The Hong Kong Film Archive (HKFA) of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department will present "Youthful Imprints: 60th Anniversary of the Seven Princesses' Sisterhood" as part of its screening series "Morning Matinee" from November 2025 to February 2026, featuring 15 films starring the seven actresses, who are known as the Seven Princesses, to revisit their collaborations onscreen and their sisterly bond over 60 years.
 
     The Seven Princesses are Fung So-bor, Shum Chi-wah, Connie Chan, Josephine Siao, Nancy Sit, Wong Oi-ming, and Fung Bo-bo. They started as child actresses and formed their sisterhood in 1965. Each is a star in her own right; they have appeared in many films in various combinations. The programme will spotlight their early works and those made around the time their sisterhood was formed in four sections, i.e. "Commemoration of Sisterhood", "Signature Works", "Youthful Love", and "Shadows of Grace and Intrigue".
 
     The two films of the section "Commemoration of Sisterhood", "Seven Princesses, Part One" (1967) (2K digitised version) and "Seven Princesses, Concluding Episode" (1967) (2K digitised version) tell the story of the villainous Centipede Clan stealing a set of divine treasures to gain the power to rule. Valiant heroes and heroines, played by the above seven actresses, join forces to fight evil in the name of peace. The films are the only works starring all members of the Seven Princesses. The films, digitally scanned by the HKFA, will be screened for the first time, offering cinephiles the rare opportunity to watch all seven actresses sharing the silver screen together.
 
     The seven actresses have appeared in countless films and continuously honed their craft with different roles to achieve greater heights. The seven films in the "Signature Works" are classics in which they shine brightly at the turning points of their acting careers.
 
     Fung So-bor made her debut in "The Kid" (1950). At the age of 6, she played the younger sister of the protagonist and brought to the role her innocence, vivacity, and cuteness. Chan, being an adept period film actress, took up the role of protagonist in a contemporary-set film for the first time in "You Do Me Wrong" (1966) (2K digitised version). While playing a character caught between injustice and honesty, Chan portrays an image of a modern woman with her refined and natural performance. In "The Story of Heroine Fan Lei-fa" (1968), Shum, who was trained under Peking opera master Fen Ju Hua with Chan, brims with charm in her cross-cast role as a bandit. The 17-year-old Sit made her protagonist debut in "Bunny Girl" (1967) as an innocent and rebellious youngster through scenes of song and dance, exuding youthful energy. "Bunny Girl" will feature an additional screening of "Miss Sit Kar-yin Visited Singapore & Malaysia" (1967).
 
     Siao plays three different roles - a journalist, a young heiress and a Vietnamese dance diva - in her first contemporary-set film, "Young Lady's Heart" (also known as "Romance of a Teenage Girl") (1966). Having received dance tutelage from a young age, the role of dance diva allowed Siao to show her talent and cemented her status as a sweetheart of the silver screen. Wong plays the role of a girl neglected by her father and stepmother in "Back Door" (1960). With her moving and heart-breaking performance at the age of 9, Wong was named Best Supporting Actress at the 7th Asian Film Festival. Fung Bo-bo plays a bright and mischievous country girl in "Siu Po-po Pokes Fun at the King of Blunders" (1960) (2K digitised version), who repeatedly pranks her arrogant neighbour, the King of Blunders, played by Leung Sing-por, to the point where he does not know whether to laugh or cry and has no choice but to concede defeat.
 
     By the late 1960s, among the Seven Princesses, some were widely recognised as sweethearts of the silver screen. They depicted the thoughts and dreams of teenage girls in the four films of "Youthful Love". In "Girls are Flowers" (1966), Chan plays a kind and intelligent young woman, who guides an unruly daughter, played by Sit, onto the right path and falls in love with the young master of the house, played by Lui Kay. Starring Chan, Siao, Sit and Wong, "Colourful Youth" (1966) (digitally restored version) is a musical that has been released in cinemas three times, with each release a box office hit. In "The Fascinating Love" (1970), Sit once again showcases her singing and dancing talent and plays the role of a theatre troupe cast member who pulls out all the stops to win the heart of her crush. Adapted from the renowned novel by young writer Yee Tat, "Winter Love" (1968) is a love tragedy starring Siao and Patrick Tse. Siao's performance is full of depth and complexity, while Wong, who plays her sister, also delivers a deeply moving performance with heartfelt sincerity.
 
     The two films in "Shadows of Grace and Intrigue" depict the images of resolute and courageous heroines with captivating performances in martial arts. Chan portrays both the roles of a brother and a sister in "Dangerous Appointment" (also known as "The Black Killer") (1967) (2K digitised version). In order to save their uncle, the siblings infiltrate a bar and a nightclub separately. With courage and intelligence, they eventually bring criminals to justice with the help of others. In "Blue Eagle" (1968), Siao and Shum play two heroines who antagonise each other at first and ultimately team up to fight the villains as the hidden plot behind the feud of their families comes to light.
 
     Some screenings will be accompanied by post-screening talks, hosted by Fung So-bor, Shum Chi-wah, Yuen Tsz-ying, Eric Tsang, and more.
 
     Tickets priced at $40 will be available at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk) from October 10 (Friday). For telephone bookings, please call 3166 1288. For programme details, please visit the HKFA website at www.filmarchive.gov.hk/en/web/hkfa/2025/seven-princesses/pe-event-2025-seven-princesses.html or call 2739 2139.

Ends/Monday, October 6, 2025
Issued at HKT 17:22

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