All about love – Ann Hui

Ann Hui is testing the limits of the Kongers. Homosexual and bisexual are not often being discussed openly in Hong Kong. Comedian Sandra Ng and the come back act of Vivian Chow, together make an easier penetration to the audiences. Telling us the life of being an upper class/ mid-aged lesbian facing the changes in the lives.

Some woman loves babies, while others are in total opposite. Some will change their mind when they get older. People used to say, there is a biologically clock inside every woman, telling them or warning them about their last due date. Their motherhood suddenly appears, the urge of having their own baby rush into their minds consciously or subconsciously. In this case the two leads found pregnant after one of their casual hook ups.

In Chinese culture, we were used to man fooling around being polygamous. However, when it came to woman they seemed to be absolute fidelity. Death penalty would be sentenced if they were caught. Meanwhile being a single mother is always tough. As time change, girls nowadays can be equal as boys. It’s no longer a surprise when you find pregnant without a dad. Nevertheless, it can’t be apply to everywhere, there are still some old fashioned and religious people. I have heard stories of Christians being asked to leave church, as they are feared to set a bad example for the others.

This movie is trying to break so many rules, no matter man or woman. They are given certain roles or rules to follow. What they suppose to do, or not suppose to do. It is about stereotyping and labeling. Homosexual has become more common in today’s world, not to mention those bisexual. However, bisexuals are often being labeled as sluts, as they have a wider choice compare with the gays and straights. The movie mentions an interesting point, what is the difference between the homosexual and the heterosexual, when they are both not accepting or respecting other preferences. Homosexual always whines the misunderstandings of others but they are blind to realize they are no difference.

Most of the people afraid of changes, they feel comfortable in places they find familiar. Whenever there is a slight intrusion, they tend to panic and put up their guards. In order to stay in their comfort zone they banish novelties. They curse it and give them evil names. The leads may encounter similar things in the story. I’ll say why do we have to limit ourselves by living in tons of regulations. Labeling others or even ourselves does no good to us. Sometimes fortunes might be hidden behind our insecurity.

In spite of the fact that the movie warps up so many social issues, it still delivers it’s message lightly rather than too seriously. We are able to enjoy a few good laughs and give a thought of the message. Credit goes to the selection of the cast. A comedian and a come back actress are a surprise combination. Although the latter’s not-so-believable acting may distract you at times, with the aid of the two male leads William Chan and Cheung Siu-fai it fades into a minor issue.

If you think the messages are way too heavy, treat it as a comedy and just enjoy a good laugh.

Bandage – Takeshi Kobayashi

Bandage - a piece of cloth that covers and protects an injured part of the body. In this case music symbolizes it. Every character in a way or two are struggling within themselves. Uncertainty, insecurity, loneliness, desolation, impuissance are playing their tricks in their minds. And music is the only thing holding them together.

The movie set in the 1990s Japanese Indie Rock era. One day a high school girl Asako (Kie Kitano) accidently came across this indie band called LANDS, and was touched by their music instantly. Later, by chance she happened to be the co-manager of the band. Not long LANDS reached to their peak, however, it didn’t last.

Humans are vulnerable. Every character has their own struggle. It can relate to most of the adolescents nowadays. Lack of confidence, they may lift their heads up high but the inside they don’t believe in themselves. Emotional problems, this may caused by broken families and messed up relationships Third the ability to change, they often got stuck in a situation that they despise, due to financial issues and courage they mostly remain unchanged. Sometimes they bow down to faith and become a realist, they have totally forgotten the passion once hey had before so they are living in misery.

As a result, we are in recovery status, which means our wounds are healing. So as not to get infected we must protect our wounds with bandages. However, we must remember bandage is not the cure. We might still bleed so we need medications and sometimes therapies to heal them. We cannot solely rely on it but to take actions before matter worsen. In the movie, music is the bandage. It holds them together. When their wounds are covered, they neglect what’s hidden underneath. This also happens in our daily life.

Music can bring people together. Passion brings together a band. A band brings together a reunion. A reunion brings an opportunity to meet the band. Knowing the band brings forth a dream career. In the movie everyone is linked together. Which is true that not only music but also most of the things happened in life are somehow connected. Which one thing leads to another. Just like everything is according to a plan, they happen for a reason.

It can also be a tool to express ones feelings. Few key scenes were featured with songs instead of dialogues, as the story evolved and the aid of the scenario the lyrics became alive. Through the melody your mood followed instantly.

Watching the movie is very enjoyable as it was beautifully shot. It seems like a prolonged music video rather than a movie. At times, the director deliberately creates mysteries, which make you long for the answers. And when it reveals it surprises you. Not till end you will find the connections between all the characters. But you will be thrilled once you have noticed them.

Good Story, good music.

Flowers For Algernon – Elton Lau

Now, we’ve got a solution to those mentally disordered. They could undergo a brain surgery, which aim at removing their badly developed brain cells, and at the same time they will be applied medications to advance their brain activities in order to reach beyond normal intelligence. Charlie IQ 68 is chosen to participant in this experimental surgery. Unfortunately, everything has its downside.

Human life is fragile. Our thoughts are vulnerable. Inevitably, at times we are overwhelmed with some of the seven deadly sins – wrath, greed, and pride. We pray so hard to vend off those demons. Nevertheless, not all of us can survive.

Pride, dignity comes together with knowledge. Happiness comes from innocence. We always acknowledge the less we know the more carefree we are. At first, when Charlie doesn’t understand what is happening to him, he is such an adorable big boy. Once he learns what those words are truly meant, anxiety fills up his mind. I am not implying we should put the blame on him. Those mischievous bullies should be the alternatives. Expectation from his mother should also be counted as a one of the factors. Charlie could have been immune if the alteration had never been made.

Greed spells trouble. Desire sometimes finds it’s way to mishaps. When we are overpowered by this state of mind we might not be able think straight. We never know when is enough, when to stop or even when to let go. From the outside Charlie might simply wants to be more intelligent. However, his sub-consciousness wants his family back. And once he gets control of this massive intelligences family is not his only option. Still the eager of family drives him to this tragedy. Being left behind is the least Charlie wants, when his mother chooses his sister over him, there is never a way back. Never ever going to be the same again.

Wrath is the source of uneventful encounters. One of the reasons why his mother opted for this sister over him is because of his sister’s selfishness. She loathes her brother taking all the attention from her. Adding together with the teasing at school and the state of neglect by her parents then with a few tricks strengthen the determination of his mother to send her brother away.

Being a child is the most wonderful thing in the world. When we grow up we tend to be loaded with tons of responsibilities and lots to worry. So in some point I wish to be Charlie. Being innocent for most of his life. Today’s kids tend to lose this accent of being a child way too early. Again they should not be taken a full responsibility, the society is pushing our children to grow up faster by the overloaded information. Watching his drama makes me envy those kids who still have this in their hands.

Watching this drama is definitely a breathtaking and heartbreaking experience. A thumb up to the director, actors and the crew, especially the set designer this absolutely topped any settings I have ever seen in my life. Love the way they show the audience how the set is assembled. Bit by bit, start from stretch. At the same time it resembles the Charlie after the surgery, his intelligence is growing like the speed how the stage develops. The different layers of the set and how actors jump through them enrich the coherence of the story.

The cast is also impressive. First it’s Tony Wong, can’t believe how diverse and talented he is. He delivers precisely. His believable acting skills nearly drive me to shed my tears. Credit should also be given to the script, well written and brilliantly translated.

This is a thought-evoking piece. It is your lost missing it.