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Lo Mang showing off some skills and scares in Two Champions of Shaolin (1980)

Introducing the Venom Mob: Lu Feng

Lu Feng is of the five main members of the Venom Mob and often referred to as ❛The Centipede❜ or the deadliest venom. He was born in 1956 in Taiwan. His family was poor and he had three older brothers so he was sent to be in a Peking Opera School where he passed the exam to be accepted at the age of 8! He spent his childhood and grew up there for 11 years with 40 other men and women. That is where he learned about opera performances, acrobatics, weapons, martial arts, and normal things you’d study along with it. He also had to learn how to sing and his voice was loud so this gained him a lot of attention but at 15 or 16 he lost his child voice; some people do, but he was not one of them. This is what led him to focus on his martial arts.

Lu Feng has said that he has learned about weapons such as knives, guns, Fei Cha, swords, and many others. He often says that he has used or tried out almost every variety of weapons that he could think of which I am inclined to believe. Throughout his career, he is seen with a wide variety of weapons and certainly knew what to do with all of them. This is still in practice today because you can find several videos of him training students in movie techniques and weapons if you really search for them. He was asked what his best weapon was but decided that he was good at using most so he couldn’t pick (with a laugh) and loved getting to use them even though they were dangerous. Although it should be noted that he is equally as good with hand to hand combat.

He was going to continue developing his skills in professional arts but the Chinese Opera was declining since fewer people were watching and the movie industry was growing. He decided to step into the movie world with encouragement from his friends and he was a stuntman at first. Lau Kar Leung had always liked him. Director Chang Cheh promoted him to an actor so he started out playing small roles. He was also noted as a fight choreographer, student coordinator, and action director. He eventually took Lu Feng and two of his fellow venoms, Chiang Sheng and Kuo Chui, back to Hong Kong. Shaolin Temple was one of his real roles which he said had him very nervous but he did a lot better with martial arts sequences than lines. However, this evolved once he got used to it. Five Deadly Venoms was really his breakout role and what boosted their fame.

You will often see Lu Feng playing the villain and he revealed that the films did a lot better at the box office if he was in that role. He has played protagonists but he said that those films didn’t do as good but his performances are always stunning. He often jokes that he just had the face to play a bad guy and even good friends had told him this. One of the characters that he is most fond of is Kao Chin Chuen, who he played twice, in Shaolin Rescuers and Two Champions of Shaolin. This is the character that won him the award for ❛Best Supporting Actor❜ at the 25th Asian Film Festival in July of 1979. It is one of his greatest honors as an actor. Another favorite villain of his was ❝Butterfly❞ Hua Chong from House of Traps! Although his favorite protagonist that he played was Hu Yidao from Legend of the Fox.

After Shaw Brothers, Lu Feng went with his two best friends and Chang Cheh back to Taiwan where they had a film company. A notable movie from that time was Ninjas in the Deadly Trap which was directed by Kuo Chui and co-directed by Lu Feng but all of them admit that they didn’t have very good resources there so the quality of the films weren’t as good. They lacked a budget. Lu Feng stayed with Chang Cheh while his two best friends left so he worked as an assistant director. They went to Thailand to shoot Arena or Death Ring which Lu Feng directed. He used many Thai actors and Li Chung Yat to star in it. He tried to take the film to Chinese distributors but they didn’t want it so as far as he is aware, the film just played in Thailand. It was on to The Nine Demons after that.

Now, you will see him working in television or behind the scenes which meant he went between actor or director but always remained an action choreographer. He mostly works in China now. He is up to date with social media and has found the many fans that adore him, even visiting the U.S. to meet them which makes him very happy in his words. Lu Feng always says that he is honored and grateful for all the love he receives for his work. He hadn’t expected to be anyone’s favorite but I think it is safe to say that he is a favorite to many! I deeply admire him and believe that he is a sweet, talented human being.

Just some of my favorite gazes in Two Champions of Shaolin

Chiang Sheng in Two Champions of Shaolin! This is the scene where his character gets really drunk and mischievous after the wedding.

Was 2017 a win because we got to see Lo Mang and Chin Siu-ho back on screen together? I think so.

