Peking Opera Film Goddess Luo River (1956)

In this movie adapted from the ancient poem Ode to the Goddess of River Luo, Cao Pi, King Wen of Wei, takes the abducted Lady Zhen as his queen.  Lady Zhen has no feelings for him.  Instead, she and his younger brother, the talented poet Cao Zhi, are secretly in love.  When Cao Pi discovers their liaison, he executes her and banishes his brother to the remotest region of the kingdom.  Several years later, the king is remorseful.  He brings Zhi back to the capital and gifts him the late Lady Zhen’s pillow made of jade pieces and gold bands.  On the way back to his fief, Zhi stays a night by the Luo River.  There, the Goddess of the river comes to him in a dream, asking to see him the next day by the water. The following morning on the river bank, Zhi indeed sees the goddess appearing.  It turns out to be Lady Zhen, deified after her death. Despite their reluctance at their inevitable parting, they are destined never to meet again, as man and immortal can never be together. 

Yu Opera Film Mu Guiying Takes Command (1958)

After relinquishing their positions at court, Mu Guiying and her grandmother-in-law, Dowager She, return to their home town.  After 20 years of peace, King An of Liao stages an uprising at the eastern border.  Concerned for the country’s safety, the Dowager dispatches her great grandson Yang Wenguang and his sister Yang Jinhua to the capital to gather the latest news. Coincidentally, the Song Emperor has set up a field station at the barracks to recruit capable military leaders.  Treacherous official Wang Qiang strongly advocates that the marshal’s position be filled by his son Wang Lun.  Unconvinced, the Yang siblings challenge Wang Lun to a duel, and beat him.  Originally under the impression that the entire Yang clan has been destroyed, the emperor is delighted to see Wenguang with his exceptional martial prowess.  On learning that his mother, the heroic Mu Guiying, is still very much alive, the emperor makes her the Supreme Commander of the Eastern Expedition, ordering Wenguang to deliver the Commander’s seal to his mother.  Guiying initially rejects the posting, as she detests the emperor for his weakness and stupidity in allowing treacherous courtiers to run the country, but subsequently accepts the mission to quash the rebellion after the Dowager emphasises the family principles of defending the country and safeguarding the common folks.  Before Guiying sets out with her formidable army to the battlefield, Dowager She gives them a rousing send-off.

Peking Opera Film Havoc in Heaven (2019) (HD)

The story is taken from the classic novel, Journey to the West.  Sun Wukong, the Monkey King, has succeeded in 'borrowing' a weapon from the Dragon Palace, which is an invincible cudgel which weighs tons and can change size as he wishes.  The Dragon King goes to the Heavenly Palace to report on him.  General Li proposes to the Jade Emperor to inveigle Sun Wukong to join the celestial staff by giving him a grand title as 'The Head of the Imperial Stables'.  When Sun Wukong discovers that it is just a ploy, he goes on a rampage, destroys the place before he goes back to the Flower and Fruit Mountain where he claims himself King.  General Li comes up with another trick to entice Sun Wukong back to the Heavenly Palace - he would have soldiers hiding to subdue him when he appears.  Sun Wukong has learned better, and on finding out the truth, he wreaks havoc in the palace grounds of the Queen Mother of the West, steals the Pills of Immortality in the refinery, the Trigram Furnace, kicks the furnace over, and engages in a battle with the celestial army.  He wins the final victory.

Yue Opera Film A Poet’s Lament (2019) (HD)

The story takes place in the late Tang dynasty, when the imperial court is rife with intrigue and infighting among numerous rival factions, with the most intense animosity and contention occurring between the Niu and Li camps.  Poet Li Shangyin passed the national civil examination after several failed attempts.  He meets Wang Yunyan, the daughter of Jingyuan District Governor Wang Maoyuan, face-to-face.  Sharing the same intellectual interests, it is love at first sight for the two.  But Li Shangyin is a disciple of a scholar in the Niu faction while Wang Yunyan is a family member from the Li camp.  After the new emperor ascends the throne, the Niu camp gains favour while the Li camp falls from grace.  In order to completely destroy the Li power base, the Niu gang schemes to impeach Wang Maoyuan, who commands the military forces, by ordering Li Shangyin to draft a petition of fabricated charges.  Having already sacrificed his true love out of gratitude to his mentor, Li Shangyin is averse to forsaking his integrity as well, so he refuses to participate in the devious Niu plot.  The troubled Li Shangyin wanders to the grove and runs into Wang Yunyan, whereupon the lovers share a bittersweet reunion.  Their passionate meeting is interrupted by the news that the Wang home has been raided and sealed on imperial orders and that all family members are to be imprisoned to await execution.  Li Shangyin and Wang Yunyan have to endure yet another agonising separation.

