Sui yuet san tau

I hadn't seen the 2010 Hong Kong movie "Echoes of the Rainbow" (aka "Sui yuet san tau") before now in 2020. I was given the opportunity to sit down and watch the movie, so of course I did so, given my admiration of the Asian cinema.

The storyline told in the movie was rather good and had a good progress and pacing to it. Writer and director Alex Law managed to put together a wholesome and entertaining movie that actually had a good punchline to it and proved to be more than just a run-of-the-mill movie.

"Echoes of the Rainbow" has a rather good ensemble of actors and actresses on the cast list, which includes the likes of Simon Yam, Sandra Kwan Yue Ng and Paul Chun - all three are some you should be familiar with if you have an interest in the Hong Kong cinema.

I enjoyed watching this movie, and was genuinely entertained. I am rating "Echoes of the Rainbow" a six out of ten stars.

Echoes of the Rainbow provides an autobiographical look back at 60's Hong Kong for the director. Trouble with films like this is that they will always mean more to the maker than the audience. There's a lot to appreciate, from the wonderful recreation of the 60's, the well chosen soundtrack, and a heartfelt performance from the young lead. Outside of that, it is sometimes episodic and melodramatic, but luckily never for too long. Whenever a director makes a film like this it is both uplifting and depressing. With all the memories squeezed into two hours, real or not, it's very predictable. The best parts were when it focused on the young boy, being punished at school, going to the cinema, faking autographs etc. Overall a nice film.

I was surprised that this film won an award at an international film festival. I am not being racist, being a Hong Kong person myself. I didn't know that Westerners would appreciate the charm and quaintness of "unspoilt" urban Hong Kong.

This film is so full of 60s old Hong Kong flavour, that it will certainly churn up collective memories of old timers like myself. The street scenes coupled with all the other little bits and pieces of prop were so authentic that one could hear "ooohs" and "aaahs" from the audience. It was really heart-warming to see (and remember) that family closeness once existed in "ancient" times.

Being a woman, I was prepared that this would be chick-flick with a lot of tear jerking scenes, because I read a bit of blurb about the story. Fortunately, the whole movie is not all teary -- there were a lot of comical moments at the start, especially from the young star. (However, I just dislike his brawling scenes, which I found unusual for a boy of 8 years young.)

Overall, I would say this film is a "should watch", especially for locals -- to support the local film industry and to reminiscence old times.

Tagline: One of the simplest yet pleasantly emotional movies of the year...

Simon Yam has finally found his ground. After years of nominations, sweats and determination, Yam has won his most wanted award – HK Best Actor. Gladly he deserved it with both hands down. A bravo display from a true veteran at work and to say this is his best ever performance cannot be departed with understatement. The scene in the gushing of wind leading to the collapse of the shoe shop, confirms to us that Yam has finally hit the right emotional buttons. Well done. Usual writer Alex Law tries his hand at directing and the result is extraordinarily.

The story is a personal one and yet portrays the time frame of Hong Kong in the 1960s so perfectly that one feels immense into the every situation. It is rare that you come out of a commercial Hong Kong film with the same subtle feelings not seen since Ann Hui's The Way We Are. Yet, this film is far more accessible, simple and yet astonishingly moving. Echoes of the Rainbow do go the route taken, but goes about it in the most effective and simplistic of manner. Led by an excellent star turn from Buzz Chung who simply chew the scenes with both cuteness and innocence, adding to a mix is perhaps a slight mis-cast in Sandra Kwan, who still manages to impress. Perhaps, Teresa Mo (Mr. Cinema) may be a more suitable candidate for the role. The expression on Buzz's face when he hears about the death is almost seamlessly touching and almost lingering. Upcoming singer, Aarif Lee also does well and the award winning performance from Simon Yam sums up the movie. Exceeds expectations and beautiful to endure.

All in all, Echoes of the Rainbow fills the heart and the soul and despite its flaws, simplicity, it works. The film is most probably best Hong Kong film of the year and comes highly recommended...(Neo 2010)

I rate it 9/10

• www.thehkneo.com

Although the film reflects Hong Kong in the 1960 s, it shows that ordinary people are struggling for life and exposing the gap between the rich and the poor in society. However, these are integrated into the daily life of ordinary people and are not expressed in a strong way. The more warm and optimistic the daily life of ordinary citizens is, the more they can show the difficulty of life and the indifference of reality. The film narrative is plain and simple, but it shows true feelings everywhere