Jimmy Wang Yu and Hui Ying Hung in Cannes 2011

Peter Chan Ho Sun’s WU XIA which is inspired by Chang Cheh’s Martial Arts milestone ONE ARMED SWORDSMAN from 1967 was the only Chinese production to participate in this year’s Cannes Film Festival. The movie is prominently cast with Donnie Yen, Tang Wei, Takeshi Kaneshiro, and Shaw veteran actress Hui Ying Hung who is back in business by her multi-award winning role in the independent drama AT THE END OF DAYBREAK.

For Shaw Brothers fans, the real sensation is, of course, the fact that Mr. One Armed Swordsman Jimmy Wang Yu himself has returned to the big screen after nearly 20 years of absence. His last movie role was the Taiwanese Martial Arts film THE BEHEADED 1000 from 1993. This year, however, he visited Cannes together with other cast members in order to promote WU XIA (also known as SWORDSMEN, or DRAGON for the US-release).

Following are some photographs shot in France. Of course, most photographers pointed their cameras rather at the ladies than at old school Martial Arts superstar Wang Yu. However, there were some pictures taken:

Unfortunately, it seems the whole excitement and many promotion dates were a bit too much for 67year old Wang Yu. He is now recovering from a minor stroke he suffered in Taiwan during a dinner with friends at the end of May.

After a phone conversation with his daughter Linda Wong Hing Ping, Hui Ying Hung confirmed that he would be fine, and not be impaired in any way. However, Linda Wong Hing Ping is adamant that he takes his time to fully recover, and will cut down activities in the future.

Get well, soon, Jimmy Wang Yu!!!

In WU XIA, he plays a sect leader; Hui Ying Hung plays his 13th wife. On the set, he was in a very good mood, and highly motivated, he also insisted on personally performing all scenes. Apart from shooting, he sometimes cooked for the crew, and entertained them with magic tricks. Obviously he loves magic, and even brought some gimmicks with him so he could perform, and entertain his colleagues.

In reply to the question if he would make further movies, he told a reporter, first of all he would have to recover. Does he still love to act? Depends on the director, he said, if it is Peter Chan Ho Sun, the answer would be yes.

Finally, some charming Hui Ying Hung pictures shot in Cannes, and Hong Kong.

As of June 16, 2011 – to the best of our knowledge