Yang Opera Film Romance of a Noble Man (2018) (4K)

The story takes place during the latter part of Eastern Jin dynasty.  A powerful minister, Huan Wen, has plans to usurp the throne.  The emperor feels pressured by the threat of Huan Wen’s growing power, so before he dies, he writes an edict stating he would abdicate in favour of Huan Wen, and sends for Xie An, the Minister for the Civil Service.  Faced with this edict and the knowledge of its weighty implication, how does Xie An respond to this?  Would he shirk his responsibility?  Or would he take up the challenge?  He makes his decision......

Xi Opera Film The Pearl Pagoda (2015) (4K)

Fang Qing’s family has fallen into hard times.  At his mother’s bidding, he goes to his aunt’s place to request for a loan, only to be humiliated because she is a snob.  He leaves without further ado.  His cousin, Chen Cuie, who has grown up with him, is very impressed by his dignity in holding his own.  So she hides the family heirloom, the precious pearl pagoda, in a food pack and gives it to Fang Qing to take home.  On his way back, Fang Qing is robbed and almost loses his life.   Three years later, after coming top in the national civil examination, he disguises himself as an itinerant street entertainer and comes to the Chen’s Residence again.  He gifts his cousin also a food pack, but hides his gold seal in it.  His snobbish aunt still gives him the cold shoulder.  So Fang Qing sings a ballad with a moral theme and gives his aunt a piece of his mind.  She is shamed into realising her fault, and gives Fang Qing the pearl pagoda that was lost but later regained.

Ping Opera Film Flower is a Matchmaker (1963)

Wang Junqing loves his cousin Li Yue'e, but Yue'e's father disapproves of their union.  Junqing's mother sends a matchmaker to seek the hand of Zhang Wuke instead, but Junqing refuses to meet the prospective bride.  So, the matchmaker gets Jia Junying, another of Junqing’s cousin, to impersonate him on the blind date. It is love at first sight for Wuke. She gives Jia a rose as a pledge of love.  On the wedding day, Yue’e sneaks into the bridal sedan chair first and heads off to marry Junqing. By the time Wuke arrives, it is all too late.  So she weds Jia instead, much to the delight of the second couple.

Cantonese Opera Film Golden Phoenix and Dragon (1961)

Mang Kau-lung is conferred the title of Third King for his valiance in subduing a devil in a foreign land. Parading the streets after the conferment ceremony, he meets head on with the seven daughters of Second King Kam Chin-pau, who return after a triumphant victory over a barbarian tribe.  With both parties at loggerheads, the meeting nearly turns into a dispute if not Madam Kam steps in to mediate.  Madam Kam holds Mang's valour in high esteem and intends to marry her eldest daughter Tai-fung to the young hero.  Treacherous minister Chiu Ko schemes with a foreign tribe and implicates Kam in a coup.  Lord of Chiu commands Mang to execute Kam to declare his loyalty to the court.  When the news reaches a startled Madam Kam and her daughters that the father was murdered by Mang, the female generals march their troops to the city gate vowing to avenge Kam's death. Mang and his army are overwhelmed by the enemy.  Just as Tai-fung wields her sword to slay Mang, the unrested spirit of Kam returns to offer his testimony against Ko.  Without hesitance, Lord of Chiu sentences Ko to death.  Mang and Tai-fung reconcile.

Huangmei Opera Film The Female Consort of the Princess (1959)

After Feng Suzhen and Li Zhaoting are forced to forego their planned wedding, Feng disguises as a man to take the imperial examination and scores the top position.  The emperor wants to make the new Top Scholar the princess’ consort, but on discovering Feng’s real identity, he adopts her as his daughter instead.  Feng manages to save Li, and they are able to marry finally.

Cantonese Opera Film A Child was Born under Bridge (1962)

Lured by the glittering mortal life, White Snake and Green Snake transform into Pak So-ching and Siu-ching respectively to appreciate the scenery of West Lake in springtime. Siu-ching acts as a go-between for Pak, who is infatuated with the mortal Hui Sin.  At the instigation of Monk Fat Hoi, Hui offers Pak wine containing realgar, which reverts the snake spirit to original form.  The revelation strikes terror into the heart of Hu, who faints and dies. Pak resurrects him with the Lingzhi herb.  The monk entices Hui to learn the doctrines of Buddhism at Jinshan Temple.  The two spirits summon up surging flood to drown the temple, but unable to withstand the onslaught of the heavenly troops, Pak gives birth to Hui's son Si-lam by the Broken Bridge.  On their son's one-month-old birthday, Pak is subdued by the monk and imprisoned at the Leifeng Pagoda, while Hui becomes a monk. Years later, Silam is crowned the Number One Scholar, and is summoned by the emperor to treat the terminally ill princess.  Pak instructs Siu-ching to reincarnate into the body of the princess and resurrects the royalty.  Made the princess consort, Si-lam offers tributes to his mother at Leifeng Pagoda.  With her last wishes fulfilled, Pak ascends to heaven in Hui's company.

