Li Han-hsiang was probably the most prolific director of his time, producing more than 70 films in genres ranging from erotica to dramas and comedies. Born in 1926, originated from Liaoning, China, Li moved to Hong Kong in 1948 to make his start in the film industry.
He started his career as an actor in The Orphan Girl but took on other odd jobs doing set designs, scriptwriting as well as being an assistant director, before directing his first independent production Love's Elegy.
He joined Shaw Brothers in 1956 in a relationship that would last until the 90's. During that time, he directed more than 20 films for the studio, many of which would turn out to be classics fondly remembered through time.
Among his best works were his collaborations with screen goddessLinda Lin Dai, including the award-winning Diau Charn, The Kingdom And The Beauty. The first film won Li the Best Director Award, and the second one won the Best Film at the 5th and 6th Asian Film Festivals respectively.
Not being one to limit himself to a certain genre, Li also created historical masterpieces which included The Magnificent Concubine and Empress Wu, which were named The Best Drama at the Golden Horse Awards. In 1963, Li won the Golden Horse Best Director award for The Love Eterne.
Like many other directors, Li left Hong Kong to capitalise on the new Taiwan wave, and made several classic hits such as Hsi Shih Beauty Of Beauties, The Winter and Four Moods.
Li's other classics include famous comedy, The Warlord; erotica, The Golden Lotus and award-winning historical masterpiece, The Empress Dowager.
In the latter part of his career, Li concentrated on costume dramas such as Burning Of The Imperial Palace, Reign Behind A Curtain and the classic horror story Dun Huang Tales Of The Night. Li's last film was the contemporary Lover's Lover. He died in 1996 while making another TV series in Beijing.
In 1997, Li received a Posthumous Life Achievement Award from the Taipei Golden Horse Award.
Filmography
(Film available in Celestial’s Shaw Brothers Film Library with year of production/theatrical release)
Diau Charn (1956)
The Kingdom And The Beauty (1958)
Rear Entrance (1959)
Enchanting Shadow (1959)
Beyond The Great Wall (1959)
Empress Wu (1960)
The Magnificent Concubine (1960)
The Love Eterne (1962)
The Story Of Sue San (1962)
The Adulteress (1962)
The Warlord (1972)
Legends Of Lust (1972)
Facets Of Love (1973)
Illicit Desire (1973)
The Happiest Moment (1973)
The Golden Lotus (1974)
Scandal (1974)
Sinful Confession (1974)
Forbidden Tales Of Two Cities (1974)
The Empress Dowager (1975)
That's Adultery (1975)
The Last Tempest (1975)
Wedding Nights (1975)
Crazy Sex (1976)
Love Swindler (1976)
Moods Of Love (1977)
The Adventures Of Emperor Chien Lang (1977)
The Dream Of The Red Chamber (1977)
The Voyage Of Emperor Chien Lung (1978)
The Ghost Story (1978)
The Scandalous Warlord (1979)
Emperor Chien Lung And The Beauty (1979)
The Tiger And The Widow (1981)
Passing Flickers (1982)
Tiger Killer (1982)
The Emperor And The Minister (1982)
Take Care, Your Majesty! (1983)
Scriptwriter
The Love Eterne (1962)
Empress Wu (1963)
A Maid From Heaven (1963)
The Warlord (1972)
Cheat To Cheat (1973)
Facets Of Love (1973)
Illicit Desire (1973)
The Happiest Moment (1973)
The Golden Lotus (1974)
Scandal (1974)
Sinful Confession (1974)
The Empress Dowager (1975)
That's Adultery (1975)
The Last Tempest (1975)
Crazy Sex (1976)
Love Swindler (1976)
The Dream Of The Red Chamber (1977)
The Voyage Of Emperor Chin Lung (1978)
The Ghost Story (1978)
Tiger Killer (1982)
The Emperor And The Minister (1982)
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