1. The arduous and inspirational entrepreneurial road of the great benevolent man Run Run Shaw
Shaw's boyhood was full of ups and downs and challenges. In 1920, his father died tragically, and the responsibility of the family fell on the shoulders of him and his eldest brother Shao Renjie. The 13-year-old resolutely chose to devote himself to the family business, and co-founded the landmark "Tianyi Film Company" in the history of early Chinese cinema with his brother.
At a time when the film industry was not very developed, they had to put out a steady stream of exciting new films in order to attract a steady stream of audiences. Such tremendous pressure was undoubtedly a severe test for the film company at that time.
Run Run Shaw and his brothers worked day and night, travelling from city to city for countless nights, presenting a spectacular cinematic feast for audiences. Shaw still vividly remembers those days when they shook the projector and read the lines of the film themselves, and although they were physically and mentally exhausted, they never stopped moving forward.
Eventually, their hard work paid off, and Singaporean businessman Yu Dongxuan took a keen interest in them.
With the strong support of Yu Dongxuan, Shaw Brothers rose rapidly like a butterfly out of a cocoon and became a leader in the film industry. However, even at a time when his career was thriving, Shaw's "stingy" personality caused them controversy.
The famous director Li Hanxiang once publicly complained that the Shaw brothers always cut the budget in half, and even the salary of the assistant director had to be calculated. This "mean and old-fashioned" style of acting not only aroused the dissatisfaction of industry insiders, but also made Run Run Shaw's name widely known in the circle.
However, while his career flourished, Shaw's private life also changed dramatically. In 1941, the Japanese invaders stepped into the land of China, and Run Run Shaw was unfortunately arrested and imprisoned.
At this life-and-death moment, his wife Huang Meizhen stepped forward and not only helped the Shaw family tide over the difficulties, but also did her best to save her husband. Shaw remained steadfast in prison and fearless in the face of Japanese accusations, and finally regained his freedom thanks to Wong's tireless efforts.
Despite all the hardships, Run Run Shaw has successfully established the golden sign of "Shaw Brothers products, must be high-quality". Under the leadership of the godfather of cinema, Shaw Brothers gradually grew into a giant in the Chinese film industry, with a global reputation.
From an ordinary rich kid to the godfather of the Chinese film industry, Run Run Shaw has written a glorious chapter in the film industry with his life. However, the troubles of inheritance disputes and family conflicts have also added a little haze to the life picture of this "great Chinese benevolent".
2. Emotional entanglements and family breakdown
While Shaw's business landscape was growing, his personal life was undergoing unprecedented changes. In 1941, the iron hooves of Japanese imperialism stepped into the land of China, and Run Run Shaw unfortunately became a prisoner of the Japanese army.
In the face of such hardships and dangers, his wife Huang Meizhen bravely stepped forward, and with her perseverance, she not only successfully led the Shaw family through this crisis, but also did her best to rescue her husband from prison Run Run Shaw without fear, honestly faced the accusations of the Japanese army, and finally regained her freedom with the unremitting efforts of Huang Meizhen.
All this arduous process naturally could not escape the keen eyes of Run Run Shaw's four children. They quickly became aware of the existence of the "sixth sister-in-law" Fang Yihua, and learned about the pain that their mother had endured for many years.
As children, their hearts were filled with sympathy for their mother, but in the end they chose to forgive their father and wholeheartedly support him in expanding the family business.
However, what happened next completely subverted the brothers' trust in their father. In 1981, Fong was officially appointed to the Shaw Brothers Board of Directors, which was a bolt from the blue for Shao Weiming and Shao Weiming.
This means that the cause they and their mother are working together is about to be surrendered, and the mother's feelings are obviously not respected as they should be.
Since then, the relationship between Shaw and his children has been tense. They rarely had the opportunity to see each other, until Run Run Shaw died, and the brothers decided to boycott the huge inheritance.
Obviously, the rift in family affection over the years has become unfathomable and difficult to repair.
3. From "Great Good Man" to "Ruthless Little Man"
Even in his later years, Shaw won widespread acclaim for his philanthropist image, but his family life was full of twists and turns. In 1987, Huang Meizhen died suddenly in the United States, and only a year later, Run Run Shaw's closest third brother also died.
The loss of these two close relatives made Shaw deeply realize that money and power are not the whole of life, but more precious are family harmony and physical health, so he began to reflect on his life values, devoted himself to philanthropy, and selflessly donated a large amount of wealth to the fields of education and medical care.
Nowadays, in all corners of the land of China, we can see the figure of "Shaw Building", which is the best proof of Shaw's generosity during his lifetime. His good deeds have spread all over the world, and some have even named a newly discovered planet "Run Run Shaw" in recognition of his great contributions.
In the United States, local people celebrate September 8 every year, which is designated as "Shaw Day". There is no doubt that Shaw's philanthropic heart has been deeply engraved in every corner of the world.
However, even in his later years, Shaw was unable to fully repair his relationship with his children. What is surprising is that he solemnly bequeathed a large amount of property to Fang Yihua in his will, which undoubtedly deeply pierced the fragile hearts of the children again.
Although Run Run Shaw eventually left a fortune of up to 23.8 billion yuan for his children, it seems that this is only a "compensation" for him, who has always been calculating. However, for the two brothers, none of this was really what they needed.
What they want is for their fathers to give them more love and understanding during their lifetimes, rather than just giving them financial compensation after their deaths.
Because of this, Shaw's children finally made a resolute choice. They are not greedy for money, but they cannot accept such an indifferent and heartless father.
In their eyes, their father pursued career and wealth all his life, but never really cared about his family. Even more tragic is that even in the last moments of his life, Shaw did not give them the care they deserved.
From the former "great Chinese benevolent" to today's "ruthless villain", Shaw's transformation is really suffocating. However, if we look at his life course from a broader perspective, we may find that the life trajectory of this legendary figure is actually an epic that reflects the changes of the times.
It is worth noting that Mr. Run Run Shaw and Ms. Fang Yat Wah quickly established a deep emotional bond, which undoubtedly dealt a heavy blow to their young hearts! Lacking their father's love since childhood, they could only watch their beloved father devote his attention entirely to Fang Yat Wah.
The pain of losing a loved one may not be fully compensated for by money!
Even as Mr Shaw entered his old age, he did not make any real effort to repair his relationship with his children. To everyone's surprise, he made it clear in his will that he would give Fang Yihua a large amount of property, which undoubtedly deeply pierced the children's hearts again.
Although Mr. Run Run Shaw eventually left a legacy of up to $23.8 billion for his children, this is undoubtedly a kind of "compensation" for him, who has always been shrewd and calculating. However, for the two brothers, this was clearly not what they expected.
What they expect is their father's love and understanding during his lifetime, not monetary compensation afterwards.
Because of this, Mr Shaw's children finally made a firm decision. They are not greedy for money, but they refuse to recognize such a cold, heartless father.
In their eyes, their father devoted his life to pursuing career and wealth, but never really cared about the family. Even more tragic is that even in the last stages of his life, Mr Shaw failed to give them the care they deserved.
From a "great benevolent man in China" to a "ruthless villain", Mr. Run Run Shaw's transformation is really suffocating. However, if we look at his life course from a broader perspective, we may find that the life trajectory of this legendary figure actually reflects the changes of an era.