[2023.06.24] CONNIE CHAN,MUI SUET SZE SUPPORT THE RESTORED YAM PAK FILM CLASSIC

courtesy of on.cc

Connie Chan and Mui Suet Sze receive gifts and flowers from fans

The Yam Kim Fai and Pak Suet Sin starred TRAGEDY OF THE POET KING 4K restored edition will be screened on two charity shows at July 28th and 29th

Pak Suet Sin due to a domestic helper's positive COVID test is absent from the press conference

Stanley Kwan is responsible for the editing of the film's 4K restoration
courtesy of mingpao.com

The 1968 Hong Kong film classic TRAGEDY OF THE POET KING (LEE HAU JU) after 55 years since its release would return with a "2023 4K restored edition" and would on July 28th and 29th hold charity screenings at the Hong Kong Cultural Center to raise fund for the Yam Kim Fai and Pak Suet Sin Charitable Foundation to provide benefits and medical services for seniors in need. Connie Chan Bo Chu, Mui Suet Sze (Ah Deh) and director Stanley Kwan Kam Peng yesterday attended the Yam Pak Charitable Foundation film TRAGEDY OF THE POET KING (LEE HAU JU) 2023 4K RESTORATION EDITION press conference. Over 100 fans showed their support and presented flowers. The event also played footage from the film, which left Ah Deh very sentimental.

Kwan Kam Peng mentioned that in 1989 he has restored the film and actually before this already had another edition by a director he respected very much, Chor Yuen. He was responsible for further compressing, editing, adding sound repair. He thanked Golden Harvest for the sponsorship for the sound to be able dubbed and mixed anew.

Ah Kwan pointed out that during the all new dubbing, Sister Sin Pak Suet Sin visited the set. He asked for a new recording of a part that Sister Sin performed acapella in honor of the KING's character and Sister Yam Yam Kai Fai. Sister Sin agreed and performed anew. To be able to take over this restoration project, Ah Kwan felt very honored. "When I was little Ma already took me to the theater to watch Yam Pak and Sin Fung Ming opera troupe's Cantonese opera. When I came in contact with KING, I felt that this was not just a Cantonese opera film. Even though it was made years before, it still has quite a film presence. The scene designs were rich as well. I am very grateful to have the opportunity to come in touch with it."

Speaking of Sister Sin's all new acapella performance, Chan Bo Chu said, "She is the master, often she performs very well!" She and Ah Deh has already seen the restored film of KING once, but they were outsiders and did not know how to critique it; having taken part in the film back then, Ah Deh praised the film presence of KING but how difficult the production was. "Back then many colleagues went to make it. My part was very minor, but I knew how tough it was to make. In the boat burning scene in Macau, we had to wait for the wind so the shoot would come out pretty. We spent a lot of time, human and material resources; so today as soon as I came in and heard the song, I was so sentimental that I really wanted to cry. I was already in contact with Master when I was very little, experienced a lot until Sister Yam's passing. I have too many sentiments." Ah Deh also revealed that Sister Sin who has already turned down all events originally wanted to attend yesterday's press conference; but because one of her domestic helpers tested positive for COVID, Sister Sin kept everyone's health and safety in mind and was absent, but she agreed to attend the 28th charity show.

Would KING release video to raise even more funding? Ah Deh said that it would be left up to fate. Everyone did charity work out of the goodness of their hearts. This time she also hoped that everyone would know Master spent a lot of money to make this movie back then, and put a lot of effort into making it. For a Cantonese film, it not only used a big time director but also was shot in a grand scale. Ah Deh recalled that in the film she only played a minor dancer role. She joked, "You can say that I started as a 'dance escort', during the birthday celebration scene I danced. At the time I was a teenager, very new and didn't know anything. I also had bad takes, but I saw Sister Sin in the 'Private Meeting' scene looked really very pretty!"

Speaking of Sister Sin's 95th birthday earlier, Bo Chu and Ah Deh celebrated with her at her home. Bo Chu said that Sister Sin was very happy and even made a silent birthday wish. What gift did she give Sister Sin? Bo Chu said, "Sister Sin has never wanted us to give any present!"