East Kowloon Cultural Centre | Ruan Lingyu, Marlon Brando, Patrick Tse, and Maggie Cheung Gather for 'Restored Classics - Movie Marathon' to Lead Audiences on a Journey Through a Century of Cinema and Experience the Eternal Charm of Movies

Description

The Leisure and Cultural Services Department's (LCSD) Hong Kong Film Archive (the Archive) presents the screening programme 'Restored Classics - Movie Marathon', featuring five digitally restored cinematic classics over two days (Saturday and Sunday) from 16 to 17 May at the Theatre of the East Kowloon Cultural Centre, leading audiences on a journey through a century of cinema and experiencing the eternal charm of movies. Tickets for the films are priced at $70 each and are now available at all URBTIX outlets (www.urbtix.hk). Telephone credit card bookings can be made on 3166 1288. A 20% discount is offered to full-time students, senior citizens aged 60 or above, people with disabilities, and Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) recipients. A 10% discount is offered to Friends of LCSD performance venues. Each transaction is limited to a maximum of 4 discounted tickets. In addition, a 20% discount is offered for the purchase of full-price tickets for the same event to Museum Pass holders at URBTIX outlets. A 20% discount is also offered for the purchase of any 2 or more full-price tickets for this screening programme. The programme is one of the celebrations for the Archive's 25th anniversary and the 'Hong Kong Pop Culture Festival 2026'.

The opening film, 'The Goddess' (1934) (4K digital restoration), directed by Wu Yonggang, tells the tragic story of a protagonist played by Ruan Lingyu who becomes a streetwalker to support her son. With Ruan's delicate performance and Wu's highly expressive cinematic language, the film showcases the resilience of women while conveying a humanist message, solidifying Ruan's and early Chinese cinema's place in the world. The version to be screened is a brand-new 4K digital restoration by the China Film Archive, accompanied by music composed by renowned composer Zou Ye, offering a fully enhanced immersive experience.

'Sunrise' (1927) (2K digital restoration) is an epic masterpiece by German Expressionist master F.W. Murnau and his first work in Hollywood. The film tells the story of a farmer who plans to murder his wife to be with a city woman but later regrets his decision, revealing the human struggle between good and evil, love and redemption. With its innovative mobile camera techniques and synchronised sound and music, the film is recognised as the perfect artistic culmination of the silent film era.

'Center Stage' (1992) (4K restoration director's cut) by Stanley Kwan features Maggie Cheung's portrayal of Ruan Lingyu's legendary life. With Cheung's exquisite performance, footage of Ruan, and documentary-style interviews with the cast about their roles, the film employs a 'play within a play' structure to recreate the glamour of the 1930s film industry, serving not only as a tribute to Ruan but also as a profound dialogue about the struggles women face in the public eye.

Hailed as one of the greatest films in history and a cinematic treasure, 'The Godfather' (1972) (4K digital restoration) by Francis Ford Coppola tells the story of a mafia family's generational power transition, exploring themes of family, loyalty, and betrayal. Its intricate narrative structure and lighting design exude a dark allure, revealing the power dynamics and moral shadows of the underworld. This restored version, supervised by the director for the film's 50th anniversary, brings the sound and visuals closer to his original vision.

'Story of a Discharged Prisoner' (1967) (4K digital restoration), a Hong Kong classic of cinematic realism, is directed by Lung Kong and stars Patrick Tse as an ex-convict struggling to reintegrate into society. With brotherhood as its central theme, the film profoundly presents the issues of ex-prisoner rehabilitation and social acceptance, laying the foundation for the later 'heroic bloodshed' genre in Hong Kong cinema. The Archive has arranged for the restoration of this film and will hold its Hong Kong premiere, allowing more audiences to appreciate the artistic brilliance of this local classic.

There will be pre- or post-screening talks for each film, with speakers including representatives from the China Film Archive, directors Stanley Kwan and Lung Kong (or his wife Lung Fu Zi-ting), and film critics Chiu Ngak-si and Tang Tu.

As an extension activity, two free screenings will be held on 25 May at the Cinema of the Archive, featuring two documentaries about the pioneering Lumière brothers: 'Lumière! The Adventure Begins' (2016) and 'Lumière! A Cinema Adventure' (2024). Audiences will be taken on a journey from the birth of cinema to contemporary legends.

Free tickets for the above screenings are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Tickets will be distributed at the reception outside the Theatre of the East Kowloon Cultural Centre after each screening on 16 and 17 May. Each person is limited to one ticket. A limited number of on-site quotas will also be available on the screening day. Interested parties can queue at the lobby on the first floor of the Archive 45 minutes before the screening, and each person is limited to one ticket while quotas last.

For programme enquiries, please visit the Archive's website www.filmarchive.gov.hk/tc/web/hkfa/2026/film-marathon/pe-event-2026-film-marathon.html or call 2739 2139.

This year, the LCSD hosts the fourth edition of the Hong Kong Pop Culture Festival under the theme 'Beyond Imagination'. Over the years, Hong Kong's pop culture has continuously evolved through music, images, words, stage, and cross-media creations, blending traditions, trends, integration, and breakthroughs to forge a unique Hong Kong style. The Festival continues to work with audiences and local creators, transcending boundaries in the regular rhythm of life to inspire infinite possibilities in pop culture, creating works that are warm, resonant, and touching. For details, please visit www.pcf.gov.hk/tc.