The Writer/Director in Focus IV: Li Pingqian

Introduction

Since the ‘Writer/Director in Focus' series debut in 2014, three writer-directors including Cheng Kang, Griffin Yue Feng and Mok Hong-si have been featured. The series aims to enhance the audience's understanding of visionary filmmakers in Hong Kong movie history and examine the influences exerted upon them by the social context. The current installment will feature director Li Pingqian (1902-1984), master of mandarin films and one of the founding figures of Great Wall Film Company. As a prolific writer/director with nearly 100 films under his helm and around 25 films as writers, Li's works are as diverse in themes and genres as he himself is versatile, a true virtuoso of the cinema.

Li Pingqian's works are important research material for Chinese-language cinema. Although many of his earlier works are lost, technological advances in film restoration coupled with the dedicated acquisition, preservation efforts of Hong Kong Film Archive and assistance from film industry veterans have made this retrospective possible. Through the accompanying seminars, post-screening talks and an extended reading booklet, audience alike could have a glimpse of the interplay and transition between Mainland films in the 1930s to 1940s and 1960s Hong Kong films.

*This programme is guest-curated by film researcher Mr Lau Yam.

*Audiences will receive a complimentary house programme which analyses from different angles the cinematic works of Li Pingqian.