Dir: Hung Suk-wan
Scr: Chu Hark
Prod Co: Fuli
Cast: Ma Si-tsang, Hung Sin Nui, Yung Yuk-yi, Yee Chau-shui, Fung Ying-seong
1950 | B&W | DCP | Cantonese | 85min

Adapted from the 1930 German film Der Blaue Engel, Wild Flowers are Sweeter was a famous pre-war repertory with Ma Si-tsang and Tam Lan-hing originating the lead roles on stage and the first film version in 1935. This version features Hung Sin Nui as the courtesan Yanhong and a subtly different ending. Bank treasurer Ma (Ma Si-tsang) is an upright man devoted to his family. To persuade his brother from being obsessed with Yanhong, he meets Yanhong but gets lost in her charms himself. Ma morphs from being a righteous social elite to a fallen man who abandons his wife and embezzles funds. A vast departure from the typical moralistic male leads, Ma gives a layered performance as a man with emotions and desires, making the character's downturn and subtle psychological changes credible.