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Sylvia Chang
Sylvia Chang October 2022.jpg
Chang at the 57th Golden Bell Awards in October 2022
Born (1953-07-21) 21 July 1953 (age 71)
Other names Zhang Aijia
Occupation Actress, writer, director, singer, producer
Years active 1973–present
Spouse(s)
Bob Liu
(m. 1978; div. 1984)
Billy Wang
(m. 1991)
Children 1
Chinese name
Traditional Chinese 張艾嘉
Simplified Chinese 张艾嘉
Hanyu Pinyin Zhāng Àijiā
Jyutping Zoeng1 Ngaai6gaa1

Sylvia Chang (born 21 July 1953) is a Taiwanese actress, singer, director, screenwriter and producer. In 1992, she served as a jury member at the 42nd Berlin International Film Festival. In June 2018, she was invited to become a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. In the same year, she served as a jury member at the 75th Venice International Film Festival.

Early life

Chang was born in Chiayi, Taiwan. She dropped out of school when she was 16, and started her career as a radio DJ. When she was 18 years old she acted in her first film.

Career

Chang acted in her first film, The Tattooed Dragon (龍虎金剛) (1973), when she was 18 years old. Chang often attempted to do her own stunts in the four-part film series Aces Go Places.

She stated in an interview with film editor Clarence Tsui, "I still think Hong Kong's film industry is male-dominated". She also believes that "There aren't many male filmmakers who would write scripts for women". She helped write the script of Run Papa Run, based on the novel by Benny Li Shuan Yan, that follows a man who belongs to the Triad and the relationship he has with his mother, wife, and daughter. Chang said in an interview that, "I thought why don't I explore the gentler side of men".

Chang first began performing in theatre productions more than 30 years ago. She returned to the stage in the production of Design For Living (華麗上班族之生活與生存) that premiered in November 2008 and went on into 2009. Chang stated in an interview that, "The reason for me to take on stage play again after 20 years is because I was lured by the director, he has invited handsome guys like Zheng Yuan Chang [sic] and David Huang into the play". Critics have remarked upon the versatility in her roles along with her willingness to always try for something new.

Chang is also a singer and her music has become popular in karaoke, where her song "The Cost of Love" is commonly sung.

In the 1980s, Chang's second film to direct, Passion, which she wrote and also starred in, won the Hong Kong Film Award for Best Actress. She has stated, "I had never went to any school as a director or a filmmaker, so all my film education actually was from the set".

For a time, Chang was the head producer of New Cinema City in Taiwan, but left a few years after joining. In 20 30 40, she played the 40-year-old woman protagonist, wrote and directed it.

Personal life

Chang married Hong Kong-based journalist Bob Liu in 1979. They divorced in 1984. Chang married Taiwanese businessman Billy Wang Jing-xiong in 1991 and they have one son, Oscar. She also has two stepsons.

In July 2000, Chang's nine-year-old son Oscar was kidnapped and held for a ransom of HK $15 million. The police found him after a few days, safe, and arrested the kidnappers. Chang stated, "With your life, you have to move on, there's no other choice; so, out of no choice, then, it's a matter of your attitude".

Philanthropy

Chang is an advocate and a "life-long volunteer" for World Vision International, the humanitarian aid, development, and advocacy organization. She created an advertisement, sponsored by World Vision, to promote the company, . She is a member and advocate for the World Vision-sponsored "30 Hour Famine."

Filmography

Sylvia Chang 2011
Sylvia Chang at the 2011 Hong Kong International Film Festival.

