In 1943, a skeletal and eye-catching baby boy was born in Hong Kong. He is Liu Jiarong, born in a martial arts family dedicated to Guan Gong. 's father Liu Zhan is a generation of grandmasters, and his brother Liu Jialiang is a popular first-line action star.
When he was 10 years old, Liu Jiarong began to learn the family Xi Hongquan with his father. At first, his soft juvenile figure was not quite adapted to Hongquan's "scorpion sting" style of twisting force, but he quickly integrated it, and gradually reflected the explosion of strength when practicing.
At the age of 15 or 16, Liu Jiarong officially followed his brother into the film industry and became an energetic little martial artist and action director. Day after day, he followed his brother and watched how he performed kung fu in front of the camera and how he designed an innovative system for action scenes.
While learning Xi, he used his imagination in his brother's works to design a unique martial arts match.
These precious practical experiences are valuable assets for Liu Jiarong. In the bits and pieces of these film productions, a young man who is dedicated and hard-working is gradually growing day by day, accumulating his endless enthusiasm, and carving the sword of life in the future with his dedication to film martial arts.
In 1972, a new film called "The First Punch in the World" became popular in the film market, and the flashing punches and kicks in the film, and the tricks that came and went completely caught the audience's attention, all of which originated from the novel actions designed by a young man named Liu Jiarong.
For a time, the name "Liu Jiarong" quickly entered the hearts of the people like the fights he choreographed.
Two years later, 24-year-old Liu Jiarong made his first leading role in the action film "Cupola". In front of the camera, he is full of aura, every move and style are used happily, and his acting skills have also been recognized by the director.
This is the opportunity he has been longing for for a long time, so that more audiences can remember the name "Liu Jiarong".
Boosted in self-confidence, Lau Ka Wing decided to no longer confine himself to Hong Kong, but was eager to pursue his ambitions on a wider stage. He crossed the Strait and came to Taiwan, the southeast film production center at that time, and participated in the shooting of many well-known action movies, and his ability was honed by different styles of action design.
The continuous enrichment of experience has also enabled this heart to thrive in the new environment.
When he returned to Hong Kong, he was already an all-round filmmaker with a wealth of experience and ready to develop. Liu Jiarong's actions with electric light and flint left not only a figure on the screen, but also a proof of the thorough understanding of the film's martial arts.
This dazzling light is a testimony to his achievements.
In 1977, Liu Jiarong finally ushered in the opportunity he dreamed of - directing and starring in a film work by himself. This film, called "Kung Fu Kid", successfully earned more than 1 million Hong Kong dollars at the box office, which is not easy for a newcomer to the film.
This gave Liu Jiarong great encouragement, and it turned out that he could also be recognized through independent creation.
The success of self-directing and self-acting further strengthened Liu Jiarong's confidence. In 1978, he teamed up with his two friends, Sammo Hung and Mak Jia, to co-found Garbo Pictures, and launched a number of action movies that integrated comedy elements.
The brisk and humorous rhythm and exaggerated and gorgeous fights of these movies bring a new experience to the audience, and also push the action comedy to an unprecedented level.
Although the good times were short-lived, Garbo only lasted for two years before announcing its dissolution. However, Liu Jiarong did not lose his fighting spirit in this failure, but accumulated valuable practical experience in all aspects of writing and directing.
Just like the brave heroes he has portrayed on the screen, Liu Jiarong has an indomitable desire to pursue his dreams, which will also help him continue to improve his self-confidence and move forward bravely on the road ahead.
In the mid-80s, after a few years of independent development, Liu Jiarong chose to return to the Liu family class led by his brother Liu Jialiang. However, what is surprising is that this time, he was not reused and promoted by his brother as before, but played some inconspicuous small supporting roles.
Once upon a time, Liu Jiarong enthusiastically followed his brother to learn and Xi, striving to catch up with the other party. Now, when he has grown up to be a director and an all-round filmmaker, he can only play inconsequential little people in his brother's films.
This kind of differential treatment makes Liu Jiarong feel a little disappointed.
At the same time, he collaborated with his old friend Sammo Hung in movies, such as "Miscellaneous Boys", but he can play important roles such as the key green forest thief Jia Wudao. The audience response to these works was also more enthusiastic.
