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Patrick Leung

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
In this Hong Kong name, the surname is Leung. In accordance with Hong Kong custom, the Western-style name is Patrick Leung and the Chinese-style name is Leung Pak-kin.

Patrick Leung
梁栢堅
Born
Leung Pak-kin

1959 (age 66–67)
Hong Kong
Education
OccupationFilmmaker
Years active1984–present

Patrick Leung Pak-kin (Chinese: 梁栢堅; born 1959) is a Hong Kong filmmaker. After graduating from university in 1982, he joined Cinema City Enterprises and began working as John Woo's assistant director, on films including A Better Tomorrow (1986), The Killer (1989), and Hard Boiled (1992). He also co-wrote Bullet in the Head (1990) with Woo.

Leung made his directorial debut in 1996 with Somebody Up There Likes Me, and went on to direct films including La Brassiere, Born Wild (both 2001), The Twins Effect II (2004), and Wu Dang (2012). He also continued collaborating with Woo as second unit director on the two-part epics Red Cliff (2008–2009) and The Crossing (2014–2015). In 2026, his film Ciao UFO won Best Film and earned him Best Director in the 44th Hong Kong Film Awards.

Early life and education

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Leung was born in 1959 in Hong Kong.[1] He studied film at the School of Communication of Hong Kong Baptist College,[1][2] where he was classmates with film producer Amy Chin [zh].[3] During his studies, he worked as a script supervision intern for John Woo's 1982 film To Hell with the Devil.[1][2] He graduated in 1982,[3][4] and he briefly worked at an advertising company for three months after graduation before joining the film studio Cinema City Enterprises.[1]

Career

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Early ventures (1984–2007)

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After joining Cinema City Enterprises, Leung was sent to Taiwan for a year as Woo's assistant director, where they made Run, Tiger, Run and The Time You Need a Friend.[1][5] Leung continued to collaborate closely with Woo as his assistant director,[6] and they went on to make A Better Tomorrow, A Better Tomorrow II, and The Killer.[2] Leung said that, since Woo was taciturn, he usually learned from him by "standing behind him and observing how he staged scenes and directed actors".[7] He later worked on the screenplay for the 1990 film Bullet in the Head with Woo and Janet Chun,[8]: 9  and he and Woo decided to cast Jacky Cheung in the lead role despite his background as a singer.[8]: 15  Leung then worked on another of Woo's films, Once a Thief, serving as both assistant director and second unit director for the location shooting in France, where they collaborated with the French stunt driving team led by Rémy Julienne.[1][9] He also co-wrote the screenplay for the action film Tiger Cage 3,[10] and collaborated with Woo once again on Hard Boiled.[2]

In 1996, Leung made his directorial debut with Somebody Up There Likes Me, starring Aaron Kwok and Carmen Lee.[4][11] Film critic Li Cheuk-to found the film to possess "a rarely high level of overall production quality in Hong Kong cinema", writing that Leung "already displayed the bearing of a seasoned director in his debut, accurately and pleasingly integrating the professionalism of each technical department", although he noted that it lacked "a personal style".[12] The film also received one Golden Horse Awards nomination and two Hong Kong Film Awards nominations.[1] He released his second feature, Beyond Hypothermia, the same year, with Derek Elley of Variety praising his "striking ability to conjure up a rarefied emotional atmosphere through music, visuals and editing".[13] In 1997, Leung directed the action film Task Force, which Elley again praised for "weav[ing] his trademark dreamlike quality into the emotional fabric".[14] Film scholar David Bordwell also found that Leung had "paid his tribute to tradition by assigning a different style to each action scene", citing influences from Woo's gun fu, traditional wuxia films, and kung fu comedies.[15]: 154–155 

Leung went on to co-direct the 2001 film La Brassiere with Chan Hing-kai [zh].[16] The film became a commercial success for China Star Entertainment Group.[17] He also released Born Wild that same year, although Ted Shen of the Chicago Reader reviewed it negatively, writing that Leung "spends more time posing his actors than directing them, and the film's visual energy and stylized soft-core sex fail to mask its trite plot and Neanderthal misogyny".[18] In 2002, he released two more features, Mighty Baby and Demi-Haunted [zh],[19][20] with the former also performing well at the summer box office.[21] He collaborated with Chan Hing-kai again on the 2003 film Good Times, Bed Times and with Corey Yuen on The Twins Effect II in 2004.[22][23] In 2006, he released the Japanese-Hong Kong-Thai co-produced anthology film Black Night, with Russell Edwards of Variety praising him as "in top form".[24] He directed the comedy film Simply Actors [zh] in 2007,[25] before transitioning his career to mainland China.[1]