As actress

  • Kong zhong wu shi (1973)
  • The Tattooed Dragon (1973) as Ai-Chia
  • Xiao ying xiong da nao Tang Ren jie (1974) as Lin Hsiu-yin
  • Slaughter in San Francisco (1974)
  • Shi qi shi qi shi ba (1974)
  • Bruce: Hong Kong Master (1975)
  • The Story of Four Girls (1975)
  • A Mao zheng chuan (1976)
  • Bi yun tian (1976)
  • Victory (1976)
  • Wen nuan zai qiu tian (1976) as Hsu Hsiao-hui
  • Eight Hundred Heroes (1976)
  • Warmth in Autumn (1976)
  • Qiu chan (1976)
  • Lang hua (1976)
  • Xing yu (1976)
  • Luo ye piao piao (1976)
  • The Lady Killer (1976)
  • Mitra (1977) as Mitra
  • The Longest Bridge (1977)
  • The Golden Age (1977)
  • A Pirate of Love (1977)
  • Zuo ri chong chong (1977)
  • Qing se shan mai (1977)
  • Shan liang de ri zi (1977)
  • Tai bei qi qi (1977)
  • Taibei liu shi liu (1977)
  • Jin yu liang yuan hong lou meng (1977) as Lin Daiyu
  • Feng yu zhao yang (1977)
  • Dan dan san yue qing meng long (1977)
  • Ai qing wo zhao dao le (1977)
  • Shuo huang shi jie (1978)
  • M*A*S*H (1979, TV Series) as Sooni
  • The Secret (1979) - Lin Jeng-ming.
  • Legend of the Mountain (1979) as Cloud
  • Crazy Disaster (1979) as Lin Jeng-ming
  • Ma feng nu (1979)
  • Tian xia yi da xiao (1980)
  • The Imperious Princess (1980) as Princess Sheng Ping
  • White Jasmine (1980)
  • Da xiao jiang jun (1980)
  • Xue jian leng ying bao (1980)
  • Yuan (1980)
  • Attack Force Z (1981) as Chien Hua
  • Zhong shen da shi (1981) as Chu Wei
  • The Funniest Movie (1981)
  • My Grandfather (1982)
  • Aces Go Places (1982) as Supt. Nancy Ho
  • Nan xiong nan di (1982)
  • Xue jian gui xiang lu (1982)
  • He Lives by Night (1982) as Sissy
  • In Our Time (1982)
  • Aces Go Places 2 (1983) as Supt. Nancy Ho
  • 1938 Da jing qi (1983) as Su San
  • Cabaret of the Streets (1983)
  • That Day, on the Beach (1983) as Jiali
  • Cabaret Tears (1983)
  • Aces Go Places 3 (1984) as Supt. Nancy Ho
  • Funny Face (1984)
  • Shanghai Blues (1984) as Shu-Shu
  • Double Trouble (1984)
  • The Story in Sorghum Field (1984)
  • My Favorite Season (1985) as Liu Xiang‑mei
  • Crazy Romance (1985) as Cheung Ka-ka
  • Ba Fan keng kou de xin niang (1985)
  • Aces Go Places IV (1986) as Supt. Nancy Ho
  • Lucky Stars Go Places (1986) as Quito
  • Passion (1986) as Wendy Pai
  • Immortal Story (1986) as Chang Mei Ling
  • Sister Cupid (1987)
  • Kidnapped (1987)
  • Seven Years Itch (1987) as Sylvia
  • Soursweet (1988) as Lily
  • Yellow Story (1988) as Mrs. Hui
  • Chicken and Duck Talk (1988) as Mrs. Hui
  • All About Ah-Long (1989) as Sylvia Poon / 'Por-Por'
  • Full Moon in New York (1989) as Wang Hsiung-Ping
  • Eight Taels of Gold (1989) as Odds and Ends
  • Two Painters (1989)
  • The Fun, the Luck & the Tycoon (1990) as Hung Leung-yuk
  • Queen of Temple Street (1990) as Big Sis Wah
  • My Mother's Tea House (1990)
  • A Rascal's Tale (1991)
  • Sisters of the World Unite (1991) as Sylvia Lau
  • The Banquet (1991) as Herself
  • The Twin Dragons (1992) as Mrs. Ma (Twins' Mother)
  • Lucky Encounter (1992) as Pregnant Woman
  • C'est la vie, mon chéri (1993) as Deputy Director of Hospital
  • Huan ying (1993)
  • In Between (1994) as Anna Lau (segment "Yuan fu julebu")
  • Eat Drink Man Woman (1994) as Jin-Rong
  • Killer Lady (1995) as Show Show
  • I Want to Go on Living (1995) as Pui Yan
  • The Fragile Heart (1996, TV Series) as Dr. Zhao Quing
  • A Chinese Ghost Story: The Tsui Hark Animation (1997) as Shine (Mandarin version, voice)
  • The Red Violin (1998) as Xiang Pei (Shanghai)
  • King of Stanley Market (1998)
  • Tempting Heart (1999) as Cheryl
  • Forever and Ever (2001) as Mrs. Tam Li Min-Chun
  • 20 30 40 (2004) as Lily
  • Rice Rhapsody (2004) as Jen
  • American Fusion (2005) as Yvonne
  • The Go Master (2006) as Shu Wen - Wu's mother
  • Buddha Mountain (2010) as Chang Yueqin
  • Mountains May Depart (2015) as Mia
  • Office (2015) as Winnie Chang
  • Shuttle Life (2017) as Li Jun
  • Love Education (2017) as Qiu Huiying
  • Long Day's Journey into Night (2018)
  • Jìyuántái qihào (2019) as Mrs. Mei
  • The Garden of Evening Mists (2019) as Older Teoh Yun Ling
  • Are You Lonesome Tonight? (2021) as Liang's mother
  • A Light Never Goes Out (2021) as Mei-heung

