Hong Kong is back. As we reopen our borders and remove our masks, we welcome the city’s annual Film Awards — a grand celebration of the best in cinema and one of the most anticipated events on Hong Kong’s social calendar.
A closer look at the list of Hong Kong Film Award nominations reveals a recurring theme: this year’s shortlisted films follow the lives of ordinary people, reflecting aspects of family and society in contemporary Hong Kong. From The Sparring Partner’s retelling of the gruesome murder of Glory Chau and Moon Siu to family comedy Table for Six – a genre we’ve all missed – and The Narrow Road, which provides an insight into life in Hong Kong during the lockdown, we take a look at six films that depict the multifaceted experiences of inhabitants of our home city.
The Sparring Partner
Behind every gripping crime is a sobering story. Through the perspectives of different stakeholders in court proceedings–judges, lawyers, the jury, the defendants, and the media–we piece together the murder that shocked the city. Matthew Cheng, President of the Hong Kong Film Critics Society, describes it as “a remarkable work that deliberates the morals of justice and reminisces about Hong Kong society.” The Sparring Partner has been nominated for 16 awards for the 41st Hong Kong Film Awards, including Best Movie and Best Director, and it’s expected to be the biggest hit at the ceremony.
Table for Six
On the other hand, Table For Six serves a much more lighthearted story with a focus on family. Three brothers live together in a tong lau (tenement building) where their parents used to run their siu mai shop, and the two younger brothers wish to sell the house. The eldest, perceived to be more old-fashioned, insists on having dinner at 8 p.m. every night, and a surprising turn of events changes the brothers’ relationship. The story depicts a typical Hong Kong family, with a heavy emphasis on the city’s food culture — will this movie remind you of your own family?
The Narrow Road
Set during the pandemic, the film portrays Louis Cheung as Chak, an earnest cleaner, and Angela Yuen as Candy, an unemployed single mother. Candy sought employment at Chak’s cleaning company when the pandemic struck, but she was caught diluting the cleaning agent, forcing the company to close. In difficult times, those who live near the poverty line are often the first to suffer. The Narrow Road explores the challenges they face and the determination to continue walking on the straight and narrow.
The Sunny Side of the Street
The Sunny Side of the Street looks at marginalised communities in Hong Kong. Sahal Zaman plays the protagonist Hassan, a young Pakistani refugee whose dreams of immigrating to Canada were dashed when his father was killed in a car accident. Anthony Wong plays the deuteragonist Yak, a taxi driver who illegally immigrated to Hong Kong in the 70s. After a series of events, Yat decides to help Hassan escape from law enforcement, and the two form an unlikely father-son bond. Not only is this director Lau Kok-rui’s first feature film, but it also serves as Zaman’s cinematic debut.
A Light Never Goes Out
Neon signs often come to mind when we imagine the streets of Hong Kong. Here, Silvia Chang stars as Heung, a widow who accidentally finds her late husband Bill’s (played by Simon Yam) neon sign factory. The neon sign is gradually becoming a relic of the past as craftsmen are forced to pursue alternate professions, yet Heung is determined to rebuild Bill’s neon sign to commemorate her husband. Centred around the neon sign, a symbol integral to Hong Kong’s history and culture, A Light Never Goes Out invites the audience to reminisce about the olden days of Hong Kong.
Lost Love
Focusing on the kinship of non-biological families, Lost Love depicts a life-long journey of loving and being loved. The film stars Sammi Cheng and Alan Luk as a couple who decide to become a foster family, providing a temporary home for children in need. By welcoming a procession of foster children into their home, even just for a short while, Cheng’s character Mei gradually begins to heal from the death of her child. Cheng is nominated for Best Actress, as her infectious performance gives strength to a story about grief and bereavement.
Translated by Mina Chan
Editor
Cathy HuangCredit
Lead Image: IMDB