Sunrise

Directors and Scriptwriters: Hu Siao-fung, Su Chengshou
Original Story: Cao Yu
Cast: Fu Che, Hsia Moon, Chiao Chuang, Betty Loh Ti
Production: The Great Wall Movie Enterprises Ltd.
1956 | B&W | Cantonese (dubbed) | 100min

Such is the dreamy, decadent and excessively rich life the bourgeoisie leads in the glittering metropolis. Chen Bailu (Hsia Moon) is a social butterfly who has acquired notoriety for her ways with rich bankers, wealthy matrons, men who sponge off women and gangster bosses. The flicker of hope of turning her life around following an unexpected visit from her childhood sweetheart, Fang Dasheng (Fu Che), is crushed by fate. Cast as the memorable Bailu in Cao Yu's classic four-act play, Hsia Moon's portrayal has less pathos than ethos and logos, which is in line with the spirit of the New Culture Movement in China. Betty Loh Ti stole the show as an orphaned girl in the two scenes she made an appearance. Sporting a headful of mousy hair and ill-fitted clothes as she climbs through the window and exchanges glances with a shocked Hsia, Loh was a vision of innocence so pure that the screen would never again witness.

Sunrise explores issues of human nature and contemporary social problems in ways that remain meaningful today. It is highly regarded in Chinese dramatic literature, and has been selected as part of the ‘Appreciation of Chinese Literary Classics Series’. This film is thus especially appropriate for students studying Chinese Literature.

The contents of the programme do not represent the views of the presenter. The presenter reserves the right to change the programme should unavoidable circumstances make it necessary.