Even in her 30’s, Wong Man-lei already began playing roles beyond her age. In this melodrama about separation and mistaken identities, Wong plays Tse Yuk-ying, a scorned woman jailed for accidentally killing her husband. Tse eventually gives birth in jail and loses all contact with her son for 25 years. After completing her sentence, Tse meets Ko Chi-sing (Ng Cho-fan) and becomes a maid in his home. One day, Tse discovers a mole on Ko that makes her suspect that he is her long-lost son.  Meanwhile, Ko’s relationship with girlfriend Lee Mei-kwan (Hung Sin Nui) is faced with stern opposition from his father, who wants him to marry his cousin (Yung Siu-yi).

5/4

(Fri)

11:00am

Cinema, Hong Kong Film Archive

Shown with Complaints, an episode from Kaleidoscope

Complaints (episode in Kaleidoscope)

Dir: Chiu Shu-sun Scr: Chu Hak
Co-Starring: Lee Ching, Luk Siu-sin, Yao Ping
1950 B&W D Beta Cantonese 10min

This is Wong Man-lei’s earliest available image in film, in which she plays a mother whose child is critically ill. Tragedy ensues when the poor mother isn’t able to find the money needed for curing her child.

5/4

(Fri)

11:00am

Cinema, Hong Kong Film Archive

Shown with Spring's Flight