Lou Shiu-wa

A seven-part anthology film exploring the history of Hong Kong from the 1940s to present day.

Three troubled young girls will do anything to escape their stifling lives - even if it means turning to drugs and prostitution. Set in the generation of smartphones and web 2.0, the technology may have made communication easier than ever, but cautionary tales of misunderstood youths remain as relevant as they were two decades ago.

The chaos began at the Winter Solstice dinner eight years ago. The father lost his temper, the son, not able to forgive his father, ran away from home. Eight years have passed, and the family's relationship is still cold and distant. A cousin returns to Hong Kong from England and hopes to gather everyone for a Winter Solstice dinner. The long-awaited gathering prompted everyone to rethink their relationships with family members. Some choose to leave, some are back. When things are about to fall apart, it might as well be an opportunity to mend connections.

Cheung, a single mother living in an area with high crime rates, works hard to provide for her son while helping out her elderly neighbor.

Lok, a 34-year-old filmmaker from Macau, has been drifting through Hong Kong’s film industry. Although she has already directed a feature film, her life remains unstable, her next project has stalled, and her girlfriend Bei Bei is pushing for them to get married, buy a house, and settle down. Facing multiple pressures, Lok revisits different moments in her past: when she was studying in Taiwan aged 22, and when she was growing up in Macau aged 17.

Mostly shot on phone. In this melodrama produced by Fruit Chan, art director and scriptwriter Siu Koon-ho makes his feature directorial debut with an exploration of traditional marriage. Tracing the lifelong relationship between two lovers who aren't necessarily meant to be, the film boasts powerhouse performances by seasoned actors Cecilia Yip and Tse Kwan-ho. The couple's marriage falters when Andrew pursues his career in mainland China in the 90s. After many years, Sabrina finally comes to terms with their separation and moves on following her retirement. However, her new life is shattered by the news of Andrew's serious illness.

From a young age, Mancer had always known that his father Wah is different from other adults; he speaks illogically, he has slow comprehension and he’s quite easily deceived. After growing up, Mancer finally understood that Wah is intellectually disabled. After his mother ran away from home, Mancer was forced to become his father’s primary caregiver. By chance, Mancer joins a stand-up comedy competition for the prize money and becomes instantly hooked. He’s addicted to the joy he feels from making people laugh. However, after the competition, Mancer couldn’t make people laugh again. While searching for inspiration, Mancer realizes that his best jokes seem to come from his hardships – the ridicule he received at school, his difficulties at work, his struggles in caring for his father, and even the worldwide pandemic. Perhaps misery can also be the best source of comedy after all.

Ka, a common housewife, leaves her husband after big change in the family. Then she encounters Man, who has for years blamed her father Chow for bringing to light his relationship with his lover Tracy after the accidental death of Man’s mother. And so it seems that from departures stems relationships anew, but there are in fact little to be explained in the logic of cause-and-effect for existence, death, encounters, and love.