Learning From Uncle Tat | Video Essay 

What's your favorite Uncle Tat movie? Mine is, of course, Shaolin Soccer. I really appreciate how his character is handled in the movie. By that point, Stephen Chow knew Tat so well. The story of the coach may be deliberately made similar to Tat's personal life. And with all the added screen time for Tat, his performance really shines bright.

It's amazing that even in Indonesia, we call him 'paman' which is uncle in Bahasa. He just has that different fatherly roles that just translates him as that fun, loving uncle we all have as a child. And yes, growing up with his film, he may actually be that uncle. RIP Paman.

As a child I often see him as just a sidekick actor in Stephen Chow’s movies, but unfortunately little did I know the value of his existence till his death.

Thank you for this wonderful tribute to Uncle Tat. I remember fondly the smiles he has brought to me and my family.

I remember a heartwarming story I heard, where Chow Yun Fat denies Ng Man Tat's request for a loan to help him pay his gambling debt, but instead secretly helping him get a role, because CYF knows that if he just given him the money, he wouldn't kick his gambling addiction. Ng Man Tat hated CYF for a long time until he found out

"There are no small roles. Just small actors"

He was truly my childhood. He was truly the funny uncle/father figure we all loved to watch and laugh at in the movies. His comedic genius blended so well with stephen chow and i couldnt ever watch a movie without him and stephen together. RIP to a legend. Its almost as if our childhood has left us. Love you uncle TAT.

When you're excited for an Accented Cinema notification then that excitement turns into feels the moment the Piano starts playing in the background

He's my most beloved actor from my childhood. Something about him just makes you feel he could be your family member like an "uncle". His sidekicks appearance always added something to the movie, or he always made others character shines better. The best support carrier actor to have graced hong kong cinema.

when I was a child watching his movies with my dad, I always thought he looked so much like him and we had a little inside joke together. I just can't help but feel a deep fondness of him, so when I heard that he had passed away, it hurts so much because I realized part of my childhood has died with him too. RIP

R.I.P Uncle Tat, he was the childhood memory of many Vietnamese generations including mine

I was watching a scene last week of the chinese variety show Ace vs Ace, where Uncle Tat was a guest. I remember him being asked if it would be possible to see him in another one of Stephen Chow's movies, and his response hits even harder now that he's gone. He replied with, "As long as we're both alive, surely there will be a chance."

He is a loved actor for a lot of Indonesian people childhood. Many of Indonesian kids back then love him from his movies with Shao-Wen Hao such as Trouble Maker (1995), Shaolin Popeye 1&2 (1994) and also his movies with Stephen Chow such as God of Gamblers, fight back to school, and of course Shaolin Soccer. Rest in Peace Ng Man-tat, you've brought a lot of laughter and happy memory for me and a lot of Indonesian in our childhood.

Personally for me, he is the greatest supporting actor ever. I can't really recall any other supporting actors as iconic as him.

Honestly, I haven't even seen a single one of the movies he's been part of, but I immediately recognized his face anyways. Beautiful tribute!

He was everyone's uncle 😢 RIP

Rest In peace Uncle Tat, in Indonesia HK movies are a staple and He was our familiar face on TV

He has beautiful eyes. I know that's kind of weird to say but they're so emotive.

He‘s never a side character for me, he always had his own presence. RIP

Nooooo, I miss him again. Gonna immediately binge watch all his movies again

吴孟达先生一直是我最敬爱的演员，他演过的电影我基本都看过，几天前看到他的死讯一下子没反应过来，这么些年来看到关于吴孟达先生的病的新闻，却一直仿佛没有想到这位先生会真的离去，他是一名真正的演员，愿他可以在天堂继续做自己热爱的事情

Loved his chemistry with Stephen Chow in movies like Shaolin Soccer, The King of Comedy, Fight Back to School and specially in Love on Delivery. They formed such an iconic comedic duo. Rest in peace Uncle Tat, you will be missed.

I never knew Uncle Tat. He was just introduced to me by this video. A dear friend of mine shared his sadness at Uncle Tat's passing and showed me this video. It was well done and communicated the passion Uncle Tat had and the passion his fans had for him. "Start his next life... in this life." Those words touched my soul.

Thanks! I was waiting for this!

We Indians were introduced to Uncle Tat in _Shaolin Soccer._ Its a cult classic. Brilliant actor. May his soul rest in peace.

