HKFA Celebrates Fung Wong Nui's Centenary with Classic Film Screenings

2025-06-26 12:00 Last Updated At：12:18

Film Archive's "Morning Matinee" series to revisit classic films by Fung Wong Nui

To commemorate the 100th anniversary of the birth of acclaimed Cantonese opera virtuoso Fung Wong Nui, the Hong Kong Film Archive (HKFA) of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department will present "Phoenix on the Silver Screen - A Centenary Tribute to Fung Wong Nui" as part of its screening series "Morning Matinee" at the Cinema of the HKFA from August 1 to October 31, featuring 16 classic films starring her.

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Film Archive's "Morning Matinee" series to revisit classic films by Fung Wong Nui Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

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Film Archive's "Morning Matinee" series to revisit classic films by Fung Wong Nui Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Fung Wong Nui was a versatile actress both on stage and on the silver screen. She excelled in portraying both a heroine and a villainess, and was articulate in lyrical and martial arts roles. She began her career as an apprentice at the age of 13, and rose to fame when she became an erbang huadan (second female lead). She later formed her own troupe and took up the position of zhengyin huadan (female lead) while continuing to be well liked by audiences. This screening programme comprises four sections: "Gems of Cantonese Opera", "The Unforgettable Villainess", "Martial Heroine" and "Comedy and Drama", allowing audiences to relish the charm of Fung Wong Nui and her remarkable industry achievements.

The four selected films in the section "Gems of Cantonese Opera" are adapted from Fung Wong Nui's signature repertoire. The widow that she portrays in "Red Shoes Solves the Mystery Case" (1959) is sensual and alluring, and she becomes a household name with her role of a wilful and mean girl in "Luring the Girls On" (1959). In her signature classic "The Princess in Distress" (1962), Fung Wong Nui portrays Princess Hong-luen with a life full of twists and turns. The theme song "Song of a Barbaric Land", which Fung Wong Nui sings in a duet with the film's lead actor Mak Bing-wing is highly popular. In "A Bachelor's Love Affair" (1953), Fung Wong Nui and famous comic actor Leung Sing-por both portray swindlers posing as rich people to milk one another for money, setting off numerous comedy scenes.

Villainess roles were Fung Wong Nui's forte, and are best illustrated by the four classics under the section "The Unforgettable Villainess". Her portrayal of a mean and vicious wife in "Henpecked Husband" (1957) is convincing and frightening. She also vividly depicts the role of a perfidious concubine by exhibiting a wide spectrum of viciousness in "The Magic-eyed Queen Spots the Prince, Part One" (1959). Her performances as an enchanting temptress in "Sweet Dreams" (1955) and a depraved woman in "Lust is the Worst Vice" (1963) are meticulously executed, evoking audiences' emotions while demonstrating a unique charm of villains.

Fung Wong Nui shines in both lyrical and martial arts roles with equal talent. The "Martial Heroine" section includes "Girl Martyr" (1957), "Lady General Fa Muk-lan" (1961), "A Maid Commander-in-chief and a Rash General" (1962) and "An Agnostic and Sagacious Intercession" (1962), in which Fung Wong Nui plays the roles of a beloved mother, a dutiful daughter taking her father's place in the army, a maid commander-in-chief and a gentlewoman respectively that all showcase her solid foundation in Cantonese operatic arts and techniques, which is awe inspiring.

Fung Wong Nui's versatile images are manifested by the four works in the section "Comedy and Drama". She not only brings to life the role of a devoted wife and mother in "Revenge for Parents" (1961) and the role of a mild-mannered young lady in "The Nine-Fingered Devil" (1955), but also succeeds in sparking guffaws in the comic roles of "Loving Enemies" (1957) and "The Illegitimate Lover" (1959).

Some screenings will be accompanied by post-screening talks, hosted by Professor Yuen Siu-fai, Dr Tsui Siu-ming, and Ko Lai, a disciple of Fung Wong Nui, as well as Ho Wai-ling, Wong Yee-man, Wong Chi-wah, Lum Man-yee, Yuen Tsz-ying, Ng Ngok-ching, Shu Kei and Eric Tsang.

Tickets priced at $40 will be available at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk) from June 29 (Sunday). For telephone bookings, please call 3166 1288. For programme details, please visit the HKFA website at www.filmarchive.gov.hk/en/web/hkfa/2025/fung-wong-nui/pe-event-2025-fung-wong-nui.html or call 2739 2139.

No New Chikungunya Cases Reported in Hong Kong as Government Enhances Mosquito Control Measures

Update on chikungunya fever

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health announced that, as of 5pm today (January 11), no new cases of chikungunya fever (CF) had been recorded.

Latest surveillance data

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Hong Kong has recorded a total of 82 confirmed CF cases last year. Among them, 11 were local cases, and the rest were imported cases.

