The Prodigal Son

Dir/Scr: Ng Wui
Prod Co: Sun Luen
Cast: Cheung Ying, Pak Yin, Wong Man-lei, Yung Siu-yi, Lo Duen
1952 | B&W | DCP | Cantonese | 112min

Sun Luen’s inaugural production The Prodigal Son puts into practice the studio’s ‘boiled water’ philosophy, that films should ‘promote healthy ideals and guide people to goodness’. A family drama in the social-realist vein, this is the story of a boy gone bad. Spoiled by his mother since childhood, the titular character (Cheung Ying) idles his life on drinking and partying, believing that his father has struck gold in San Francisco. He even kicks out his dutiful wife (Pak Yin) to marry a girlfriend (Yung Siu-yi). His father (Lo Duen), who is but a mere laundry worker, returns home and tries to guide him towards the right way, but to no avail. Only after losing his home, family and friends does the eventual repentance of the prodigal son occurs. 

Through its focus on an ordinary family, the film tackles issues like family education, the corrupting decadence of nightlife and the hardships endured by the overseas Chinese. Its celebration of hard work, women’s self-reliance and self-improvement, as well as a happy ending of family reunited, are characteristics of the wishful idealism commonly found in Cantonese cinema of the era. Director Ng Wui keeps the film’s moralising close to life, skilfully integrating the preachy messages into the affecting drama of family dynamics. The seasoned cast turns in vivid and touching performances, of special note Lo Duen, providing a flesh-and-blood turn as the humble, persevering overseas Chinese labourer. The Prodigal Son was immensely popular on its release, earning heartfelt support from local and Southeast Asian audiences.

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