The way you talk about him, it’s like he’s the cool uncle who’s like a second dad to you because he could never have kids of his own

"There are no small parts. Only small actors." Rest in peace, Paman.

uncle Tat is like the uncle/father that I used to wish that were more absent in my life when I was young, back then when watching hongkong shows everytime i see uncle tat in it i always goes "its that uncle again!" h fee was like a real uncle to me. But as times pass by, things started to change and the channel got replaced by another one, as i grew up i started to forget those old memories. And now i came across this video, it made me tear up, it reminds me of those old days where i would sit on the floor infront of the tv watching it for hours and hours, hearing that he has passed away, it truly felt like bits of my childhood has gone, i hope he is doing well in heaven, RIP

Rip the uncle I never had and grandpa who sacrificed himself in Wandering earth

Uncle tat I seen you the first time in some Steven chow movies and you always make me smile along with many millions of other fans 🤗 *AYAYAYAYYAYAYAYAAA*

This came as the most disheartening news this year and it hit me really hard. I still remember I was just watching his movie and then hearing the news that he passed that day. Thank you for giving a great childhood , Uncle Tat. May I see your acting again on the other side.

His TVB series with Stephen Chow would have to be my favourite. This was a lovely tribute to Uncle Tat. Thank you. I felt a deep sense of sadness when I heard of his passing. For a Cantonese speaking child who grew up in the 80/90s, he was a legendary icon. He will be missed for sure.

I've only seen him in Shaolin Soccer but I'm still upset from his passing

Uncle Tat, you are my hero and my inspiration. I empathize with your early struggles because my early educational career from freshman year of high school to my freshman year of college, I had a sense of entitlement and I thought I was all that. But in reality, there were others who were WAYY better than me, and I would make excuses as to why they weren't so great. I was simultaneously asking "how did they get those scores?" while hiding my resentment through statements such as, "well that test doesn't prove anything", or "I did not even try". I would always make excuses as to why others had better grades than me. But the truth was that I was just bad. I had a lack of purpose which stemmed from my low self-esteem. I managed to redeem myself way later on in my educational career by overcoming my mental barriers. Thank you Uncle Tat for being the shining inspiration and example in my life that illuminated the darkness that surrounded me. You will always be my saint.

Watching Uncle Tat was always a part of my childhood. Even though he was only the side characters to the films I watched growing up, he was always the life in the films, the funniest and most alive character. I always watched his movies on my old vcr player and now seeing him pass breaks my heart. But knowing he influenced and was so integral to many people like me growing up, warms my heart and solidifies his greatness in Chinese cinema.

We usually realize how important things in life once we lost them. I never realized how great Ng Man Tat was, I just always love him as he always memorable when he appeared. It's such a shame I know this now after he was gone... Rest in Peace, Uncle Tat

Like a tip of the iceberg, so many great actors are underrated. They deserve better.

His movies with Stephen Chow has ways been the highlight of my childhood, from Hail the Judge, to 60 Million Dollar man, and God of Gamblers, he will be missed

So glad you put this vid essay out.. People always just see him as Stephen Chow's #2. But Uncle Tat was in so many films and his roles were always memorable

I've never felt like this when a moviestar died, really wanna cry, R.I.P uncle Tat.

Hmong American here...crazy how many people he inspired. RIP if we do not end up on the right path in life, right here right now we will honor and remember you 🙏

I loved the movie where he was a good friend to a fat kid, and a good lover to a blind woman. Though he did not get her in the end, Unvcle Tat was funny, made me cry, and made my childhood.

Thanks. Uncle Tat is probably the reason why I appreciate sub characters more in movies than the main characters.

at first 2 minutes : 😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢

stephen chow movies have been my childhood. watching them now is going to be so different... rip uncle tat. you will be missed.

A man this legendary deserves his place among the heavens, having blessed the world with his life and work, he will be immortal in our memories. Rest in Peace Uncle Tat. His role in his acting work is too great for me to be able to pick a favorite. My cousins and I would see a character in a movie and say, "hey, that's you!" and often times when we saw Uncle Tat, they would say that to me. When I first heard the news of his passing, it hit me hard, Uncle Tat holds a place in my memories that I hope to pass on to others and spread the joy he brought me.

2022 and I'm missing Ng Man Tat.. Although I didn't watches all of his recent movies, but he, and some actors from the 90s Stephen Chow's projects, had always give me a great laughter when I watch their old movies over and over again.. I'd bet, 30 years later, it'll still give me the best laughter in my life. Its sucks to lose someone who makes you happy...

