Lam Ching Ying

In the early 90s' his life took a turn for the worse in every respect. Due to the decay in the Hong Kong film-industry and his Sifu Sammo's decision to take a break, he had to weigh carefully his place and mission in the world of movies.

Probably he should have taken it for a bit, but he couldn't slow down. He worked all the time, accepted roles in low-budget films, had quieter success in average movies. And here comes his essence!

Even in a total senseless film he was professional. While his co-stars were just collecting their payment and seemed embarrassed to even be in the picture, Ying did the same fantastic job he did in any of his other films. Sure, he was a great actor, but beyond that, he really cared about his performance, and about his audience's enjoyment. It didn't matter to him that it was a horrible category III movie or a super-production. He treated it as it was his first big break. He devoted all his heart in producing great movies for his fans. Paying him 60HK dollars to perform or one million! (as it happened in the case of The Vampire Expert) made no difference to him. As long as he accepted the role, he put his mind and soul in it. His intensity of devotion is admirable.

His private life was not going smoothly either. In 1988 he divorced from his wife Cheng Bing Bing, he married in 1983. He was so uncommunicative, that there's not much to know about this marriage, just the fact, that he had two beautiful children, a daughter and a little son. Perhaps so, perhaps not, their love flew away as he fully absorbed himself in his calling, we don't know, anyhow he moved to his parents' place with his children and continued his work.

When exactly he noticed the first signs of his serious illness, we haven't a clue. All we know is a hint in Chin Kar Loks recollections, with whom his last collaboration was in 1994. He remembers him as a good-hearted man, who took care of him, had the spirit and used his brain a lot. He wasn't a smooth talker, but set a very good example to them. He taught them not to be lazy, to give 100% every time, no tricks. And he says at the end of the article, that he worked hard with them,  even when he was sick and was in pain.

I can easily imagine him ignoring the pain, the sickly feelig, clenching his teeth and follow on. Had he been a little more self-interested, he could still be with us. Maybe not. Perhaps he was destined for this short life to prove. And he did.

From this period of his life I would like to mention a few films he made, as they are not that well-known, but worth watching, just because he is in them.

Forced Nightmare - A very funny collaboration with Sandra Ng again. They were pared quite often, as they had a chemistry and a good working relationship. For me the best is that Ying looks as "his normal self", no weird eyebrows, no fake mustache, and he still has his Taoist talent. They seem to function, without these elements of his Sifu-look. I dare to declare, that he is very smart in this movie. He allowed himself to be a bit closer to a woman, he even let her grub his hair, not to mention she licked his ears... then turned into a vampire... Bad luck. For her, cause Ying is relentless in that case. And the climax is that scene, stolen from the classic movie Ghost, with Lam and the lady doing that clay pot massage... Amazingly funny. Ying could be very comic with a very serious look on his face.

China Dolls - A severe film, with raping girls, beating them up, selling them as prostitutes. Brutal even. He has a very small part in it, but a grateful role. The one and only person in this film with a good heart, warm look on his face. He is a young police officer, who saves a baby, finds a good family to raise him up and has to convince his real mum, who is charged for a prison sentence, not to bother his son, as this is the best for him. Five minutes on screen, but a very intense five minutes, with a very smart Ying.

Banana Spirit - He looks very young, very nice to me in this movie. A light comedy with a touch of sadness, as his girlfriend is killed by a ghost. Have a look at his face, when the naked Banana Spirit enters the kitchen, and the way he receives Auntie's adoration and love. He is just lovable.

Exorcist Master - A must see movie as well. Probably the best at that time of his career. The familiar Taoist Sifu character, having problems with the Catholic Church entering his quiet, little town. He is very elegant, solemn, except when he tries to cure himself with magic portion. The lethal scene for me is when he dresses as an old lady, because he is dying of curiosity, goes to a mass and even receives the Holy Communion in his weird way. Lot of fun, play on words as well.

Rape In Public Sea - The above mentioned senseless, cathegory III movie. Just for the sake of his looks!

The Green Hornet - He directed this film, starring Chin Kar Lok. It's worth watching, just to see through his eyes, to see his working method.     

That's of course not all, as I mentioned, he had plenty of films in these years, but a huge hit was in the books for him to experience and he really deserved it.    

                                        On The Very Tiptop