Dir: Wong Hok-sing
Orig Story/Scr/Librettist: Tong Tik-sang
Prod Co: Kam Kwok
Cast: Connie Chan Po-chu, Nam Hung, Leung Sing-por,So Siu-tong, Mui Kwai Nui
1968 Colour D Beta Cantonese Chinese subtitles 120 min

 

This fantasy is the film version of Tong Tik-sang's final work that he wrote for the eighth performance of Sin Fung Ming Opera Troupe. Based on Ming Dynasty opera The Story of Red Plum Blossom, the film is a tragic ghostly romance about a soul being resurrected in another's body. Unlike The Story of Muk Kwai-ying, Wong's film techniques are very subtle here. With lighting, depth of field and editing, he created fantasylike effects to portray the disparity between the human and ghostly worlds. The camera weaves in and out with the rhythm among the actors and the sets, creating beautifully-flowing mise-en-scène. Wong's direction is complemented by Connie Chan Po-chu's nuanced delivery against Nam Hung who is by turns dignified, modest and alluring. The dialogue, lyrics and rhymes written by Tong are elegant, lively and humorous, which is a precious gift he bequeathed to audiences.