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As a film and television comedienne for over 40 years, Lydia Sum, best known as ¡°Fei Fei¡± or ¡°Fatty¡±, has charmed people in Hong Kong and overseas Chinese communities with her trademark laughter. She passed away on February 19. Yet her talent to entertain, her ability to make people laugh, her devotion to her career, her sunny personality and her optimism will live in the hearts of many.
Although she was best remembered as a television star, she also made an indelible impression on screen, wherever Chinese films are shown.
In memory of a wonderful entertainer who brought joy to the lives of Hong Kong people, the Hong Kong Film Archive (HKFA) is presenting a retrospective ¡°In Memory of Lydia Sum¡± from March 7 to 16 to showcase her inspiring performances on screen.
Twelve of her films from 1962 to 2004 depicting different periods of her career will be screened at the Cinema of HKFA, the Lecture Halls of the Hong Kong Science Museum and the Hong Kong Space Museum. An exhibition of stills and photographs of her will also be on display on the first floor of the HKFA.
The selected films comprise ¡°Dream of the Red Chamber¡± (1962), ¡°Four Sisters¡± (1966), ¡°Master Cute and Tai Fan Shu¡± (1966), ¡°First Love Forever¡± (1967), ¡°Three Flowers of the Factory¡± (1967), ¡°Teddy Girls¡± (1969), ¡°Lovely Husbands¡± (1969), ¡°The House of 72 Tenants¡± (1973), ¡°It¡¯s a Mad Mad Mad World¡± (1987), ¡°Double Fattiness¡± (1988), ¡°Mother vs Mother¡± (1988) and ¡°In-laws, Out-laws¡± (2004).
Sum appeared in over 160 films, playing a wide variety of characters in vastly different movie genres. She was talented in many ways: acting, singing and dancing, but her best talent was to make people happy.
Her rotundity made her a special artist. She was fresh, genuine and she cheered up people with her signature laughter. In her early movies, she played comic relief to stars such as Josephine Siao Fong-fong, Connie Chan Po-chu and Betty Loh Ti. Although not the leading actress, her ¡°cute¡± roles always brighten up the films.
All films except ¡°Four Sisters¡±, ¡°Master Cute and Tai Fan Shu¡±, ¡°First Love Forever¡±, ¡°Three Flowers of the Factory¡± and ¡°Lovely Husbands¡± have English subtitles. Free seating at all screenings.
Tickets are available at all URBTIX outlets from tomorrow (February 27). As with other HKFA retrospective programmes, tickets are priced at HK$30, with half-price concession for senior citizens, people with disabilities, full-time students and Comprehensive Social Security Assistance recipients. Reservations can be made by phone on 2734 9009, or on the Internet at www.urbtix.hk.
For enquiries, please call 2739 2139 or 2734 2900 or browse the website: www.lcsd.gov.hk/fp.
Ends/Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Issued at HKT 18:41
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