Homecoming

In a city that worships money more than anything, there is a group of people who insist, “man shall not live by bread alone.” But living in recluse is not their choice either. Rather, they actively take part in society by producing art that aims to influence others in addition to fine-tuning their own minds.

Wong Chung-yu, the initiator of digital ink art, used to think that becoming a computer science major means a bright future. But as he enrolled in college, he realized he had no ambition in this field at all. He then became a student of Wucius Wong, a master in Chinese ink art. After a while, he found himself trapped by convention and not breaking new grounds. He went to London to study digital art and found a new world for himself there. He adopted an artistic approach which invites viewers to take alternative viewpoints to see the otherwise “archaic” Chinese ink art. He brings together the best elements of western and oriental cultures to make art. His works have been selected into the Hong Kong Art Biennial for three times.

Other than brainstorming a variety of dance performances, choreographer Pewan Chow tries hard to break the invisible line that sets the performers and the audience apart. Her recent work, Maze by Passoverdance , invited audience to interact with the dancers. While the Hong Kong audience is used to sit and watch the performance, they got to enjoy a brand-new experience of seeing in a wild, free space where Maze by Passoverdance was staged. Even the sponsoring cultural agency officials, who have seen numerous performances, were amazed. All of the tickets of Maze by Passoverdance were sold out, which was unprecedented for dance performances in Hong Kong. It can be said that Pewen has reignited the audience’s passion and brought our good old days back to life.

Chung-yu and Pewan’s innovative acts have truly brought Hong Kong’s artistic circle forward. Most importantly, by showing their passion for art, they make people realize that no matter the difficulties, as long as one is determined enough, he or she will be able to move on with love.

 About the Director

Born in Hong Kong, 1980, Kwong-yin Brian Hung lives in the city that reared him. He graduated with a First Class Honors degree in Bachelor of Fine Arts in Film and Television from the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts. He then pursued further studies at the New York University and received a Master’s degree in Studio Art: Art in Media. Since his teenage years, Hung has been making short films and won Distinguished Award in Incubator for Film & Visual Media in Asia (IFVA, Youth Category). Uptown Downtown , his short film, has been screened at various film festivals around the world. With this film, Hung bagged the Jury Award in the 39th Worldfest-Houston International Film Festival in the United States. Documentaries have remained Hung’s concentration over the last few years. In 2011, He was commissioned by the Radio Television Hong Kong to direct Those Unseen Hands series. This series was selected to be one of RTHK’s Best Television Programs in 2012.

●Selected Filmography

2012 Those Unseen Hands

2009 Fortune Cookies

2008 Tiny

2006 Uptown Downtown

2004 Crazy Man 

From the Director

In Hong Kong, a city motivated by profitable business and material pleasure, one is prone to becoming a one-dimensional person. This person’s logic tends to be based on materialism; he or she only reacts to the material aspects of this world. Gradually, this person loses his or her true self and even personal relationships with others.

This is not the way to live. Ancient prophets said, “man shall not live by bread alone” (Chapter 4:4, Gospel of Matthew). Greek philosopher Plato also believed that mankind has the ability to seek the true, the good and the beautiful. The pursuit of beauty alone motivates mankind to attain spiritual perfection, including personal integrity.

So, regaining beauty seems to be a way out of these materialistic tendencies, and art plays a key role in this purge because art makes us kind and facilitates our venting of feelings. It takes us through the hustles and bustles of the secular world and leads us to serenity,comfort and peace.

These two part-time artists have truly practiced the ideal that “man shall not live by bread alone” in this floating city. We can choose not to be “one-dimensional man”; it is up to us. As a Buddhist saying goes, “mind precedes all knowables.” That is, our mind is the source of all deeds. Whatever we do or say is directed by the mind, and when the mind is at peace, spiritual power comes forth. Chung-yu and Pewan have not only found their true selves through art, but have also influenced people around them. I hope to keep a record of their efforts and show this pure, beautiful world to the audience. In an era where good values are fading, I hope that my viewers can learn about the quiet revival of this beautiful world.