Cross-border careers (2008–present)

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Leung later collaborated with John Woo again on the Chinese-Hong Kong co-production Red Cliff, serving as second unit director for the naval battle scenes while Zhang Jinzhan handled the army battle scenes.[26][a] During a reshoot at Xiaotangshan, Beijing, for Red Cliff: Part 2, which Leung supervised, two ships collided and caught fire, causing one death and six injuries.[28][27] In 2010, Leung, on behalf of Woo's company, was commissioned to make a film for the 2010 Asian Games around April, with the film scheduled for release before the Games opened in August.[29] Leung recruited Rico Chung [zh] to write a screenplay about dragon boat racing and completed the film Breaking The Waves [zh] within four months.[29] He later directed the co-production film Wu Dang in 2012,[30] and again served as second unit director for Woo on the two-part historical epic The Crossing and the 2017 action film Manhunt.[31][32][33]

Leung was brought on board the Hong Kong film Ciao UFO in 2017 by Amy Chin, who served as the film's screenwriter and producer.[3][29] The film premiered at the Hong Kong Asian Film Festival [zh] in 2019, but due to disputes with the distributor, it was unable to secure a theatrical release until the contract expired in 2025.[3] During the COVID-19 pandemic, Leung went without work for three years, leading his family to suggest that he change careers.[34][7] In 2024, he became a part-time lecturer at the Academy of Film of Hong Kong Baptist University, where he taught in its MFA programs.[35] Ciao UFO began limited screenings in December 2025.[3][36] The film won Best Film, while Leung received Best Director in the 44th Hong Kong Film Awards in 2026.[37]

Personal life

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During Leung's filmmaking career in Taiwan, he lived on Dunhua South Road.[5] Leung is married and has a daughter.[38]

Filmography

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As director

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Year Title Notes
1996 Somebody Up There Likes Me [39]
Beyond Hypothermia [13]
1997 Task Force [40]
2001 La Brassiere [16]
Born Wild [41]
2002 Mighty Baby [19]
Demi-Haunted [zh] [20]
2003 Good Times, Bed Times [22]
2004 The Twins Effect II [23]
2006 Black Night [24]
2007 Simply Actors [zh] [25]
2010 Breaking The Waves [zh] [42]
2012 Wu Dang [30]
2019 Ciao UFO [43]

Other credits

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Year Title Assistant director Second unit director Notes
1982 To Hell with the Devil No No As intern[1]
1984 Run, Tiger, Run Yes No [1]
Happy Ghost No No As executive producer[1]
1985 The Time You Need a Friend Yes No [1]
Happy Ghost II No No As executive producer[1]
1986 A Better Tomorrow Yes No [2]
1987 A Better Tomorrow II Yes No [2]
1989 The Killer Yes No [2]
1990 Bullet in the Head No No As screenwriter[8]: 9 
1991 Once a Thief Yes Yes [1][9]
Tiger Cage 3 No No As screenwriter[10]
1992 Hard Boiled Yes No [2]
2008 Red Cliff: Part 1 No Yes Second unit for naval battles[26][a]
2009 Red Cliff: Part 2 No Yes
2014 The Crossing: Part 1 No Yes [31]
2015 The Crossing: Part 2 No Yes [32]
2017 Manhunt No Yes [33]

Awards and nominations

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Year Award Category Work Result Ref.
2026 32nd Hong Kong Film Critics Society Awards Best Director Ciao UFO Nominated [44]
21st Hong Kong Film Directors' Guild Awards Best Director Won [45]
44th Hong Kong Film Awards Best Director Won [37]

