Based on the Wang Shifu’s classic stage play, Way Down West leaves the theatrical setting completely for real locations throughout the Southern China region. The cinematography by Liang Linguang and Lai Man-wai is also impressive, using natural lighting for indoor scenes and bringing out the beauty of the sets with brilliant use of space. Using slick editing techniques such as superimposition, Hou managed to create battle scenes that are both fierce and exciting. The dream sequence in which hero Zhang Sheng flies on a giant brush pen to save his lover shows that Hou even has a talent for fantasy. Achieving a balance between entertainment, imagination and skillful storytelling, Way Down West is a must-see highlight of 1920’s Chinese cinema. The Hong Kong Film Archive has undertaken the challenge of replacing the French intertitles of the film print by Chinese dialogues found in the film brochure. We are showing a digital version of the reconstructed film.

9/2

(Sun)

2:30pm

Cinema, Hong Kong Film Archive

22/2

(Sat)

2:30pm

Cinema, Hong Kong Film Archive

Double bill with A Poet from the Sea