from Retro Hong Kong
1960s: The People's Liberation
The 60s was an era of passion, suppression and, ultimately, rebellion. The 1967 riots symbolized a growing sense of dissatisfaction with the establishment, and were a significant turning point in the power of youth. With living standards still low and the youth’s high spirits uncontained, the decade witnessed the birth of legendary grassroots big-screen heroes and heroines. Among the most notable were Lui Kay, Chou Tat-wah, Suet Nay (dubbed the “female James Bond”) and Connie Chan Po-chu. Girl power was evident as more women joined the workforce and hemlines rose. While preserving the Chinese sense of diligence, Hong Kong was seduced by glamorous Western culture. The Beatles’ visit to the city in 1964 created yet another (thankfully harmless) uproar among the youth.
Ever wonder why memories of the 60s are so vividly colorful, despite the prevalence of black-and-white film and photography? “Everything seemed plastic and full of color,” recalls Winnie Fu, curator of the “An Emerging Modernity: Looking Back on the Cinema of the 1960s” exhibition. “The flashy colors on advertising posters were believed to be a selling point to attract business—after all, many were living in a black-and-white world; they went to work in a white shirt and black trousers,” says Fu. Here are a few more of her memories:
• Thanks to the water shortage in 1963, the red or blue “Red A” buckets were a household necessity. They became so popular that the made-in-Hong-Kong brand has become the largest local plastic manufacturer.
• The introduction of the first “over-the-air” commercial television in 1967 did not upset Hong Kong’s sense of community. “Few households could afford a TV, but there was always a shop downstairs that would be happy to share theirs with us,” says Fu, who grew up in the 60s.