Sister Suen's son and husband chant for her

courtesy of on.cc

In POLICE CADET 2, Sister Suen worked with Chow Yun Fat, Tony Leung Chiu Wai and Hui Siu Hung

So Hung Suen in LOOKING BACK IN ANGER played Aunt Wan who raised Carrie Ho, Leung SI Ho, Deric Wan, Felix Wong.  Her tragic end was memorable.  Maggie Siu also starred.

So Hung Suen often played more mature characters, her pig tailed factory girl look early in her career was rarely seen.

So Hung Suen in FILE OF JUSTICE played a lawyer with Sammi Cheng, Michael Tao, Eugina Lau

When So Hung Suen appeared on RTHK for an interview she was already two sizes smaller
courtesy of mingpao.com

Best known for her mother roles, veteran actress So Hung Suen two days ago passed away from heart failure due to diabetes at the age of 62. An excellent actress, Sister Suen in recent years due to illness reduced her performance. Occasionally she would operate her vegetarian restaurant. Sister Suen last year with LIFE WITHOUT PRINCIPLE (DUET MING GUM) won the Hong Kong Film Award Best Supporting Actress and added a brilliant chapter to her film career. Reporters yesterday waited for Sister Suen's family to appear at the hospital but her husband Hui Sing Biu and their son did not appear, conceivably they were busy with the funeral arrangements. The Performing Artist Guild also contacted Sister Suen's family to see if any assistance was needed. Her family so far has not made any special request.

Sister Suen was a student of TVB's first training class. She worked at TVB for 24 years and left a lot of vaulable work. TVB in memory of her selected one of her representative work LOOKING BACK IN ANGER (YI BUT YUNG CHING) for rerun on its Classic station starting June 19.

Sister Suen was not only recognized for her acting but also her relationships with fellow actors. Her past "children" also remembered her online. Sister Suen played Kit Lo (Tony Leung Chiu Wai)'s mother in POLICE CADET (SUN JAT SI HING) and the victim of of the Law Lan played new wife's bullying. Sister Suen in LOOKING BACK IN ANGER played Aunt Wan who took care of 4 children, finally Ting Yau Hong (Deric Wan Siu Lun) killed her.

The past series villain "Ting Yau Hong" Wan Siu Lun remembered Sister Suen. "Respected Ms. So Hung Suen, have a safe journey! Why do we always miss people after they pass? You should truly ask yourself when people were around, have you cared about and truly missed them? Sorry but what I say is true. Sister Suen have a safe journey!" The other two adopted sons "Ting Yau Kin" Felix Wong Yat Wa and "Chow Chi Man" Leung Si Ho also eulogized her. Wong Yat Wa wrote, "Sister Suen (Aunt Wan) have a safe journey! You will always be missed!" Leung Si Ho wrote, "Aunt Wan, I wish you a safe journey! I truly miss you! You will always be in my heart! You adopted son Chow Chi Man."

Leung Chiu Wai and Carina Lau Ka Ling played Sister Suen's children in POLICE CADET and SHOWBIZ TYCOON (YING SING DAI HUNG) respectively. Ka Ling remembered her online, "Sister Suen: (I wish you) reach Sukhavati soon, I missed the destiny of working with you. You will always live in our hearts. Leung Chiu Wai, Lau Ka Ling"

Liza Wang Ming Chuen who has worked with So Hung Suen countless times also remembered her friends online. "The first time I worked with So Hung Suen was JING GUNG CHAN MUNG, I played Consort Zhen and she was the Empress Dowager. At the time I just started making series, she was the first artist training class new comer (1972). We had many collaborations, in DREAM OF THE RED CHAMBER Daiyu, she was Xiren; in YESTERDAY'S GLITTER I was the seventh wife, she was Kong Ngai's second wife, etc......she has always been my good partner, good colleague, good actress! Ah Suen! Deeply miss you! Have a safe journey!" Michael Tao Dai Yu said, "Sister Suen, you were my great teacher, you were my great elder, I will always remember working with you. Sister Suen, have a safe journey!" Although Sister Suen was unable to defeat her illness, she has won the praises of those of her generation and after.

