A still of "Goddess." [File Photo]

Classic silent film finds new life

Touching heartstrings on missing children

The new music score for the film is commissioned by the K T Wong Foundation, with the composer chosen by its president Lady Davis herself.

"The choice of composer is very important. I chose Zou Ye because he is a very well-known film composer in China. He understood the time and era in which the film was made, so he was not going to put something too contemporary in it. He integrated Shanghainese folk tunes and orchestrated in such a way that there is no doubt this is a Chinese film score."

The music was performed by the English Chamber Orchestra with British conductor Nicholas Chalmer. To local spectator Nicola Hutchings, the combination of Chinese film and western orchestra creates an extraordinary cinematic experience.

"I thought it was fantastic, they went very well together. There is still a touch of Chinese notes in the score. I was enraptured all the way through, I don't think there is a moment where I lost concentration or felt bored. It really grips you all the way."