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HK Film Archive's "100 Must-See Hong Kong Movies" to feature classic works from August to October (with photos)
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     The flagship series "100 Must-See Hong Kong Movies" organised by the Hong Kong Film Archive (HKFA) of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) will feature six outstanding films directed by Wu Pang, Wong Hang, Li Pingqian, Chor Yuen and Ann Hui from August to October. The films include martial arts classics, films on family values and other noteworthy productions of their times, showing film buffs of different ages treasures of Hong Kong cinema.

     The films to be screened are Wu Pang's "The Story of Wong Fei-hung, Part One: Wong Fei-hung's Whip that Smacks the Candle" (1949) and "The Story of Wong Fei-hung, Part Two: Wong Fei-hung Burns the Tyrant's Lair" (1949), Wong Hang's "The Wall" (1956), Li Pingqian's "Laugh, Clown, Laugh" (1960), Chor Yuen's "Intimate Confessions of a Chinese Courtesan" (1972) and Ann Hui's "Boat People" (1982).

     The six films will be shown on August 1, 2, 8, 9, 15 and 16 respectively at the HKFA Cinema. Some of the screenings will have post-screening talks conducted by Po Fung, Shu Kei, Eric Tsang, Natalia Chan and Matthew Cheng in Cantonese. These films will also be shown at Broadway Cinematheque (BC) from August to October. In addition, "Laugh, Clown, Laugh" will be screened on October 3 at Cine-Art House.

     Director Wu Pang and scriptwriter Ng Yat-siu started the trend of Wong Fei-hung movies in Hong Kong cinematic history. "The Story of Wong Fei-hung, Part One: Wong Fei-hung's Whip that Smacks the Candle" is the inaugural chapter of the saga, starring Kwan Tak-hing as Master Wong. Being a common man prone to impetuous fights, the Master Wong in this film is very different from the monolithic hero the world has come to know. Apart from the action choreography, which offers a glimpse of the authentic Hung Fist, the singing of Lingnan folk song is also a precious historic relic.

     "The Story of Wong Fei-hung, Part Two: Wong Fei-hung Burns the Tyrant's Lair" is a continuation from Part One. After solving the cliffhanger in the previous episode, Master Wong (Kwan Tak-hing) continues to fight against a line-up of martial artists recruited by his nemesis until a showdown with Grey Hair Fu (Sek Kin). While his hot-headed student Leung Foon (Tso Tat-wah) keeps making trouble, Master Wong is determined to protect his martial arts hall and expel anyone who comes to challenge.

     Directed by Wong Hang and scripted by Chun Kim and Cheng Kang, "The Wall" is a masterpiece that sheds light on marital life in the city of the 1950s, revealing clashes between modern and traditional family values in a light-hearted tone. In the film, a face-saving man refuses to allow his wife, who yearns for independence, to work outside. While the family strife continues, the husband puts up a curtain as a wall, sending their daughter as a messenger across the boundary. Among other absurdities, an amusing "he said, she said" segment adds a sensitive touch to the film.

     In Li Pingqian's tragicomedy "Laugh, Clown, Laugh", Bao Fong plays an optimistic father who is laid off from a bank and turns to make a living by performing comedy, much to the shame of his family. Despite much effort to hide from his family, Bao runs into his daughter, who sees him cross-dressing in a performance. As he faces a difficult time to convince his family, the awkward encounter is truly heart-breaking. Li set this story against a backdrop of social reality and prejudice, making the laughter all the more poignant and the sadness connected with it all the more powerful.    

     Chor Yuen's "Intimate Confessions of a Chinese Courtesan" is a hybrid of action, romance and mystery, which depicts the vengeance of a beautiful and mysterious courtesan (Lily Ho). Centring on her complicated love-hate relationship with the woman running the brothel (Betty Pei Ti), the story offers a deliciously warped take on sex, desire and violence in the context of love, power and commerce. Featuring Chiu Kang-chien's sensual script, spectacular cinematography and the cast's impressive performances, the fine combination depicts murderous sparks in tragic beauty.

     Starring George Lam, Season Ma, Andy Lau and Cora Miao, "Boat People" is a splendid piece directed by Ann Hui and scripted by Chiu Kang-chien. Set in Vietnam in 1978, the film portrays the adventure of a Japanese photojournalist, Akutagawa Shiomi, who wants to capture a poignant exposé of life in post-war Vietnam away from the prying eyes of its oppressive regime. Grappling with many of the controversies in the aftermath of war, the film captures a cross-section of characters walking a fine line between suppression and freedom, death and survival, humanity and ideology. Hui dexterously deploys mise-en-scene as well as art and set designs to refine the expression of human struggle to an aesthetic form. The film was not only a multiple award winner at the Hong Kong Film Awards, but also a Cannes official selection.

     "Intimate Confessions of a Chinese Courtesan" is in Mandarin, while all other films are in Cantonese. All films have Chinese and English subtitles.

     Tickets for screenings at the HKFA are available at URBTIX. Tickets for screenings at BC are available at BC and via its website. Tickets for screenings at Cine-Art House will be available at Cine-Art House's box office from September 27.

     Tickets for the HKFA's screenings are priced at $40. Half-price concessionary tickets are available for senior citizens aged 60 or above, people with disabilities (and one accompanying minder), full-time students and Comprehensive Social Security Assistance recipients. Credit card telephone bookings can be made on 2111 5999 or on the Internet at www.urbtix.hk. Tickets for BC's screenings are priced at $60; tickets priced at $44 are available for senior citizens aged 60 or 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. Tickets for Cine-Art House's screenings are priced at $50. Phone ticketing can be made on 2317 6666 or on the Internet at www.cityline.com.

     For enquiries, please call 2739 2139 or 2734 2900. Detailed programme information can be found in "ProFolio 78" and leaflets distributed at all performing venues of the LCSD, at BC or on the webpage at www.lcsd.gov.hk/fp/en_US/web/fpo/programmes/2011ms100/index.html.

Ends/Wednesday, July 1, 2015
Issued at HKT 12:01

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