Since the beginning of 2025, and as of December 10, 2025, a total of 502 264 CF cases and 186 CF-related deaths have been reported in over 40 countries/territories. Cases have been reported in the Americas, Africa, Asia, and Europe. Although the northern hemisphere has entered the winter season, temperatures in subtropical and some temperate regions remain elevated due to climate change, creating favourable conditions for mosquito breeding. In addition, CF outbreaks continue to occur in many countries worldwide. The risk of imported cases persists. Members of the public should check the situation of the destinations before travelling abroad, especially when travelling to Southeast Asian countries.

Government's comprehensive follow-up actions

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Given that some local cases of CF have visited the Tsing Yi Nature Trails or the surrounding area in November last year, the trails are currently closed until further notice. Relevant government departments continue to conduct large-scale mosquito control and prevention efforts along the trails, and the CHP appeals to the public not to enter the area in order to reduce the risk of contracting CF and to avoid exposure to chemicals or interfering with the mosquito control operations. Since the confirmation on December 10, 2025, of a case involving a person who had visited the Tsing Yi Nature Trails on November 30, 2025, no further local cases have been recorded to date. The CHP continues to urge individuals who have recently hiked along the Tsing Yi Nature Trails to seek medical attention as soon as possible if they develop relevant symptoms and to call the enquiry hotline (Tel: 2125 2373), which operates from 9am to 6pm.

The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) has been continuously conducting intensive fogging operations to eliminate adult mosquitoes along the Tsing Yi Nature Trails and the surrounding area. At suitable locations, large ultra-low volume foggers have been deployed, and a robot dog is being put on trial to enhance operational effectiveness. The FEHD has also set up new mosquito trapping devices, cleared discarded containers and garbage that could cause stagnant water, and applied larvicide oil or larvicides in areas with stagnant water that cannot be removed immediately. The FEHD has been collaborating with the Kwai Tsing District Office, the Lands Department and the Drainage Services Department to strengthen efforts in eliminating potential mosquito breeding sites along the Tsing Yi Nature Trails. Pamphlets have been distributed to hikers in the area, urging citizens to be vigilant against mosquito infestations and take personal protective measures. The FEHD has also held meetings of the interdepartmental task forces on anti-mosquito work across districts to discuss the latest developments regarding the situation and plan accordingly to co-ordinate relevant departments and stakeholders in strengthening mosquito prevention and control measures in areas under their purview.

Continuously strengthening prevention and control

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The FEHD and relevant departments have comprehensively enhanced the mosquito control operations in Hong Kong since July last year, and this has continued. Among these, the FEHD has conducted vector investigations and targeted mosquito control operations against the imported and local cases. In light of the local case, the FEHD has immediately conducted follow-up actions, including:

carrying out intensive fogging in scrubby areas within a 250-metre radius of the relevant locations to kill adult mosquitoes;

carrying out inspections of the locations, removing stagnant water, applying insecticides and disposing of abandoned water containers every week with a view to preventing mosquito breeding; and

enhancing public education efforts through organising health talks, setting up mobile education stations, and distributing publicity leaflets.

The abovementioned measures will be continued. Furthermore, the Government will further enhance the mosquito control efforts in addition to the existing measures.

Preventive measures to be taken by the public

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Members of the public should use DEET-containing insect repellents or other effective active ingredients properly to prevent mosquito bites, but the following precautions should be taken when using them:

read the label instructions carefully first;

apply right before entering an area with a risk of mosquito bites;

apply on exposed skin and clothing;

use DEET of up to 30 per cent for pregnant women and up to 10 per cent for children (for children who travel to countries or areas where mosquito-borne diseases are endemic or epidemic and where exposure is likely, those aged 2 months or above can use DEET-containing insect repellents with a DEET concentration of up to 30 per cent);

apply sunscreen first, then insect repellent;

reapply only when needed and follow the instructions; and

in addition to DEET, there are other insect repellents available on the market containing different active ingredients, such as IR3535 and picaridin. When using any insect repellent, the public should follow the usage instructions and precautions on the product label.

The FEHD also appeals to members of the public to continue to stay alert and work together to carry out mosquito prevention and control measures early, including inspecting their homes and surroundings to remove potential breeding grounds, changing water in vases and scrubbing their inner surfaces, removing water in saucers under potted plants at least once a week, and properly disposing of containers such as empty cans and lunch boxes. The FEHD also advises members of the public and property management agencies to keep drains free of blockage and level all defective ground surfaces to prevent the accumulation of water. They should also scrub all drains and surface sewers with an alkaline detergent at least once a week to remove any mosquito eggs.

The public should call 1823 in case of mosquito problems, and may visit the following pages for more information: the CF page of theCHPand theTravel Health Service, the latestTravel Health News,tips for using insect repellents, and the CHPFacebook Page,Instagram AccountandYouTube Channel, and also theMosquito Prevention and Control dedicated pageof the FEHD.

HKFA Celebrates Fung Wong Nui's Centenary with Classic Film Screenings