Sui yuet san tau

MOVIES often transport us to worlds of fantasy and hype. This one, however, strives for nostalgic realism, tempering yesteryear charm and familial bond with a touch of tragedy. It is not a movie for the masses but "Echoes Of The Rainbow" is a rare gem for film buffs who look for something different from the familiar fare.

It will take you back to the Sixties, at the time when Neil Armstrong walked the moon, and maybe wring a tear or two out of you...

The film is about eight-year-old Big Ears (Buzz Chung Siu To, who narrates), growing up on Wing Lee Street in Hong Kong's Sheung Wan district, where his father (Simon Yam) runs a shoe shop on one end while his uncle owns a hair salon at the opposite end. Together, they take care of their customers' top and bottom, or so they boast.

Big Ears is a spoilt brat who makes a hobby of pinching stuff, quite unlike his elder brother Desmond (singer Aarif Lee) who is both a model student and a top athlete in school. The narrative follows the adventures of the two brothers, with Desmond courting the demure Flora (Evelyn Choi) - and Big Ears wearing a fish bowl on his head, dreaming of becoming Hong Kong's first astronaut.

The first thing that grabs us is the movie's attention to detail, recreating a part of Hong Kong that vibrates with local street life and small-time enterprise. The mood of nostalgia is further enhanced by director Law Kai Yu's inclusion of catchy Sixties songs, especially those of the Monkees, that Desmond loves to listen on the transistor radio. In this world, poverty may be romanticised with the neighbourhood community gathering together for dinner but the dark side, of widespread bribe-taking and corrupt cops and nurses, is also explored.

The cast is exemplary too, with young Buzz Chung effortlessly stealing the show from Aarif Lee and even veteran Yam. Chung helps to give the film a touch of playfulness and naivete, showing us Big Ear's kiddie point of view. Lee is rather bland in his role as the 'model son' and student but Sandra Ng is in her element as the resourceful and sweet-tongued mother. I find the ending rather melodramatic and predictable. Still, it seems the only way to close the story.

This movie won the Crystal Bear Award at the 60th Berlin Film Festival for Best New Generation Film and has been nominated for six prizes at the Hong Komng Film Awards. A rare and refreshing family movie. - By LIM CHANG MOH (limchangmoh.blogspot.com)

It took me a long time to see the Time Thief. The thief of time is good, but it is still inferior to the sun and moon around Tianshui. After all, the traces deliberately carved by the time thief are too heavy, while the sun and moon around Tianshuiwei truly achieve a subtle and natural moistening effect, yet contain even more silent tension. But as two outstanding Hong Kong films, Time Thief also bears a sense of mission for the revival of Hong Kong cinema.

Everyone has a memory stolen by time. Tears streamed down my face, but I didn't feel any emotional excitement at all. The pace may be slow, but it is not trivial. I really like Li Zhiting's performance. This touching moment came incredibly naturally, truly, and simply. Difficult step, better step. One step is difficult, one step is better. With such parents, don't we have a reason to see two rainbows appearing in the sky at the same time.

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

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

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.