Genre: Drama
Director: Alex Law Kai Yu
Cast: Simon Yam, Sandra Ng, Aarif Lee, Chung Siu To, Evelyn Choi, Paul Chiang, Teresa Loo, Ann Hui, Vincent Kok, Larry Lau, Clifton Ko, Ha Ping
RunTime: 1 hr 57 mins
Released By: Cathay-Keris Films
Rating: PG
Official Website:

Opening Day: 27 May 2010

Synopsis:

The story revolves around the ups and downs of a family in longing 1960s of old Hong Kong. Natural disasters and misfortunes undergone by the family did not dampen their spirits instead they held onto their beliefs and portrayed the can-do spirit of 1960s working class Hong Kongers. Father (Simon Yam), a shoemaker who always wears a pair of broken shoes. Mother (Sandra Ng), an optimistic woman, who works towards tough challenges in life including death of her loved ones. Newcomer, Aarif Lee, who looks like a cross between Taiwan based singer Wang Lee Hom and martial arts legend Bruce Lee, acted as the elder son. Through the lead characters and stories, we will travel back to the old Hong Kong and re-experience it.

Movie Review:

This reviewer does not remember when he last felt so moved by a film. And he is not ashamed to tell you that he felt his eyes well up (not once, but several times) while watching this 117 minute autobiographical film set in 1960s Hong Kong. If there’s one film to watch to feel the full pulsation of life, this bittersweet family drama should be at the top of your list.

The Law family takes centre stage in this nostalgic film. Theirs is a lower class family who lives in the poor suburban area of Hong Kong’s Sham Shui Po in the 1960s. The father is a hardworking cobbler who earns just enough to make a living for his family. The mother is the optimist in the house, always speaking out for others. Their eldest son is the pride of the family who attends a good British school, excelling in both academic and athletic fields. The youngest son is a very mischievous boy who enjoys putting a fish tank on his head, pretending to be an astronaut while seeing the world evolving around him.

The film is an unabashed tear jerker – some may even find it manipulative. But who can resist a well made film that explores the transience of life and happiness as seen through the eyes of a child? And yes, if you must know, someone dies at the end of the movie.

The first person you’d fall in love with is the child lead Chung Siu To, who plays the impish youngest son of the family. His wide eyed curiosity and misbehaviour lights up the screen in every scene he appears in. You’d laugh - and you’d cry while he carries out his monkey business. Simon Yam and Sandra Ng turns in competent performances as the long suffering parents who in one scene, literally, holds on to the roof to provide shelter for the family. The two veteran actors complement each other nicely with their every body gesture and movement. Good looker Aarif Lee takes on the role of the eldest son. Although he looks somewhat too contemporary for the role, there’s no harm having eye candy in an emotionally touching film like this.

Also, watch out for cameos by renowned industry players like Ann Hui, Vincent Kok and Clifton Ko in this production, which received funding from the Hong Kong government's Film Development Fund.

The production values are top notch too, as the team brings viewers on a journey back to old Hong Kong with its lovely shop houses, cinema halls and long corridors. One can see why this is the perfect film for Hong Kong to be proud of.

This film is director Alex Law’s heartwarming dedication to his elder brother. The personal touch can be felt as the filmmaker visualises the striving Hong Kong in his own screenplay. The delicately written script earned Law a Best Screenplay accolade at the 29th Hong Kong Film Awards. The film also won Best Actor (Yam), Best New Performer (Lee) and Best Original Film Song at the awards. The poignantly affecting film also did well on the international front, clinching the Crystal Bear for the Best Film in the Children’s Jury "Generation Kplus" at the 60th Berlin International Film Festival.

Ready to embark on an experience to encounter life’s real emotions of love, hope, failure and death? Through humour, affection and most importantly, humanity, this highly recommended film will bring you on the journey. This is exactly what memories are made of.

Movie Rating:



(This sincere and well made film has heart - lots of it)

Review by John Li