Nansun Shi, producer behind 'A Better Tomorrow' and Hong Kong cinema's golden age, dies at 75

Nansun Shi, the producer who helped define Hong Kong cinema's golden era through films including "A Better Tomorrow," "Swordsman II" and "Infernal Affairs," has died at 75.

According to the South China Morning Post, Shi died Tuesday at 8:51 p.m. at Hong Kong Sanatorium and Hospital from multiple organ failure caused by a bacterial infection.

Her former husband, prominent Hong Kong director Tsui Hark, said she passed away peacefully with family and friends by her side.

"She held on bravely until the very last moment," Tsui said. "I am deeply grateful for all the care and blessings everyone has shown during this time."

Film Workshop, the production company the two founded together, said Shi's health had deteriorated since 2022 due to complications related to her immune system, and that she had suffered repeated infections in recent months.

Through her work in production and distribution, Shi brought some of Hong Kong cinema's most celebrated titles to the world — among them the "A Chinese Ghost Story" series, the "Once Upon a Time in China" series and "Infernal Affairs." She is widely credited with playing a central role in the industry's growth, particularly after co-founding Film Workshop with Tsui and shepherding landmark films such as "A Better Tomorrow" and "Swordsman II" to success during Hong Kong cinema's peak years.

News of her death prompted an outpouring of tributes from across the Chinese-language film and cultural world.

Hong Kong action star Jackie Chan wrote on Weibo that the industry had "lost another legendary figure," adding that people would always remember "the courage and strength of character behind those classic works."

Born in Hong Kong in 1951, Shi studied statistics and computer science at North London Polytechnic in the United Kingdom. She returned to Hong Kong in the 1970s and worked in broadcasting before entering the film industry in earnest in 1981, when she joined Cinema City as its general manager.

She went on to oversee administration, planning and distribution, building her expertise before co-founding Film Workshop with Tsui in 1984 and spearheading Hong Kong cinema's push into overseas markets. Her contributions earned her the nickname "godmother of Hong Kong cinema."

Shi received the rank of Officier in France's Ordre des Arts et des Lettres and won the independent producer award at the Locarno International Film Festival, recognition of her standing in the international film community.

She and Tsui married in 1996 and were together for 18 years before divorcing in 2014, though they continued to collaborate professionally afterward.

Within the film industry, Shi is regarded as far more than a producer. She was a pivotal figure in bringing Hong Kong cinema to a global audience, spanning creative development, production and international distribution to introduce Hong Kong films to the world market. Her name remains synonymous with the city's cinematic golden age.