Shaolin Popey is one of the first movies I remember watching as a kid. It was dubbed, and I remember the crab clamping the kid. I never realized how much Uncle Tat and Stephen Chow movies affected me as a kid.

Even though I didn't grow up with Chinese movies like many people, having only started doing a deep dive and finding a love for them in the last decade, I have seen Tat in many movies that I watched. Regardless if his role was big or small. He was one of the actors that I started to recognize after a while once I started learning the faces and names of Chinese cinema of the past 50 years or so. Rest peacefully. Uncle Tat.

Thanks for making the video. I always feel he has been underrated. Uncle Tat is one of the greatest HK actors indeed.

Uncle Tat is a legend, and a legend never dies.

Miss him a lot. RIP Uncle Tat.

Uncle Tat did such an amazing job in Shaolin Soccer, I gravitated towards his coach character on my first viewing of the film as a kid and every single rewatch growing up, even though I never gave it much thought as to why. Then I find myself paying attention to his roles in other movies, again an unconscious thing I'm only realizing now. The moment I heard about the news, my first thought was your Cinema: Industry of Broken Dreams video essay. So I gave it a rewatch, solely for the part about him. Two days ago, you mentioned the topic of your next video. I'm so happy and grateful that you made a video dedicated to our beloved 达叔. May he rest easy. Thank you Accented Cinema. Thank you, Yang Zhang.

First it was Robin Williams now Uncle Tat ☹ My Childhood heroes! This was honestly a beautiful tribute and made me cry so much. I loved all those movies that Uncle Tat has been in and it will always be in a special place in my heart. I loved acting growing up and especially for comedies because of them -- he truly was a very special person ❤

the man can make you laugh you ass off, and immediately make you cry with depression in the next scene more people in the film industry should knows and study him

I remember watching him throughout my childhood, from when he acted as a Shaolin monk to starring in Stephen Chow's movie. Even in South Africa, we got to see him on TV and after watching him all those years, he deserves the title of uncle.

i didnt know who he is... but now i do and I'm crying

I watched him act in so many things and I never realised how talented and incredible of an actor he was.

Thank you for making this video. He truly was an icon from the era of Hong Kong movies. All of us will miss him greatly

UNCLE TAT NOOOOO My favourite movie was probably the one where he was with Stephen Chow, called 九品芝麻官 (Hail the Judge). I think it was the juxtaposition between him being the nephew and Chow being the uncle that really stood out to me, and his mannerisms / the pacing of the story really convinced me that he was a nephew despite looking like Chow's uncle. You can only imagine how much skill and effort went into the role, that would make me believe that he was the nephew entirely despite him physically looking like the uncle (aged skin, wrinkles etc.) Every once in a while, I take a step back from the story's plot after watching for about 10 minutes, and notice that the character I've been watching was actually him performing it. He sells the role so well that it's only when the absurdism non-sequiturs go a bit overboard for my liking that I'm disconnected, and see the movie for what it actually looks like as opposed to what the characters act like. RIP Uncle Tat. It'll be hard to find actors nowadays who reach that sort of lowest point & open themselves to the greatest change.

Rest In Peace, Uncle Tat. I thank you for making me laugh growing up. My childhood has a lot of sweet and fun memory thanks to you.

I just want to say that I appreciate that this channel exists and that a video this profound exists to honor Uncle Tat

OMG thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you! I've seen Uncle Tat in multiple movies and never managed to guess his name. He is hand down my favorite Chinese actor. Great tribute video!

He was a legend.

I've only ever watched Ng Man-tat's work in the Chou films. I never realised he was such a cherished actor over there. Such a fine tribute. Keep up the excellent work as always, AC.

Hong Kong cinema had been a big part of my childhood, knowing all the best actors from the golden age passing on really hits hard.

Yay my one of my all time favourite actors. May he rest well, his life cherished by all. Thank you for the vid.

This video made me realise how much of a loss his passing is to the industry.

I feel a deep sense of personal lost. Like as if I lost a most beloved uncle. perhaps this is the best testament to his acting,when people that he has never met all around the world feels profound sadness at his passing. Thank you for the laughter and the smiles, this world became a better place because you were in it.

I spent my childhood watching uncle tat in the 90s first introduced to canto movies

You got me teary eyed...

