Hung Gia Ban - Hong Kong martial arts group that changed the film industry

Since the 1970s, Hong Kong has been a pioneer in establishing stuntman groups. And that trend was built by a famous figure in the film industry - Sammo Hung.

Sammo Hung is the founder of the Hung Family Ban - Photo: XQ

Names like Sammo Hung, Yuen Biao, Yuen Wah and Lam Ching-ying have always been considered icons of Hong Kong martial arts cinema.

This martial arts group originated from the Chinese opera school, under the instruction of master Vu Chiem Nguyen.

Sammo Hung and his fellow students Yuen Biao, Yuen Wah, and Lam Ching Ying were all members of the “Seven Little Fortunes” group, a group of martial arts students who acted together since they were young boys. From here, they began their acting and martial arts-cinema careers.

From a group of martial arts students who impressed mainly with their cuteness and innocence, when they grew up, Sammo Hung founded the Hung Kar Ban, a martial arts group that created a turning point in the way Hong Kong martial arts films were made.

In the late 1970s, when Hong Kong martial arts films began to diversify in style, Sammo Hung and his fellow students organized a permanent team responsible for martial arts - stunts - action perspective. According to the HKMDB ​​film database, “Sammo Hung Stuntmen's Association” (ie Hung Gia Ban) has a list of films from 1979 to 2016.

Hung Gia Ban's job was not only to act but also to design action, perform dangerous stunts, train actors, and help shape increasingly elaborate fight and chase scenes.

That Tieu Phuc Group - the predecessor of Hung Gia Ban - Photo: PT

In an interview, stuntman Chan Ka Lok said: “I worked with Sammo Hung and Sammo Hung for a decade. What we learned was not just martial arts, but how to make a martial arts film.”

From Hung Ka Ban, Sammo Hung united stunt masters, thereby establishing a permanent "martial arts department" for Hong Kong films.

Before that, each film usually only hired individual martial artists or temporary groups, there was no collective brand model. And from Hung Gia Ban, stunt work was raised to a new level.

In this group, young martial arts students get to interact with seniors, receive instruction in techniques, and continuously hone their skills.

When martial artists train together, Hong Kong's cinematic martial arts skills are raised to a new level.

For a long time, martial arts scenes in movies often focused on the main character, or added a main villain. Thanks to Hung Gia Ban, the martial arts movement in movies spread widely, making the quality of group fighting scenes in movies significantly improved.

All members of the Hong Gia Ban - Photo: XQ

There are many classic works that Hung Ka Ban participated in or had Hung Kam Bao directly direct the action, typically Warriors Two (1978) - directed by Hung Kam Bao and starring Bryan Leung; Knockabout (1979) - a martial arts comedy with Yuen Biao and Hung Kam Bao; or Odd Couple (1979) - in which Hung Ka Ban participated in the action design.

In the 1980s, the action style developed differently by Sammo Hung and his team.

The fighting scenes in each situation are increasingly elaborately staged, faster paced, focusing on real combat and mixed with humor.

For example, films like Wheels on Meals (1984) or Pedicab Driver (1989) are considered to have shaped a new style for Hong Kong martial arts films.

From left to right: Jackie Chan, Sammo Hung and Yuen Biao once worked together in Hung Kar Ban - Photo: SC

Not only did Hong Gia Ban change the techniques of filming - perspective - fighting - stunts, but he also helped form an "action brand" where the stunt team/action team was recognized, signed a fixed contract, and appeared as an indispensable part of the film.

From Hung Gia Ban, Hong Kong cinema exploded with the comedy-martial arts genre, creating a brand that lasts to this day.

This model spread in the following years. After Hung Ka Ban appeared groups such as Thanh Ka Ban (of Jackie Chan) and Yuen Ka Ban (Yuan Woo-ping ), contributing to the "golden age" of Hong Kong action cinema in the 1980s-1990s.

Western media commented that it was Hung Gia Ban who raised the martial arts film genre to a new level. In many films, the authenticity of the fighting scenes was the focus, not the plot or the actors.

HUY DANG

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/hong-gia-ban-nhom-vo-thuat-hong-kong-lam-thay-doi-lang-dien-anh-20251021105441623.htm