Notes

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  1. ^ a b Oriental Morning Post reported him as an action choreographer.[27]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Hong Kong Film Archive; Hong Kong Film Directors' Guild. "梁柏堅｜LEUNG Pak Kin Patrick". The Ultimate Guide to Hong Kong Film Directors (in Chinese). Hong Kong Film Development Council. Archived from the original on 10 February 2026. Retrieved 20 May 2026.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h Chung, Alex (9 November 2019). "再見UFO影評：人人內心大概都有隻華富邨UFO　重拾初心的本土情懷". HK01 (in Chinese). Archived from the original on 18 August 2022. Retrieved 20 May 2026.
  3. ^ a b c d e 華疌 (1 May 2026). "以幻想尋找希望，探問何謂「黃金年代」──專訪《再見UFO》導演梁栢堅". Funscreen Weekly (in Chinese). Retrieved 19 May 2026.
  4. ^ a b 李珀朗 (1 May 2026). "當下就是黃金年代：專訪《再見UFO》導演梁柏堅、編劇江皓昕". HK01 (in Chinese). Retrieved 19 May 2026.
  5. ^ a b 陳穎 (27 April 2026). "專訪／塵封8年才見光！「再見UFO」真實美好的香港 導演梁栢堅吐心聲". United Daily News (in Chinese). Retrieved 20 May 2026.
  6. ^ Multiple sources:
  7. ^ a b 杜欣穎 (25 April 2026). "專訪》入行40年奪金像獎 《再見UFO》導演梁栢堅師承吳宇森「當導演就是要等」". China Times (in Chinese). Retrieved 19 May 2026.
  8. ^ a b c Williams, Tony (1 August 2009). John Woo's "Bullet in the Head" (PDF). Hong Kong: Hong Kong University Press. ISBN 978-9622099685. Archived (PDF) from the original on 7 January 2026. Retrieved 20 May 2026.
  9. ^ a b 張家振 (1 January 2024). "《縱橫四海》部分對白靠周潤發當場發揮？監製寫書回憶拍攝點滴". HK01 (in Chinese). Archived from the original on 18 January 2024. Retrieved 20 May 2026.
  10. ^ a b Ryan, Tony (14 June 2015). "Tiger Cage 3". Far East Films. Retrieved 20 May 2026.
  11. ^ Fonoroff, Paul (12 January 1996). "The fists of Aaron". South China Morning Post. Archived from the original on 20 May 2026. Retrieved 20 May 2026.
  12. ^ Li, Cheuk-to (23 June 2015). "浪漫風暴──隱喻香港電影的窮途末路？". Hong Kong Film Critics Society (in Chinese). Retrieved 20 May 2026.
  13. ^ a b Elley, Derek (3 January 1998). "Beyond Hypothermia". Variety. Retrieved 20 May 2026.
  14. ^ Elley, Derek (18 January 1998). "Task Force". Variety. Retrieved 20 May 2026.
  15. ^ Bordwell, David (18 May 2020). Planet Hong Kong – Popular Cinema & the Art of Entertainment (PDF). Cambridge, Massachusetts: Harvard University Press. ISBN 978-0674002142. Archived (PDF) from the original on 6 August 2025. Retrieved 20 May 2026.
  16. ^ a b Elley, Derek (1 February 2002). "La Brassiere". Variety. Retrieved 20 May 2026.
  17. ^ Hansen, Jeremy (16 October 2001). "China Star's 'Brassiere' straps on auds, coin". Variety. Retrieved 20 May 2026.
  18. ^ Shen, Ted (26 October 1985). "Born Wild". Chicago Reader. Archived from the original on 16 June 2025. Retrieved 20 May 2026.
  19. ^ a b "趕世盃熱　一波未平一波又起 古仔、青雲人肉足球遊街任踼". Apple Daily (in Chinese). 10 June 2002. Archived from the original on 28 May 2022. Retrieved 20 May 2026.
  20. ^ a b Elley, Derek (16 December 2002). "Demi-Haunted". Variety. Archived from the original on 17 May 2022. Retrieved 20 May 2026.
  21. ^ Sek, Kei (17 July 2017). "絕世好B：多姿多采的BB片". Hong Kong Film Critics Society (in Chinese). Retrieved 20 May 2026.
  22. ^ a b Elley, Derek (14 October 2003). "Good Times, Bed Times". Variety. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 20 May 2026.
  23. ^ a b Weissberg, Jay (28 December 2004). "The Huadu Chronicles: Blade Of The Rose (Twins Effect II)". Variety. Archived from the original on 24 January 2025. Retrieved 20 May 2026.
