HBO Documentary Chronicles Mr. Chow's Multifaceted Career

A new HBO documentary titled 'AKA Mr. Chow' directed by Nick Hooker explores the life of Michael Chow, the restaurateur, artist, and collector who has been a fixture in the international jet set and art world for over 50 years. Chow, who now goes by 'M', left China at age 12 to study in London, first at Saint Martin's School of Arts and later at Hammersmith School of Building and Architecture. He initially pursued acting and painting, exhibiting in London galleries, before opening his first Chinese restaurant in Knightsbridge in February 1968 with partner Robin Sutherland. The restaurant featured interiors designed by Chow and artworks by Allen Jones, Peter Blake, Patrick Caulfield, David Hockney, and Jim Dine, quickly becoming a celebrity hotspot. After buying out Sutherland, Chow expanded to Las Vegas, Miami, New York, and Beverly Hills. He resumed his art career in 2011, exhibiting in the US and China, including a 2016 solo show at the Ullens Center for Contemporary Art in Beijing dedicated to his father, Peking opera actor Zhou Xinfang. Chow is also a noted contemporary art collector, particularly of portraits of himself by famous artists. The 90-minute documentary includes interviews with Brian Grazer, Fran Lebowitz, Ed Ruscha, and Julian Schnabel, and chronicles Chow's entrepreneurial, culinary, artistic, and cross-cultural achievements.