Hong Kong film 'godmother' Shi Nansheng dies at 75; ex-husband Tsui Hark mourns

Hong Kong film industry veteran Shi Nansheng has died at the age of 75. The renowned producer passed away on July 13 after a battle with illness, her company, Film Workshop, confirmed. Her ex-husband, acclaimed director Tsui Hark, appeared visibly distressed as he spoke to the media outside Hong Kong's Hong Kong Sanatorium & Hospital.

Tsui Hark revealed that Shi Nansheng had been struggling with declining immune system function since 2022. In recent months, a severe infection led to multiple organ failure, prompting her hospitalization. He described her fight against the disease as tenacious, noting she remained resolute until her final moments. "She insisted until the last moment of her life, accompanied by family and friends," Tsui Hark said, adding that she passed away peacefully.

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She insisted until the last moment of her life, accompanied by family and friends. She passed away peacefully.

Shi Nansheng was a driving force behind the golden age of Hong Kong cinema. Alongside Tsui Hark, she co-founded Film Workshop, a production company responsible for iconic films such as "A Better Tomorrow," the "Once Upon a Time in China" series, "The Bride with White Hair," and "Swordsman II." Her contributions significantly shaped Chinese-language cinema and its international reach.

Film Workshop's statement detailed that Shi Nansheng's health had been fragile since 2022 due to immune system issues. The recent bacterial infection proved overwhelming, leading to her passing. Tsui Hark and Shi Nansheng, once a prominent couple in the film industry, married in 1996 and divorced in 2014 but maintained a close working relationship. Her death marks the end of an era for many in the film community.

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We hope that the reluctance and longing for her departure can be transformed into warm strength to accept her farewell. Hope she rests in peace, and her spirit will always be with us.