'Heartbreaking' death of director

Erin Chan and Mandy Zheng

Action movie director Benny Chan Muk-sing of A Moment of Romance fame died yesterday at the age of 58 at the Hong Kong Sanatorium and Hospital.

The five-time best director nominee at the Hong Kong Film Awards was transferred to the private hospital in Happy Valley four days ago after being treated for terminal nasopharyngeal cancer at the Prince of Wales Hospital in Sha Tin for months.

Chan felt unwell during the shooting of his last action movie Furie - starring Donnie Yen Ji-dan from the Ip Man chronicles - before he was diagnosed with cancer.

The movie's post-production had to be handed to another film crew due to his deteriorating health.

Furie was completed late last year, but no release date has been set.

Andy Lau Tak-wah, the iconic triad gangster "Wah Dee" from Chan's directorial debut, A Moment of Romance, led tributes to the filmmaker, calling the news of Chan's death "difficult and heartbreaking." Stephen Fung Tak-lun, who starred in his Gen-X Cops movies, posted a picture with him and Chan on Instagram to mourn his death.

"Shocked to hear the passing of director Benny Chan. Not only was he a strong force behind Hong Kong cinema, he was kind, moral, a true gentleman. We will miss you. Rest in peace," Fung wrote.

Chan began as a clerk and assistant director at Rediffusion Television - later renamed as Asia Television - after finishing secondary school in 1981.

A year later, he joined Television Broadcasts to work with director Johnnie To Kei-fung.

Best known for his action movies, Chan directed A Moment of Romance with the help of To, who was the film's producer. It earned a whopping HK$12.9 million at the local box office.

A fan of action movies and car racing when he was young, Chan had frequently used such elements in his films.

He had urged the government to be more supportive of the local film industry, saying he had faced obstacles from authorities when trying to film explosion scenes on the streets.

Despite having been in the entertainment industry for nearly 40 years, Chan chose to keep a low profile outside of work.

He was also celebrated as a caring husband and father, once saying: "Every time I finish shooting, I just go home because I want to spend more time with my family It's really important to be with my children and get to know them."

Chan is survived by his wife and two children.