ART & CULTURE

Acting is kind of like child’s play,as a child can transform themselves into someone else. Saoirse Ronan Is there a link between an actor's authentic personality and the characters they bring to life on screen? The “Instinctive Actor”, a distinct category of performers renowned for their adaptability. These actors gravitate towards roles that align with their own personalities, effortlessly embodying characters whose traits resonate with their innate qualities. With an uncanny ability to seamlessly blend their true selves into their performances, their portrayals exude a natural, unvarnished charm. Saoirse Ronan may fit this profile. When you think of Saoirse Ronan, moments of her confidently holding hands with Timothée Chalamet on stage or humorously teaching Margot Robb...

As we grow up, we often see the world and ourselves through the lens of our beliefs. While we can listen to others' life stories and experiences, we often have our own set of ideas and emotions as third-party observers. We may unintentionally add too much of our own emotions and opinions. When we listen to our friends' stories, we often try to put ourselves in their shoes, but it's not the same as experiencing it firsthand. That's why I enjoy reading - I can read other people's life stories without bringing my personal emotions or being influenced by close relationships. It's easier to detach myself, immerse myself in the world of the book, and experience a different world view and life story. The annual book fair is a great opportunity to discover new books, and I've prepared some rec...

On a lazy Sunday afternoon, lounging around at home with nothing to do, you decide to give your good friend Liz a call. “Let's go watch a movie!” you suggest. “Which one?” Liz's voice sounds sluggish, as if she's also feeling restless. “Anything will do, just to pass the time,” you reply. “That won't do. I have three specific criteria for watching a movie,” Liz suddenly becomes serious. You thought she would mention genres or actors, but instead, she presents three peculiar requirements: (1) There have to be at least 2 named female characters(2) They have to talk to each other(3) The conversation needs to be about something other than a man As Liz's criteria sank in, , your mind raced through the recent lineup of films, The Flash, Transformers, Spider-Man, Fast & ...

In Hong Kong, the perception of reading is a paradoxical tapestry. On one hand, it is widely believed that Hong Kongers are highly educated. On the other hand, reality paints a different picture – a significant portion of the population seems to have drifted away from the pages. These two statements may seem contradictory, but they unveil a complex reality. Diving into the data, the 2022 Hong Kong National Reading Survey sheds light on this enigma. It reveals that around 70% of Hong Kong residents claim to have engaged with books and publications in the past year. However, a closer look at the younger generation unveils a decline, with less than 60% maintaining a consistent reading habit. While the numbers may seem encouraging at first glance, the truth is that having occasional encoun...

There exists a captivating profession known as the Art Director in the film industry, who are responsible for crafting and designing the visual style, captivating settings, intricate sets, mesmerising costumes, and more. Their profound ability can be best described by a quote from William Cheung, “They enable the cinema audience to sense the very air of the film.” This perfectly encapsulates the extraordinary work carried out by Art Directors. Irving Cheung, a name renowned within the industry. Since the tender age of fourteen, she has been immersed in the world of filmmaking. With a remarkable five nominations for Best Art Direction at the Hong Kong Film Awards, her achievements are awe-inspiring. Yet, beneath the surface, there is another side to her story. She courageously battles a...

June, the Pride Month, resonates internationally as a symbol of love and freedom. Brands and every nook and cranny are adorned with rainbow flags, representing gender equality, creating a vibrant atmosphere. Yet, Hong Kong seems to fade into insignificance. LGBTQIAP+ The LGBTQ+ community, a vibrant tapestry woven with the threads of lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transgender individuals, and queers/questioning individuals, has been an ever-evolving force. As time dances forward, its composition expands gracefully to include intersex individuals, asexual souls, pansexual beings, and the resilient "+" symbol, eternally embracing all who seek belonging. The history and origins of Pride Month gleam like a treasure trove, effortlessly discovered within the digital labyrinth of knowledg...

When it comes to the most iconic local pig character, "McDull" is probably the name that comes to mind for both you and me—it's a nostalgic figure for an entire generation. Whenever we think of this naive and simple-minded little piggie, we also recall the voice of Sandra Ng and the character she voiced, "Mrs. Mak." Mrs. Mak, the slightly nagging and fierce  Hong Kong-style housewife, is a familiar character to all. However, what many may not realise is that her full name is "Tam Yuk-Lin". She is also known as Mak Tam Yuk-Lin She was once a "factory girl" in her younger days, who would entertain the crowd with her seductive leg dances at Dai Tat Dei. It was there that she unexpectedly crossed paths with a man named Mak Bing. With his scruffy beard and a perennially troub...

Cinematography speaks to everything that women do inherently well: It's multitasking, it's empathy, and it's channelling visuals into human emotion. Rachel Morrison In a groundbreaking moment at the 2018 Oscars, Rachel Morrison became the first female cinematographer to receive a Best Cinematography nomination in the history of film. While the question of gender-specific qualities in cinematography is subjective, it is worth noting the objective findings of renowned British film industry scholar Stephen Fellows. His research reveals a striking reality: female cinematographers have been notably underrepresented in the film industry, with less than 10% representation as recently as 2016. Instead, women have often found their roles gravitating towards areas such as costume designer, ...