Forum Views ()
Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
Chan marks anniversary of Peking Opera school
Yahoo!
My Yahoo!
Mail
More Yahoo! Services
Account Options
New User? Sign Up
Sign In
Help
Yahoo! Search
web search
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Asia Pacific
World
Chan marks anniversary of Peking Opera school
By MIN LEE,AP Entertainment Writer -
Saturday, November 14
Send
IM Story
Print
HONG KONG – Jackie Chan didn't take acting lessons or attend a fancy conservatory. The biggest star in kung fu cinema learned his craft from a retired Peking Opera star who turned his apartment into a performing arts boot camp for working-class Hong Kong children in the 1960s.
On Friday, Chan and dozens of his fellow graduates gathered at a luxury Hong Kong hotel to mark 50 years since their late teacher Yu Jim-yuen launched the now-defunct Hong Kong-China Opera Institute, a small boarding school that became a breeding ground for top Chinese action stars and action choreographers.
Chan is the most famous of the 40-plus students, but their ranks also include Sammo Hung, best known in the U.S. for his two-season TV series "Martial Law," Corey Yuen, an action director on Hollywood films like "Lethal Weapon 4" and "X-Men," and Yuen Biao, who earned a big following in Japan with films like "The Champions" and "Peacock King." Yuen Wah from "Kung Fu Hustle" was a stunt double for Bruce Lee.
Dressed in identical red jackets and red-and-black striped ties, the now-middle-aged filmmakers reminisced about their childhoods spent under Yu, a strict disciplinarian who regularly caned his students if they deviated from a rigorous regimen of acrobatics, dance, kung fu and singing lessons.
"We talked about how we were naughty and stirred trouble, how we were scared of master, how we were beaten by him, who got hit _ all the ugly incidents came out," Yuen Biao told reporters on the sidelines of the anniversary banquet, adding that he was planning a movie about the school.
"It's such a rare occasion for all our brothers to be in one room, talking about incidents when we were young. I'm touched in many ways," said Hung, who was Yu's most senior pupil.
Hong Kong Financial Secretary John Tsang paid tribute to Yu and his legacy.
Yu's students "showcased the flexible, tough and never-say-die Hong Kong spirit to the world, making people around the world realize that a small place like Hong Kong has a lot of hidden talent," Tsang said at the banquet, according to a transcript of his speech issued by the government. The banquet was closed to the media.
Chan did not speak to reporters Friday night, but wrote in detail about his 10 years at Yu's academy in his 1998 autobiography, "I Am Jackie Chan: My Life in Action." Chan's father, a cook, put his then 7-year-old son in Yu's care when he left Hong Kong to take a job at the U.S. Embassy in Canberra, Australia.
Chan recalled his first beating by Yu _ "each rip of the cane, each jolt of torment was followed by another, in steady staccato rhythm, until my throat was hoarse and my buttocks almost numb."
When a classmate passed out after knocking his head against a table while doing somersaults, he was left aside to rest while practice continued, Chan wrote. If you couldn't do a split, other students would press you down by force.
"It didn't matter how much or how hard you cried. Eventually, you'd go down into a split," he wrote.
Recommend
Send
IM Story
Print
Related Articles
Italy opens new contemporary arts museum AP - 2 hours 8 minutes ago
Clint Eastwood made Legion of Honor commander AP - 2 hours 33 minutes ago
Taylor Swift adds international award to CMA haul Reuters - 2 hours 54 minutes ago
Vienna exhibition explores gender in art from E.Europe AFP - Saturday, November 14
Chan marks anniversary of Peking Opera school AP - Saturday, November 14
News Search
Top Stories
NASA finds water on the moon
Global swine flu deaths slow as WHO toll passes 6,250
Europe crawls out of recession
BA-Iberia deal aims giant blow at rivals
Recession ends across Europe
More Top Stories »
ADVERTISEMENT
Most Popular
Most Viewed
Most Recommended
Trial to 'regrow' breasts after cancer surgery
US salutes 'Mighty Mouse' who ended Fort Hood massacre
Obama announces December jobs crisis talks
Man charged over Cindy Crawford extortion bid
British Airways, Iberia agree to merge
More Most Viewed »
Somali centenarian weds 17-year-old
Fibre may keep asthma, diabetes at bay, study finds
More Most Recommended »
Elsewhere on Yahoo!
Financial news on Yahoo! Finance
Stars and latest movies
Best travel destinations
More on Yahoo! News
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Subscribe to our news feeds
Top StoriesMy Yahoo!RSS
» More news feeds | What are news feeds?
