According to SCMPShu Qi, born Lin Li-hui in 1976 in Xindian, New Taipei City, had a difficult childhood with verbally abusive parents. She left home at 15 and began modeling at 17, posing for soft-core pornographic magazines, which led to harsh criticism from conservative audiences.
At 19, she moved to Hong Kong and appeared in adult films such as “Sex and Zen II” (1995). However, her talent gained recognition with her performance in “Viva Erotica” (1996), earning her the Best Supporting Actress award at the Hong Kong Film Awards in 1997. Her role in “Portland Street Blues” (1998), portraying a lovelorn sex worker, won her additional honors at the Golden Horse Awards and the Hong Kong Film Awards.
Taiwanese actress Shu Qi. Photo courtesy of her Facebook |
Over the years, Shu Qi expanded her career, working with renowned directors like Hou Hsiao-hsien. Hou praised her dedication, calling her a “hardworking actress” capable of achieving anything. Their collaborations, such as “Millennium Mambo” (2001) and “The Assassin” (2015), received critical acclaim and multiple awards.
Recently, Shu Qi ventured into directing with her first film, “Girl,” set for release in 2025. “I am so happy that filming is wrapped,” she said in a press statement, according to The Hollywood Reporter. “I look forward to sharing this film with audiences everywhere.”
According to VarietyShu Qi does not appear as an actress in “Girl.” While specific details about the plot and cast remain confidential, the film has generated considerable buzz.
The film has received backing from renowned Taiwanese executive producer Yeh Jufeng, known for his work on acclaimed films like “A Sun” and “The Great Buddha+.” Additionally, several prominent Taiwanese entertainment companies, including CMC Entertainment, Wow Momentum, J.Q. Pictures, and Aranya Pictures, are supporting its production, with Mandarin Vision handling production duties.
Beyond acting and filmmaking, Shu Qi has become a significant figure at international film festivals. In June 2024, she was invited to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, which organizes the Oscars. She has also served as a jury member at the Cannes, Berlin, and Venice film festivals, becoming the third actress of Chinese descent to serve on juries at all three major European festivals, alongside Gong Li and Maggie Cheung.
Her husband of eight years, Stephen Fung, may have played a role in inspiring her directorial debut. The two first met as co-stars in Yonfan’s LGBTQ drama Bishonen (1998) and maintained a friendship for over a decade before their relationship evolved.
Shu Qi described Fung as a close friend who shared similar interests. Both known for their good looks and passion for filmmaking, the pair began secretly dating in the early 2010s. In 2016, they revealed that they had tied the knot in an intimate ceremony in Prague, Czech Republic.
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