Hong Kong martial arts choreographer and film director Yuen Woo-ping has recently been awarded the Golden Mulberry Lifetime Achievement Award.

The award, presented to him at the 28th Udine Far East Film Festival in Italy on 3 May, recognises his contributions to Hong Kong and global action cinema.

Yuen, who accepted the award, stated that it held great significance for him, adding, “I dedicate this award to my father in heaven. He taught me kung fu, brought me into the film industry, and my achievements today are also a gift from him.”

He also thanked the festival organisers and expressed his honour that his film, “Blades of the Guardians”, has been selected as the closing film.

Born in Guangzhou, Yuen Woo-ping has served as a martial arts choreographer for Hong Kong films since the 1970s, and has subsequently directed over 30 films from both China and abroad. Among his martial arts choreography work include movies like “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon,” “Last Hero in China,” “Kill Bill” volume 1 and 2, as well as “The Grandmaster”.

His latest directorial effort, “Blades of the Guardians” stars Wu Jing in the lead role, alongside Nicholas Tse, Yu Shi, Chen Lijun, Zhang Jin, Tony Leung Ka-fai, and Jet Li, and is based on the manhua “Biao Ren”.

(Photo Source: Far East Film Festival IG, IMDb)