We Grew Up on Hong Kong Action Flicks. Now Its Stuntmen Need Second Jobs.

In July 2026, a group of final-year journalism students from Nanyang Technological University's Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information reported on Hong Kong's action film industry from the city itself. The students, including Savanna Tai, followed the stuntmen grappling with the declining fortunes of Hong Kong's movie industry. The piece, for RICE, explores the challenges faced by these skilled individuals as they attempt to make a living in the wake of a dwindling industry.

The students recount their own fascination with Hong Kong action films, noting that Jackie Chan, Donnie Yen, Bruce Lee, and Jet Li were once seen as the cornerstones of the genre. They recall the daring stunts performed by these actors, such as Jackie Chan's jumps from the top of a shopping mall in "Police Story" and the hand-to-hand combat in "The Karate Kid" remake.

However, the reality of the industry today is starkly different. Box-office revenues have fallen to a 14-year low, and TVB, a major broadcaster, has recorded consecutive annual losses. The number of locally produced films released each year has dwindled to fewer than 50, a sharp decline from the 200 produced in the 1980s. This has put immense pressure on the stunt community, which has seen a corresponding drop in work.

Savanna Tai spoke with veteran stuntman and action choreographer Tung Sui Wa, who offers insights into the changing landscape of Hong Kong cinema. Sui Wa, who began his career at 16, recalls the grueling hours worked as a stunt performer in the early years of his career. He also notes the dwindling demand for stunt work, as locally produced films have become less frequent.

The students' report highlights the precarious situation faced by Hong Kong's stunt community as the industry they have helped define over the years struggles to stay afloat.