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In view of the enthusiastic response to the May installment of the Hong Kong Film Archive's (HKFA) "Restored Treasures" series, an additional screening of "A Star is Born" will be held on May 20 at 7.30pm at the Cinema of the HKFA.
Starring Judy Garland and James Mason, "A Star is Born" (1954) is a melodrama about the rise of one star and the fall of another, and they just happen to be a married couple. Director George Cukor's classic film alternates between exquisite drama and sumptuous musical numbers, capturing the harsh reality of the movie industry and the seductiveness of the showbiz world. The original film was 182 minutes, but was cut to 154 minutes without the director's consent after the film's premiere. The version to be screened was restored in 1983 to 176 minutes. Some missing scenes reconstructed using stills.
The "Restored Treasures" series in June will present director Joseph L Mankiewicz's "All About Eve" (1950), a multiple Oscar winner well known for its depiction of ruthless ambition filtered through an intimate portrait of the theatre world. The film offers a highly cynical view of show business. The title character is a seemingly innocent young devotee who snakes her way into the life of an ageing star, scheming to push the latter aside. Starring Bettie Davies and Anne Baxter, the film is adapted from a short story based on real life. Director Mankiewicz films the tale with a complicated structure, vivid characters and witty, intelligent dialogues. The film will be screened on June 3 at 2pm at the Cinema of the HKFA. Film critic Wong Ain-ling and the Programmer of the HKFA, Sam Ho, will host a post-screening talk. The talk will be conducted in Cantonese.
The two films are in English.
Tickets are now available at URBTIX outlets. Tickets are priced at $50. Half-price concessionary 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 found in "ProFolio 62", which is distributed at all performing venues of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department. For enquiries, please call 2739 2139 or 2734 2900, or browse the webpage: www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/filmprog/english/2011rt3/2011rt3_film13.html.
Ends/Monday, April 30, 2012
Issued at HKT 10:00
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