Tong Tik-Sang

A beautiful Cantonese opera about the forbidden love between a princess and a scholar. The backdrop is Ming dynasty China and the two would rather die than be apart.

An adaptation of Tong Tik-sang's now-legendary Cantonese Opera piece, the film features divas Yam Kim-fai and Pak Suet-sin (left with Yam), who play the story's lead lovers, and Lan Chi Pak, the sinister official who tries to break up the relationship. Leung Sing-po plays the pair's friend as well as the mysterious 'man in yellow' who exposes plans to separate the couple.

Fong Yim-fun puts on a tour de force as an ill-fated woman, separated from her lover through an arranged marriage to the terminally ill and impotent son of a warlord. The power struggle within the family led to an inevitable murderous consequence. Seven years later, the heroine's ex-lover, now an ambitious detective, is keen to solve this almost forgotten case, only to discover that he is also part of the enigma.

Based in Chinese opera, the film tells the story of a young scholar in the Tang Dynasty, Li Yi who travels to the capital Changan to take the national civil examination. During the Lantern Festival, he encounters Huo Xiaoyu in the night market and picks up the purple hairpin she leaves behind by chance. Using the hairpin as a token of love, Li proposes to her on that same night. However, “the course of true love never did run smooth.” With the assistance of a mysterious man in the yellow robe (Huangshanke), together they have to fight against the wicked plot of Official Lu.

Mung-wan (Yam Kim-fai), a huge spendthrift, followed the ill advice of his buddy (Leung Sing-po) to cheat cash out of his millionaire uncle in San Francisco with an alleged marriage. When told that the rich man will be back in town within days, they resort to asking their destitute tenant Man-wai (Pak Suet-sin) and the newborn in her arms to pose as Mung-wan's wife and son.

Written by the great librettist Tong Tik-sang, and featuring Lee Tit's elegant direction and superb performances from Yam Kim-fai and Pak Suet-sin, "Butterfly and Red Pear Blossom" brings Cantonese opera to cinematic life. The film features two lovers who have never met in person but whose poetry over three years has subtly declared their unyielding love. Yam's minimalist acting style enables her to convey dynamic passion as well as step about the stage with ease and accomplish the image of a resolute, yet gentle, scholar. Pak meanwhile defies a prime minister with pride and dignity.

The Prime Minister's daughter, Kong Yeuk-mui, is attracted by the private tutor, Chow Yuk-pui. However, the Prime Minister despises Pui's lowly background and banishes him. Kong disowns her father, hoping to marry Pui when he achieves honours in the imperial exam. Meanwhile, Mui's brother Tak-chu prepares for the exam under Pui's tutorship. Pui and Chu, take the money Mui gives them and head for the capital. Unfortunately, Pui has himself fallen ill. Considering that the examination day is approaching, he gives all the travel expenses to Chu and urges him to set off. Mui resides at Loquat Alley, longing for Pui's honourable return. One day, she comes across a beggar, when she recognises it is Pui, her heart breaks. Chu who has newly been appointed Top Scholar, arrives and tells her sister the whole story. Nevertheless, Pui's sister is chosen to be the imperial concubine. Benefiting from this bond, Pui becomes the Royal Brother and works as the court secretary and weds Mui.