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The flagship Hong Kong Film Archive (HKFA) series "100 Must-See Hong Kong Movies" will continue to share timeless cinematic classics with audiences from November to January next year with the screening of six films. The coming programme, which is being promoted by programme ambassador and emerging film director Juno Mak, will see films and their respective sequels screened on consecutive days for audiences to enjoy the stories in their entirety.
The selected films are Chan Lit-bun's wuxia films "Paragon of Sword & Knife" (1967) and "Paragon of Sword & Knife (Concluding Episode)" (1968), starring Connie Chan Po-chu; Corey Yuen Kwai's "Fong Sai Yuk" (1993) and "Fong Sai Yuk II" (1993), with Jet Li alongside Josephine Siao Fong-fong playing his mother; and "A Chinese Odyssey Part One - Pandora's Box" (1995) and "A Chinese Odyssey Part Two - Cinderella" (1995), directed and scripted by Jeff Lau and starring Stephen Chow.
The six films will be shown on November 1, 2, 8, 9, 15 and 16 respectively at the HKFA Cinema. They will also be shown from November to January next year at Broadway Cinematheque (BC). Post-screening talks for the sessions on November 1, 8 and 15 at the HKFA will be hosted by Po Fung and Thomas Shin and conducted in Cantonese.
Adapted from Or Lung-sang's novel of the same title, "Paragon of Sword & Knife" is one of the top Cantonese wuxia films of the Hong Kong Film Co. The story begins with the massacre of the Tso Family with Tso Siu-pak (Connie Chan Po-chu in a male role) being the only survivor. Tso hones his martial arts skills to take revenge for his family and even saves the martial arts world. The amazing opening scene of a bridge crossing sheds light on the film's impressive production values.
"Paragon of Sword & Knife (Concluding Episode)" features the revenge story and an epic battle against the Shaolin sect through which Tso finds out the truth about the murder of his family. The contrast of an intelligent blind girl and a stingy character, played by Law Oi-sheung and Suet Nei respectively, is particularly memorable. Under Tung Pui-sun's art direction, the outstanding costume designs for the actors also contribute to the superb film production standards.
Director Corey Yuen Kwai and scriptwriter Jeff Lau teamed up in "Fong Sai Yuk" to spin the traditional Fong Sai-yuk folk legend into a wickedly playful coming-of-age tale of romance, friendship, loyalty, family and comical misunderstandings. Thanks to the creative action choreography in the film, Jet Li shines in his most playful role as the young Fong and Josephine Siao Fong-fong is the perfect screen partner, transforming Fong's mother into a mischievous partner in crime.
With the original cast of the previous episode, "Fong Sai Yuk II" focuses on the story after Fong has joined the Sun Flower Society and his endeavours to find out the secret of the leader. Fong has to save his mother from the hands of the wicked villains on his own. Director Yuen also joined the cast as an old flame of Fong's mother. The story between Fong and his mother continues to be breathtaking, with Yuen carefully designing a thrilling finale in which Fong must balance a huge stack of chairs during a fight to save his mother from hanging.
"A Chinese Odyssey Part One - Pandora's Box" was the debut title of Stephen Chow's production company Choi Sing and stars Chow as the Monkey King alongside cast members Ng Man-tat, Law Ka-ying, Athena Chu Yan, Karen Mok Man-wai and Yammie Lam. The film reinvented a classic literary work with the wildly entertaining reinterpretation of the Monkey King mythos. The story begins with the Monkey King's reincarnation before the time when his master and peers in the original story appeared. With karma and time traveling due to the presence of Pandora's Box, a new adventure of the Monkey King awaits. Chow's defiant and romantic character in the film is as unique as the Monkey King in the original story.
In "A Chinese Odyssey Part Two - Cinderella", director Lau concluded his take on the Monkey King story with a sprawling adventure surrounding the theme of unrequited love and musings about fate. With this film, Lau impressed audiences with his bold creativity and his perception of karma and destiny in life.
All films are in Cantonese and with Chinese and English subtitles.
Tickets for screenings at the HKFA are priced at $40 and available at URBTIX. Half-price concessionary tickets for senior citizens aged 60 and above, people with disabilities and their minders, full-time students and Comprehensive Social Security Assistance recipients are also available. Credit card telephone bookings can be made on 2111 5999 or on the Internet at www.urbtix.hk. Tickets for screenings at BC are priced at $60 and available at BC and via its website. Tickets priced at $44 are available for senior citizens aged 60 and above, full-time students and children aged 11 or below. There is a 20 per cent discount for BC VIP members. Phone ticketing can be made on 2388 3188 or on the Internet at www.cinema.com.hk.
For enquiries, please call 2739 2139 or 2734 2900. Detailed programme information can be found in "ProFolio 74" and leaflets distributed at all performing venues of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, at BC or on the webpage at www.lcsd.gov.hk/fp/en_US/web/fpo/programmes/2011ms100/index.html.
Ends/Friday, October 17, 2014
Issued at HKT 18:48
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