On November 9, 2024, a special commemorative event will take place at China Institute in to honor the life and legacy of Peipei Cheng, a pioneering martial arts actress who made a lasting impact on Asian cinema. Initiated by Ms. Chiang Ching, a close friend of Peipei and organized by the Renwen Society at China Institute and the Chinese American Arts Council, with support from the Fo Guang Shan New York Temple, this event will feature heartfelt tributes from her family, close friends, and renowned personalities in the film industry.
About Peipei Cheng
Cheng Pei Pei was one of Asian cinema’s martial arts legends and Hong Kong’s first action heroine. She started her film career with the Shaw Brothers Studio in 1961 and went on to make over 20 films with them. During that era, most Wuxia a.k.a. martial arts films often depicted women as weak or in supporting roles, but Cheng challenged those stereotypes.
One of her most iconic films was the classic COME DRINK WITH ME (1966). Cheng was cast in the role despite her not having any formal martial arts training. However, her background in ballet and traditional Chinese dance translated beautifully onscreen, showcasing her organic and fluid fighting moves that embodies the power and grace of her character, Golden Swallow. These meticulously choreographed fight scenes soon set the gold standard for later Wuxia films and the action films we see in Asian cinema and Hollywood today.
At a time when it was most difficult, Cheng’s performances redefined the notion of femininity in Asian Cinema. She demonstrated that women could be smart, powerful and strong, without compromising their grace or intelligence.
Today, audience remember Cheng best for her role as Mrs Hua in the comedy FLIRTING SCHOLAR opposite Stephen Chow; and as the wicked Jade Fox in Ang Lee’s Oscar winning CROUCHING TIGER HIDDEN DRAGON, for which she won a Best Supporting Actress Award at the 2001 Hong Kong Film Awards.
Cheng also starred in Chinese films like YANG SISTERS, and several Chinese television series including MULAN for CCTV, and the epic series THE PATRIOT YUE FEI opposite Huang Xiaoming, which became the first Chinese series to be broadcast on HBO.
In her later years, Cheng had a second career in Western features and she worked in the U.S., UK, Canada, Singapore, Australia etc. Her standout performance in the English feature LILTING opposite Ben Whishaw, as a mother coming to terms with the death of her gay son, even garnered her a Best Actress Nomination at the 2014 British Independent Film Awards. She also starred in the Canadian feature MEDITATION PARK opposite Tzi Ma and Sandra Oh, which had its World Premiere at TIFF. In 2019, Peipei made her final screen appearance as The Matchmaker, in Disney’s MULAN.
Event Details
In celebration of Peipei’s life and legacy, this commemoration will feature personal reflections, a special presentation of her film highlights titled “Highlights of Peipei Cheng’s Films,” and a photo slideshow that showcases her indelible impact on the silver screen and in real life. The event will open with an address by Mr. George Geh, CEO of China Institute, followed by a Buddhist blessing from the monks of Fo Guang Shan led by Master You Lin, paying homage to Peipei’s spiritual journey. These tributes will lead into heartfelt remarks from her family, friends, and prominent personalities, honoring her life’s remarkable contributions.
郑佩佩是亚洲影坛的武术传奇人物之一，也是香港第一位动作电影女侠。她于1963年在邵氏兄弟制片公司开始了她的电影生涯，期间拍摄了20多部电影。在那个时代，大多数武侠又名武术电影常将女性描绘成弱者或配角，但佩佩当时成为武侠片的票房保证，为女性在武侠片的地位写下新的一页。
她最具标志性的电影之一是经典的《大醉侠》（1966 年）。佩佩尽管没有接受过任何正式的武术训练，然而，她的芭蕾舞和中国传统舞蹈背景还是让她被选为《大醉侠》裏的金燕子一角。在胡金铨导演的精心设计下，无论是服装、武打场面、情节演绎都策划得天衣无缝，佩佩亦在萤幕上演绎出胡导演心目中的金燕子，没有另胡导演失望。这些精心设计的打斗场面很快就为后来的武侠电影以及我们今天在亚洲电影和好莱坞看到的动作片设定了黄金标准。
如今，观众对佩佩的印象最深刻的是周星驰《唐伯虎点秋香》裏的华夫人，以及她在李安执导的奥斯卡得奖影片《卧虎藏龙》中饰演的邪恶玉狐，并因此获得了2001年香港电影金像奖最佳女配角奖。
后来佩佩更演出了多部的中国电影及中国电视剧包括中央电视台的《花木兰》，以及黄晓明主演的古装历史剧《精忠岳飞》等，该剧成为第一部在 HBO 播出的中国电视剧。
晚年，佩佩在西方电影中更获得了第二浪她电影生涯高潮。在澳洲、美国、英国、加拿大、星加坡等地方有著很好的演出机会。 比较瞩目的是她主演了英国剧情片《LILTING》，与Ben Whishaw 演对手戏，饰演一位母亲儿子死亡后接受他的同性恋男友。 她的表演为她赢得了 2014 年英国独立电影奖最佳女主角提名。另外她与 Tzi Ma 和 Sandra Oh 主演了加拿大剧情片《冥想公园》，该片在 TIFF 进行了全球首映。 2019年，佩佩最后一次在银幕上亮相，是迪士尼的《花木兰》中饰演红娘。2024年郑佩佩荣获第六十一屆金马奖终身成就奖。
2024年7月17日，佩佩因病去世，享年78岁。她的离世是华语影坛的一大损失，但她的艺术成就将永存于世。
为纪念郑佩佩的卓越人生和非凡艺术成就，在她的挚友江青女士的发起和召集下，并得到佛光山纽约道场的大力支持，华美人文学会与美华艺术协会将于2024年11月9日下午2时至4时在华美协进社举办郑佩佩追思会。届时，佩佩的家人和挚友将发表感言，缅怀她的艺术造诣和人生情谊。追思会上将播放「郑佩佩影视集锦」和「佩佩照相簿」，展示她从影以来的辉煌时刻与感人瞬间。
追思会上，华美协进社社长葛晓初先生将首先致辞，然后佛光山纽约道场有霖法师将带领大众祈福，功德回向郑佩佩，祈愿佛陀接引他到清净自在的佛国。这场追思会不仅是对她的告别，更是对她艺术生命的致敬，激励后人铭记她在电影艺术与文化传承中的不朽贡献。
China Institute’s cultural programs are made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.
