Film Archive's Discovering ICH Through Cinema to present free screenings of Cantonese opera-themed classic films (with photos)
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In "The Dutiful Daughter Chu-chu", Chan plays the lead role of Chu-chu, who earns money to support her mentally ill mother by pretending to be a Japanese acrobat. After meeting a Cantonese opera master and his apprentice, played by Lan Chi Pak and Lam Kar-sing respectively, Chu-chu decides to lead an honest life and learn Cantonese opera from them both. Much of the film focuses on Chu-chu's Cantonese opera training sessions. The performance of Lan Chi Pak in the film demonstrates the strict adherence and fervent upholding of the artistic traditions by Cantonese opera maestros in teaching and on stage. The audience can learn about how the traditional art form is preserved and passed on through generations with these realistic and compelling portrayals. Lam's skilled and artful performances of Cantonese opera excerpts in the film also exude the awe-inspiring charisma and essence of the art.
The other film, "The Story of Heroine Fan Lei-fa", stars Chan, Shum Chi-wah, Yu Kai and Tam Lan-hing. Chan portrays the legendary female warrior Fan Lei-fa in the film. At times, she expresses tender and poignant love towards her husband in the film with melodic songs in the style of huangmei diao. She also displays adept martial arts skills in fighting scenes, exuding a commanding presence and valour. Fan's adopted son Sit Ying-lung, a reformed young swordsman, is played by the cross-cast Shum. Meanwhile, Yu Kai, who is well trained in Northern-style martial arts, puts his impressive skills on full display in the film, while Tam is cross-cast in the role of Ching Ao-kam, adding humour with her witty and comedic performance.
The films will be screened on June 13 at the following times:
| The Dutiful Daughter Chu-chu | 11am |
| The Story of Heroine Fan Lei-fa | 3pm |
| 6.30pm |
Each screening session will be accompanied by a pre-screening talk by film critic Grace Ng. Admission is free with tickets to be distributed starting from May 9 (Saturday) at the HKFA box office. Each person can receive up to two tickets on a first-come, first-served basis while stocks last. Limited walk-in seats will also be available on a first-come, first-served basis, and members of the public are welcome to queue up at the G/F lobby of the HKFA 45 minutes before the screening begins. Each person can register for one ticket while stocks last.
For programme details, please visit www.filmarchive.gov.hk/en/web/hkfa/2026/ich-month-2026/pe-event-2026-ich-month.html or call 2739 2139.
The Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) Office of the LCSD will organise the "Hong Kong ICH Month 2026" from May 30 to June 30 this year. With the theme "ICH Around Town", a series of diverse programmes will be featured to give members of the public and tourists a deeper understanding of ICH, thereby realising the principle of "shaping tourism with cultural activities and promoting culture through tourism". For details, please visit the website www.icho.hk/en/web/icho/hk_ich_month_2026.html.
Ends/Wednesday, May 6, 2026
Issued at HKT 17:00
Issued at HKT 17:00
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