Wong Ka Hei
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courtesy of singtao.com

Famous film director Lau Kar Leung has worked with Shaw for years, with many films that were big hits. Actually over the years he has never received any royalty that he deserved. His widow Mary Jean Reimer (Yung Jing Jing) yesterday announced the establishment of the "Director Lau Kar Leung charity foundation" at Master Lau's funeral and publicly urged Sir Run Run Shaw (Siu Yat Fu) to be the first donor, to donate all the royalty that Master Lau should have had and lead everyone to support the charity foundation.

Yung Jing Jing during her eulogy announced the establishment of Director Lau Kar Lung charity foundation. She personally donated HK$1 million to the charity to help stunt people and those in need in the film industry. She even made a surprising revelation that Despite years of working with Shaw, Master Lau never received any royalty. Thus she hoped through the charity establishment to urge Siu Yat Fu to donate the royalty that Master Lau deserved over the years and contribute to the industry together. She said, "Master was not someone who liked to keep count. I have known him for 30 years, he has made many films for Shaw, every film had a contract that stipulated international and Hong Kong royalty. Yet over 30 years, Master has never received any. We believe that Mr. Siu Yat Fu is very kind, saving it for us and then investing it. I think this sum now should reach at least 5 million if not 50 million. Thus we hope Mr. Siu Yat Fu would donate this sum to the charity. What does everyone think?" Applause rose from the audience. Yung Jing Jing also mentioned that she needed to muster up a lot of courage to say what she said. She thanked her children for their support, feeling that if she did not say it yesterday she would not have a chance to say it again. She said emotionally, "I hope Mr. Siu Yat Fu can hear those words. You won't lose money. You can repackage Master's movies then sell them again. Thank you everyone!" Guests then applauded and cheered.

Yung Jing Jing later at the post funeral banquet expressed that the charity establishment fulfilled Master's wish and took the chance to remove the thorn in the palm of his hand. She pointed out that back then when Master made movies for Shaw, he signed many contracts without dates. He didn't have a lot of legal knowledge and thought that they were all permanent, which made him worry when he was working. However Shaw has never given Master any royalty, only a beautiful future. She said, "This future is wished for but never attained. Master for years has never gone after it, neither was he contacted. Master was more generous, different from me. He left alot inside and wouldn't speak up. If not for the charity this time I wouldn't care." She stressed that she did not blame anyone and believed that as a very large scale company, Shaw overlooking one or two accounts would not be a surprise. Would she take legal action if she would not receive any response? Yung Jing Jing said, "I am not talking about that, in addition how could there be no response. You are so attentive, maybe there will be more responses. I believe they definitely just overlooked and missed it." The film industry was more practical, not everyone was as willing to help friends and disciples as Master was. A timely shower was very important, thus it needed the foundation's help very much. She again stressed that Master was someone who was willing to take a loss and would not hold anyone accountable. He was a great man unlike a little woman like her. She said that this move was very rude. She said, "I won't find a mediator, just treat me like a kid who lacks any understanding of the world. I needed courage to say what I said. In Master's memory he remembered there was a sum that hasn't been calculated, just treat it like helping him pulling out a little hang nail. The foundation now is like a baby. When a person is poor he remembers old debts. We won't talk about the law. Since we were employer and employee, we hope to complete this together."

Sin Kwok Lam said that the Master's wife was not collecting a debt. She only helped to help spread Master's love to the world and believed that Mr. and Mrs. Siu Yat Fu would support it. Yung Jing Jing finally said again that she hoped that Siu Yat Fu would take the lead and be the first donor. She stressed that everything that she said and did was to ask for donations for the foundation. Shaw executive Wong Ka Hei only replied, "It's the same old song, no comment! Let she say whatever she wants to say."

Nat Chan Pak Cheung was not certain about Master Lau's Shaw royalty issue. It was the first time that he heard about it as well. He said, "This is their private conversation, I can't speak for her. No comment. The most important is for the Master's funeral to be done safely and fully." Perhaps due to this reason, Master Lau's funeral program never mentioned Siu Yat Fu's name.

