Diary

As usual, it’s been a very busy few weeks and I haven’t had much time to write down all the exciting things I’ve done. But the past couple of weeks has been too important and monumental for me, and I want to share my thoughts with you all. As I like to say to my friends, “better late than never!”.

 

June 17, 2017
I flew into Guangzhou on Sunday evening for a quick performance at the MarySharon X Bazaar Red Hot Concert at the Guangzhou Sports Stadium. I initially thought I might not be able to make it because the weather had been terrible with heavy torrential rain, and we didn’t know if we could land in Guangzhou. Luckily, I made it on time. After singing one song “Sincere Hero” (Zhen Xin Ying Xiong), I had to quickly rush back to the airport and fly to Shanghai for the International Shanghai Film Festival Forum.

 

June 18, 2017
By the time I arrived in Shanghai, it was already past midnight. The next day, I first attended the ‘Conversation with Jackie Chan’ event for my 2017 Jackie Chan Action Week, which is part of the Shanghai International Film Festival. Also at the event were director Stanley Tong and director Ding Sheng.

We answered many questions from the audience and discussed some meaningful topics. Straight after the event, I went back to the hotel for a meeting, and then in the evening, I attended another event called the ‘China Movie Channel Night’.

I also received a very pleasant surprise with some very exciting news – my Jackie Chan DC racing Oreca team won at the LMP2 race in the Le Mans 24 Hour Endurance Race, claiming first and second place overall. Congratulations! I look forward to celebrating with you on your victorious return home.

 

June 19 – 20, 2017
After a busy day in Shanghai, I travelled back to Beijing on the 19^th of June and prepared for my next big event, the JC Stunt Team 40^th Anniversary! I never imagined that my JC Stunt Team has lasted 40 years already. To mark the special occasion, I invited all my JC Stunt Team members from all over the world, from the 1^st generation to the 8^th generation; I invited their family as well to come join our monumental celebrations. Since the JC Stunt Team established in 1976 till now, there are now over 70 members.

On June 20^th, the JC Stunt Team 40^th Anniversary Celebration was held at my JC Stunt Team Training Base in Tianjin.

I was so happy to see my close friends Eric Tsang, Yuen Biao, Yuen Wah, Stanley Tong, and Tsui Siu Ming. Before the event started, Eric Tsang said to me, “Remember to bring some tissues!” I said to him, I won’t cry again this time because my wife already told me that I look terrible when I cry on tv.

The press conference started at 3:00pm and we all greeted the media with a simple yet monumental fist molding ceremony where all the guests and JC Stunt Team members casted an impression of their own fist in plasticine.

 

After the press conference, celebrations started with some performances from future JC Stunt Team candidates. I was so proud and overjoyed when I saw all the JC Stunt Team members being introduced on stage, from the first generation down to the eighth generation. But once again, I was moved to tears when I saw images of my five brothers who have passed away: Fung Hark-On (馮克安), Chow Yun-Kin (周潤堅), Han Chun (韓春), Sham Chin-Bo (岑潛波), Ailen Sit Chun-Wai (薛春煒).

It was such an emotional moment and I seriously couldn’t hold back my tears. (Actually, Eric Tsang cried more than me!) I still have so many things that I want to say to my brothers, but words cannot describe all the things I want to express in my heart. I just hope that my JC Stunt Team will continue on for 50, 60, or 70 years. Even if I’m not here, I hope the spirit of the JC Stunt Team with continue to live forever! My dearest brothers, meeting you in my lifetime is the best thing that has ever happened.

We had a tree-planting ceremony in the afternoon where each tree represented each generation of the JC Stunt Team. Today was not only a celebration of 40 years since the JC Stunt Team established, it was also a reunion of my brothers that I haven’t seen for so many years. I’m very grateful to see them again, and we talked about many great memories during dinner. By the time we all got back to Beijing, it was nearing 2:00am. Our next journey and big event was just around the corner. As soon as I got back to the hotel, I took a quick rest and prepared for my next trip to Shanghai.

 

June 21 – 22, 2017
The JC Stunt Team 40^th Anniversary was a great success, but it didn’t end there! I didn’t get much rest when I got back to the hotel because I was excited for our next event, the Jackie Chan Action Movie Week Gala Evening in Shanghai. In the afternoon on June 21, I invited all my JC Stunt Team members to fly with me to Shanghai and attend the Gala Evening Ceremony. We arrived into Shanghai in the evening, just in time for dinner with my brothers and sisters from Seven Little Fortunes: Yuen Qiu, Yuen Kwai, Yuen Biu, Yuen Wah, Yuen Tak, Yuen Chu; and my friends Eric Tsang, Wu Jing, and Chris Tucker. Actually, there were about 250 of us having dinner together. It was a very lively and happy evening.

