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Ann Hui

Ann Hui

Director, actor and producer, also writer · Born May 23, 1947 (79) · Anshan, Liaoning Province, China

Ann Hui On-wah (born 23 May 1947 to a Chinese father and a Japanese mother) is a Hong Kong film director, film producer and occasional screenwriter, one of the most critically acclaimed amongst the Hong Kong New Wave.

Biography from TMDB.

Born
May 23, 1947 (79)
From
Anshan, Liaoning Province, China
Works as
Director, actor and producer, also writer
Titles
16 on MovieCove · 80 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Down 4% in 30 days

What are Ann Hui's films like?

Across their 11 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Self and Bonds.

Genres

Action5 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 55th percentile
: browse their Action movies
Comedy3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 72nd percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Comedy movies
Drama3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 61st percentile
: browse their Drama movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Self
29%
Bonds
29%
Survival
16%
Power
12%
Society
8%
Morality
7%
Family bonds3 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love3 titles, browse their movies with this themeAmbition2 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity2 titles, browse their movies with this themeSurvival2 titles, browse their movies with this themeJustice2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 11 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

A split, not a type: Grounded 5 · Stylized 3 · Heightened 3

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

Gentle 2 · Charged 6 · Intense 3

Shifting: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their shifting movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

A split, not a type: Steady 6 · Shifting 3 · Whiplash 2

Some laughs: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their some laughs movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

A split, not a type: Straight-faced 6 · Some laughs 5 · Funny 0

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

A split, not a type: Slow burn 6 · Even-paced 3 · Relentless 2

Engaged: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their engaged movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 3 · Engaged 6 · Full focus 2

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 9 · Open-ended 1 · Ambiguous 1

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Melancholic
6
Warm
4
Contemplative
5
Thrilling
2
Tense
3
Other
7

How their films linger

Bittersweet8 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteWistful3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 1 with a twist

  • Happy1
  • Bittersweet9
  • Tragic1

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Ann Hui's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 6 of their 16 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service.

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Ann Hui's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

80 credits, 16 with a MovieCove page; 6 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Elegies (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2023)

    Director

  • Septet: The Story of Hong Kong(2020)

    Director · as Self (segment "Conversation in Depth")

    Midcredits score: 55th percentile of all films

  • Action (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2021)

    Show 19 episodes · Actor

  • Love After Love (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2021)

    Director

  • Keep Rolling (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2020)

    Actor

  • Fagara(2019)

    Executive Producer · Producer

    Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all films

  • No. 7 Cherry Lane (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2019)

    as The Pickpocket (voice)

  • The 40th Anniversary of Chinese Film Since China's Reform and Opening-Up (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2018)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Somewhere Beyond the Mist (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2018)

    Producer

  • Our Time Will Come(2017)

    Director · Producer

    Midcredits score: 61st percentile of all films

  • I Am Somebody(2015)

    as Ann Hui

    Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all films

  • The Golden Era (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    Director

  • She Recognized the Storm: Xiao Hong and Her Golden Era (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    Actor

  • My Way (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    Director

  • Beautiful 2012 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    Director

  • A Simple Life(2011)

    Director · Producer

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all films

  • All About Love (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    Director

  • Echoes of the Rainbow(2010)

    as Miss Chan

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all films

  • Night and Fog (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    Director · Producer

  • The Way We Are (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    Director

  • The Postmodern Life of My Aunt (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    Director

  • Simply Actors (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    as Police Chief

  • My Name Is Fame (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    as Ann Hui

  • Goddess of Mercy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Director

  • Visible Secret 2 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Producer

  • July Rhapsody (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Director · Producer

  • Fighting To Survive (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Actor

  • Peony Pavilion (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    Producer

  • Merry-Go-Round (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    Actor

  • Visible Secret(2001)

    Director · Producer

    Midcredits score: 40th percentile of all films

  • Forever and Ever (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    as Dr Li

  • Jiang Hu: The Triad Zone (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    as Thirteenth Sister

  • Ordinary Heroes (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    Director · Producer · as Director in TV ad

  • As Time Goes By (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    Director · Writer · Actor

  • Eighteen Springs (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    Director · Producer

  • The River (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    as Film Director

  • The Opium War(1997)

    Producer

    Midcredits score: 56th percentile of all films

  • The Stunt Woman(1996)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all films