Truly a legend may he R.I.P

What a pity when this video doesn't get so much view !!! Ngô Mạnh Đạt (his Vietnamese name) is a legendary actor, he made me laugh a lot and cried so much when i's watching his film. Together with Châu Tinh Trì (Stephen Chow) they make a one-of-a-kind couple in Hong Kong Cinema. They were my truly my childhood, I grow up with their movie. In VN we love him so much that we gave him a nickname: Chú Ba (Uncle three) to describe our love for him. He always has a place in our heart

"He decided to start his next life in this life" I love how this means so much

Uncle Tat deserved Governors Award in Oscar, playing supported actor in his entire career, and playing good, thaks to the memory uncle Tat 🙏

A wonderful video of a great actor who is versatile and underappreciated. Rest in peace.

Not only is this a fitting tribute to one of the greats of Cantonese cinema, it also taught me something valuable about acting. Thanks for another fantastic video! R.I.P. Uncle Tat.

Recently I’ve been rewatching a lot of Chows and Ngs movies. I used to think Stephen chow is the funny guy in the movie. But after rewatching the movie few times. I focused more on roles Uncle Tat play. Without Uncle Tat, Stephen chow role really couldn’t prosper. He is super underrated (even considering his superstar status already).

Growing up watching all his movie put a smile on my face but when i hear the new he is gone.... cant stop thinking about all good time watching his movie for the first time. Uncle Tat only if i can say thank you. Chinese Odyssey will always be my favorite movie.

I had no idea he had passed.... may he live on in our memories. Air hugs everybody, Thanks for the video ❤

Ah crap...through you video I just found out that Uncle Tat passed away 😢 R.I.P. Uncle. He truly was an amazing actor. Knowing him mainly from Stephen Chow films, his emotional range as an actor was without a doubt immense, and it brought the perfect level of sensibility to those goofy films. Thank you for making this wonderful tribute in such a beautiful and respectful way.

I´ve always loved him and his passing truly breaks my heart. I watched his movies since I was a young girl, even back then I admired him.

Thank you for making this video, as a Malaysian Chinese and all, I am glad people appreciated his performance from all over the world.

wow, without you explaining his acting in depth like that, I would've never known the complexity of it.

Rip uncle tat. Thankyou being part of my childhood. We love you uncle.

Thank you for this video. Uncle Ng Man-tat always practices “subtle acting” because he’s an experienced & seasoned actor who understood that his acting shouldn’t be bigger than the story. People may not recognize “subtle acting” as the good acting, but only experienced actors can have that level of acting craft .. RIP Uncle Ng Man-tat

What a beautiful tribute. Many many fond memories of Shaolin Soccer but as a kid. It's so fun to re-experience it as a adult and appreciate these nuances of all their hard work.

You did him the honor with this tribute. Stephen Chow must be mourning for his Uncle, second-father, and best friend.

Royal Tramp 1, uncle Tat was great in that movie, not only he gets to play a martial artist, but his usual presence made me smile every time I watched him in that film. Rest in Peace uncle Tat. *I used to live in Johor Bahru between 1981 and 1994, and never knew he lived there as well. The power of the internet is something alright.*

RIP Uncle Tat, the super supporting actor from my childhood. Thanks for all the laughter and inspiration

He's so iconic despite being a supportive character. That's saying A LOT

RIP he was great. Thank you for this tribute. I still remember him in Police Cadet with Tony Leung.

He is not only a legend in Hongkong but all over Asia, along with Stephen Chow, Bruce Lee, and many others. I am glad I got to watch this video, it is so sad that many didn't know what he gave to all of us until he passed away.

I will always remember this legendary man.

As a child I use to remember enjoying HK movies, Stephen Chow is one of my favourite. Back then I was just laughing at those slapstick humour but as I grow up I begin to understand the meaning behind those movies. There is many layers of emotions and meaning hidden behind those character or movie theme. Thanks to the dedication to those performer. Thank you Uncle Tat for brighten up my childhood. From Malaysia

Goodbye, Uncle. You'll always be loved.

one of my favorite HK actors, his performances always brought Stephen Chow's movie characters to another level

The best there was. The best there is. And the best will ever be. R.I.P uncle Ng Man Tat Thank you for all the smiles you gave to my childhood

Stephen Chow and Uncle Tat were the best dynamic duo onscreen of all time. I loved all the movies when they're both in it together. They were my childhood memories. Can't believe he's really gone. R.I.P.

Uncle Tat will be missed.