Early morning the next day (on June 22), after taking a quick shower and getting dressed, I immediately headed to the Shanghai Oriental Arts Centre (SHOAC) for rehearsals. Everything went smoothly with my special welcoming entrance in the “Skywalker” (a specialised piece of stunt gear used for 360˚ unobstructed aerial rigging), choreographed so that I hung mid-air over front rows of the audience to give out lollies.

I then rehearsed the ending songs, got the “ok” and rushed back to the hotel to prepare for the ceremony. This year is the third year of the Jackie Chan Action Movie Week Gala Evening. It’s an awards ceremony honouring those who have made outstanding contributions to action movies on an international platform. Apart from the awards, I especially arranged a small re-union of our original Seven Little Fortunes. I showed an MV dedicated to my “Yuen Ka Ban” brothers and sisters, and we were all moved to tears with memories of our Sifu (master) Yu Jim-Yuen, our young faces when we were training in the Peking Opera School, and our performances as the Seven Little Fortunes.

But the highlight of the evening was when we announced that the China Stuntmen Association was official established. Wow, what a moment to treasure. I saw everyone in the audience applauding with a standing ovation. But the most touching thing was seeing the reaction from my JC Stunt Team in the crowd and how excited they were.

Lately, the China Stuntmen Association has been a hot topic within the stuntmen community with many saying that no one has taken notice or interest in the stuntmen field. Now, finally, they have a place where they can call home. I’d like to take this opportunity to say a special ‘thank you’ to directory Yuen Woo-Ping, big brother Sammo Hung Kam-Bo, director Tsui Hark, director Feng Xiao-Gang, good brother Eric Tsang Chi-Wai, and Chin Ka-Lok for being the vice-presidents of the China Stuntmen Association. I’d also like to say a special thanks to all the guests and artists who attended the Action Movie Week Gala Ceremony, and the brilliant performances during the evening; a big thank you to all participating entrants, local and abroad, for your trust in the Jackie Chan Movie Action Week Gala Evening Awards; and also ‘thank you’ to every single staff member, production crew, and all the people working behind the scenes! Without your help, this moment in history couldn’t be so perfect. However, there was a flaw that didn’t go smoothly tonight and that was in my own performance. My welcoming entrance in the Skywalker didn’t work out as planned. No matter how smooth my rehearsals went, when it came to the real thing, my sleeve got caught in one of the buckles and I couldn’t get the sweets out of my pocket when I was suspended above the audience. Needless to say, I was very disappointed. Hopefully next year I’ll do something even better to make up for it!

Last but not least, I’d like to say a special ‘thank you’ to all my fans for your gifts and donations, I’ve received them all and I’ve read all your letters. But because there are so many gifts, I can’t take pictures of them individually to share with everyone. However, your kind thoughts and well wishes in every gift has been stored in my heart. Thank you so much for your continuous support. Thank you, thank you!

 

June 23 – 30, 2017

With two major events held one after the other, the 40^th Anniversary of the JC Stunt Team and the Jackie Chan Action Movie Week Gala Awards Ceremony is finally finished. Honestly, I’m absolutely exhausted, but the joy and satisfaction gained from the success of these two meaningful events heavily out-weights the endless nights of hard work. It feels like a great accomplishment because preparations for these two events has taken us over a year.

Did you know that this year is also the Seven Little Fortune’s 58^th anniversary? Time flies so quickly, it’s been 58 years already. It’s been an emotional week, but very fun, enjoyable and satisfying. I didn’t have much time to catch my breath and I was off to my next destination as Hong Kong Airline’s Brand Ambassador on the inaugural flight to Vancouver.

June 30 marked the first non-stop flight from Hong Kong to Vancouver for Hong Kong Airlines, and for the first time, I experienced doing an PA announcement as the captain; tasted a very unique cocktail called “Bauhinia Love” made by an experienced bartender who specially flew over from Canada; and drew the lucky draw winners for passengers on the inaugural flight. When we landed in Vancouver, our flight was welcomed by a water salute.

Delicious cocktail – Bauhinia of Love

 

Hello Vancouver!

 

At Vancouver International Airport, I was greeted by airport officials and changed into a pilot’s uniform. Do you think I look smart?

