Distribution Classics

A Mother Remembers (2K Digital Version)

Dir/Scr: Chun Kim
Orig Story: Lang Wun
Prod Co: Hung Min
Distribution: Lan Kwong
Cast: Hung Sin Nui, Cheung Ying, Wong Cho-shan, Chow Chi-sing, Lee Yuet-ching, Ngai Mun, Yeung Fan
1953 | B&W | DCP | Cantonese | Chinese Lyrics | 109min

Wong Cheuk-hon partnered with Hung Sin Nui, Chun Kim, Siu Yin Fei and others to invest in film production, and took on the distribution of those films. This script was adapted from a Rediffusion Radio airwave novel, written by Lang Wun and read on-air by his wife Ngai Mun. Ngai Mun also acted in this film. Wang (Cheung Ying) worked himself to an early death. His wife Ching (Hung Sin Nui) raised their three children all by herself. Eldest son Kei (also played by Cheung Ying) was spoiled and grew up to be a robber. Middle child, daughter Ching-han, is materialistic and vain, and is later killed by Kei. Youngest son Leung (Yeung Fan) is diligent and ambitious, a great comfort to Ching. Hung Sin Nui played Ching from a young to an elderly woman, showing off her practiced, perfect acting skills. Chun Kim’s detailed portrayal of the relationship between the two generations set the stage for his later work Parents’ Hearts (1955). Thanks to Wong Cheuk-hon’s tremendous efforts, the film was released in cinemas showing western films, where it showed for two weeks. Hung Sin Nui sang on stage with every screening. The film then played in the Cantonese cinema circuits for an additional two weeks, and the box office was still going strong. Wong then hired voice actors such as Bow Fong, Liu Su and Lan Qing to dub a Mandarin version for the Mandarin-speaking audience, revealing Wong’s business acumen.