𝐖𝐞𝐢 𝐇𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐇𝐮𝐧𝐠 𝐤𝐞𝐞𝐩𝐬 𝐚𝐧 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐄𝐫𝐡 𝐖𝐚𝐧 𝐰𝐚𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠… (𝙏𝙬𝙤 𝘾𝙝𝙖𝙢𝙥𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨 𝙤𝙛 𝙎𝙝𝙖𝙤𝙡𝙞𝙣)

Wei Hsing Hung saves Tung Chen Chin in Two Champions of Shaolin.

Wei Xinghong greets Gao Jinzhong in Two Champions of Shaolin.

Lu Feng and Chiang Sheng chatting in Two Champions of Shaolin (1980)

Lo Mang in Two Champions of Shaolin (1980)

Sun Chien in Two Champions of Shaolin (1980)

Happy Birthday to Chiang Sheng! He would have turned 71 today. He was such a bright and vibrant person. His acrobatics were absolutely stunning. It was amazing how high he could get off the ground. Each move he made was graceful, as it looked like he was practically soaring through the air, like it came naturally to him. He could do so many amazing things when he picked up any weapon. It was as if he was hypnotizing you, as it was so entrancing to watch. Chiang portrayed such fun, joyous characters in such a wonderful way. A lot of them were adorable, but he never failed to give them aspects of human emotions that made them feel like real people. No matter what the character was like, he would always have such badass fight scenes. Even the few occasions where he played a villain were magical. He has never failed to amaze audiences. His years of learning Peking Opera always showed. Sometimes I wonder what it would have been like to see him actually performing Peking Opera at the school he attended. I am sure that there would have been a sense of mastery and jaw-dropping displays of his skill. It is exciting that he got to work in the movie industry, and he was able to share everything mentioned above with all of us, even so many years after the films had been made. He is truly a legend.

Chiang loved his job, and it has been said by quite a few of his friends that acting made him truly happy. I feel that it is not hard to imagine as you can see how much dedication and passion he puts into all of the films or tv series that he appeared in. He even worked as an assistant director on quite a few of the Venoms films. Each day, he got to work alongside some of his best friends, which included Kuo Chui and Chiang Sheng. They always say they were like brothers, but their bond was also visible on screen or in the camera. There is always a fondness between them whenever they were together. Chiang even loved to joke around with everyone, even though he was a bit more serious than his characters were. Lu Feng mentioned that he never held grudges or had a temper, but rather got along with everyone he met. He sounds like such a beautiful soul. I can imagine that it was lovely to be around him. On and off screen, he was a memorable personality that fans of martial arts cinema will never forget. I am so glad that I was introduced to the Venom Mob because I have grown to love and appreciate each one of them. Chiang was always someone that made me laugh or grin whenever I saw him appear on screen. I feel grateful that there are interviews available where people that knew him talk about him, so we can all get to know him better.

Two Champions of Shaolin (1980) Review

This film is certainly action-packed and spectacular. All of the Venom Mob came prepared to give some of their best performances, especially during the fight scenes. There is a particular focus on the relationship between the characters, which makes each scene feel even more important. The storyline starts to unfold in front of our eyes as the audience is let in on the twists and turns of the film. The film has some brutal death scenes, but only after the exciting action sequences that left me hooked. This is a tale of revenge, so it is to be expected. Each pairing makes for a unique show of skills since they often match actors who have a bit of a different fighting style, but it melds together well. The acting is great as each actor really embodies their role and shows the different aspects of human emotions, from sadness, happiness, anger, and even love. Tong Qianjin (Lo Mang) and Jin Bier (Yeung Ching-Ching) provide a contrast to the violent aspects of the film, as Chang Cheh captures their journey as they begin to fall in love. However, it doesn’t ruin the movie or make it seem out of place since it is woven well into the plot.

