This is the second release of Shanlian Film Company founded by actors Pak Yin and Cheung Wood-yau and director Ng Wui, following Madame Wan (1954), an adaptation of Shen Fu’s classic, Six Chapters of a Floating Life . Both films share the same indictment against the feudal concept of the importance of male inheritance in the family. Here, Cheung and Pak again play a couple who remain childless after six years of marriage. When Pak is finally pregnant, she only gives birth to a daughter. Cheung is compelled to take a concubine by the order of his grandfather, master of the family, who, without Cheung’s knowing, has imprisoned Pak in the Immortality Pagoda and lies to Cheung that she’s dead. Chan Ki-yui collaborates with Leung Hoi-shan, house designer of Wader Studio, in building the titular edifice and the grand mansion of the family. The effect is both majestic and superlative.

16/9

(Sun)

2:00pm

Cinema, Hong Kong Film Archive

11/11

(Sun)

2:00pm

Cinema, Hong Kong Film Archive