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The Hong Kong Film Company, one of the most important Cantonese cinema outfits in the 1960s, produced a large number of martial arts films lavish with stylised action and eye-catching special effects. The Hong Kong Film Archive's (HKFA) Morning Matinee shows in July and August will screen three of the company's "wuxia" film series, namely the popular cult production "The Ghost with Six Fingers", "Paragon of Sword and Knife" and "The Azure Blood and the Golden Pin".
Starring Connie Chan, Suet Nei, Sek Kin, Yu So-chow and others, the films were all directed by Chan Lit-bun.
The widescreen colour film "Paragon of Sword and Knife" (1967) and its second instalment (1968), which are among the Hong Kong Film Company's best productions, will be screened on July 1 and 8 respectively. "The Ghost with Six Fingers" series has a cult reputation and is popular for its stylised fights, melodramatic plots and cheesy special effects. Part 1 (1965), Part 2 (1965) and the concluding episode (1965) will be shown on July 15, 22 and 29 respectively.
Chan Lit-bun made his debut with "The Azure Blood and the Golden Pin" Part 1 (1963), Part 2 (1963), Part 3 (1964) and the concluding episode (1964), which will be screened on August 5, 12, 19 and 26 respectively. New cinema highlights were brought into each chapter of the series, based on the novel by Or lung-sang, with actress Suet Nei introduced in Part 1, six members of the Yuen Clan introduced in Part 2, the role of Connie Chan enhanced in Part 3 and a return to the Shaolin Temple bringing the series to closure.
All films are in Cantonese without subtitles. They will be shown at 11am on Fridays.
Priced at $20, tickets for the series of "Paragon of Sword and Knife" and "The Ghost with Six Fingers" are available now at URBTIX outlets. Tickets for the series of "The Azure Blood and the Golden Pin" will be available from July 5. Half-price tickets are available for senior citizens aged 60 and above, people with disabilities, full-time students and Comprehensive Social Security Assistance recipients. Credit card bookings can be made on 2111 5999 or on the Internet at www.urbtix.hk.
Detailed programme information can be obtained in the "ProFolio 58" leaflet distributed at all performance venues of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department. For enquiries, please call 2739 2139 or 2734 2900, or browse the websites www.filmarchive.gov.hk and www.lcsd.gov.hk/fp.
Ends/Monday, June 20, 2011
Issued at HKT 10:01
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