Heroic bloodshed is a genre invented by Hong Kong action cinema revolving around stylized action sequences and dramatic themes such as brotherhood, duty, honour, redemption and violence that has become a popular genre used by different directors worldwide. The term heroic bloodshed was coined by editor Rick Baker in the magazine Eastern Heroes in the late 1980s, specifically referring to the styles of directors John Woo and Ringo Lam. Baker defined the genre as "a Hong Kong action film that features a lot of gun play and gangsters rather than kung fu. Lots of blood. Lots of action." Heroic bloodshed films often feature gun fu action sequences.
Andrew Lau Wai-keung is a Hong Kong film director, producer, and cinematographer. Lau began his career in the 1980s and 1990s, serving as a cinematographer to filmmakers such as Ringo Lam, Wong Jing and Wong Kar-wai. In the 1990s, Lau decided to have more creative freedom as a cinematographer by becoming a film director and producer. Apart from making films in his native Hong Kong, Lau has also made films in China, Korea and the United States. A highly prolific filmmaker, Lau has made films in a variety of genres, and is most notable in the West for his action and crime films which include the Young and Dangerous film series, the Infernal Affairs trilogy, and Revenge of the Green Dragons.
Chin Ka-lok, sometimes credited as Chin Kar-lok, is a Hong Kong actor, action choreographer, and television presenter.
Roy Cheung Yiu-Yeung is a Hong Kong-based actor, best known on-screen for his roles as Triad gangsters in a number of films.
Deric Wan Siu-lun is a Hong Kong actor, singer, and songwriter who has starred in numerous television series and released several studio albums. His representative works include a duet with Nadia Chan, a cover of the song Yat sang ho kau (一生何求), a villainous role in the film So Close and in TVB series such as Looking Back in Anger and The Breaking Point. Wan has worked for Hong Kong-based TVB and RTHK, Taiwan and CCTV. He currently works in China and at STTV.
Dion Lam is a Hong Kong action choreographer and actor.
Cheng Sin Siu Chung is a Hong Kong football manager and former professional player. He is currently the head coach of Hong Kong Premier League club Southern.
Herman Yau Lai-to is a Hong Kong film director, screenwriter and cinematographer.
Max Mok is a Hong Kong actor and singer. Mok was recruited by the Shaw Brothers Studio and has been a major film star since the 1980s. Mok is perhaps best known as Leung Foon in Once Upon a Time in China II, III, IV and V, after replacing Yuen Biao who was in the first film. In the Philippines, he is known as Bronson Lee.
Gordon Chan Kar-Seung, born in 1960, is a Hong Kong film director, writer and producer. His most notable works include Beast Cops, Fist of Legend, Painted Skin, 2000 AD and Legend of the Fist: The Return of Chen Zhen. In 2011 he announced and launched the productions for Mural, Four Detectives/Four Marshals, and Painted Skin 2. Though for Painted Skin 2 he dropped out as the director and the director's seat was given to Wuershan. His 1996 film First Option was entered into the 20th Moscow International Film Festival.
Marco Mak Chi-Sin is a Hong Kong film director, film editor, production manager, actor, screenwriter, film producer, music composer and assistant director.
Cheung Ka-fai is a Hong Kong film editor and actor.
Lee Shing-cheong is a Hong Kong TVB actor. He also goes by the name Henry Lee.
Arthur Wong Ngok-Tai is a nine time Hong Kong Film Awards-winning cinematographer, actor, screenwriter, film producer and film director.
Michael Chan Wai-man is a Hong Kong actor and martial artist. A Hakka of Wuhua ancestry born in New Territories, Chan was well known for various triad roles, when in actuality he had been involved with triads in real life. In a media interview, he admitted to have been the No. 2 in the 14K Triad that dominated vice in Tsim Sha Tsui before the handover of Hong Kong. Having worked as a police officer in the prison system, he came into contact with many underworld figures and joined the Triads. Chan was expelled from the Royal Hong Kong Police as a result of his links.
Louis Fan Siu-wong, also known as Fan, is a Hong Kong actor and martial artist. He is best known worldwide for his role as Ricky in Riki-Oh: The Story of Ricky (1991) and as Jin Shanzhao in Ip Man (2008) and Ip Man 2 (2010), as well as his roles in some television series produced by TVB.
Herman Kwan Hoi-San was a Hong Kong actor. His English name was Herman Kwan. Kwan started off as a Cantonese opera actor in street theatre before joining New Voice Opera Troupe (新聲劇團). He also started singing for early Hong Kong film soundtracks and moved on to act in films, mostly adaption of opera in Cantonese. He became famous and acted in many lead roles. When Hong Kong films started to move towards Mandarin, Kwan's career faltered and joined TVB and acted in various roles. Directors and filmmakers rediscovered his talent and cast him in many supporting roles in films. In 2001, Kwan suffered a stroke and was left mute and paralysed. He died in 2006.
Phillip Ko-Fei was a Hong Kong filmmaker.
Chui Chung-San was a Hong Kong actor, director, choreographer, martial artist and stuntman. He was known for being an action director and stuntman. Chui was known for films such as The Rebellious Reign, Kung Fu Vs. Yoga, Two Fists Against the Law and 7 Grandmasters; as well as other various Taiwanese television shows.
Teresa Ha was a former Chinese television and film actress from Hong Kong. Ha is credited with over 260 films.
