Her Stories in the City

The Rich House

Dir: Hung Suk-wan
Orig Story: Lui Lun’s Clara
Scr: Lui Lun
Prod Co: Nanyang
Cast: Cheung Wood-yau, Lo Ming, Yung Yuk-yi, Yiu Ping, Wong Ming
1942 | B&W | Digital File | Cantonese | Chi & Eng Subtitles | 105min

The Rich House is an adaptation by Lui Lun of his own acclaimed short story Clara, a captivating tale set against the vibrant backdrop of 1930s Hong Kong. A Russian-owned café in Tsim Sha Tsui and the non-Chinese female protagonist highlight the city’s cosmopolitan nature, capturing a unique blend of Eastern and Western influences. The film tells the story of Yu Fan (Cheung Wood-yau), a struggling bohemian writer, and his infatuation with Clara, a café waitress. As their relationship blossoms, they face the intrusion of a wealthy suitor whose presence forces Clara, trapped by poverty, to entertain him.

Reminiscent of Camille by Alexandre Dumas fils, The Rich House reflects the harsh realities of a society divided by class and wealth as Clara’s life takes a difficult turn. Hung Suk-wan’s direction, paired with Lui Lun’s sharp, enduring dialogue, creates a cinematic atmosphere that feels as much European as it does Hong Kong. Cheung Wood-yau shines as the dashing Yu Fan, delivering a performance that contrasts sharply with the earnest characters for which he later became famous. The Rich House is an emotional and visually rich film that explores Hong Kong’s social issues and cultural diversity in the 1930s, as well as the themes of love and human nature that are timeless.

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