Film heritage preserved through Cathay classics

The return to Hong Kong of film relics from the Cathay Organisation in Singapore has marked a significant step in the preservation of Hong Kong's film heritage.

Some 214 film titles, 2,500 reels of film prints and 4,000 articles of film-related material, including posters and stills, have been shipped back to Hong Kong by archive specialists.

This follows agreement with the Cathay Organisation, after two years of negotiation, to donate a large amount of precious film classics to the Hong Kong Film Archive for permanent preservation.

The Film Archive said that with MP & GI/Cathay no longer in film production, it had been a difficult task over the years to screen Cathay films produced in the 1950s and '60s.

Two years ago, the archive organised a Cathay showcase retrospective with exhibitions, seminars and a booklet on the Cathay story. The event proved such a success that it raised hopes for the transfer of the archival material back home to Hong Kong for restoration and preservation.

The return of the material not only marks a major step in the preservation of Hong Kong's film heritage, it provides valuable information and study material for researchers.

In commemoration of this special event, the Film Archive will showcase, from June 18 to 27, 13 Cathay classics, including the award-winning masterpiece 'Sun, Moon and Star', 'Our Sister Hedy', 'Mambo Girl', 'The Wild, Wild Rose' and 'Her Tender Heart'.

Lucilla You Min, one of the stars of the film 'Sun, Moon and Star', died in 1996. She is remembered for her 'untainted divine image' on the silver screen. Her first appearance, in 'Her Tender Heart', earned her the first title of Best Actress at the sixth Asian Film Festival.

Further information on the Cathay classics showcase is available at www.lcsd.gov.hk/fp

Ends/Monday, May 24, 200