It is with great sorrow that the UK-China Film Collab learns of the passing of Alex Law Kai-Yui.

羅啟銳 (Alex Law), acclaimed director of Echoes of the Rainbow 歲月神偷 (2010). Born on the 30th November, 1952, Alex attended Diocesan Boy’s School, something which would later influence his directing career. Alex would go on to attend the University of Hong Kong, where he graduated in 1976 with a degree in Chinese, English and Comparative Literature.

Having worked prolifically as a screenwriter, Alex gained critical acclaim for collaborating with his partner Mabel Cheung 張婉婷 with whom he would win numerous awards. These awards included Best Screenplay at the 7th Hong Kong Film Awards in 1988.

However, Alex was not only a prolific screenwriter, his breakthrough feature Painted Faces 七小福 (1988) won him the Best Director, Best Feature and Best Screenplay awards at the 25th Golden Horse Awards. Alex would subsequently go-on to direct a further two feature films, Now You See It Now You Don’t 我愛扭紋柴 (1992) and Echoes of the Rainbow (2010). A larger than life character, in 2021, Alex took time out of his busy schedule to hold a question and answer session for the UK-China Film Collab moderated by Dr Dorothy Lau on Echoes of the Rainbow  as part of Chinese Cinema Season. The session, which was particularly well received by the audience, saw Alex dive deeper into his film which won the “Crystal Bear for the Best Film in the Children’s Jury “Generation Kplus”” category at the 60th Berlin International Film Festival. Echoes of the Rainbow would prove to have a longer lasting impact, convincing the Hong Kong Urban Renewal Authority to cancel planned redevelopment plans of Wing Lee Street, where a majority of on-location shooting was undertaken.

At this difficult time, our thoughts and condolences are with Alex’s spouse Mabel Cheung, his family and friends, as well as the film community in Hong Kong of which Alex influenced to the highest degree. It is testament to his character, directing and writing skill that Alex will be so sorely missed by so many.

Softly sighs the rainbow,

Stories seldom told,

Flowing by the skyline,

my love songs never rhyme.