Made In Hong Kong: Portraying Human Relationships and Social Values through Love Lies & Time Still Turns the Pages

One of the film screenings program at this year’s Jakarta Film Week is “Made in Hong Kong”, a collaborative effort with the Hong Kong Economic & Trade Office (HKETO). This program features a selection of films produced by Hong Kong’s film industry.

“Made in Hong Kong” is designed to highlight the rich cultural heritage of Hong Kong cinema and its impact on the global film landscape. The aim is to inspire Indonesian filmmakers to broaden the diversity of national film production, drawing from Hong Kong’s film industry, which stands as the world’s third largest after Bollywood and Hollywood. Two standout films in this program are Love Lies, directed by Ho Miu Ki, and Time Still Turns the Pages, directed by Nick Cheuk. These films captivate audiences with strong storytelling and character development, delivering messages that resonate deeply and garner empathy from viewers.

Both films explore social themes and human relationships centered around love, echoing values relatable to all. In Love Lies, audiences are presented with an unconventional love story beginning with a scam. Veronica Yu, a renowned gynecologist, meets Joe on a dating app. Although their relationship starts with deceit, over time, they find comfort in creating romantic moments together.

At the screening of Love Lies during Jakarta Film Week 2024, director Ho Miu Ki shared that the story was inspired by real-life incidents in her community. “This story draws from the everyday tales around us. Many such incidents happen, and it is hard to avoid them.”

Equally compelling is Time Still Turns the Pages, which won Taiwan’s prestigious Golden Horse Award. This film addresses sensitive and traumatic issues surrounding mental health, following a high school teacher, Mr. Cheng, who discovers an anonymous suicide note in his classroom. A deeper investigation reveals that the note was written by his student, Eli. The film’s narrative intertwines Mr. Cheng’s current struggles with flashbacks from his own childhood, paralleling Eli’s experiences with immense pressure from his family due to his academic performance.

Beyond highlighting mental health and its long-term effects, the film critiques the rigorous education system in Asia. With realistic depictions of familial trauma portrayed in a straightforward manner, the film presents a powerful and authentic exploration of relevant social issues.

The screening of these two films in the Made in Hong Kong program offers filmmakers an exploration of how to craft films with social themes that convey profound life values.

In addition to these titles, the program also includes Twilight of The Warrior, The Remnant, and a compilation of Hong Kong short films titled I Have Arrived, Mamamoo, Overman, and Breathe Without Water, as part of the collaboration with HKETO. Directors like Yan Yan Mak (I Have Arrived), Frankie Lee (Mamamoo), and To Chin Him (Overman) are expected to attend.

For further information on the Jakarta Film Week 2024 programs and events, visit www.jakartafilmweek.com and follow us on social media @jakartafilmweek. Don’t miss the chance to be part of this international celebration of cinema in Jakarta this year!