Film Name: 阿金 / Ah Kam / Ah Kam: Story of a Stuntwoman
I’ve always been a fan of Ann Hui’s films, and recently I came across some of her older works—perfect timing to explore them further.
“Ah Kam” is rarely discussed, yet it’s a remarkable film that captures the heartbreaking realities of stunt performers’ lives. Michelle Yeoh’s portrayal of Ah Kam feels like a reflection of her own spirit—down-to-earth, courageous, resilient, and generous. Her dedication to hard work and hands-on approach commands genuine respect.
In the film, Sammo Hung appears like a foreman, leading the “Tong Family Crew” across various film sets to tackle the most grueling and dangerous tasks. Their efforts go largely unappreciated, earning them money at the risk of their lives. During work, Sammo wears a simple loincloth, bare-chested under the scorching sun, directing his brothers. After hours, he navigates the underworld, drinking and schmoozing with all sorts of unsavory characters. He even gets beaten or killed for no reason—truly living a life on the edge, licking blood off the blade, leaving viewers deeply moved. I believe such stories aren’t mere fabrications or baseless rumors, but rather crafted from authentic material within Hong Kong’s film industry. The scenes where a triad investor arbitrarily beats a director on set, or even orders his henchmen to shoot the director, actually occurred during that era.
Though “Ah Kam” is an art-house film, its stunt-focused cast delivered numerous action sequences. Every time Michelle Yeoh performed a stunt and crashed to the ground, it was heart-wrenching to watch. For one scene, she had to leap from a bridge onto a moving truck—no CGI, no wires, no safety measures, all in one take. She had no choice but to grit her teeth and risk everything. Seeing her hesitation, Sammo Hung pushed her off during filming—and Michelle Yang suffered severe injuries! The film’s closing credits acknowledge this incident as a tribute to stunt performers. To this day, that scene still sends shivers down my spine.
Michelle Yeoh was fortunate. She suffered a back injury that nearly left her paralyzed, but she eventually recovered. Countless unknown stunt performers have lost their lives or suffered permanent disabilities, with no one bearing the cost of their losses. Even if some token compensation is offered, it’s a mere pittance compared to the salaries of big-name stars. Behind the glittering facade of the film industry, how many people have paid with their blood and lives! When you’re munching on popcorn, thrilled by the breathtaking fight scenes, explosions, and car chases, do you ever think about the immense sacrifices made by these unsung heroes?
The film’s structure is relatively loose, with a fragmented narrative style. It features many notable actors in cameo roles—such as Lau Chung-yan as the crooked lawyer, Cheng Che-shih as the thug “African Chicken,” and Nick Cheung as the unlucky womanizer—whose brief appearances, lasting only a minute or two, significantly enhance the film.
Ann Hui’s film carries a profound sense of humanistic concern, brimming with understanding and sympathy for the ordinary people at the bottom of the film industry. Michelle Yeoh’s character, Ah Kam, ultimately returns to mainland China. She escapes the turmoil of Hong Kong to embrace a quieter life.
Ordinary lives are the most grueling. To earn money, one must pay a staggering price to struggle in big cities. Yet staying in villages without work inevitably means poverty. Where, then, lies the broad path to prosperity? Where can ordinary people find peace of mind?! Ann Hui’s work highlights this contradiction without offering solutions. Stunt work is grueling and dangerous, yet people must endure it for meager wages. Under the brutal pressure of reality, human dignity has long been stripped away.
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