Celebrating UNESCO's 'World Day for Audiovisual Heritage'—Feast of a Rich Family (1959) (4K Digitally Restored Version).

Since 2005, UNESCO has designated October 27th as “World Day for Audiovisual Heritage” to raise public awareness of its importance. To commemorate the day, the Hong Kong Film Archive presents a 4K digitally-restored treasure from its collection, Feast of a Rich Family (1959).

This film is the most successful of several fundraising projects by the South China Film Industry Workers Union. In an extraordinary show of collaborative spirit, the production was entirely volunteer-based. A dozen writers collaborated on the script, while four acclaimed directors—Lee Sun-fung, Lee Tit, Ng Wui, and Law Chi-hung—each contributed their expertise. Featuring an unrivalled ensemble of the era’s biggest stars, the film is a testament to unity and charity within the Hong Kong film industry.

Thanks to the Union’s generous 2024 donation of film materials, the Archive began a 4K digital restoration of the negatives and soundtrack. The process included colour grading, reducing flickering and scratches, and minimising background noise to present this classic in the best possible condition.

Feast of a Rich Family (1959) (4K Digitally Restored Version)
Dirs: Lee Sun-fung, Lee Tit, Ng Wui, Law Chi-hung
Scr: South China Film Industry Workers Union’s Script Committee
Prod Co: South China Film Industry Workers Union
Cast: Ng Cho-fan, Mui Yee, Cheung Ying, Lam Kwun-shan, Lo Duen
1959 | B&W | DCP | Cantonese | Chi & Eng Subtitles | 102min

The story centres on the nouveau riche Fung (Ng Cho-fan), who throws a lavish party— under the absurd pretext of celebrating his father’s beard—to flaunt his wife’s (Mui Yee) new diamond ring. Fung’s father (Lam Kwun-shan), who lives in poverty with his daughter (Pak Yin) and son-in-law (Cheung Wood-yau), is asked to move into Fung’s luxurious mansion, serving as a pawn in Fung’s scheme to con the world into believing that he has provided his father with a wealthy lifestyle. Blending biting commentary on high society’s corruption and an earnest tribute to working-class virtues, Feast of a Rich Family is a meaningful and entertaining film that rightfully holds its place as a canonical masterpiece of Cantonese cinema.

Courtesy of South China Film Industry Workers Union

Hong Kong Film Archive (affiliated to FIAF)
Celebrating UNESCO's 'World Day for Audiovisual Heritage'—Feast of a Rich Family (1959) (4K Digitally Restored Version)

Date: 26/10/2025 (Sun)
Time: 2:00pm
Venue: Cinema, Hong Kong Film Archive
50 Lei King Road, Sai Wan Ho
Hong Kong SAR, China