As filmmaker

Year Title Role Notes
1981 Once Upon a Time Co-director, co-writer
1986 Passion Director, writer
1987 Yellow Story Director
1989 All About Ah-Long Co-writer (story)
1991 Sisters of the World Unite Director, co-writer, producer
1992 Mary from Beijing Director, writer
1992 Three Summers Co-writer, producer
1994 In Between Director, writer, producer
  • also known as Conjugal Affairs or The New Age of Living Together
  • segment "Unwed Mother"
1995 Siao Yu Director, co-writer
1995 I Want to Go on Living Co-writer
1996 Tonight Nobody Goes Home Director, co-writer
1998 Bishonen Executive producer
1999 Tempting Heart Director, co-writer
2002 Princess D Director, co-writer, producer
2004 20 30 40 Director, co-writer
2008 Run Papa Run Director, co-writer
2007 Happy Birthday Co-writer
2011 10+10 Writer segment "The Dusk of the Gods"
2012 My Way Executive producer Documentary
2015 Murmur of the Hearts Director, co-writer
2015 Office Writer
2017 Love Education Director, co-writer
2021 Hero Director segment "Hong Kong"

Discography

Kolin Records (歌林)
  • 1973 Never Say Goodbye 別說再見
  • 1974 Tearfully Say to You 含淚向你說
  • 1977 Farewell (惜別)
  • 1980 Maybe / We Were Young (也许 / 我們曾經年輕)
Rock Records
  • 1981 Childhood (童年)
  • 1985 Busy and Blind (忙與盲)
  • 1986 Do You Love Me? (你愛我嗎)
  • 1987 Xi shuo (細說), lit. "clarify" or "elaborate"
  • 1992 The Price of Love (愛的代價)

