The Musical Singer

The 1980s was a golden era of Cantopop. When the Hong Kong Coliseum, the city's most prestigious performing arena, opened in 1983, it marked a new chapter of local pop concert culture and its enduring craze. This 1985 musical is a true reflection of this milestone moment in our entertainment industry, and a fascinating story about how superstars are born. From the recording and dance studio to the 'Red Pavilion'—the road to stardom, however, is never a straight line. Pop diva Jannie Fong (Anita Mui) resolutely splits with her brilliant-but-callous manager (James Wong), leading the self-conceited 'golden agent' to retaliate by stirring up a pop rivalry between her and Russell (Russell Wong), the next superstar in the making.

Although Mui was still at the start of her music career and she was only playing a small part in this musical, her show-stealing performance proves that she's got what it takes to become the Queen of the Stage. Captured by award-winning cinematographer Arthur Wong, her mesmerising stage scenes are a precious record of her unique charisma even before rising to superstardom.

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# Post-screening talk with Dr Charles Cheung

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