  24. ^ a b Edwards, Russell (26 April 2006). "Black Night". Variety. Archived from the original on 21 October 2021. Retrieved 20 May 2026.
  25. ^ a b Tsui, Clarence (27 December 2007). "Just the ticket". South China Morning Post. Archived from the original on 17 April 2021. Retrieved 20 May 2026.
  26. ^ a b Elley, Derek (20 July 2008). "Red Cliff". Variety. Retrieved 20 May 2026.
  27. ^ a b 张哉麟 (11 June 2008). "《赤壁》剧组大火 "6伤"还是"7伤"成谜". China News Service (in Chinese). Oriental Morning Post. Archived from the original on 11 June 2008. Retrieved 20 May 2026.
  28. ^ "火燒連環船7人死傷 吳宇森趕返京眼紅紅". Apple Daily (in Chinese). 10 June 2008. Archived from the original on 1 September 2021. Retrieved 20 May 2026.
  29. ^ a b c Fung, Ka-ming (15 March 2026). "拍好電影：這是我們的成長故事——訪問《再見UFO》梁栢堅與錢小蕙". Ming Pao (in Chinese). Archived from the original on 27 March 2026. Retrieved 19 May 2026.
  30. ^ a b Hurtado, Josh (3 December 2012). "Blu-ray Review: WU DANG (Well Go USA)". ScreenAnarchy. Archived from the original on 7 March 2026. Retrieved 20 May 2026.
  31. ^ a b Elley, Derek (29 November 2015). "Review: The Crossing: Part 1 (2014)". Sino-Cinema. Archived from the original on 4 November 2016. Retrieved 20 May 2026.
  32. ^ a b Lee, Maggie (1 August 2015). "Film Review: 'The Crossing II'". Variety. Archived from the original on 24 June 2017. Retrieved 20 May 2026.
  33. ^ a b Elley, Derek (6 May 2018). "Review: ManHunt (2017)". Sino-Cinema. Archived from the original on 9 July 2018. Retrieved 20 May 2026.
  34. ^ 許育民 (19 April 2026). "金像獎2026｜《再見UFO》梁栢堅奪最佳導演　自爆曾3年冇工開". HK01 (in Chinese). Retrieved 20 May 2026.
  35. ^ "BUers shine at the 44th Hong Kong Film Awards". Campus Digest. Hong Kong Baptist University. 4 May 2026. Retrieved 21 May 2026.
  36. ^ 許育民 (19 December 2019). "再見UFO｜再有都市傳說解封　蔡卓妍黃又南6年前作品爭入金像獎". HK01 (in Chinese). Archived from the original on 15 April 2026. Retrieved 19 May 2026.
  37. ^ a b Mok, Danny (20 April 2026). "Ciao UFO takes top prizes at Hong Kong Film Awards as Sons of the Neon Night glows". South China Morning Post. Archived from the original on 18 May 2026. Retrieved 20 May 2026.
  38. ^ "金像獎 ｜《再見UFO》贏5獎 梁栢堅30年浮沉奪最佳導演". Ming Pao (in Chinese). 19 April 2026. Retrieved 20 May 2026.
  39. ^ Havis, Richard James (27 October 2024). "How Hong Kong star Aaron Kwok went from 'gormless' to 'adequate' to 'terrific' in movies". South China Morning Post. Archived from the original on 25 July 2025. Retrieved 20 May 2026.
  40. ^ "Task Force". Time Out. 10 September 2012. Retrieved 20 May 2026.
  41. ^ Tong, Ching-siu (9 June 2017). "野獸之瞳：解讀《野獸之瞳》的英雄神話". Hong Kong Film Critics Society (in Chinese). Archived from the original on 8 September 2022. Retrieved 20 May 2026.
  42. ^ Yu, Sen-lun (7 February 2011). "The powerhouse". Screen Daily. Archived from the original on 28 May 2024. Retrieved 20 May 2026.
  43. ^ Lee, Edmund (18 March 2026). "Ciao UFO movie review: Charlene Choi leads nostalgic trip through recent Hong Kong history". South China Morning Post. Archived from the original on 18 May 2026. Retrieved 20 May 2026.
  44. ^ "第三十二屆香港電影評論學會大獎得獎理由撮要". Hong Kong Film Critics Society (in Chinese). Retrieved 19 May 2026.
  45. ^ "導演會頒獎禮2026｜梁家輝廖子妤奪「最佳男、女主角」 衛詩雅杜德偉成「最佳男、女配」 舒淇得「新晉導演」". Sing Tao Daily (in Chinese). 23 March 2026. Retrieved 19 May 2026.
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