Conservatory Garden Very Deeply (Part One & Part Two)

Renowned author Chiung Yao is one of the most beloved writers in the Chinese-speaking world, famed for her bestselling romantic novels, many of which have been adapted for film and television—some even by herself. In 1987, director Shi Shujun created the adaptation of her work for television, which met with Chiung Yao’s enthusiastic approval. She subsequently authorised Shi to adapt another novel for the screen, resulting in the two-episode film Conservatory Garden Very Deeply.

Produced by Shanghai Film Studio, the film stars Song Jia as Zhang Hanyan, a young woman working on a tea plantation who falls in love with the plantation’s owner, Bai Peiwen (You Yongzhi). Bai’s mother despises Hanyan’s humble background and falsely accuses her of infidelity. In despair, Hanyan takes her own life to prove her innocence, leaving Peiwen devastated. Wracked with guilt, he burns down their home and is blinded in the fire. A decade later, a teacher from the United States arrives to educate their daughter, and the blind Peiwen begins to suspect she may, in fact, be Hanyan returned. Told through an intricate web of flashbacks, Shi Shujun’s adaptation skillfully delineates a complex, interwoven tale of love and enmity. Song Jia’s dual performance earned her the Best Actress prize at the 13th Hundred Flowers Awards.

Date	Time	Venue
16/11/2025 (Sun) #	3:30pm	Cinema, Hong Kong Film Archive

# Post-screening talk with Dr Lo Wai-luk

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.

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