Yesterday So Hung Suen's husband Brother Biu and son chanted for her at the funeral home. Brother Biu already asked a dozen or so masters to chant seven days for his wife. When asked about Sister Suen's unfulfilled wish, Brother Biu admitted that basically she was okay. She just wanted to promote vegetarianism. "The children will come back to run the vegetarian restaurant."

The lama from Bhutan yesterday chanted in a Buddhist ceremony for Sister Suen at the Universal Funeral Parlor. No photo was at the altar yet, only a piece of yellow paper with the words "the lotus spot for Madame Hui So Hung Suen". Brother Biu revealed that the masters learned about his wife's passing and came to chant. "So far the services have been scheduled to start on June 30 and the funeral on July 1. Her ashes will rest in a temple. Because the entire family is Buddhist, everyone is very calm. We know passing is passing, staying is staying. We understand karma. When children learned about their parents' passing they didn't cry too hard. Of course after so many years together their emotions would fluctuate. When my wife passed our family was chanting for her by her side, so she left very peacefully." Brother Biu also said that Tony Leung Chiu Wai called to send his condolences.

Reporters also visited So Hung Suen's vegetarian restaurant. Speaking of how Sister Suen treated her employees, they all had nothing but praise for her as a good boss. "We know her biggest wish is to promote vegetarianism and stop butchering. We would follow and be vegetarian, and run this membership club (vegetarian restaurant) for Sister Suen. Her husband and son would come everyday and we will keep running it together." Employees said that they will attend the funeral and learned that many of Sister Suen's friends will appear to send Sister Suen on her final journey.

At the end of last year, Sister Suen spoke with Annie Liu

Sister Suen's husband and son appear at the hospital

So Hung Suen won the Hong Kong Film Award Best Supporting Actress with Johnnie To's LIFE WITHOUT PRINCIPLE

Sister Suen's employees decline interview due to work
courtesy of on.cc

Suffering from diabetes, So Hung Suen yesterday passed away at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital at the age of 62. Earlier her right foot began to rot and she had numerous operations. She had to remove the rotten flesh on one of her toes and the bottom of her foot. Reportedly aside from diabetes she also had a light stroke and a tumor in her belly.

So Hung Suen's son last night around 8PM announced the news of his mother's passing to the media. "Mommy around 4PM left this world. She went very peacefully. Mommy's final journey will be handled with a Buddhist ceremony." He revealed that his mother passed away from complications from a stroke. "The doctor will discuss the details. I want to say that Mommy went very peacefully. Most of the most important family members were around her, so Mommy had no regret." So Hung Suen's husband Hui Sing Biu arrived around 8:30PM. He looked calm and often covered his mouth with his hand.

Law Lan and Yu Mo Lin who have always stayed in touch with So Hung Suen yesterday confirmed the news of So Hung Suen's passing. Yu Mo Lin said, "Earlier she suffered a stroke and her belly had a tumor. However the worst part was she was anemic, her body was very weak. The doctor didn't dare to operate on her." Law Lan was rather sadden by the passing of her good friend. She admitted that she heard the news from Maggie Chan Mei Kei. "Sunday I went to her home. She was speaking and called me Sister Law Lan."

Playing mother and son with So Hung Suen in the classic series POLICE CADET (SUN JAT SI HING), Tony Leung Chiu Wai was very sadden to learn about her death. "Sister Suen and I are both Buddhists, I hope Sister Suen will soon reach Sukhavati. I will always remember the destiny of working with her." His wife Carina Lau Ka Ling said, "Sister Suen was a very gentle actress without any grievance with the world. She was serious about work, kind and caring to her colleagues. I wish for her to reach Sukhavati soon. She will forever live in my heart." Johnnie To Kei Fung, the director of So Hung Suen's final work LIFE WITHOUT PRINCIPLE (DUET MING GUM), said that he just dined with her several months ago. He admitted that the news came too suddenly. "Ultimately life in the end requires a period. Aside from her outstanding acting, her merciful and charitable heart has put a perfect period to her life."

