Dir: Chun Man-to (aka Chan Wan)
Scr: Man Tsi
Prod Co: Chi Leun
Cast: Connie Chan Po-chu, Lam Kar-sing, Lan Chi Pak
1966 B&W D Beta Cantonese Chinese Lyrics 109 min

 

The way films interpret Cantonese opera is not limited to presenting operatic script. This film tells a story about Cantonese opera: to pay for living and medical expenses of her sick mother, Chu Chu (Connie Chan Po-chu) disguises herself as a Japanese and performs fake acrobatics for money. Inspired by Cantonese opera actor Wong, Chu is determined to learn Cantonese opera and make a living with real skills rather than trickery. Connie Chan is an apprentice of Yam Kim-fai, but in the film she is a complete novice in opera, her learning scenes with real maestros, Lam Kar-sing and Lan Chi Pak who makes a rare appearance in a suit, are interesting. Lam Kar-sing was also the film's operatic director thus the opera performances within the film are realistic portrayals of the period.