Also on Yahoo
Answers
Groups
Mail
Messenger
Mobile
Travel
Finance
Movies
Sports
Games
» All Yahoo! Services
Site Highlights
Singapore
Full Coverage
Most Popular
Asia Entertainment
Photos
Copyright © 2009 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte. Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved.
Terms of Service |
Privacy Policy |
Community |
Intellectual Property Rights Policy |
Help
Other News on Saturday, 14 November 2009 Syria rebuffs Israeli offer of direct talks
Europe crawls out of recession
YouTube going high-definition video
Israel general says Hamas curbing Gaza rocket fire
BA-Iberia deal aims giant blow at rivals
Canada seeks not to repatriate Guantanamo inmate
| International
|
Syria's Assad: 'Netanyahu not ready for peace'
China Mobile, Brazil's Claro to sell new smartphone
Chechnya says helicopter attack kills 20 rebels
| International
|
Dozens escape Russia arms depot blasts
Iran's Supreme Leader cannot be removed
Iran creates Internet crime unit
U.N.'s Ban to fast in solidarity with world's hungry
| International
|
EU 'to greenlight' Somalia security training plan
US-TECH Summary
Israel kills Palestinian in Gaza confrontation
Six groups suspend Chad aid after killing, kidnap
| International
|
Iran to try brother-in-law of opposition leader
Dell to introduce smartphone based on Android
Sri Lanka general hits out before possible poll bid
| International
|
Israel general says Hamas curbing Gaza rocket fire
| International
|
French iPhone user seeks probe into 'explosion'
Obama says his Afghanistan plan coming soon
FDA questions safety of alcoholic energy drinks
Feds to check animal abuse claims at Utah labs
Evangelist sentenced to 175 years for sex crimes
Ousted Thai PM rallies supporters to Cambodia
Police: Missing Va. Tech student seen hitchhiking
Chinese 'targeted by armed gangs' in Angola
Can baseball help bring US and Cuba together?
Myanmar's Suu Kyi appeals to top court against house arrest
Deficit doubles for government pension insurer
Philippine communist attack leaves 23 dead: officials
Police say 2nd suspect admitted kidnapping NC girl
French envoy says N.Korea accepts talks on human rights
NASA: Water found in moon crater
NASA finds water on the moon
Prepaid phone ban stirs anger in Indian Kashmir
Former New Mexico Gov. Bruce King dies at age 85
Chinese greet 'Oba Mao' with flaming statue, fakes
US lawyer working on Guantanamo closing resigns
Heavy snow storms in northern China kill 40
Top White House lawyer Greg Craig quitting
IMF chief puts China under new currency pressure
China lashes out at US over trade disputes
Air India must cut costs to qualify for bailout: minister
Ohio schools sorry for movie-shoot bus diversion
At Asian forum, China pledges domestic-led growth
Russian power plant warns of Tajikistan cutoff
Pakistani stocks end higher; rupee firms
France makes Eastwood's day, gives him top honor
| Entertainment
|
APEC warns of pitfalls on path to global recovery
Taylor Swift adds international award to CMA haul
| Entertainment
|
Playboy in talks to be sold
| Entertainment
|
Vienna exhibition explores gender in art from E.Europe
Reality TV show exposes racial divides in China
S.Korea district to host mass blind dates to boost birthrate
Chan marks anniversary of Peking Opera school
'Let them eat vegetables', Bardot tells EU
'Star Trek Online' to beam gamers to the bridge
Yusuf Islam, aka Cat Stevens, on tour after 33 years
Ohio schools sorry for movie-shoot bus diversion
Iraqis claim torture by British soldiers: ministry
Italian ex-militant starts hunger strike: reports
US-TECH Summary
Obama promises Afghan troop decision 'soon'
Wall Street eyes US consumer to keep rally going
British ship watched pirates seize couple: ministry
Google, Authors try to answer book deal concerns
Obama offers Myanmar better ties if it reforms
| International
|
Strain of Afghan war hits morale of US troops: Army
France's Vivendi takes control of Brazil's GVT
Argentine celebrities turn against the government
| International
|
'Catastrophic' e-waste fuels global toxic dump: experts
Merkel ally backs Juncker for EU presidency: report
Logitech buys video conferencing firm
NYC trial of 9/11 suspects poses legal risks
Judge says seals can stay in California cove
Judge rebuked by panel over Ferdinand Marcos money
Google, Authors try to answer book deal concerns
| Technology
|
Obama speech on Asia well-received in region
9/11 plotters face death penalty in New York trial
