Hong Kong Filmmakers Bring Stories to Life in Dubai
Hong Kong directors and actress engaged in post-screening Q&A sessions, offering Dubai audiences fresh perspectives on Hong Kong cinema.
From 2 to 8 November, the “Hong Kong Film Gala Presentation” at Cinema Akil showcased eight Hong Kong films, each exploring themes of love, action, family, and society, offering Dubai audiences a broad spectrum of Hong Kong’s distinctive cinematic storytelling. Directors Delon Siu of “True Love, For Once in My Life”, Jonathan Li of “Dust to Dust”, and actress Gladys Li from “Once in a Blue Moon” attended post-screening Q&A sessions to engage with the audience and share behind-the-scenes stories.
The programme opened with “True Love, For Once in My Life”, a film that explores traditional marriage through the breakup of a long-married couple. During the post-screening Q&A, director Delon Siu shared that the story was inspired by the personal experiences of the film’s investor. “This film captures the daily life shared by the investor and her late husband,” he explained. “Even though their marriage did not last, he remained her only true love in life.” Delon also expressed curiosity about how foreign audiences perceive the concept of true love.
Moreover, Delon discussed his bold decision to shoot the entire film on a smartphone, introducing a fresh visual style to the work. “Today, many reels and YouTube videos are shot on smartphones, which could represent the future direction of filmmaking,” he commented. Although budget constraints influenced this choice, Delon embraced the opportunity to experiment, despite challenges such as mixing of sound effects. This innovative approach was well received by the Dubai audience, who showed great interest in the film and its unique production process.
In addition to his shooting methods, Delon elaborated on his use of wide shots transitioning to close-ups to convey different life stages. He explained: “When we are young, we tend to focus on the outside world. As we grow older, our focus shifts inward, to ourselves and those we love.”
The screening of “Once in a Blue Moon” left a lasting impression on the audience. Actress Gladys Li delivered a heartfelt portrayal of Mei Chun, a young woman from a single-parent family. The family appears harmonious on the surface, but beneath it, each member harbours their own secrets. During the post-screening Q&A, Gladys reflected on the challenges of taking on this complex role, saying, “This is one of my favourite and most profound characters I’ve ever played. Mei Chun’s background and personality are so different from mine, which actually allowed me to delve deeply into her emotional world.”
Gladys also spoke about the cheerful atmosphere on set and the strong bond she formed with her fellow cast members. Having been friends with Peter Chan, who plays her brother, before filming, their collaboration came naturally, and Peter often provided her with valuable acting advice. Together with Loletta Lee, who plays their mother, the trio developed a close connection during the 15-day shoot. “The fast-paced schedule helped us fully immerse ourselves in our roles, creating a bond that felt like a real family,” she shared.
When asked about the imagined life of Mei Chun beyond the film, Gladys expressed, “I hope she has found her passion, can navigate personal relationships with courage, and truly understand the unconditional love of her family.” This growth is not only Mei Chun’s personal journey but also a reflection of Gladys’ thorough understanding of the character.
“Dust to Dust” is based on true events that occurred in mainland China during the 1990s. During the post-screening Q&A, Director Jonathan Li emphasised that beyond its action sequences and gripping plot, the film explores the inner struggles of the characters and the conflicts they face when making difficult choices. “I wanted audiences to think about the implications of each decision these characters make. Every choice comes with a cost, and the opening and closing scenes in the tunnel reflect the price of these decisions,” he explained, underscoring the lasting impact of a single moment.
To recreate an authentic 1990s China, Jonathan drew inspiration from his childhood memories of visiting family in mainland China. “This film allowed me to bring the social landscape of that era to life, as well as portray the traditional family structure of the previous generation in mainland China,” he said.
Jonathan also shared his experience of on-site research with the screenwriter, visiting a small town near the Myanmar border where the real-life protagonist’s construction company was located. “I still remember sitting quietly at the noodle stall next to the construction company, imagining how someone who once led such a dramatic life could eventually settle into an anonymous existence here for 20 years.” he recalled. This field trip gave him a deeper understanding of the character’s wandering years, which he reflected in the film. Jonathan also noted that many of the extras were locals from Myanmar, adding a layer of authenticity to the production.
The “Hong Kong Film Festival” in Dubai was organised by the Asian Film Awards Academy in collaboration with Cinema Akil, with support from the Hong Kong Film Development Fund and the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (HKETO) in Dubai. Alongside the opening film “True Love, For Once in My Life”, the lineup featured “Once in a Blue Moon”, “Dust to Dust”, “Time Still Turns the Pages”, “Stuntman”, “Love Lies”, as well as Hong Kong classics “A Better Tomorrow” (in 4K restoration) and “In the Mood for Love” (in 4K restoration), giving Dubai audiences a memorable glimpse into Hong Kong’s unique cinema and storytelling.
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