Through A Lens Darkly

Ah Poon is a man of strong principles, and adopts Lu Xun’s quote of “Fierce-browed, I coolly defy a thousand pointing fingers” as his motto. When he gets into a fight with school authority because of something written by his daughter, he takes his daughter away in rage. Is Ah Poon right or wrong?

Five shorts reveal a fictional Hong Kong in 2025, depicting a dystopian city where residents and activists face crackdowns under iron-fisted rule.

An anonymous love letter addressed to P5 student Lam Siu-wai throws her and her classmate So Hoi-shing into turmoil. The duo decides to find out who wrote the letter. Thus begins a journey whereby the two kids get their first taste of many things unknown to them.

The documentary offers a glimpse into the life of a farmer who worked in the fields with his father when he was young. After spending time in the city as an adult, he returns to the countryside to take over the family’s business and learns the essence of making a living from the land.

At some point in life an age-old question will inevitably crop up: Do we swim against the tide or go with the flow? The band, Against the Tide, was doomed before it even started. A year later, the songwriter is selling his soul to catchy pop tunes and commercial music, hitching his wagon to else’s grand schemes while being hitched by a young music devotee; the bassist is venturing north across the border; the drummer is working as an insurance agent and all set for fatherhood. Before the factory building is demolished for a lucrative redevelopment scheme, the band members, bar one, return to their studio to clear out the place, contemplating making a final appearance for a farewell gig. The reunion takes place, albeit obliquely, each member putting their best foot forward to steer their own course.

Exceeding all his expectations, Ming is chosen to represent his school at running. He treasures this last opportunity in his secondary school life and does his very best to prepare for it. However, on the eve of the competition, he decides to give the opportunity to his best friend. There is more to competition than just the end result. Pride, dignity, dreams and friendship are put to the best.

Bill Wong works on a wide variety of films, some of modern setting, some with historical backgrounds; some are award winners, some lesser known. As a cinematographer, he does not strive for personal style. Instead, he concentrates on fulfilling the potential of the film and realizing his director’s designs. He is a consummate team player. This documentary features interviews with Wong and five directors with whom he has worked – Patrick Tam, Ann Hui, Tony Au, Lee Chi-ngai and Shu Kei, tracing the paths on which they have travelled together.

Ma and Sze are buddies from the same school. Sze, who is bullied by Jaa, a tough guy from another class, urges Ma to take revenge on Jaa for him. Meanwhile, Jaa and his gang continue to bully Ming, the weakling of the group, by stripping him naked in front of the whole class...