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Classic studio sets like the palace scene, nostalgic architecture of the 50s and a squatter area, delicate costumes in "My Darling Princess" formerly worn by Hsia Moon and Ding Saijun, are on display at the "Panorama of Great Wall, Feng Huang & Sun Luen Studios" exhibition from today (November 9) till December 26 at the Hong Kong Film Archive's (HKFA) Exhibition Hall.

In addition, 31 classics of Hsia Moon, Fu Che, Shek Hwei, Chen Sisi, Bai Guang...all superstars in the 50s and 60s, will be screened from today to January 11, 2002 in the HKFA's new programme "The Progressive Tradition: Film of Great Wall, Feng Huang, Sun Luen".

Veteran film personalities who attended the opening ceremony today included film stars Chu Hung, Li Tziang, Jiang Hua, Wei Wei, Fung Lam, Michael Lai, Chow Chung, Guan Shan, Bao Fong, Bao Hee-ching, Jiang Han, Wang Xiaoyan, Liu Lian, Leung Shan, director Chu Hak; wife of film producer Yuan Yang-an, Su Yansheng; former director of Clear Water Bay studio, Lu Yuanliang and others.

The opening film was "The Golden Eagle", a high-quality production shot in the prairies of Inner Mongolia and the first film in Hong Kong to reap over $1 million in box-office takings.

Renowned film studios Great Wall and Feng Huang were founded by progressive mainlanders in Hong Kong while Sun Luen was founded by local Cantonese filmmakers who subscribed to the same thought of filmmaking with an aim of arousing social conscience.

The three companies adapted the "progressive tradition" and had produced many memorable films that were entertaining and reflected the social development of Hong Kong. More than 370 films were produced. Many of the films had been box-office success and stars like Hsia Moon, Fu Che, Shek Hwei and Chow Chung were idolised in their time.

The free exhibition "Panorama of Great Wall, Feng Huang & Sun Luen Studios" opens daily at 10 am to 6 pm (except Thursday). It features the history of the three studios from their peaks to consolidation into the present Sil-Metropole Organisation Ltd. Cruising along the time tunnel from 50s to 70s, from the founders of the studios, the diversified film genres, their stars and directors to its production base at the Clear Water Bay Film Studios, film buffs can experience the different stages of the three studios.

In the early 50s, films like "The Dividing Wall" and "The Flower Street" assumed a role of social critique. From the late 50s to mid 60s, the studios produced many light comedies such as "Those Bewitching Eyes", "So Siu-siu" and "Bride Hunter" while "Spring Summer Autumn Winter", "Chu Yuan" and "Romance on the Bus" were examples of the 70s' production where social conscientious spirit was emphasised.

The exhibition also features profiles on popular directors like Zhu Shilin, Li Pingqian, Yuan Yan-an, Yue Feng, Shu Si and new generation directors: Hu Siao-fung and Cheng Jingbo. Not to be missed are the valuable pictures of the stars taken at that time.

Another highlight is the excerpts from the second volume of the Archive's oral history publication series --"An Age of Idealism: Great Wall & Feng Huang Days". Through the oral history of nine artists: producer and sound technician Lu Yuanliang; cinematographer and director Lo Kwan-hung; actress and producer Hsia Moon; actresses Chu Hung and Wei Wei; actors, scriptwriters and directors Bao Fong and Shu Shi; actor and scriptwriter Chu Hak; actor and director Hu Siao-fung, relationship between Hong Kong and Chinese movies is portrayed. Impressive stories are told, that revealed the struggle between ideals and reality. Priced at $120, the publication is now on sale at the HKFA, Chung Hwa Book Co (HK), Point of View2 Bookstore, Man's Book Company, The Commercial Press (HK) Ltd, Joint Publishing (HK) Co Ltd and the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Performing Arts Shop.

There will be 52 screenings for "The Progressive Tradition: Film of Great Wall, Feng Huang, Sun Luen". Though it cannot be referred to as a complete retrospective on the three film companies and the related studios, the films include various selection of popular hits and the sometimes-overlooked classics from 1949 to 1978 produced by the three studios, providing audience an opportunity to get a glimpse of the changes in direction of the three studios in the decades past.

The screenings also provide a golden opportunity to review Great Wall's "Crown Princess" Hsia Moon's outstanding performance. Hsia Moon, a rare actress who embodied the beauties of a modern woman and those of a historical maiden, rocketed to stardom in her debut. She made 40 films in 17 years, eight of which have been selected for screening. They include one of her best performances on screen: "A Widow's Tears", "Sunrise" which was adapted from Cao Yu's play, an upbeat comedy "Those Bewitching Eyes", a tragedy on moral values "The Eternal Love", Shaoxing operas, "Bride Hunter", "Princess Falls in Love" and "My Darling Princess", and another literary classic "Garden of Repose".

Other notable films include "Mud Child" and "The Hut on Hilltop", both starring Shek Hwei; "Three Charming Smiles", a light music opera with featured folk lyrics; "The Jade Bow" which opened the new style martial arts films in the 60s.

Most of the films were in Mandarin or dubbed into Cantonese while "So Siu-siu", "Golden of Repose", "Three Charming Smiles", "My Darling Princess", "The Golden Eagle", "The Jade Bow", "Spring Summer Autumn Winter", "The Hut on Hilltop", "Mud Child", " Chu Yuan" and "Romance on the Bus" have Chinese and English subtitles.

The event is organized by the HKFA of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department. Tickets of "The Progressive Tradition: Films of Great Wall, Feng Huang, Sun Luen", priced at $20, are now available at all URBTIX outlets. Half-priced concessionary tickets are available for senior citizens, people with disabilities and full-time student. Reservations can be made at 2734 9009 and programme enquiries at 2739 2139. Website: www.filmarchive.gov.hk

End/Friday, November 9, 2001

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