Awards and nominations

Year Award Category Nominated work Result
1976 13th Golden Horse Awards Best Supporting Actress Posterity and Perplexity Won
1980 17th Golden Horse Awards Best Actress White Jasmine Nominated
1981 18th Golden Horse Awards Best Actress My Grandfather Won
1983 2nd Hong Kong Film Awards Best Actress Aces Go Places Nominated
1985 4th Hong Kong Film Awards Best Actress Shanghai Blues Nominated
1986 23rd Golden Horse Awards Best Feature Film Passion Nominated
Best Director Nominated
Best Actress Won
Best Original Screenplay Nominated
1987 6th Hong Kong Film Awards Best Actress Won
1989 26th Golden Horse Awards Best Actress Full Moon in New York Nominated
1990 9th Hong Kong Film Awards Best Actress Eight Taels of Gold Nominated
All About Ah-Long Nominated
1991 10th Hong Kong Film Awards Best Actress Queen of Temple Street Nominated
1995 32nd Golden Horse Awards Best Feature Film Siao Yu Nominated
Best Adapted Screenplay Nominated
Asia-Pacific Film Festival Best Film Won
Best Screenplay Won
1996 33rd Golden Horse Awards Best Feature Film Tonight Nobody Goes Home Nominated
Best Original Screenplay Nominated
Asia-Pacific Film Festival Best Screenplay Won
1999 1st Jutra Awards Best Actress The Red Violin Nominated
36th Golden Horse Awards Best Feature Film Tempting Heart Nominated
2000 19th Hong Kong Film Awards Best Director Nominated
Best Screenplay Won
2001 38th Golden Horse Awards Best Actress Forever and Ever Nominated
2002 7th Golden Bauhinia Awards Best Actress Won
21st Hong Kong Film Awards Best Actress Won
2nd Chinese Film Media Awards Best Actress Nominated
Asian Film Critics Association Awards Best Actress Won
2004 41st Golden Horse Awards Best Actress Rice Rhapsody Nominated
54th Berlin International Film Festival Golden Bear 20 30 40 Nominated
2005 24th Hong Kong Film Awards Best Actress Nominated
5th Chinese Film Media Awards Best Film Nominated
Best Director Nominated
Best Actress Nominated
Asian Film Critics Association Awards Best Actress Won
Newport Beach Film Festival Best Actress Rice Rhapsody Won
2006 25th Hong Kong Film Awards Best Actress Nominated
2007 26th Hong Kong Film Awards Best Screenplay Happy Birthday Nominated
2008 45th Golden Horse Awards Best Director Run Papa Run Nominated
2009 28th Hong Kong Film Awards Best Screenplay Nominated
Hong Kong Film Critics Society Awards Best Screenplay Nominated
2010 47th Golden Horse Awards Best Actress Buddha Mountain Nominated
2012 12th Chinese Film Media Awards Best Supporting Actress Nominated
2015 52nd Golden Horse Awards Best Actress Office Nominated
Best Adapted Screenplay Nominated
2016 35th Hong Kong Film Awards Best Actress Nominated
Hong Kong Film Critics Society Awards Best Director Murmur of the Hearts Nominated
Best Screenplay Won
Best Actress Office Nominated
16th Chinese Film Media Awards Best Supporting Actress Mountains May Depart Nominated
2017 54th Golden Horse Awards Best Feature Film Love Education Nominated
Best Director Nominated
Best Leading Actress Nominated
Best Original Screenplay Nominated
2018 12th Asian Film Awards Best Director Nominated
Best Actress Won
Best Screenplay Nominated
Lifetime Achievement Award N/A Honored
37th Hong Kong Film Awards Best Director Love Education Nominated
Best Actress Nominated
Best Screenplay Won
9th China Film Director's Guild Awards Best Actress Nominated
Best Screenwriter Won
Best Hong Kong / Taiwan Director Won
23rd Huading Awards Best Director Nominated
Best Actress Nominated
29th Hong Kong Film Directors' Guild Awards Best Director Won
18th Chinese Film Media Awards Best Actress Nominated
Best Screenplay Nominated
Best Director Nominated
25th Beijing College Student Film Festival Best Screenplay Won
25th Hong Kong Film Critics Society Awards Best Screenplay Nominated
Best Director Won
2022 59th Golden Horse Awards Best Leading Actress A Light Never Goes Out Won
2023 29th Hong Kong Film Critics Society Awards Best Actress Nominated
41st Hong Kong Film Awards Best Actress Nominated

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Sylvia Chang para niños

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