Ng stars alongside Stephen Chow and Chingmy Yau in this comedy period piece that was one of the highest-grossing films of the year. Chow plays a Wai Siu-bo, a bard with the gift of the gab, who frequently tells tales in the brothel run by his sister (Ng). After saving the leader of a gang from the police one day, Wai is inducted into the Heaven and Earth Society who are looking to overthrow the Emperor.

Although Chow is the star of the show, Ng more than holds her own. She has impeccable comic timing and isn’t afraid to be on the receiving end of jokes. Ng bounces off Chow perfectly and, given their successful chemistry, it was no surprise to see them paired up again in comedies Royal Tramp 2 and All's Well, Ends Well shortly afterwards.

Portland Street Blues (1998)

A grittier affair, Portland Street Blues was a spin-off of the hugely successful triad series Young and Dangerous. It was there, in the franchise’s fourth instalment, that Ng’s character, Sister 13, first appeared. Two more Young and Dangerous films later and her popular character had a film to herself. This movie details the struggles Sister 13 faced establishing herself as a successful triad in a harsh world dominated by men.

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My Life as McDull (2001)

One of the most iconic Hongkongers is little McDull, the earnest but not so bright little pig created by Alice Mak and Brian Tse who even has his own statue on Hong Kong’s Avenue of Stars. Brought to life on the big screen in 2001, Ng was the voice for McDull’s mother, who forms such a big part of the titular character’s life. Beloved in Hong Kong for its many references to local history and culture, and Cantonese puns, this charming film is still worth watching even if you feel you might not get every single reference.

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Echoes of the Rainbow (2009)

A nostalgic look at 1960s Hong Kong – filmed primarily on Wing Lee Street in Sheung Wan – this gentle tear-jerker is a career highlight for both its stars, Ng and Simon Yam. The pair play parents to Desmond, a star pupil and athlete who is eventually struck down by leukaemia. The film was so popular and well-received – it won the Crystal Bear award for Best Feature Film in the Generation category at the Berlin International Film Festival that year – that it helped spur a movement to prevent the redevelopment of Wing Lee Street.

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