Pallbearers Karl Maka, John Chiang, Yasuaki Kurata, Chi Kuan-Chun, Tsang Chun Wah, Nat Chan, Tong Kai,

Adam Cheng

Rose Chan

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Mary Jean Reimer breaks down when she sees the coffin leave the hall

Lau Kar Leung's son Lau Wing Keung carries his father's lotus tablet

Lau Man Yi carries her father's photo

Disciple Sin Kwok Lam leads disciples with a Lau banner to open the road

3 filial lions send Master Lau on his final journey

In the hearse, Yung Jing Jing keeps a forced composure with her daughters

John Chiang, his wife Maggie Lee and Nat Chan

Adam Cheng welcomes Jimmy Wang who travels from Taiwan to pay his respect

Dean Shek, Karl Maka, Eric Tsang

Andrew Lau says Master Lau was like a giant

Chin Kar Lok is grateful for Master Lau and pays his respect with his wife Angela Tong

Tong Kai has worked with Master Lau for years.  He attends with his wife Suet Nei

Three filial lions bow to the coffin

Yung Jing Jing is all tears with Master Lau's son Lau Wing Kung 

Chan Sin Chi and Connie Chan show their respect.  Petrina Fung and Wong Hung Sau are present as well

Lau Ka Wing and his son Lau Wing Kin assist with the funeral

Nine major styles sent nine plain lions to show their respect to Master Lau two nights ago.  Yung Jing Jing and Master Lau's disciples displayed their appreciation.
courtesy of mingpao.com

Grand Master of a generation Master Lau Kar Leung's funeral took place yesterday at the Universal Funeral Parlor. Widow Mary Jean Reimer (Yung Jing Jing) lightly touched the body before the coffin closing and sobbed to bid her late husband farewell reluctantly. Chief disciple Adam Cheng Siu Chau along with fellow disciple Sin Kwok Lam, his disciple Rose Chan Ka Wun waved banners to clear the road and accompanied 3 filial lions that bowed to the hearse to send Master Lau on his final journey.

Around 9AM, funeral committee chair Nat Chan Pak Cheung, Wong Hung Sau, Karl Maka, Dean Shek Tin, Petrina Fung Bo Bo, Mr. and Mrs. John Chiang Dai Wai, Yasuaki Kurata, Mr. and Mrs. Tong Kai, Andrew Lau Wai Kung, Lau Chin Shek, Joe Cheung Tung Cho, Chan Ka Wun, Mr. and Mrs. Chin Kar Lok, Connie Chan Bo Chu and others arrived to pay their respect. A calm Yung Jing Jing often smiled when she chatted with Ng See Yuen and Melvin Wong Kam Sun; around 9:35AM after Eric Tsang Chi Wai bowed at the altar and presented incense gave his condolences to the family and Yung Jing Jing; after around 10 minutes, Master Lau's chief disciple Cheng Siu Chau arrived. He said, "Last night I didn't sleep well, I was missing Master all night."

When the ceremony began, after Yung Jing Jing's speech Master Lau's coffin was moved to the center of the hall. 3 filial lion bowed into the hall, circled the coffin once then again offered the third step kneel nine step kowtow ceremony to the coffin. Then a viewing took place. Yung Jing Jing immediately went up but the hall official urged her to return to the family section and wait. After family and friends went through the viewing, Yung Jing Jing again stood in front of the coffin with her hands together and gave three bows. When she lightly touched the body, sh finally broke down and sobbed. Yung Jing Jing's daughters whose eyes were swollen from crying waited by the coffin and quietly looked at their father for a long time. After the viewing ceremony, guests each held one stick of incense and bowed to Master Lau. The abbot then host the scripture recital, followed by the coffin closing ceremony.

Around 12:40PM, when Master Lau's coffin was transported to the hearse, Master Lau's son with his former wife, Lau Wing Keung, carried a spirit tablet to enter the vehicle. Yung Jing Jing and her daughters followed with Master Lau's photo. The three filial lions that sent Master on his final journey bowed in front of the hearse. Then disciples Sin Kwok Lam, Cheng Siu Chau, disciple's disciple Chan Ka Wun led the disciples in a banner waving as the police opened the road for the departure. Master Lau's remains would temporarily stayed in the Tung Wah Coffin Home, until a lucky day will be selected for a Po Lin Monastery cremation.

The younger generation recalled a lot of memories about Master Lau. Director Lau Wai Keung could not forget about starting as a chore boy and photographer with Master Lau in 1981. His impression of the Master was a giant and a kung fu master. He said, "He was very amazing, whether as an actor or as a stunt coordinator he was very fast. Normally a shoot would increase the speed by one frame for action scenes, but for Master Lau's martial art scenes it had to be slowed by 26 frames. His action was too fast."

Chin Kar Lok said that Master Lau watched him grow up. In his teens he already followed Master Lau as a stuntman and an actor, and he learned alot. He said, "Master was very willing to help others. When he asked me to make DRUNKEN MASTER 2 (JUI KUEN 2), I picked up taking marks, basic foundation, martial art action from him. Thus I have shades of Master on me." Master Lau gave Wong Hung Sau her start. Recalling when she studied martial arts with Master Lau at Shaw, she said, "I fought until I puked, but after he taught me I could make action films. He never yelled at me, but he was very demanding with the moves."

