Hairpin, Butterfly and Tong Tik-sang Revisited 

Tong Tik-sang penned his ‘Dynastic Tetralogy’—The Legend of Purple Hairpin, Butterfly and Red Pear Blossom, The Reincarnation of Lady Plum Blossom, and Princess Chang Ping—for the Sin Fung Ming Opera Troupe in the 1950s. This series of masterworks provided an opportunity for local audiences to reinforce their identification with traditional Chinese culture, while critiquing the ills of dynastic monarchy. The two films selected for screening, The Legend of Purple Hairpin (1959) and Butterfly and Red Pear Blossom (1959), were both adapted for the silver screen by Tong himself. They share similar themes, featuring courtesans who refuse to passively accept their lot in a feudal, rigidly hierarchical society. They fall in love with the male leads of their respective stories, and despite great obstacles, the lovers ultimately triumph in their love. The two works thoroughly earn their reputations as two of Tong’s most timeless and touching love stories; they are also classic adaptations of Cantonese Opera into the film medium. The post-screening talks will discuss valuable, recently uncovered details about Tong’s life.

1/7 (Mon) 12nn: The Legend of Purple Hairpin (1959)
7/7 (Sun) 12nn: Butterfly and Red Pear Blossom (1959) (Restored version)

Post-screening talks with Prof Chan Sau-yan.

Cinema, Hong Kong Film Archive

Ticket Price: $45

Tickets available at URBTIX from 2/6 (Sun).

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.