“I Couldn’t Have Done It Without You”: Michael Hui Dedicates Lifetime Achievement Award To Late Brother Ricky Hui

Hongkong actor-director Michael Hui, 79, is one of Asian cinema's most iconic comedians, having created some of Hongkong's most unforgettable movies like The Private Eyes (1976) and Chicken and Duck Talk (1988).

At the recent 40th Hongkong Film Awards, Michael was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award.

Actor Dayo Wong was tasked with presenting the screen legend with the award, and before he invited Michael on stage, quipped that being given the chance to honour the screen legend felt like he, too, had “won a lifetime achievement award”.  

In his acceptance speech, Michael humbly said that he did not have many achievements, but instead was blessed with a good life.

“I was given the Best Actor Award 40 years ago at the first awards ceremony, and I thought there would be more to come. But I didn’t get a single [award] in the past 40 years,” he mused.

“Am I getting the bill so soon?" he added. "Winning the Lifetime Achievement Award means that it’s about time for me to call it a day, but I still want to win more awards.”

Michael, Ricky and Sam appeared in many movies together in the ‘70s and '80s.

Michael, who is the oldest among his siblings, also took the chance to thank his three brothers Cantopop legend Sam, producer Stanley, and the late Ricky, who was also a comedian. Ricky died from a heart attack at the age of 65 in 2011.

“They gave me their unwavering support all these years, and never had a word of complain,” he said about his brothers, whom he collaborated with on many classic movies, including Games Gamblers Play (1974) and Security Unlimited (1981).

Michael then paid tribute to Ricky, imitating how he used to talk, and saying that the latter never dared to argue with him, as he was much fiercer and was the more confident speaker.

“Ricky is already in heaven, but I want you to know that all your criticisms about me were right. I really miss you, and I couldn’t have done it without you, a huge part of this award belongs to you,” said Michael.

The Hui brothers when they were kids

Michael went on to express his gratitude to his family, saying that he had always bounced ideas off his filmmaker son, See-Wai, 49, and daughter, Michelle, 45, as well as his grandkids, who would act as his "advisors".

He also thanked his wife of 50 years, Cheng Kit-Ying, for being his source of inspiration.

"At my lowest, I thought of shooting a tragedy and she told me, 'Do we need you for that?' Real life was tragic enough, and we only need to watch the news to know that and that's why I have to continue making comedies," he said.

Michael and his wife