Lau Man Yi, Lau Hung Yi

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Widow Mary Jean Reimer bid farewell to Master Lau Kar Leung with the disciples

Yung Jing Jing and Master Lau's seven children thank the guests 

The nine plain lions' salute to Lau Kar Leung is the greatest sign of respect in the martial art world and a rarely seen event in recent years.

Hong Kong chief disciple Adam Cheng led his fellow disciples to welcome the nine major styles' plain lions

The nine major styles' plain lions enter the hall one by one to pay their respect
courtesy of mingpao.com

The Hung Kuen Grand Master of a generation Lau Kar Leung retired from the ring of life and the glory days in the martial arts and the film industry, for 20 years he battled cancer to the final moment. It was quite a victory. Although blood cancer took away Lau Kar Leung, his martial art ethics and kung fu film contributions will linger on; have a safe journey Master Lau!

Lau Kar Leung passed away from illness on June 25 at the age of 76. Lau Kar Leung's funeral services began yesterday at the Universal Funeral Parlor with a Buddhist ceremony and the funeral takes place today. Lau Kar Leung's life was honored and death grieved. Widow Mary Jean Reimer (Yung Jing Jing) as the master's wife at the martial art hall decorated venue posed for a group photo with Lau Kar Leung's disciples and their disciples to display the funeral services' solemn elegance. Yung Jing Jing spent several million to purchase niches in Po Fook Hill for Lau Kar Leung's ashes and the funeral hall decoration that resembled a luxurious martial art hall in movies. 3 filial lions and 9 plain lions from the 9 major martial art styles bidding Lau Kar Leung farewell was the grandest in half a century and the highest salute from the martial art world to Lau Kar Leung.

Lau Kar Leung's funeral takes place today at noon with a master monk hosted ceremony, then the closing of the coffin. The remains will be transported to the Tung Wah Coffin Home then on a lucky day to be cremated in Po Lin Monastery. Master Lau's coffin was environmentally friendly, which was a decision that he discussed with his wife Yung Jing Jing.

Yung Jing Jing and his family yesterday morning arrived at the services. The hall was decorated mainly in white and filled with fresh flowers. The photo was Master Lau's kung fu look from DRUNKEN MONKEY (JUI MA LAU). The Hall's banner said "Grand Master of A Generation", and the side elegiac couplets were Hung Kuen formulas. In the center were floral arrangements from Lau Kar Leung's widow and his 7 children. Yung Jing Jing's floral arrangement was white rose formed heart with a note that read "lover comrade Lau Kar Leung, from wife Lau Yung Jing Jing". Inside and outside the hall were large television screens that played the Lau Kar Leung special, which included film stills, life photos and interviews. The score of the special was Master Lau's three favorite songs ALWAYS IN MY HEART, THE MOON REPRESENTS MY HEART and UNCHAINED MELODY.

Yung Jing Jing wore a special design mourning dress, a wide body blacked Chinese dress with a white scarf with the word Lau. She looked extremely frail and her daughters Man Yi and Hung Yi were still very heart broken. Yesterday a public memorial was held as ordinary folks came to pay their respect to Master Lau. An abbot also began the scripture recital.

At 9AM the Lau family's 3 filial lions welcomed the nine plain lions that represented the major styles, including Hung Kuen, Bak Mei, White Crane, Damo Butterfly, Luoshan Boxing Fung Fo Tong and others. 12 lions in total arrived at the hall to salute Lau Kar Leung.

Yung Jing Jing around 4PM in the company of Nat Chan Pak Cheung and Lau Kar Leung's disciple Sin Kwok Lam spoke with the press. She said that the funeral arrangements have been very satisfactory. The hall was decorated like a martial art hall in the movies. She thanked everyone for their help. Yung Jing Jing said that Master Lau's children as well as his siblings and relatives were all. However, Lau Kar Leung's former wife was not.

Did Master have any final wish? Yung Jing Jing said that Master Lau wanted to more charity work. Thus the Lau Kar Leung charitable fund plan will be announced later. She personally wrote the eulogy in the funeral program. How did she feel? Yung Jing Jing said that she was very calm and hoped to maintain composure as much as possible. Since human is blood and flesh, she still had to remain composed despite her sorrow and pain. When Master Lau's memorial special was played in the venue she could not help but break down. Her daughters also cried until their tears ran dry before they stopped.