So Hung Suen in 1972 enrolled in TVB's first artist training class, with classmates like Ching Ho Wai, Hui Siu Hung and Kam Kwok Leung. Because Sister So looked older than her actual age, she often played mother or elderly characters. Sister So's acting was excellent as she participated in around 50 television series. She had a lot of representative work, her best known character was Leung Chiu Wai's mother in POLICE CADET. In 1996 she left TVB to assist her husband in their Buddhist vegetarian restaurant business. However she returned to ATV in 1999 for a series and would occasionally participate in film as well. Last year with LIFE WITHOUT PRINCIPLE she won the Hong Kong Film Award Best Supporting Actress. However at the time she was being treated for diabetes at the hospital, thus she was unable to personally accept the award.

So Hung Suen's vegetarian restaurant business also suffered several setbacks. In 2005 due to rapidly rising rent, she and her husband decided to close their Mongkok vegetarian restaurant. In 2006 they began to sell pillows at a Fa Yuen Street stall with a daily rent of HK$400. Then in 2008 they opened the Cute Fei Vegetarian restaurant in Tsim Sha Tsui. It is still in operation. She and her husband also met due to the vegetarian restaurant. They wed in 1988 and had a son and a daughter. So Hung Suen's final public appearance was on January 27 at a Karmapa public event, also on hand were Annie Liu On Lai, Bonnie Law Ming Chu and Fennie Yuen Kit Ying.

Winning the Hong Kong Film Award Best Supporting Actor in 2012 with So Hung Suen, Lo Hoi Pang said, "Half a year ago I went to To Kei Fung's party with Sister Suen. I learned that her health was poor and she was much thinner. (Were you thinking about asking her to watch your show?) I didn't want to disturb her! Diabetes really is troublesome."

Her first training class classmate Kam Kwok Leung said, "We had no contact in recent years. Earlier when I was a Hong Kong Film Award juror. When she won with LIFE WITHOUT PRINCIPLE, people misunderstood that it was because we were classmates. (Did you feel heartbroken and sudden when you heard the news?) No, at a certain age people expect it, instead I would see if there is anything that I want to. I would try to do it instead of safeguarding my life. This should be the attitude to have in life. She believed in the Buddha, I believe she would think that way."

Fellow training class classmate Hui Siu Hung said, "I heard the news. I rarely contact old classmates. Recently I haven't seen her. I knew that she had diabetes and a tumor, which were quite troublesome."

Performing Artist Guild secretary general Astrid Chan Chi Ching said, "The Performing Artist Guild now is contacting Sister Suen's family. If any need arises, the Performing Artist Guild will fully assist. Sister Suen was a very nice person, I am very saddened."

So Hung Suen's LIFE WITHOUT PRINCIPLE co-star Denise Ho Wan Si said, "Sister Suen was a good actress who show business should have more of, being able to work with her in LIFE WITHOUT PRINCIPLE was my honor. I will always miss her!"

courtesy of singtao.com

Andy Lau and Sammi Cheng have worked together for so long that they joke that they are like an old couple

Tony Leung Chiu Wai and Carina Lau never expect to run into Andy Lau and Sammi Cheng at the hotel lobby.  They cheer on each other's new films.

BLIND DETECTIVE receives good reviews at the premiere, only Andy Lau is called a jerk because of his character
courtesy of mingpao.com

Andy Lau Tak Wa and Sammi Cheng Sau Man appeared on the Cannes Film Festival red carpet for their film BLIND DETECTIVE (MAN TAM). They who have been doing nonstop interviews actually ran into friends Tony Leung Chiu Wai and Carina Lau Ka Ling at the hotel for an impromptu INFERNAL AFFAIRS (MO GAN DOH) reunion. BLIND DETECTIVE received good reviews at the premiere, but Wa Jai revealed that viewers called him a "jerk"!