Lu Feng returns as his character from Shaolin Rescuers (1979), Gao Jinzhong, but he brings a new take on the previous version. The character has different personality traits, appears more expressive and actively tries to get along with the other characters. He seems to be calculating and always planning his next move. When he gets ready to strike, it makes for an intense scene. There is some brilliant weapons work for Lu Feng as he shows off some exciting moves with the fei cha. Chin Siu-Ho plays a very important part in the film since he helps move the story forward with his actions. While his character is kind and sometimes childish, it is easy to see the mature and brave side of him. He is sneaky and intelligent, actively going against the antagonists of the film but putting on a ruse to hide this fact. It adds some suspense to the movie since you never know what will happen next. Lo Mang and Chiang Sheng both make the film comedic since they like to have fun or tease the other characters. However, Chiang Sheng shines in this role since he is portraying a smart character with undeniable skills, instead of the less serious roles he often gets. It is fun to see Sun Chien and Yeung Ching-Ching have characters with a special skill that the other characters didn’t possess until they taught it to Tong Qianjin, so they add some spice to the film.

It is worth noting that all of the fight scenes are different, but each of the actors gives it their all. The action remains fast-paced, so it does not drag out for too long but keeps your attention since certain scenes add some surprises. I’m sure you can guess which scene I’m referring to, but I won’t spoil it here in case some people haven’t seen the movie. It is enough to make your jaw drop when you see it. I really enjoyed how they paired Lu Feng with Lo Mang as the two adapted to each other’s strengths, highlighting how well they work together as a group. It is a shame that Sun Chien didn’t have more fight scenes, but the one he did have showcased some of his beautiful kicks. I feel it shows off how nice his form is and he had me on the edge of my seat since he was taking on so many people at once. Chin Siu-Ho, Chiang Sheng, Yu Tai-Ping, and Wong Lik were equally as fun. Everyone stood out in their own way and ensured that this movie wouldn’t disappoint. Although they did leave me wanting more, since they were really impressive.

The plot of the film isn’t anything too complicated, so it is easy to follow. That is not a bad thing, though. Each shot and the various scenes are exactly what you would expect from Chang Cheh, which is really nice camerawork and it all comes together perfectly. The scenery in the movie is quite beautiful with an array of colors. There seems to be a use of lightning in the film since some scenes are darker while others are bright, matching the mood of the scene. Each of the outfits is stunning as the designs are a mix of simple and complex, giving each of the characters their own unique look. It is clear that a lot of time and effort was put into the film. If you are a fan of the Shaw Brothers, Chang Cheh, and/or the Venom Mob, then this would be a good movie to check out! It likely won’t disappoint since it has a wonderful cast with the bloody and gruesome deaths that Shaw Brothers films often possess. It is guaranteed to be a thrill!

Two Champions of Shaolin (1980)

Chiang Sheng in Two Champions of Shaolin (1980)

The Venoms all have really pretty smiles! I just love when they smile in their films and also in photos! It is neat how their smiles are all so different, but light up the screen.

To me, Lu Feng has one that really starts in his cheeks and then moves up to his eyes. It is very bright and exuberant. Charm practically oozes from it. Wei Pai has one that either has no teeth or he gets very toothy with it. His is gentle and displays nothing but happiness and sweetness. Sun Chien's tends to be very enthusiastic. His eyes certainly crinkle up to display true happiness. A lot of times, his eyes will twinkle in a beautiful way. Kuo Chui's smile can be described as broad and beaming since it takes up his whole face typically. He always looks so cheerful and you can see the indents in his cheeks. Lo Mang has one that I feel is dazzling because he seems to shine whenever he grins. Honestly, it does not even have to be that wide to really hit you since it's naturally vibrant. Lastly, Chaing Sheng has always had a smile that is very infectious. He is just so adorable with such a sweet look on his face whenever he flashes it at someone or something. You can tell that he was jovial, or at least that is how I feel.

Sun Chien showing off his skills in Two Champions of Shaolin (1980)

Lo Mang in Two Champions of Shaolin (1980)

I had to edit Chin Siu-Ho because he always makes me smile. He gets best boy award 🥺 This is my second AE edit! I’m still trying to get the hang of it

Ac: avoirea

Two transitions ib: colinsrum and klqvsluv on yt

Intro ib: luvangelic on yt

Happy birthday to Lu Feng!!