Film Archive's new "Archival Gems" series to present cinematic delights (with photos)
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The programme features six works spanning from the 1950s to the '80s. Coming first in January and February is "The Band Wagon" (1953), a typical Hollywood musical film. The story sees an over-the-hill star take his last chance to salvage his career, and his ups and downs as well as joy and sorrow reflect the desire of every stage worker to explore the true meaning of the theatre experience.
Two Mandarin gems, "Calendar Girl" (1959) and "Les Belles" (1961), both directed by Doe Ching with meticulous stage décor, will be screened in February and March respectively. "Calendar Girl" is the epitome of the urban musicals from Motion Picture and General Investment Co Ltd. The film opens with Helen Li Mei's beguiling drum dance at the beginning, which sizzles to the youthful and upbeat "I Love Cha-Cha" as younger sister Diana Chang Chung-wen and Peter Chen Ho join the merriment.
"Les Belles" represented a major effort by Shaw Brothers in lavishing a generous budget on its first widescreen colour production. Linda Lin Dai shows sheer verve and energy in her performances of the can-can and the mambo, as well as the Chinese flower-drum dance, a Japanese sakura dance, a traditional Thai dance for the gods and more. The effort proved worthy of her third Best Actress Asian Film Award.
In "Purple Night" (1968), which will be screened in April, director Chor Yuen illuminated the collision of art and business through the story of a dance troupe. Patrick Tse Yin plays a charming and talented musical talent. Blinded by overnight fame, he abandons his dreams and soon engages in a love triangle with Nam Hung and Josephine Siao Fong-fong. Tse enlivens his prodigal character while Kenneth Tsang Kong, who plays the troupe director, represents the voice of intellectual conscience.
"Let's Rock" (1975) reflected scenes from the golden age of Cantopop in the 1970s and '80s. It will be screened in May. James Wong took the directorial reins on this rare occasion, handling the majority of the music score and lyrics and even providing vocals to some of the tracks. The story tells of the Wynners evolving from an earlier incarnation, the Loosers, with a desire to create music against the harsh realities of the industry, which also signifies the ups and downs of the Hong Kong people.
"Fame" (1980) will wrap up the showcase of films in June. In the film, eight aspirants transform from rough stones into precious gems after gruelling training, but soon the post-graduation euphoria ends and the harsh reality of work descends. Fortunes are fickle in the cutthroat world of showbiz. The spontaneous, high-energy song "Hot Lunch Jam" creates one of several compelling moments that got the audience swaying in a synchronised rhythm.
"The Band Wagon" is in English, "Calendar Girl" and "Les Belles" are in Mandarin, "Purple Night" and "Let's Rock" are in Cantonese, and "Fame" is in English, French and Spanish. All have Chinese and English subtitles except for "Calendar Girl" and "Let's Rock", which have no subtitles. Post-screening talks for each film will be hosted by different film critics to discuss the backgrounds and anecdotes about the films' making.
Film tickets priced at $55 are now available at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk). For credit card telephone bookings, please call 2111 5999. For programme enquiries, please call 2739 2139 or 2734 2900 or visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/fp/en_US/web/fpo/programmes/archivalgems/film.html.
Ends/Thursday, December 1, 2016
Issued at HKT 12:00
Issued at HKT 12:00
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