Wa Jai and Sammi went to Cannes to promote their film BLIND DETECTIVE. At the global premiere, many Chinese actors came to show their support. The leads dressed up for the occasion, Sammi in particular was nervous about her first time on the Cannes red carpet. This was Wa Jai and Sammi's seventh collaboration, they described their chemistry has already been elevated to resemble an "old couple". They were very excited to receive the audience's enthusiastic response at the premiere. Wa Jai joked that many viewers called him a "jerk". He said, "This time the director and the screen writers designed the character for me because I asked to play a blind person. However the character truly was quiet a jerk, so should I be happy or not when people yell at me?"

Sammi thanked Wa Jai for bringing her acting into another level. She said, "Working with Wa Jai on a movie is like playing ball. When he serves a quality ball to me, I have the confidence to return it. He can stimulate my potential. When he is mad, I am madder than him. Every time when I see him risking his life in his performance, I would force myself to catch up to his quality." Yet Wa Jai admitted that when he saw Sammi risking her life and sometimes did not know how to protect herself, he was very worried. He said, "Sometimes she didn't know about the dangerous. She loves others plenty, but she doesn't love herself enough."

Many Chinese people participate in this year's Cannes Film Festival. Sammi before the trip would like to run into Lau Ka Ling the most. She never expected to have such a coincidence. As she and Wa Jai were preparing to leave at the hotel, in the lobby they ran right into Ka Ling and Leung Chiu Wai. They exchanged congratulations and cheers and posed for photos for the media; a quick glimpse would mistake them for a INFERNAL AFFAIRS cast reunion.

Johnnie To Kei Fung yesterday spoke to the media in Cannes. He revealed that in 2015 he will make ELECTION 3 (HAK SEH WUI 3), just in time for the film's 10th anniversary. He admitted that among all his films, he put the most effort into making only five films: THE MISSION (CHEUNG FOR), EXILE (FONG JOOK), LIFE WITHOUT PRINCIPLE (DUET MING GUM), SPARROW (MAN JUEK) and PTU. His other work mainly focused on commercial elements to make money for the company. He also mentioned that he has never accepted or adapted to the Mainland "inspection culture" and "bureaucracy and face giving culture". He even revealed that he intended to retire at age 65. Currently 58 he admitted that it was time to find a successor.

Lau Ka Ling and Chen Kun spoke to the media in Cannes about their film BENDS. In the film they played a Hong Kong upper class socialite and a Mainlander driver. Their character struggled through many emotional scenes. Ka Ling could not help but shed real tears as true emotions flowed.

They at the press conference exchanged compliments. Ka Ling said, "I am older than him, he is my junior. I am very lucky to run into an excellent actor like Chen Kun. I would make different attempts with every one of my movie, emotional scenes in particular. He was able to receive them." Chen Kun said that when he first met Ka Ling he already sensed her charm. On and off camera she was very happy to take care of others.

Their characters had class and cultural differences. Ka Ling joked that in real life she only belonged to the upper middle class. "Happiness is not measured with money, happiness is for you to find in life, to see how you face life and your so-called happiness. At home (Tony) Leung Chiu Wai concentrates on his model building and Wing Chun, while I am busy with bills and chores. Yet I am very happy too, I don't want to keep an eye on my husband. I only want to help him achieve."

Speaking of the growing conflict between China and Hong Kong, Ka Ling felt that being on the same earth everyone should coexist peacefully. "We shouldn't create hypothetical or deliberate conflict. We would have conflict, which is understandable. Originally Hong Kong and the Mainland have completely different backgrounds, now the relationship is closer. We should think about the premise first and shouldn't blow up the matter too much." She praised new director Flora Lau Wan Man for not adding bed scenes or controversial scenes for commercial elements and persisting on her original idea. She has won her respect.