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The Hong Kong Film Archive (HKFA) of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) will present "Restored Treasures: Digital Restoration of Chinese Films in the Region" from July to November to showcase newly restored works from the Mainland, Hong Kong and Taiwan, giving audiences a look into the process and craft of film restoration in the region. The films to be screened are the Chinese film classic "Crossroads" (1937); Lo Duen's realist tragicomedy "Follow Your Dream" (1941); "Spring River Flows East - The Eight War-Torn Years" and "Spring River Flows East - The Dawn" (1947), which set box office records; director Xie Jin's masterpiece "Stage Sisters" (1965); and an adaptation of a Chiung Yao novel in "The Young Ones" (1973).
The five films will be shown on July 5, August 2, September 6, October 4 and November 1 respectively at the HKFA Cinema, with post-screening talks conducted in Cantonese by Wong Ain-ling, Shu Kei, Lau Yam, William Cheung and Po Fung. On October 10, UA Cine Times (Causeway Bay) will screen the 4K digital version of "Stage Sisters" restored by the Shanghai International Film Festival last year.
Director Shen Xiling shot an ambitious ensemble drama as an urban character piece in "Crossroads", which marked the pinnacle of his career. Through the stories of four university students finding themselves at a crossroads, Shen depicts 1930s Shanghai as a turbulent city with anxiety over impending war and the buildup of social problems. Also set against the background of Sino-Japanese war, "Spring River Flows East" is a two-part saga consisting of "The Eight War-Torn Years" and "The Dawn", and features a star-studded cast. Condensing the devastation of war into the tragic story of one family, the heartbreaking drama depicts the extremes of a society at war.
"Follow Your Dream" presents a microcosm of wartime Hong Kong in which life is full of absurdities. It also mirrors the close interactions between Hong Kong and Guangzhou in the 1930s and '40s. A twist of fate brings working-class folks under the same roof, including a poor writer (Cheung Ying) who lives on the rooftop, and their lives champion the very spirit of "All for one, one for all". Disillusioned with Hong Kong's realities, the writer decides to go back to serve the motherland.
"Stage Sisters" depicts the transformation of Chinese society through the eyes of the stage sisters and brief detours into the struggles of other supporting characters. The film is endowed with deep affections, fine costumes and an artistic combination of Chinese opera and cinema aesthetics.
"The Young Ones" is a sensitive adaptation by director Li Hsing and writer Chang Yung-hsiang of a novel by Chiung Yao. The film launched a new wave of Chiung Yao adaptations on screen and turned Alan Tang and Chen Chen into an immensely popular screen couple across Southeast Asia. A handsome gentleman, Lau (Tang), falls in love with two girls Nei and Mei (both played by Chen Chen), who share the same appearance but have completely different personalities. Lau becomes an introvert after his father forces him to break up with terminally ill Nei, but his later encounter with Mei gradually lifts him from despair to a new love. The restored version for screening had its world premiere last year at the Golden Horse Festival.
"Follow Your Dream" is in Cantonese and all the other films are in Mandarin. "Follow Your Dream" and "The Young Ones" have Chinese and English subtitles; "Stage Sisters" has English subtitles, while the other films have no subtitles.
Tickets for screenings at the HKFA are available at URBTIX for $50. Half-price tickets are available for senior citizens aged 60 and above, people with disabilities and their minders, full-time students and Comprehensive Social Security Assistance recipients. Credit card telephone bookings can be made at 2111 5999 or on the Internet at www.urbtix.hk. Tickets for the screening of "Stage Sisters" at UA Cine Times (Causeway Bay) will be available later at the cinema and via its website for $95. Phone ticketing can be made on 3918 5888 or on the Internet at www.uacinemas.com.hk.
For enquiries, please call 2739 2139 or 2734 2900. Detailed programme information can be found in "ProFolio 77" distributed at all performing venues of the LCSD, or by browsing the website www.lcsd.gov.hk/fp/en_US/web/fpo/programmes/2011rt3/film.html.
Ends/Friday, June 5, 2015
Issued at HKT 15:19
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