
A Widow's Tears
Director and Scriptwriter: Zhu Shilin
Co-Directors: Long Ling, Chan Ching-po
Original Story: Si Tak
Cast: Hsia Moon, Bow Fong, Liu Su, Betty Loh Ti, Cao Yan
Production: The Great Wall Movie Enterprises Ltd.
1956 | B&W | Cantonese (dubbed) | 106min
A master in portraying familial conflict and exploring the status of women in society, Zhu Shilin, doubling as director and screenwriter, adapts A Widow’s Tears from the newspaper serial novel The New Widow by Si Tak (aka Sam So and Ko Hung). Young wife Fang Mei (Hsia Moon) loses her husband on the day of their second anniversary. Grief-stricken, she also has to deal with a mother-in-law (Liu Su) who bombards her with accusations and the untoward advances of her sister-in-law’s boyfriend, her mental suffering highlighting the ways women are mistreated and oppressed in traditional feudal society.
This film depicts the continual evolution of ethics and moral values as China transitioned from the feudal era to the modern age. Provoking thought and reflection on society and culture, it is appropriate for secondary students.
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