WHEN JAYCEE MET LI FAI: How the son of kung fu legend joined forces with Hong Kong’s queen of kung fu.
I’ve always been happy to have the chance to bring different folk of similar talent together. I have fond memories of drinking on Hong Kong’s Hollywood Road with Donnie Yen and Jean-Claude Van Damme, trading war stories in an empty coffee shop with Michael Biehn, Maggie Q and Sammo Hung… I got to arrange another close encounter when I was handed the job of arranging a guest of honour for the annual Li Fai Wu Shu festival.
For those not in know, Sifu Li Fai is Hong Kong’s most esteemed Wu Shu and Tai Chi instructor. A former champion, she has also put her kung fu skills to use in a number of martial arts movies, most memorably Iron Monkey. She played the witchy woman with the birthmarked face. When I started learning Chen Tai Chi from Master Li, I learned that (a) the birthmark was fake and (b) contrary to her ‘sifu’ image, she has a warm smile and wry sense of humour. Her institute of Wu Shu and Tai Chi is situated on the 11th floor of the Pemberton Building, at 22 Bonham Strand, in the Sheung Wan district. Its there that we send prospective kung fu stars to learn the basics. (You can get further info at www.lifai.com or email creamcheng@lifai.com.).
After one lesson, she fixed me with an unexpectedly steely gaze and said “Ah Bey, you work in the film industry, so you must know a lot of movie stars, right?” A few, I gulped. “We need a guest of honour for my annual dinner. Find me someone famous!” I’ll try my best, I stammered. Just when I thought I was off the hook, she turned on me again, straight sword at the ready. “Do you know Jackie Chan?” Slightly, I ventured (knowing full well that Jackie was shooting Forbidden Kingdom, for our company, among others, and so would not be available.) “How about his son?,” she demanded. I relaxed slightly. “Yes. Um, would he do?” Sifu beamed. “He’d be perfect!”
Whatever your expectations are of the son of a famous father, Jaycee defies them. Humble and self-deprecating, warm-hearted and eager to please, he’s not the spoiled Hollywood brat you might dread. Nor does he have any issues with the legacy of his legendary pere. He’s proud of his dad and happy to talk about him (or anything else, especially girls and cars!)His mum did a great job raising Jaycee, and it shows. He has better manners than me (and I’m an English gentleman!). I called his assistant, thinking that, if he wanted to pass, he might be embarrassed to tell me directly. As expected, word came back that, schedule allowing, he’d be happy to help.
Jaycee himself enjoys a successful career in Asia as a singer and actor. He was actually approached to star in Andrew Lau’s manga-inspired Initial D, but made his debut in Twins Effect 2 instead. Defying expectations again, Jaycee went on to make a name for himself as a dramatic actor, rather than an action star, in films like Derek Yee’s 2 Young, Jiang Wen’s The Sun Also Rises and Kenny Bi’s The Drummer. He finally got to show his action chops when he replaced Edison Chen in Benny Chan’s Gen-Y Cops remix: Invisible Target. This film (which we hope to bring you on Dragon Dynasty) allows Jaycee to show off some moves reminiscent of Chan Snr, while also allowing him to display his thespian skills.
The Li Fai event was held at a clubhouse in Hung Hom. We’d been asked to come at 6 so, like an idiot, I made sure that we arrived at 6! You could have hunted deer in there, that’s how quiet it was. Take note, if you’re ever invited to a Chinese banquet, arrive an hour ‘late’. We headed down to Baskin And Robbins, where Jaycee perused a car magazine. I know actors that would be climbing the walls if they were asked to cool their heels for an hour, but Jaycee took it in his stride.
When we made it back to the clubhouse, the place was packed. The press was keen to know what Jaycee was doing there. Are you a student of Li Sifu?, they wanted to know. No, but he is, replied Jaycee said, pointing at me, and he asked me to come. After we took our seats, Jaycee regaled me with Tai Chi tales he’d heard from the Jackie Chan Stunt Team, and I was happy to see that he did have a genuine interest in the art.
Later Jaycee was called to the stage to present prizes to the competitors who had performed at the day’s tournament, and happily had his photo taken with anyone who asked. The awards continued, to be followed by various performances. His duty done, Jaycee rose to leave. But if you go now, you’ll miss Li Sifu’s demonstration!, said one of my fellow students, dismayed, and Jaycee sat back down to support a woman he’d met for the first time that evening.
Li Fai’s performance was peerless as always. It was a great evening. Seeing Li Sifu’s gathered clan, it gives you hope for martial arts in Hong Kong and, with Jaycee Chan, even some hope for the movies as well.
Comments
- Jimbo, Thonotosassa, Florida | 2007-07-10 13:41:36
- Brian, H.K (by way of toronto) | 2007-08-13 22:15:40
- Lee G. (http://www.myspace.com/the_8th_sword), South Ozone Park, New York | 2007-06-12 20:35:00