I’d like to take this opportunity to thank Hong Kong airlines for arranging such an amazing journey from Hong Kong to Vancouver. This year is the 20^th anniversary of Hong Kong’s handover and I hope that more and more visitors from all over the world will come to Hong Kong for a holiday! I’m in the process of discussing the possibilities of using our positive influence in collaborating and opportunity to doing some charity work in the near future. I hope that we can help sponsor some poverty-stricken underprivileged children and giving them a chance to fly free somewhere around the world. I hope to give them a chance to see how big this world is!

 

July 1, 2017
Today is Canada’s 150^th Anniversary of Canada’s Day and I was invited to perform at their celebratory event in Vancouver. It’s hard to believe that the last time I was here was when I came to film “Rumble in the Bronx”, 24 years ago! This film was one of the first films that made me well known internationally, and one of the reasons why I consider Vancouver a lucky place for me.  I know there are many Chinese immigrants from Hong Kong living here and I was very happy to see so many people in the crowd. A staff member told me that over 300,000 people turned out for this special day. I performed on stage with the local children and we sang a medley of three songs: the first song was written by Jaycee, called ‘A Better World’; the second song was ‘A Better Tomorrow’; and the third song was ‘We are the World’. The three songs put together has a special meaning — ‘Give the World More Love and Peace’!

After the celebrations, the Canadian Defence Minister came to greet me, and also told me he’s a great fan of mine! Hah hah! What a memorable day.

I’d like to take this opportunity to say ‘thank you’ to the audience and all my fans in Canada for your warm welcome and enthusiasm! I hope to come again soon and maybe film a movie in Vancouver!

 

Text and Photos ©2017 The JC Group
All Rights Reserved

When the JC Stunt team first started, I never imagined that we’d be together for over 40 years. In fact, I don’t think anyone would have thought that the JC Stunt team is now down to the 8th/9th generation. Before the event started, my friend Eric Tsang said to me, “don’t forget to bring some tissues”. I said to him, I won’t cry again tonight. I remember last time I cried a lot on the tv program and my wife already reminded me not to cry all the time because I look terrible when I cry on tv. But when I arrived at the event and saw so many Stunt team members and their family come especially for this gathering, and then watching scenes where the JC Stunt team put their lives on the line to complete, seeing our young faces now all aged with white hair, the energy and enthusiasm of the younger generation, and then seeing images of my five brothers that have left us already 冯克安，周润坚、韩春、岑潜波、薛春炜…. I seriously couldn’t hold back my tears (Actually, Eric Tsang cried more then me). I still have so many things I want to say to my brothers, but words just cannot fully describe all the things I want to say. I just hope the JC Stunt team will continue on for 50 years, 60 years, 70 years. Even if I’m not here, I hope the spirit of the JC Stunt team will continue to live forever! My brothers, meeting you in my lifetime is the best thing that has ever happened.

成立成家班的时候，我想不到能有四十年，可能所有人都想不到，我们今天能从第一代到第八代、第九代。今天活动开始前，志伟跟我说，拿点纸巾吧，我说今晚不会再哭了，上次已经哭太多了，娇姐也提醒我，不要总在电视上哭，不好看。但是到了活动现场，看到大家带着家人从世界各地赶来，看到兄弟们以前用命换来的电影画面，看到我们年轻时候意气风发、现在已经白了头发的样子，看到新一代的成员们正意气风发，尤其看到冯克安，周润坚、韩春、岑潜波、薛春炜五位兄弟已经永远离开我们…还是忍不住掉了眼泪（其实曾志伟比我哭得还更快）。现在有很多很多话还想对兄弟们说，千言万语，只愿成家班可以再有五十年、六十年、七十年，将来即使我不在了，成家班还能继续存在！兄弟们，这辈子能遇到你们，我不枉此生！

Text and Photos ©2017 The JC Group
All Rights Reserved

Congratulations to my Le Mans racing team! I just received news that they won the P2 teams: 24hrs of Le Mans Race! This is the first time in history that a Chinese racing team has ever won the P2 Race at Le Mans. Two of our teams took first and second place. What a moment to remember, creating history with the best possible results. You guys are my heroes! Unfortunately, I’m busy preparing for my JC Stunt Team 40th anniversary celebrations and also my 3rd annual Action Week at the Shanghai Film Festival, so I can’t come and celebrate with you right now. Will celebrate with you on your victorious return home! 

