always been very affectionate, which is rare in the Hong Kong entertainment industry.
In 2019, Li Xiuxian and his wife were photographed by reporters when they went shopping on the street
Now 69-year-old Li Xiuxian has long lost the style of the mighty heroic policeman, his face has been wrinkled, and his once thick black hair has become white and thin, and the contrast between today's image and the image of his youth is huge, which is very impressive.
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