Times are tough for many people amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, and the Hongkong entertainment industry is one area that’s been hit particularly hard. Almost 90 per cent of film and television production staff are said to be out of a job, which in turn threatens the economy as a whole.

Fortunately, many of the city’s biggest superstars have been doing their part to support their fellow showbiz workers. For instance, actor and Hong Kong Performing Artistes Guild (HKPAG) president Louis Koo was famously lauded for providing quick financial aid, while Aaron Kwok held a live charity concert to raise funds for the Hong Kong Dance Performing Artistes Association

Today (Oct 8), news broke that Aaron and his fellow Heavenly Kings — Andy Lau, Jacky Cheung, and Leon Lai — had made their own personal donations as well. According to Hongkong media, each of them gave HK$1mil (S$175,000), which makes for a total of HK$4mil (about S$700,000), to help film crew workers.

Other celebs who have also contributed to this cause include Sammi Cheng, Miriam Yeung, Julian Cheung, Anita Yuen, and Sean Lau, who reportedly gave around HK$500,000 to HK$1mil (S$88,000 to S$175,000) each. In all, these stars have donated over HK$10mil (S$1.75mil).

Tin Kai Man, the president of the Federation of Hong Kong Filmmakers, confirmed that many artistes have indeed donated money and that they all wish to do whatever they can for film crew workers. The money has already been distributed to actors and behind-the-scenes personnel through the HKPAG to assist them with their urgent needs.

Earlier on, it was reported that Louis, together with Eric Tsang, Jackie Chan, and a few others, contacted 10 production companies such as Emperor Entertainment Group and Media Asia Entertainment Group with the idea of making a pandemic-inspired movie that would help film crews secure employment.

Each company was to invest HK$3mil (S$526,000) and apply for an additional HK$9mil (S$1.6mil) from the Hong Kong Film Development Council to fund the project. However, only 70 per cent of the amount they applied for was approved, so the production companies were asked to sink in an additional HK$900,000 (S$158,000). Some of them objected to this, leaving post-production of the film at a standstill.

Guess film crew personnel might still have to rely on all those generous donations for the time being.

Photos: Visual China Group, Sing Tao Daily, Sammi Cheng/Instagram, Anita Yuen/Instagram, TPG