  • Who's the Woman, Who's the Man(1996)

    as Air Stewardess

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all films

  • Somebody Up There Likes Me (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    as Teacher

  • Black Mask(1996)

    Writer

    Midcredits score: 45th percentile of all films

  • Summer Snow (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    Director · Producer · as Neighbour

  • The Meaning of Life (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    Actor

  • The Day the Sun Turned Cold (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    Costume Design · Producer

  • Boy and His Hero (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    Director

  • The Legend(1993)

    Co-Producer · Production Design

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all films

  • Ann Hui with the Famous (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    Show 5 episodes · Director · Creator · Writer · as 主持

  • Twin Dragons(1992)

    as Mrs Ma's Gynaecologist

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all films

  • My American Grandson (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    Director

  • Zodiac Killers (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    Director

  • Sunshine Friends (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    Actor

  • Song of the Exile (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    Director

  • Swordsman(1990)

    Director · Producer

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all films

  • Celebrity Talk Show (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    Show 1 episode · as 许鞍华

  • Starry Is the Night (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    Director

  • The Romance Of Book And Sword (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    Director

  • Princess Fragrance (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    Director

  • The Romance of Book and Sword (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    Director · Writer

  • Love in a Fallen City(1984)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all films

  • Winners & Sinners(1983)

    as Maxim's Counter Staff

    Midcredits score: 70th percentile of all films

  • Boat People (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    Director

  • The Story of Woo Viet (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    Director

  • Love Massacre (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    as Di Di

  • The Spooky Bunch (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1980)

    Director

  • No Big Deal (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1980)

    Actor

  • The Secret (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    Director

  • Below the Lion Rock: The Bridge (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    Director

  • ICAC: A Man (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    Director

  • ICAC: Black and White (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    Director

  • ICAC: Homeward Bound (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    Director

  • ICAC: Investigation (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    Director

  • ICAC: Section Nine (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    Director

  • ICAC: Steak Fee (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    Director

  • Below the Lion Rock: The Road (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    Director

  • Below the Lion Rock: The Boy from Vietnam (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    Director

  • Social Worker: "Boy" (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    Director · Writer

  • Social Worker: Ah Sze (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    Director

  • Dragon, Tiger, Panther (#6) (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    Director

  • CID: Murder (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    Director

  • Golden Horse Awards (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1962)

    Show 4 episodes · as Host · as Self

Career shape

A full career of 79 titles from 1962 to 2023.

Biggest box office

Black Mask (1996)

$13M worldwide

Highest rated

A Simple Life (2011)

Midcredits 95th

Most popular right now

Black Mask (1996)

Film career

  • 1997Screen debut· The River

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting28 of 79: 24 only acting, 4 with another role · typical Midcredits score62ndDirecting47 of 79: 37 only directing, 10 with another role · typical Midcredits score52ndWriting4 of 79: 0 only writing, 4 with another roleProducing14 of 79: 6 only producing, 8 with another role · typical Midcredits score77thOther crew3 of 79: 0 only other crew, 3 with another role

79 titles, 12 with more than one role — directing and acting overlap on 4 of them.

By decade

1960s1 · acting1970s14 · crew1980s12 · 4 acting · 8 crew1990s20 · 10 acting · 14 crew2000s14 · 6 acting · 8 crew2010s13 · 5 acting · 8 crew2020s5 · 2 acting · 3 crew

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored.

How do Ann Hui's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 61st percentile, the median of all 16; across their 11 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 63rd percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

63rdpercentile
Typical film, the median of 11

Approval · how many liked their films

52ndpercentile
Typical film, the median of 11

Reach · how many have seen their films

64thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 11

Midcredits score across 16 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up4
  • 50th to 74th8
  • 25th to 49th4

Shape of the crowd

None of their 16 titles divides audiences: 9 are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved1
  • Crowd Pleaser9
  • Broadly Agreed5
  • Mixed1

Most loved · director, producer

A Simple Life (2011)

Midcredits 95th · 84% liked

Reviewers score the atmosphere 70/100 and the pacing 47/100 in their films, across 10 reviewed titles. The element that speaks to their work as a director.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Who does Ann Hui work with?

People who share at least 2 of Ann Hui's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Hark Tsui shares the most, 4.

Directors

Actors

Cinematographers and editors

Producers

Mixed roles