Feast of a Rich Family (1959) (4K Digitally Restored Version)

Dirs: Lee Sun-fung, Lee Tit, Ng Wui, Law Chi-hung
Scr: South China Film Industry Workers Union’s Script Committee
Prod Co: South China Film Industry Workers Union
Cast: Ng Cho-fan, Mui Yee, Cheung Ying, Lam Kwun-shan, Lo Duen
1959 | B&W | DCP | Cantonese | Chi & Eng Subtitles | 102min

Feast of a Rich Family is the most successful of several fundraising films launched by the South China Film Industry Workers Union, which was established in 1949 by industry practitioners to elevate the quality of film in Hong Kong and to improve working conditions of the industry. This remarkable production brought together an extraordinary assembly of talent, both on and off the screen, all of whom volunteered. A dozen writers collaborated on the script, while four acclaimed directors—Lee Sun-fung, Lee Tit, Ng Wui, and Law Chi-hung—each contributed their expertise to specific scenes. Featuring an unrivalled ensemble of the era’s most popular actors and actresses, the film stands as a testament to the power of collaborative spirit.

The story centres on the nouveau riche Fung (Ng Cho-fan), who throws a lavish party— under the absurd pretext of celebrating his father’s beard—to flaunt his wife’s (Mui Yee) new diamond ring. Fung’s father (Lam Kwun-shan), who lives in poverty with his daughter (Pak Yin) and son-in-law (Cheung Wood-yau), is asked to move into Fung’s luxurious mansion, serving as a pawn in Fung’s scheme to con the world into believing that he has provided his father with a wealthy lifestyle. Blending biting commentary on high society’s corruption and an earnest tribute to working-class virtues, Feast of a Rich Family is a meaningful and entertaining film that rightfully holds its place as a canonical masterpiece of Cantonese cinema.

Courtesy of South China Film Industry Workers Union

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