Yung Jing Jing said that in the days after Master Lau's passing, she and her daughters were very sadden. The reminders at home made them collapse emotionally. Luckily the nunnery took them in for 3 days, as the power of religion calmed their emotions; yet occasionally they would still get upset. Speaking of Andy Lau Tak Wa's "Grand Master Of a Generation" calligraphy for the program, she said that Ah Lek suggested asking Wa Jai for help. She knew that Master Lau had quite a connection with Wa Jai. Back then when he invited Wa Jai to make DRUNKEN MASTER 2, Wa Jai agreed without discussing money at all.

She revealed that the coffin used was environmentally friendly, the grave goods were simple pajamas and underwear. Only after the cremation would Master's favorite items be included in his grave goods.

Ah Lek was the funeral committee chair, which Yung Jing Jing had to explain clearly to prevent jealousy from others. She, Ah Lek and Master Lau had a little story. Once Master Lau lost his wallet, identifications and cash. Suddenly Ah Lek called Master Lau and asked if he lost his wallet. Actually in the wallet was Ah Lek's number, the person who found it contacted Ah Lek. At the time Master Lau said the wallet had 10,000 in cash, but actually it only had 4,000. When Ah Lek returned the wallet, 10,000 in cash was inside. Master knew that Ah Lek put the money in. She said that normally she talked with Master about life and death. He said that Ah Lek was trustworthy and he could help with the funeral. Master in the final days did not want to see people, but he and Ah Lek met several times.

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Mary Jean Reimer looks frail and exhausted in the special order mourning dress

Adam Cheng

The nine major styles and their affiliates show their respect

Wong Hung Sau and Nat Chan respect Lau Kar Leung very much

Petrina Fung gets teary eyed as she recalls the past with her brother

Nancy Sit leaves in the company of her son (right)

Former Cinema City partners Karl Maka and Dean Shek

Donnie Yen believes in no taboo and comes to pay his respect despite his upcoming birthday

Liza Wang and Law Kar Leung arrive after handling their home robbery

Jason Pai Piao

John Chiang and his wife Maggie Li
courtesy of mingpao.com

Lau Kar Leung was in show business for years and made many friends. From the Cantonese era to his final film SEVEN SWORDS (CHUT GIM), his over 50 years performance career had no regret. His loyalty won him many friendships. Yesterday chief disciple Adam Cheng Siu Chau and funeral committee chair Nat Chan Pak Cheung arrived early for the services. Paying their respect was not only disciples and those of the martial art worlds but also Law Kar Ying and Liza Wang Ming Chuen, Petrina Fung Bo Bo and her brother, Donnie Yen Chi Tan, Sharon Kwok Sau Wan, Wu Ma, Jason Pai Piao, Karl Maka, Dean Shek Tin, Nancy Sit Ka Yin and others. Fung Bo Bo who has worked with Lau Kar Leung many times could not hide her sorrow. When she left she was teary eyed. Ah Jeh although had to run around due to her home burglary, she still came with Law Kar Ying to salute Lau Kar Leung for a final time.

Chan Pak Chung was the Lau Kar Leung funeral committee chair. He said that back then Master Lau made Wong Hung Sau a star, both he and Sau Goo respected Master Lau very much. "Master Lau was very fortunate, Mrs. Lau (Yung Jing Jing) has ben great with every aspect of the funeral arrangements. I only did a little. Was I the person who Master Lau named to see before he passed away? Master Lau didn't have anything special he wanted to say. His 'passing' was very short, but very comfortable and peaceful." What did he learn from Master Lau? Ah Lek said, "I couldn't learn anything! If I did I would be making kung fu films!" Ah Lek said that Master Lau did not discriminate when he made friends, he was open minded and was able to get along with people of any age; he valued martial art honor, thus his disciples' respect came from within."

Cheng Siu Chau was Lau Kar Leung's first Hong Kong disciple. He said, "Master treated his disciples very well. He wouldn't get mad and was open to discussions, thus his disciples respected him from their hearts." When Chau Guoon left the funeral parlor he went to see Master, who looked very peaceful. He wished him a safe journey and an even better life. Today Lau Kar Lung's disciples perform a farewell lion dance for the funeral. Chau Guoon admitted that he did not know how to lion dance, so he would wave the banner to send Master on his final journey.

Wang Ming Chuen and Law Kar Ying were busy with their home burglary but still took time to pay their respect. Brother Kar Ying said that he and Lau Kar Leung were family friends. After the viewing he thought Master Lau went very peacefully. Brother Kar Ying said, "Last month I just had tea with Master Lau. He even said that he was exercising to fight cancer, which was very encouraging to me and Ah Jeh." Brother Kar Ying last night felt sorrow and pain when he said the plain lions kneeling into the hall, the highest show of respect from the martial art world to the Grand Master of a generation. They said that they would remember Master Lau's perseverance and contribution to the film industry, martial arts and even life.