Patriotic Heroine

Director: Chu Kea
Screenplay: Lee Yuen-man
Cast: Ng Kwan-lai, Law Kim-long, Lan Chi Pak, Lam Kar-sing, Yam Bing-yee
1960 | B&W | D Beta | Cantonese | Lyrics with Chi Subtitles | 102min | Cantonese Opera

This Cantonese opera picture takes after the 1958 Chaozhou opera Farewell to a Warrior, which was performed in mid-1960 by the Guangdong Chaozhou Opera Academy in Hong Kong. This version revolves around the patriotic commander Wai (Law Kim-long) of the Kingdom of Western Cheng, who finds himself no match for traitor Cho (Lan Chi Pak) and is finally saved by his wife (Ng Kwan-lai). The scene where the aging couple solemnly joins the army signifies the celebration of people's power, a literary convention in the post-1949 New China. Ng Kwan-lai leaves a strong impression with a convincing display of northern-school acrobatics. One of the great Cantonese film adaptations of mainland operas.

# Post-screening talk with Tong Ka-wai

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.