HK film mogul Jimmy Heung dies
- By Zhang Rui
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E-mail China.org.cn, November 21, 2014
In the late 1980s, the Heung brothers founded Win's Entertainment Ltd., the predecessor of a major production company, China Star Entertainment.
Following its formation, the company went on to become one of Hong Kong's most successful film studios alongside Golden Harvest. Virtually every actor and actress in China apart from Jackie Chan has made a film with the Heungs.
Win's Entertainment's filmography spans more than 10 years. Some of the films the company has produced include the "God of Gamblers" franchise, "Hail the Judge," "Tricky Brains," the "Lee Rock" trilogy and the "Fight Back to School" trilogy. A majority of its films featured some of Hong Kong's most famous actors, including Jet Li, Chow Yun-fat, Andy Lau, Stephen Chow, Lau Ching-Wan and Ng Man Tat. Win's Entertainment also helped many now well-known actors and actresses establish their careers.
Jimmy Heung made his directorial debut with the 1989 film "Casino Raiders," which he co-directed with Wong Jing. Jimmy's brother Charles was also cast in a supporting role. The film was followed by a sequel, "Casino Raiders 2," which was produced by Jimmy and directed by Johnnie To.
Sharla Cheung, who dated Heung for a brief period of time, was also the protagonist in many of the films Heung produced, the most famous of which was "God of Gamblers," where she starred alongside superstar Chow Yun-fat.
Shirley Cheung, a former actress, was another of Jimmy's famous loves. Their relationship lasted 8 years, but the two split in 2006. Cheung is the founder of Sau San Tong Holdings Limited and is the youngest chairwoman of a listed company. She owes some credit for her success to Heung's help.
The Heung brothers' partnership ended in 1992, and Win's Entertainment Ltd. later became a subsidiary for Charles Heung’s production company, China Star Entertainment Group, which he formed in 1992. Jimmy Heung then moved on to pursuits in the stock market and Macao casinos. Win's Entertainment became defunct in 2009.
After hearing the news of the death of Jimmy Heung, director Wong Jing said he was stunned. "I asked to see him after hearing he was ill, but I heard he didn't want to see many people, so I never made it. I hope he went peacefully and without pain. Jimmy practiced Buddhism for years, and I think he has gone to Sukhavati, the Place of Bliss. I collaborated with him on many top-grossing movies. He was a very talented boss. If he could have focused on films and not on other businesses, his film career would have been even better."
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