In support of the 20th anniversary of Cantonese Opera Day, the Hong Kong Film Archive (HKFA) of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) will screen two Cantonese opera films starring Yam Kim-fai and Connie Chan Po-chu on November 26 and 27 respectively at the HKFA Cinema, allowing audiences to review the wonderful artistry of the duo, "Opera Fans' Lover" and the "Movie-fan Princess."
In the restored version of "Butterfly and Red Pear Blossom" (1959), Pak Suet-sin, who plays the role of a courtesan, and Yam Kim-fai, who is featured as a scholar, fall in love while exchanging poems, but are thwarted by an official. The exquisite combination of Cantonese operas and films by director Lee Tit as well as the elegant performances of Yam and Pak have made this a masterpiece of Cantonese opera film.
"The Story of Heroine Fan Lei-fa" (1968) centers on the legend of the four ancient Chinese heroines. It features singing performances in Cantonese with the use of huangmei operatic rhythms popular in the 1960s, making it a novelty for audiences at that time. It also retains traditional flavors by using operatic luogu percussion in the battle scenes. In the movie, Connie Chan Po-chu not only sings solos in a zihou (falsetto voice), but even wows the audiences by taking up the female warrior role as the Tang dynasty female general Fan Lei-fa.
Both films are in Cantonese. "Butterfly and Red Pear Blossom" is with Chinese and English subtitles while "The Story of Heroine Fan Lei-fa" is with Cantonese lyrics.
The screenings at noon on November 26 and 27 are accompanied by post-screening talks with Professor Chan Sau-yan and Sam Ho as the speakers. The talk will be conducted in Cantonese. Admission is free.
Tickets priced at $45 are now available at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk). For credit card telephone bookings, please call 2111 5999. For program details, please visit www.filmarchive.gov.hk/en_US/web/hkfa/pe-event-2022-20cod.html or call 2739 2139.
This year, the Cantonese Opera Day presented by the LCSD marks its 20th anniversary, and will be held on November 27 (Sunday) at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre and the Hong Kong Space Museum. The program will include Cantonese opera excerpts and Cantonese operatic songs performances, an exhibition, talks and demonstration sessions. Admission is free with tickets. Program details and free ticket distribution arrangements will be announced later.
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