The contrast between the two highlights the knots and estrangements between the brothers, which makes people sigh.
But Liu Jiarong did not choose to complain or blame, but continued to focus on work, calmly coped with the storms of life, and interpreted the eternal theme of brotherhood in his own way.
In the mid-90s, after completing his last self-directed and self-starred film "Spy Chasing the Murderer", Lau Ka-wing decided to temporarily retire from the background and no longer serve as a director and actor as often as in the past.
After 2003, he rarely played roles that required difficult martial arts movements. However, this does not mean that Liu Jiarong has withdrawn from the film industry and given up his enthusiasm for this career.
In fact, he continues to contribute to action movies in another way – by serving as a martial arts instructor for several blockbuster films, putting his expertise to the ground.
Like an elder who has gone through vicissitudes, Liu Jiarong is no longer at the forefront as he was when he was young; But he still uses his steady and restrained personality to support him in the rear, designing more exciting fight scenes for those who come after him.
As everyone knows, it is such a low-key but persistent spirit that will move the audience and inspire more filmmakers to stay true to their original intentions and forge ahead.
Looking back at Lau Ka-wing's life, it can be said that he has made outstanding contributions and pioneers to Hong Kong's martial arts films.
In the 70s, he introduced action comedy to Hong Kong as a new film genre, providing new ideas for the development of the industry. Many of his films have achieved an astonishing box office of more than HK$10 million, fully demonstrating his commercial charm.
Lau has also worked with prominent action directors such as Tsui Hark, designing action scenes for the latter's masterpieces. It can be said that without a pioneer like Lau Ka-wing, who is passionate about action movies, there would not be the glory of Hong Kong action movies today.
His lifelong dedication and enthusiasm for the study of film martial arts have finally been recognized by the industry. After he retired from the screen in his later years, he still won the award of Best Action Design at the Hong Kong Film Awards as an affirmation of his hard work.
Although Liu Jiarong can no longer be seen on the big screen today, his spirit of forging ahead, pioneering and innovating, and enthusiastically inheriting has become a valuable asset in this industry, infecting and inspiring every latecomer.
Lau Ka-wing, Lau Kar-leung, Sammo Hung are three mainstays in the Hong Kong action film industry. should have supported each other and worked hand in hand, but the relationship between the three seemed to be slightly awkward.
Liu Jiarong has always had high admiration for his brother Liu Jialiang, but later in the Liu family class, he did not get too many opportunities to be reused. On the other hand, Sammo Hung will always give Lau Jiarong a prominent role positioning in every movie they work with.
Both of them also value each other very much, and they cooperate tacitly.
Perhaps it is the difference in the growth environment and style of doing things, or perhaps there is inevitably jealousy and misunderstanding, there is not such a deep mutual trust and understanding between Liu Jiarong and his biological brother.
But Liu Jiarong did not choose to blame or complain, but continued to give wholeheartedly, interpreting the eternal theme of family affection in his own way.
The figure of them fighting side by side back then has become a legend in the history of films. And the inevitable alienation and misunderstanding in brotherhood also make this story more profound and thought-provoking.
Lau Ka-wing's life is the best commentary on the golden period of Hong Kong martial arts films.
From a young martial artist who stepped into the film industry, to an all-round filmmaker who directed and acted and achieved many blockbuster films, and finally faded off the screen, his story is not only full of typical history of struggle, but also makes people think deeply about the bonds of brotherhood.
Liu Jiarong used his own efforts to compose the growth movement of "from zero to hero", and when success came, he still retained the humble heart of ordinary people. He is not cynical, but always has an indomitable enthusiasm and regards martial arts as his life.
His life is not only a microcosm of a personal journey, but also a reflection of the common portrayal of Hong Kong filmmakers of that era - with dreams, preaching martial arts, and having no regrets.
And his strong personality of insisting on self and not deceiving himself has also become a sign of the times. Lau Ka Wing has faded from our sight, but his story will inspire every literary and artistic worker who sticks to his heart, lighting up the big screen with their enthusiasm and composing a moving legend.