So Siu Siu
Dir: Lee Sun-fung
Orig Story: Wong Mei
Scr: Lee Sil-hong
Prod Co: Sun Luen
Cast: Pak Yan, Chow Chung, Cheung Wood-yau, Lo Duen, Wong Man-lei
1962 | Colour | DCP | Cantonese | Chinese Lyrics | 116min
The legend of So Siu Siu, famed courtesan of the Southern Song dynasty, is closely connected to the West Lake, where her tomb still stands. Director Lee Sun-fung therefore led his cast and crew to film on location in Hangzhou, making this film one of the earliest Hong Kong productions to shoot in the Mainland.
Played by newcomer Pak Yan, So Siu Siu is a courtesan of exceptional talent and beauty, known for her loyalty and integrity. Disdaining the company of powerful men, she resolutely marries the son of the prime minister, Ruan Du (Chow Chung) out of love. After marriage, she befriends the impoverished but ambitious scholar Bao Ren (Cheung Wood-yau) and sponsors his trip to the capital to take the imperial examinations. Upon learning about his son’s secret betrothal, Ruan’s father forces the couple to split, causing So to fall ill with grief, and her condition worsens when she receives news of Ruan’s death. Returning home after excelling at his exams, Bao visits So to thank her in person—arriving only to share her final moments.
So Siu Siu was the top-grossing Cantonese film of 1962, and was re-released multiple times in the years after, up to 1979. It achieved strong box office results every time, becoming a key work in Pak Yan’s career.
| Date | Time | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| 7/2/2026 (Sat) | 2:00pm | Cinema, Hong Kong Film Archive |
Free admission by ticket. Tickets of the screening will be distributed at the information counter of the Archive starting from 9 January (Fri) on Monday and from Wednesday to Sunday from 10:00am to 8:00pm. Each person can receive up to two tickets on a first-come, first-served basis while stocks last.
Limited walk-in seats will also be available on event day from 1:30pm onwards on a first-come, first-served basis. Visitors are welcome to queue up at the 1/F Foyer of the Archive at 1:15pm. Each person can register for one ticket while stocks last.
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