Archival Gems—Time After Time IV
The ‘Times’ and ‘Trends’ of 1970s Hong Kong Film

Introduction

In the 1970s, Hong Kong cinema entered an exploratory phase amidst a fast changing society, eager to abandon the old and absorbing the new. As socio-economic developments accelerated, themes and trends popular in the 50s and 60s went out of fashion. Films endeavoured to reflect the many facets and mindsets of urban life, which included spicing up the silver screen with sensory stimulation.

This programme features two groups of films: ‘A Comedic Look on Life’ and ‘Fists and Eros’. The two Cantonese titles under ‘A Comedic Look on Life’ offer reflections of society in a time of change. The social satire comedy A Strange Tale of the Strange People (1979) paints a vivid and riveting picture of urban life through the absurd encounters of ordinary people, while Money Trip (1979) features an ‘anything-goes’ plot and fantastical elements that are unique to Hong Kong and exudes the vitality of a society in transformation.

The two Mandarin titles under ‘Fists and Eros’ represent two sensational characteristics of the trend. Cinema in the 70s was dominated by ‘punch and pillow’, in other words, martial arts action and erotica. The Heroine (1973) may be action-filled, but physical violence is not the film’s only selling point; it also tells a cautionary tale. Underworld Beauty (aka From the Underworld, 1974), featuring bombshell Tanny Tien Ni, was packaged into a ‘pillow’ film, but in fact, explores serious philosophical issues through an erotic and comedic plotline.

These four rarely seen titles from the 70s showcase the spectacular changes in Hong Kong film as it attempts to rejuvenate itself in the course of urbanity.

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.