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Pompadour hair greased to perfection, posture perpetually slouched, the collar of his Hawaiian shirt strategically turned up - all are Mak Kay's trademarks on the silver screen. Often stereotyped as a villain in films, Mak Kay is a fixture of 1960s Cantonese cinema. He has come to personify the teddy boy, an embodiment of the fear of a burgeoning and increasingly Westernised youth sector.
The Hong Kong Film Archive's (HKFA) Morning Matinee series in September entitled "He's Bad... Mak Kay" will screen five films to show the different roles of the accomplished actor.
In "The Prodigal's Return" (1958), Mak Kay makes a rare appearance as a good guy. He extends his conviction and loyalty to his junkie friend played by Patrick Lung Kong. As a spoiled brat in "The Merdeka Bridge" (1959), he tries to break up the love between the gorgeous Lam Fung and Cheung Ying-choi. "Les Belles" (1961) showcases song and dance in wonderful colour. In it, Mak Kay shows his talents in dance, with all the cha-cha twists and a-go-go steps, as well as his musical performance, and speaks good Mandarin in courting Lin Dai.
Mak Kay stretches his teddy boy persona to a full-fledged villain role in "The Three Sisters" (1963). Mai Ling, Au Kar-wai and Law Yim Hing, three sisters of different characters, are terrorised by the same wicked scoundrel. Playing his typical teddy boy role in "Teddy Boys and Teddy Girls" (1965), Mak Kay has fun at a club, has his way with girls and fights guys who disagree with him. The film is a typical product of the schizophrenic 1960s, reflecting the youngsters' problems.
Even when being typecast, Mak Kay maintained a steady career and appeared in over 100 films since 1957. He continued to enjoy a productive career after the collapse of the Cantonese cinema, working steadily in films and on television, and remains active today.
"Les Belles" is in Mandarin with Chinese and English subtitles. The other films are in Cantonese without subtitles. They will be shown at 11am on Fridays.
Tickets priced at $20 are available at URBTIX outlets. Half-price tickets are available for senior citizens aged 60 and above, people with disabilities, full-time students and Comprehensive Social Security Assistance recipients. Credit card bookings can be made on 2111 5999 or on the Internet at www.urbtix.hk.
Detailed programme information can be obtained in the leaflet distributed at the HKFA, Sai Wan Ho Civic Centre and the Hong Kong Cultural Centre. For enquiries, please call 2739 2139 or 2734 2900, or browse the webpage www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/filmprog/english/2011mm/2011mm_film.html .
Ends/Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Issued at HKT 15:10
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