 

恭喜我的车队刚刚赢得今年勒芒24小时耐力赛P2组冠军和季军！这是勒芒历史上首个在P2组夺冠的中国大陆注册车队！请记住我们的三位冠军车手：@董荷斌HoPinTung、Thomas Laurent和Oliver Jarvis，三名季军车手：@程飛DavidCheng、Tristan Gommendy、Alex Brundle。是你们创造了中国赛车运动历史性的一天，刷新了中国车队和车手在勒芒史上的最佳战绩，你们都是我的英雄！遗憾因为要筹备成家班四十周年的活动和第三届动作电影周，此刻不能在你们身边跟你们一起开香槟庆祝，期待你们凯旋归来，我们再一起大庆功！

April 19-21, 2017
I arrived in Macau very late on Wednesday night. As soon as I got off the plane, I went straight to the venue for a quick rehearsal and prepared for the event the next day. On the evening of April 20, I attended the 21^st Channel [V] Chinese Music Awards Ceremony and was honoured with two music awards: one for Best Movie Theme Song: “Kung Fu Yoga” 《功夫瑜伽》; one for Worldwide Asian Movie Theme Song Special Contribution Award. I first started singing movie theme songs in 1980 when I filmed “The Young Master”. Even though I don’t consider myself a singer, I still like to sing. Usually when I sing theme songs for my movies, the audience listens to the music but they mainly concentrate on the action in the screen. That way, they don’t take much notice of whether the singing is good or not! Hah Hah! I’ve been singing theme songs for nearly 40 years and it’s become a habit. Apart from movie theme songs, I’ve also had the opportunity to sing many other good songs. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank the music composers and producers who have worked with me over the many years. Thank you for letting me sing your work. Being honoured with these awards today has given me a great confidence boost towards music. If you all like my music, I might consider releasing an album so I can sing more songs for you all to enjoy!

After the awards ceremony, I had to rush to the airport and fly to Shanghai for another meaningful event.

April 21-22, 2017
Today I arrived in Shanghai to attend the 2017 National Geographic Earth Day Run Event. The motto for this event was “You are my Green Heroes”. I’ve taken part in environmental protection and conservation work for many years already, and I’m very happy to have the opportunity today to make an appeal for even more people to participate. I also have another piece of good news I’d like to share with everyone, that is the production of my “Jackie Chan Green Hero” series project has officially begun. We hope to release one part of the series each year over the next 3 years, and hopefully you’ll be able to see it on the Asian National Geographic Channel! The first part of the series will talk about the collaboration between me and Arthur Huang Qian Zhi, an engineer from the National Geographic Society of Emerging Explorers, and his Miniwiz team where we invented a portable trash collection system called “TRASHPRESSO”, and how the system helps us manage the problem of unwanted trash and recycling. We’ll start filming this part of the series in Summer, and will be broadcast next year in April. Keep your eyes posted!

 

 

April 22-23, 2017
After attending the National Geographic Earth Day Run Event, I rushed back to Beijing to attend the opening show of my self-titled musical, “I am Jackie Chan”. Once again, I was moved to tears in public. I came to the show with an open mind and initially wanted to observe the musical with the director, and together discuss what areas could be improved or if anything wasn’t right. But when actor who played the part of my mom came on stage, tears started rolling down my face uncontrollably. The emotion inside me remained till the end of the show. When the show ended, I went up on stage and saw the actress who portrayed my mother. She was very young and used make-up to look old, but for some strange reason, I saw hints of my mom in her performance.

I started thinking back to the time when I was most glamorous and had lots of money, which was also a time where I wasn’t very thoughtful of others, I regret not spending more time with her when I could. I know that she didn’t want to spend the money I gave her, and instead saved it up for me without me knowing. She continued to work by helping others wash and iron clothes, and cleaning their house. Thinking back to those times, I wasn’t a good son and I know I was disrespectful. I only knew how to work, work, work. Without me knowing, I actually missed some of the most valuable things in life.

I’d like to take this opportunity to thank the director Zhou Wen Jun and his team for persisting with me with this project over the years, even though they knew the market for live musicals wasn’t the best. Over the next coming days, the team with gather feedback from the audience and make more improvements for the show. Hopefully, the musical with have the chance to be shown overseas so that new artists will have the opportunity to perform on stage. I’d like to take this opportunity to say a big big “thank you” to the cast and crew on and off the stage. You’ve given me the opportunity to take a step back and reminiscence on my past, and allowed me to further understand the things we should cherish the most in life. Thank you so much!

Text and Photos ©2017 The JC Group
All Rights Reserved

 

I’d like to say a big big “thank you” to all my friends and fans for your heartwarming birthday wishes! Thank you all! Thank you thank you thank you!…. I can’t thank you enough for the love and support you’ve given me.

Love you all!