Mabel Cheung is an important female filmmaker and one of the leading directors in Hong Kong cinema. Her critically acclaimed “migration trilogy” explored themes of identity, race, gender and culture in migration, and created stories with historical significance.

Kenneth Tan, Chair of the Singapore Film Society, said: “We are honoured and delighted to collaborate with the Asian Film Awards Academy for the first time, and we aim to build a long-term working relationship and friendship. In over 60 years of SFS’s history, we have continuously promoted the appreciation of international cinema and interaction between filmmakers and audiences. Having Mabel Cheung delivering this masterclass is tremendous cause for celebration amongst all our aficionados, and I am sure they will attend and participate enthusiastically.”

Josie Lin, Executive Director of the Asian Film Awards Academy, said: “It is our pleasure to present the home-grown Hong Kong director Mabel Cheung to the Singapore audience in our first collaboration with Singapore Film Society. The AFA Academy is always devoted to presenting the best of Asian cinema to global audiences and working with Singapore Film Society is certainly one of the best ways we could opt for.”

The Masterclass

Throughout the masterclass, Mabel recalled a handful of behind-the-scenes stories of An Autumn’s Tale, shared her career journey as an influential director, producer and screenwriter, and touched upon her aspiration in films.

An Autumn’s Tale was Mabel’s most beloved classic film, as well as her second directorial effort, it won the Hong Kong Film Award for Best Film, Best Cinematography and Best Screenplay. 35 years went by, the film is still one of the cinephiles’ all-time favourites. Mabel spoke frankly about the success of the film was much to everyone’s surprise. “When I made the film, I didn’t think of making it stand the test of time because it was really difficult just to finish the movie.” As Mabel explained, she went over budget and failed to control the schedule while she shot, and even got reported to her boss. “Nobody expected the film to do well, I was thinking I would be lucky to have it finished,” she added. “Looking back, I think the most successful of my films are those that are more genuine, truthful or sincere in their feelings and characterizations, maybe these are the things that attract audiences for a long time.”

This classic romance starring Chow Yun Fat and Cherie Chung was in fact the first time Mabel had worked with professional actors, she pointed out her inexperience had made Chow running for 15 days for a scene where he chases after the cars to get the last glimpse of Chung. “I was a new director, so I didn’t know how to communicate with the professionals. I didn’t know I could talk to them and discuss the role with them, or ask for their opinions.” Chow then had to run repeatedly over the Brooklyn Bridge each day at sunset in order to film the fascinating shots that make up the iconic scene.

Other than the superb cast and the wondrous acting of the screen idols, the fascinating scenery set in autumn in New York is to account for the triumph of this legend.  Recalling the filming of An Autumn’s Tale, Mabel shared an anecdote that landed her in trouble. “During that autumn, the trees (in Central Park) didn’t turn red, so the art director and I decided to spray them red using washable paint. We were arrested after that and had to appear in court in front of a judge,” she said.

“The judge asked, ‘Why did you spray the trees with colour?’ I said, ‘Because it is beautiful.’ The judge said, ‘What if I go to Hong Kong and spray your trees red?’ I said, ‘You are welcome. If you spray them well and make them beautiful, why not?”

She added on with glee, “The judge was really angry. Anyway, we were fined some money but I think it was worth it.”