Obama leaves Tokyo, headed for summit in Singapore
East Coast storm begins to move out to sea
Ousted Thai PM Thaksin Shinawatra departs Cambodia
6th relative arrested in Mo. child sex abuse case
All Blacks wary of Munster repeat in Italy
Ton-up O'Driscoll completes Wallaby circle
Hawaii planning to replenish sand at Waikiki Beach
Grove aims to be centre of attention against Fiji
Family of 4 dies in Connecticut fire
Thai fugitive Thaksin departs Cambodia: officials
China's Hu meets with top Taiwan politician: official
'Pacific' President Obama vows US leadership in Asia
S.Korea keeps military on alert over N. Korean threat
Obama says US will join Asian free-trade area
Obama under fire on trade as Asia-Pac leaders meet
MUFG to boost capital by $11 bln: report
Obama calls on Asia for 'balanced' economic growth
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
Hollywood rethinks use of A-list actors
Hollywood rethinks use of A-list actors
| Entertainment
|
Gidget director Paul Wendkos dies at age 84
| Entertainment
|
With Playboy sale, an icon bows to changing times
| Entertainment
|
German man charged for extortion of Cindy Crawford
| Entertainment
|
Mexico charges clinic owner for botched surgery
Liam Gallagher working on new band without brother
| Entertainment
|
Denzel Washington cheers on son's 1st college game
IRS papers say Zsa Zsa Gabor has $118,321 tax bill
With Playboy sale, an icon bows to changing times
"Gidget" director Paul Wendkos dies at age 84
Strippers-on-a-truck promotion halted in Las Vegas
Groups at risk from swine flu should avoid hajj: study
Liam Gallagher working on new band without brother
CORRECTED: France makes Eastwood's day, gives him top honor
TV's Jon Gosselin sues TLC, cites child labor laws
Balloon Boy Parents Decide To Plead Guilty In Colorado Court
Ultra-Orthodox Israelis protest Intel Sabbath work
Google submits revised digital book settlement
Suicide bomber kills 10 in Pakistan's Peshawar
| International
|
Peru president cancels Chile talks over spy row
Iran forms unit to go after opposition on Internet
Fire in South Korea shooting range kills 10: report
| International
|
Iran student gets 8 yrs over post-election protests
| International
|
Britain probes new claims of abuse by troops in Iraq
| International
|
Jet crashes during South Africa air show
| International
|
Peru pulls out of APEC summit over Chile spy case
| International
|
Blasts rip through Russian arms depot killing two
| International
|
Pope names new leader for Milwaukee archdiocese
9 killed, 80 injured when train derails in India
NASA on track for Monday space shuttle launch
Peru president to cut short APEC summit visit
Madoff's personal belongings up for auction in NYC
Indonesia deports Greenpeace activists
James Lilley, a former ambassador to China, dies
Pakistan's army kills 8 militants in Swat Valley
Some Fort Hood victims' funerals set for Saturday
China to become 'global leader in green tech'
Corruption lands ex-Louisiana congressman 13 years
Fallon heads New Zealand into World Cup finals
US sees progress on arms control talks with Russia
"Kyoto principles" crucial in climate talks
New Zealand qualify for World Cup finals
FACT CHECK: Palin's book goes rogue on some facts
Philippines charges suspects in priest kidnapping
Lauren Bacall, Roger Corman to get early Oscars
China signs $4.13 billion in Taiwan deals
China's Hu calls for economic pact with Taiwan
Thousands protest in Taiwan against US beef imports
Taiwanese protest imports of US beef
Taiwan's flat-panel maker Innolux to acquire Chi Mei
Taiwan monitor, flat-panel makers announce merger
Lauren Bacall, Roger Corman to get early Oscars
Pakistani c.bank buys 106.5 bln rupees of govt paper
Google makes concessions on digital book deal
Madoff's magnificent spoils go under the hammer
Struggling studio MGM says it's looking for buyer
Wall Collapses At Football Game, Injures 28
Former Louisiana Representative Gets Longest Sentence For Corruption
Suit Filed To Stop Resort Project, Protect Habitat Of California Condor
Obama Signs Law Extending Unemployment Assistance
Economic Highlights For The Week
Showdown With Google Could Test Relevance Of Search Engines
U.S. Markets Claim Moderate Gains To End Week
Box Of Tissues, Bloody Sock Led To Arrest In Yale Murder
NASA Scientists Uncover "Significant Amount" Of Water On Moon
ACORN Sues Federal Government Over Funding Ban
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights