Film Review: Echoes of the Rainbow (2010)

 

The Movie Echoes of the Rainbow that produced by Alex Law received great impact in 2010. The background of the story was in Sheung Wan Wing Lee Street. Director Alex Law mentioned that the story was talking about him in 60’s. In an interview, he said that because teenagers nowadays, which means born in 80’s, has too much confusion and complain. Although people were poor in 60’s, they would work hard to find out the solution when they were facing difficulties rather than just complain.

In 60’s Hong Kong, many people were living under poor and bad conditions. The story was mainly mentioning about how poor was that family. The father was worried about the rent-raising problem; the mother was trying to use her money well; they had to pay the nurse money so that she would cure their son. Although they were poor, they still could found their happiness. For example, the families who lived in Wing Lee Street were all had dinner outside the house so that the children could turning around and eat dinner on each table. There were close connections of each family. This kind of close neighbourhood relationship was the symbol of 60’s.

Until now, Hong Kong had become an Asia Economic Centre. Director thought that the core value of Hong Kong people was faith. In the movie, the mother said “We’ve got to have faith! (做人總要信)” after her son got in hospital and their shop’s damage suffered by typhoon. It is because Hong Kong people have faith, so that we could overcome all problems to have flourish days now. Actually, those people born in 60’s are parents of people who born 80’s. The director wanted to use their parents’ story to reminded the young people that never give up during the hard times. Your parents had overcame all the problems then you could also do it.

Hong Kong Urban Renewal Authority was deciding to reconstruct the Wing Lee Street in 2010. After the movie had been broadcasted, the government decided to keep 12 buildings. This movie actually created an impact on Hong Kong about the memories of old buildings and sites. Collective memory is embodied in ‘site of memory’ (Pierre Nora, 1989). With the influence of reconstruction program of Hong Kong Urban Renewal Authority, nostalgia movie became popular in Hong Kong. Also, Hong Kong’s economic just recovered from financial tsunami which happened in 2008. The Director wanted the audience to remember their life in 60’s. No matter how hard life is, we would overcome all the problems with our Hong Kong spirit.

(445 Words)

Lee Sze Man (10459221/21233934)