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An extra screening of Hong Kong Film Archive (HKFA)'s "Restored Classic Confucius" has been added as a result of overwhelming public response to the scheduled shows. Tickets for the two screenings in April and the additional screenings on May 3 and 17 sold out, and to meet the popular demand, the extra screening will be at 7pm on May 9 at the Cinema of the HKFA.
At the second seminar "Confucius and Confucius" to be held at 4.30pm on April 19 at the Cinema of the HKFA, writer Koo Siu-sun, Professor Li Ling of the Peking University and Professor Cheng Pei-kai of the Chinese Civilisation Centre of the City University of Hong Kong will discuss various aspects of the film, including its historical context, cultural significance and aesthetics. The seminar will be conducted in Cantonese and Putonghua. Admission is free.
The HKFA is dedicated to collecting and preserving film material to lay the foundation for studying the history and cultural heritage of Hong Kong Cinema. Director Fei Mu's film classic "Confucius" (1940) had been lost for many years. Its nitrate negatives were recently discovered and restored by the HKFA.
Restoration of the film is a complicated on-going project. The version shown at present is in the original Movietone format, with a 1:1.16 aspect ratio. Restoration work involves copying onto safety stock the damaged nitrate material and fragments that had been broken off. Parts of the sound track are missing but Chinese and English explanations based on research conducted by the HKFA will be presented in subtitle form to help audiences follow the story. The restored film together with nine minutes of loose footage will also be shown with Chinese and English subtitles, put together after extensive research conducted by scholars commissioned by the HKFA.
The archive is currently conducting research into putting the film back in its original narrative order and fitting the break-off scenes back into the film. This is a laborious process and once it is completed, the archive will again share the fruits of its efforts with the public.
Tickets priced at $30 are available at URBTIX outlets from April 9. Half-price tickets are available for senior citizens aged 60 and above, people with disabilities, full-time students and Comprehensive Social Security Assistance recipients. Reservations can be made at 2734 9009 or on the internet at www.urbtix.hk .
For enquiries, please call 2739 2139 or 2734 2900 or visit www.filmarchive.gov.hk or www.lcsd.gov.hk/fp .
Ends/Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Issued at HKT 18:31
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