Character actors are unsung heroes of film. They are indispensable parts of the whole, without which stories cannot be told. Yet they are easily taken for granted and their contributions readily neglected, overshadowed by the stars who garner all the attention.

In this program, we are celebrating the work of four character actors, three from Cantonese cinema and one from the Mandarin side. Lee Hong-kum, Helena Law Lan, Lui Ming and Wang Lai are familiar faces to lovers of Hong Kong film, having appeared in prolific careers that spanned decades.

They have played wide varieties of characters, often as villains. Their recognizable presence in films not only supplements the stars and completes the stories but also provides quick references to the audience, allowing them to immediately identify the narrative situations and invest their emotions.