Cantonese Opera Film Hung-neung, The Matchmaker (1958) 

Pujiao Temple is under siege by rebels who try to force Chui Ang-ang, daughter of the Prime Minister, to marry their leader.  Madam Chui promises whoever gets them out of the siege can marry her daughter.  Cheung Kwan-shui puts up at Pujiao Temple where he meets Ang, writes to the White Horse General to send troops to the rescue and chase the rebels away.  He helps Chui to subdue the intruding bandits, but the matriarch goes back on her agreement of marrying Ang to him and only allows Shui and Ang to greet each other as brother and sister. Instead, she promises her hand to Ang's cousin Cheng Hang, the wealthiest man around.

Though Shui and Ang are madly in love with each other, marriage is nowhere in sight.  Witty maid Hung-neung acts as a go-between for the lovers.  When Chui hears of the rendezvous, she thinks Shui and Ang have an intimate relationship.  Hung-neung seizes upon the misunderstanding and convinces Chui to give her consent to their marriage.  Chui is reluctantly agreed, on condition that Shui scores well in the national examination. After Shui has left, Hang pushes for marriage.  To pacify the situation, Chui once again breaks her promise to Shui, and hurries home to make preparations for Ang's marriage to Hang. Hung-neung plays a trick and substitutes herself as the bride.  The wedding takes place after Shui becomes the Number One Scholar.

Cantonese Opera Film An Ideal Couple (1960) 

The film is made up of four excerpts.

Feng Yi Pavilion
Lui Bo and Diu Sim meet at Fung-yee pavilion.  Diu Sim complains tearfully that Lui Bo's adopted father Tung Cheuk has violated her.  By the way, Wong Sze-to has given Diu Sim to Lui Bo. Lui Bo gets angry with Tung Cheuk and goes to find him.  When Tung Cheuk comes, he fights with Lui Bo. Lui Bo flees and Diu Sim complains tearfully to Tung Cheuk that his adopted son has assaulted her.
Starring: Lo Ban-chiu, Chen Xiaocha

Beating the Gods
Chiu Kwai-ying complains tearfully at the temple of the God of the sea that Wong Fui sends her away after he becomes the Number One Scholar.  Kwai-ying blames the God of the sea not to uphold justice, so she hits the statue of the God of the sea angrily and then kills herself.
Starring: Hung Sin-nui

Flour Vat
Lap-mui, a girl from a pleasure house, goes to the county office and asks the county magistrate to let her get married and start a new life.  She is then given to a yamen runner Cheung Choi.  The county magistrate, the advisor and the supervisor indecently assaults Lap-mui when Cheung Choi is away on official business.  Cheung comes back without delay and drives them away.
Starring: Siu Fei-hung, Law Ka-po, Luk Won-fee, Man Kok-fei, Wong Chung-wong

Picking Up the Jade Bracelet
Suen Yuk-kau is home alone.   She meets a passer-by Fu Ming.  Fu Ming wants to marry her so he leaves a jade bracelet to show his love.   Finally Mrs. Lau promises to be Yuk-kau's matchmaker.
Starring: Hung Sin-nui, Ma Si-tsang, Chan Siu-fung

Director and Screenwriter: Collective Collaboration
Colour / 113mins / Lyrics and dialogue with Traditional Chinese subtitles

Source and information provided by China Film Archive and Hong Kong Film Archive (except Peking Opera Film Havoc in Heaven (HD), Yue Opera Film A Poet’s Lament (HD), Yang Opera Film Romance of a Noble Man (4K) and Xi Opera Film The Pearl Pagoda (4K)).

Courtesy of Hong Kong Film Archive.

Chinese Opera Film Shows

DATE

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07.07.2021 (Wed)
19:30

08.07.2021 (Thu)
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21.07.2021 (Wed)
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Cinema, Hong Kong Film Archive

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Grand Theatre, Hong Kong Cultural Centre

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Lecture Hall, Hong Kong Space Museum

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DATE

07.07.2021 (Wed)
19:30

08.07.2021 (Thu)
19:30

21.07.2021 (Wed)
19:30

19.08.2021 (Thu)
19:30

VENUE

Cinema, Hong Kong Film Archive

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DATE

15.07.2021 (Thu)
19:30

16.07.2021 (Fri)
19:30

17.07.2021 (Sat)
11:00, 15:00, 19:30

18.07.2021 (Sun)
11:00, 15:00, 19:30

VENUE

Grand Theatre, Hong Kong Cultural Centre

PRICE

80

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DATE

08.08.2021 (Sun)
19:30

20.08.2021 (Fri)
19:30

21.08.2021 (Sat)
19:30

22.08.2021 (Sun)
19:30

VENUE

Lecture Hall, Hong Kong Space Museum

PRICE

60

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