Zheng qi

I have to admit that sharing in my friends' success is probably one of the greatest Joys in Life.

I am so happy to recommend and comment on a wonderful new film I recently saw: MY VOICE, MY LIFE.

Several weeks ago I was introduced to the film's Academy Award winning director, Ruby Yang, and two of the film's stars, Sf Lam and Coby Wong when a small group came to New York to promote the film at the NY Asian Film Festival. We met after they had come to see a performance of "An American in Paris" at the Palace Theater. A longtime friend introduced us.

The two girls were so enchanting. One, perhaps a bit more overwhelmed by standing on the Palace stage as I tried to coax them to make their Broadway debut than the other...but we laughed and I immediately was drawn into their experience of being in New York and away from their home, Hong Kong, for the first time.

Naturally, I was eagerly anticipating the opening of the film last week here in New York. It was showing in town for such a brief time so I made it a priority to slip away from other responsibilities for a viewing.

I'm sorry if you missed it.

It was such a compelling story. Yes, very much the -- "Hey, let's put on a show!" But so much more.

I might have become a bit dispirited by some of the individual circumstances of a few of the kids who's stories were being told, but the overwhelming optimism washed away anything of the like! Moments of the musical score were absolutely breathtaking and the continual momentum of the kids' attainment of their goal kept the story and film bouncing in the air like a balloon.

The commitment and patience of the stage show's directors and the Principals of the children's schools represented in the film, caused me to gaze lovingly into my own past and acknowledge all those who have helped fill in the gaps of my own passions and discipline -- those who have helped me reach the goals and personal aspirations of my own Life.

And isn't that the mark of any good film or piece of art? To find what resonates within its audience.

Each time Coby or Sio Fan appeared on the big screen, my heart would skip a beat. Not only did I know them, I was continuing to GET to know them and the stories of their friends who were working so hard to overcome stage fright and personal limitations. We all have personal fears and seeming limitations. And that's what makes this film so universal and wonderful.

I'm sorry the movie is having such limited showing here in the United States. It's been named one of Hong Kong's top five films of last year and was a New York Times Critics Pick. I'm sure it will have equal success in Los Angeles.

Congratulations to everyone involved. I absolutely adore your work and look forward to the news that your passions and dreams and discipline will have opened wonderful new doors in the lives you are creating for yourselves.

I am honored to have met you.

This documentary is released at the perfect timing as hundreds of thousands of Hong Kong youngsters camp in the streets of Hong Kong demanding self-determination of their future.

For a long time, young people in Hong Kong have been classified into different categories according to their academic achievements. Those who make it have a better chance to go upward in the social ladder and become successful in their adult life. Those who cannot meet certain criteria are labeled as less achieved and develop insecurity and hence denied in many areas. The political situation in Hong Kong make the whole scenario even more complicated.

The documentary highlighted the coming of age struggles of nine adolescents, who are generally considered marginal by our society, amid 80 who were chosen to take part in an amateur musical. Among the nine youngsters, there is a blind girl and a boy who is going to be blind, a rebellious street-smart smoker, an insecure girl who feels ashamed to study in a less famous school etc. All of them, with whatever obstacles they are fighting against, have dreams of their own. Thanks to L Plus H Foundation, a social enterprise who funded the production, these students have a chance to step outside their mundane routine and take up a challenge not only in performing arts but also a self-reflecting and discovering process.

From the day when they were chosen and roles assigned, we witness how their self-perception and interaction with the world evolved. Growing up can be eye-opening and self-revelating but it also involve lots of effort, for both the kid and the people around them.

While you may say we can readily be moved by these young people's experience, I am more touched by the dedicated adults who inspire and push them patiently: the headmaster, the creative director, the music teacher, the dance teacher and musical director. They used insurmountable patience and care to train these kids' performing skills and more importantly, their characters, in five months. They help to restore their confidence and reset their discipline with encouragement and determination. I think the adults deserve louder applause as they have transmitted some very important values to the young people which they can hold on for a long time.

Lots of sincerity from the director and the production company. We can see they really care for the younger generation and guide them to walk their own way. They believe in the kids who struggle to believe in themselves. In the end, the youngsters discover that they too can have a future in their own way.

Turning to the streets of Hong Kong, could we give more slack to our next generation? Looking at the young protesters in Admiralty， Mongkok,and Causeway Bay I wonder who inspire them while admiring their persistence in trying to build a future they can take charge of. It is disheartening what the government and establishment have been doing to discredit their passion. If these adult could have learnt a fraction of the mentors and coaches in this documentary, our society could have been a much better and hopeful place.

Moving for all parents, teachers and adults who care for our next generation. Bring tissue paper. Great arrangement by the director who intertwined the training, rehearsals and interviews with kids, coaches, teachers, parents and headmistresses. It seems we are also growing with the kids and feeling more confident of ourselves at the end of the production. Encouragement and more patience are what they need and you will be amazed to see what a little push would do to them.