An elderly couple live in a small town, while the grown-up off-springs have moved to big cities. The couple go visit their son and daughter, who don’t really have time for them, then head for a short break by the sea. When the wife dies, the husband realises that perhaps he never knew her… In many ways Cherry Blossoms is reminiscent of Ozu’s Tokyo Story, and it is precisely how Dörrie has intended. The story takes Rudi, the husband, to Tokyo, where one of his sons resides. Amidst mount Fuji and the butoh dance, cherry blossoms takes centre stage as the most beautiful symbol of impermanence.
Jan 3 12:15pm
德國Germany / 2008 / 124mins
德語及日本語對白 中英文字幕In German & Japanese with English & Chinese Subtitles
導演Dir: Doris Dörrie
演員Cast: 夏莉洛艾絲娜 Hannelore Elsner, 艾馬韋柏 Elmar Wepper, 入月彩 Aya Irizuki
Kim Ji-woon’s 2003 success A Tale of Two Sister probably takes much reference from this first feature of his: a house isolated in the countryside, a somewhat dysfunctional family with two sisters, and the suspicion of the existence of something supernatural…featuring some eclectic soundtracks, The Quiet Family possesses a fine, mordant wit while its narrative progresses through a succession of unlikely events: accidents, identity confusions, and bodies piling up. The humour, dark and decidedly deadpan, is also built from the interaction between the family members.
Jan 10 12:30pm
南韓Korea / 1998 / 98mins
韓語對白 中英文字幕In Korean with Chinese and English Subtitles
導演Dir: 金知雲Kim Ji-woon
演員Cast: Park In-hwan, Na Mun-hi, Choi Min-sik, Song Kang-ho, Lee Yun-seong, Go Ho-gyeong, Ji Su-won, Lee Ki-yeong, Ki Ju-bong, Jeong Jae-yeong
Philip Yung’s debut, produced by Ann Hui, centres on Hong, a typical teenager facing all sort of problems a teenager would encounter: a girlfriend that’s never pleased, a father what won’t stop drinking and a mother that won’t stop watching TV. Frustrated with life, Hong seeks consolation in a mainland prostitute. Question is: does that solve his problems? Using largely improvised dialogues, Glamorous Youth exudes a refreshing degree of honesty as it explores issues of school, relationships and family in a way that teenagers can recognise and relate to.
Jan 17 12:00noon
香港 Hong Kong / 2009/ 133 mins
導演Dir: 翁子光Philip Yung
演員Cast: Nelson Yung, Louise Wong, Letty Lo, Tai Bo, Joey Leung
An elderly couple travel from their rural village to Tokyo to visit their children, who seem to be too busy with their urban lives to welcome their parents. Instead they sent the parents to a seaside resort. Soon after the parents return home, the mother dies. Still preoccupied with their lives in Tokyo, the children no long seem to have the capacity to mourn the loss of a parent. Ozu’s definitive classic never loses its charm, even after half a century. How his static camera and tatami angle observe and reveal about life and human relationships is something that filmmakers will continue to admire in awe.
Jan 24 12:00 noon
日本Japan / 1953 / 136mins
日語對白 中英文字幕In Japanese with Chinese & English Subtitles
導演Dir：小津安二郎 Yasujiro Ozu
演員Cast：笠智眾Chisu Ryu、Chieko Higashiyama、原節子Setsuko Hara
The Way We Are centers on the widow Kwan, her teenage son Ka On, and their elderly neighbour Granny. The problems they face range from the mundane (what to eat for lunch) to heavier subjects (death & estrangement in the family). The power of these documentary-type vignettes comes from its setting. Kwan and Granny, despite their lacks, find contentment in life. Tin Sui Wai is notorious for its crime but misery but Ann Hui shows none of that. What she shows is that people in Tin Shui Wai are after all ordinary people who experience life as it happens.
Jan 31 12:15pm
香港Hong Kong / 2008 / 90mins
廣東話對白 中英文字幕In Cantonese with Chinese & English Subtitles
導演Dir: 許鞍華Ann Hui
演員Cast: 鮑起靜Paw Hee-Ching, 陳玉蓮Idy Chan, 高志森Clifton Ko
