On June 25, 2013 the world lost one of the greatest fight choreographers, Kung Fu movie directors, and martial arts masters when Sifu Lau Kar Leung passed away. It has been a little over a year since his death and the Kung Fu film world will never be the same. Lau Sifu was responsible for some of the greatest storytelling in Kung Fu films. Before he was a director Lau Sifu was responsible for the action in Chang Cheh films such as Heroes Two, Shaolin Martial Arts, and Boxer Rebellion (just to name a few). When Lau Sifu struck out on his own he created some dynamic masterpieces that still hold up when compared to modern martial arts movies.
Lau Sifu is also responsible for introducing the Kung Fu movie world to Gordon Liu ( Liu Chia Hui) and Kara Hui Ying Hung. Under Lau’s direction established Shaw Brothers stars such as David Chiang, Chen Kuan Tai, Lo Lieh, and Wang Lung Wei never looked better! Lau Sifu was a master of his craft and his fight scenes are both brutal and artistic. Unlike his mentor Chang Cheh, Lau Sifu’s movies didn’t always end with the bad guy dead. His films such as Challenge of the Masters and Martial Club dealt with virtue within the martial arts world and the code that great Kung Fu practitioners cultivate.
The Film Fan Dojo wishes to thank Lau Kar Leung and the entire Lau family for their contributions to the Kung Fu film genre. Lau Sifu is deeply missed! There will never be another like him!
(courtesy of bestmoviefightscenes.blogspot.com)
(courtesy of coolasscinema.com)
Dojo extra: check out this great Facebook tribute page to the great Lau Kar Leung!