Film Archive to screen four classic films to revisit charm of traditional Chinese opera arts (with photos)
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Known for its Jiangnan style, Yue opera is renowned for its elegant and melodious tunes, beautiful lyrics and refined costumes. Screenwriter Xu Jin's Yue opera film adaptation "Dream of the Red Chamber" (1962) is considered a classic among other opera film adaptations of the original novel. Wang Wenjuan as Lin Daiyu and Xu Yulan as Jia Baoyu demonstrate rich stage experience and outstanding acting skills in the film. With the stellar acting performances and music accompaniment of the Second Troupe of the Shanghai Yue Opera Group, the film displays the essence of Yue opera on the silver screen, making it a timeless Chinese opera film masterpiece.
Another selected Chinese opera film, "Bride Hunter" (1961), is a Yue opera comedy co-directed by Hu Siao-fung and the great author Jin Yong under the pseudonym of Lin Huan. Legendary film actress Hsia Moon takes on a male role for the first time as the protagonist Zhou Wenbin, and then showcases her alluring female charm as Zhou disguises as a woman in the story, a performance that continues to delight audiences to this day.
The Cantonese opera film "The Lost Kite" (1957) (2K Digitised Version) features a plot of twists and turns about a maid falling in love with a scholar. Playing an elderly male character for the first time, Ma Si-tsang's polished singing complements Hung Sin Nui's unique vocal style, fully demonstrating the mesmerising quality of Cantonese opera.
The Chaozhou opera film classic "So Luk Neung" (1960) (2K Digitised Version) tells the story of So Luk Neung and her cousin, who fall in love over time, only for her father to marry her off to someone else. Upon the film's release in places including Hong Kong, Singapore and Malaysia, the film not only won critical acclaim and box-office success, but also sparked a trend for Chaozhou opera films in the 1960s.
Each screening session will be accompanied by a post-screening talk. Speakers include renowned stage director and playwright Edward Lam, Cantonese opera performer Wang Kit-ching, Chaozhou opera performer Chan Ming-ying, Chinese opera researcher Lio Mio-mei, and film researcher Yuen Tsz-ying.
The Sil-Metropole Organisation Ltd. is the partner organisation of this screening programme. Tickets priced at $60 will be available at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk) from July 17 (Friday). For telephone bookings, please call 3166 1288. A 20 per cent discount is available for every purchase of two or more regular-priced tickets of this programme. For programme details, please visit the HKFA website at www.filmarchive.gov.hk/en/web/hkfa/2026/ccf-chinese-opera/pe-event-2026-ccf-chinese-opera.html or call 2739 2139.
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. The CCF 2026 is being held from June to September. For more information, please visit www.ccf.gov.hk.
Ends/Monday, July 13, 2026
Issued at HKT 17:25
Issued at HKT 17:25
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