The Chinese Culture Festival (CCF) 2026, organised by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD), will launch the screening programme "Chinese Opera Film Shows" in August and September. Featuring a curated selection of 10 classic Chinese opera films from the 1950s to the 1960s, the line-up spans Peking opera, Yu opera and Cantonese opera. The programme invites audiences to revisit timeless tales of loyalty and righteousness as well as folk legends beloved across generations while promoting the appreciation of Chinese opera. This programme is also part of the 14th Chinese Opera Festival.

Chinese opera films
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     Five cinematic masterpieces of Peking and Yu opera have been selected, capturing the virtuosic movements and expressions of Peking opera legends such as Zhang Junqiu, Gai Jiaotian, Li Shaochun and Wang Jinghua, as well as Yu opera master Ma Jinfeng, on the silver screen. These films vividly showcase the artistic splendour of both operatic genres. 

     Adapted from the classic novel "The Water Margin", "The Boar Forest" (1962) follows Lin Chong as he seeks refuge on Liangshan after being framed by the treacherous Gao Qiu and his son. "Wu Song" (1963) depicts the classic tale of Wu Song avenging his brother's death by slaying Pan Jinlian and Ximen Qing. Both films brilliantly embody a heroic spirit that fiercely opposes evil. "The Case of Killing Chen Shimei" (1964) champions justice through the gripping story of upright judge Bao Zheng ordering the execution of the unfaithful Chen Shimei. Following these are "The Lady Warriors of the Yang Family" (1960) and "Mu Guiying Takes Command" (1958), both of which focus on the unwavering loyalty of the Yang clan. The former tells of Dowager She taking command to defeat the enemy forces after the death of General Yang Zongbao, while the latter portrays Mu Guiying donning her armour once more to lead troops to the border and quell a rebellion. 

Cantonese opera films
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     The five films spotlight the heyday of Hong Kong's Cantonese opera cinema during the late 1950s and the early 1960s. 

     Starring Sun Ma Si Tsang and Fung Wong Nui, "Mo Chung Fights the Tiger" (1959) similarly features the plot where Mo Chung (Wu Song) furiously executes Poon Kam-lin (Pan Jinlian) and Saimoon Hing (Ximen Qing), showcasing the fearless character of a righteous figure. Centred on the legendary tales of Sit Ding-shan and Fan Lei-fa, "Fan Lei-fa" (1960) and "The Chilly River Pass" (1961) feature Yam Kim-fai paired with Yu Lai-zhen, and So Siu-tong with Law Yim-hing respectively. Audiences will witness how the witty and courageous Fan Lei-fa defeats her enemies, resolves marital misunderstandings, and overcomes both internal turmoil and external invasions. Reuniting the celebrated pairing of Yam Kim-fai and Yu Lai-zhen, "Law Shing at the Gate" (1962) recounts the tragic plight of the famous General Law Shing. Persecuted by treacherous officials, he is barred from entering the city gates upon his return, and writes a plea for help in his own blood. "Lodging of a Complaint Before the Imperial Court by the Young Amazons" (1961), starring the classic duo Yu So-chow and Mak Bing-wing, delivers a moving tale of loyalty and sacrifice, detailing the wrongful deaths of Yeung Yip and his son Yeung Chat-long, followed by Chat-long's widow taking her grievance to the imperial court and subsequently the Yeung heroines slay the culprit with their own hands.

     Please refer to the Annex for details of the above-mentioned screenings. Tickets priced at $70 per screening are now available at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk). For telephone bookings, please call 3166 1288. The CCF 2026 offers various discount schemes, such as group booking discounts, package booking discounts and the newly introduced "Generations Together 1+1" discount. For programme enquiries and concessionary schemes, please call 2268 7325 or visit www.ccf.gov.hk/en/programme/chinese-opera-film-shows-2.

     The programme will also host two sessions under the "Chinese Culture for All: A Special Performance Series", featuring the Yu opera film "Mu Guiying Takes Command" (1958), to be held at 10.30am and 2.30pm on September 9 (Wednesday) at the Cinema of the Hong Kong Film Archive. Free admission is offered specially to local primary and secondary school students, allowing them to appreciate the vivid heroism of characters in traditional operas and the artistic essence of Yu opera through this timeless masterpiece. Interested schools can call 2268 7325 for details.

     The CCF, presented by the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau and organised by the Chinese Culture Promotion Office under the LCSD, aims to promote Chinese culture and enhance the public's sense of national identity and cultural confidence, thereby facilitating patriotic education. It also aims to attract top-notch artists and arts groups from the Chinese Mainland and other parts of the world for exchanges in Chinese arts and culture. This year's CCF is held from June to September. For more information, please visit www.ccf.gov.hk.

Ends/Friday, July 10, 2026
Issued at HKT 12:12

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