Memories to Choke On, Drinks to Wash Them Down Review 2019 Hong Kong 夜香・鴛鴦・深水埗

 
Memories to Choke On, Drinks to Wash Them Down 夜香・鴛鴦・深水埗

Year: 2019
Director: Leung Ming-kai, Kate Rilley
Writer: Leung Ming-kai, Kate Rilley
Cast: Leong Cheok-mei, Mia Mungli, Zeno Koo, Lam Yiu-sing, Gregory Wong, Kate Reilly
Running Time: 78 minutes
Country: Hong Kong

Four stories (three fictional, one documentary) show how fiction and fact, humour and drama, the personal and the political are contemporary facets of the same ever-fascinating, complex, challenging realties that constitute Hong Kong. Leung Ming-kai and Kate Reilly’s delightful anthology captures the rich mix of cultures that defines Hong Kong in lively and gently provocative fashion, following a diverse set of characters from different backgrounds as they reminisce on the past while looking to the challenges of the future. (Focus Hong Kong)

Memories to Choke On is an anthology film from two directors Leung Ming-kai and Kate Rilley. They work together to tell four different contemporary stories about life in modern Hong Kong. What is impressive about this film is how each story is completely different but they all feel incredibly real. It's basically a slice of life anthology.  Each story focuses on a different aspect of Hong Kong life, ranging from immigrants, family, food and politics.

The first film depicts the story of an Indonesian caretaker looking after an elderly Hong Konger. The story could use a little more urgency, but by the end, it all comes together. The relationship between the characters is simple but charming. They have good chemistry and begin to form a bond over the fact they both came to Hong Kong as immigrants. This story might be the weakest of the bunch, but that does not mean it was bad per se.

The second segment is arguably the best of them all. It's a simple story of two brothers hanging out in their mother's toy shop before she sells it to a new owner. The brothers browse through old toys and reminisce on memories of growing up and their mother's expectations of them. The style of this film stands out massively compared to the first. It's shot incredibly well, and they manage to capture the iconic urban city life. There are some stunning images of the characters walking by stalls and independent shops that looks like high-class night photography.

The third segment features the director Kate Reilly acting as an American living in Hong Kong as an English teacher. She meets another teacher on her first day, and they form a will-they-wont-they relationship. This story focuses on the differences between different races making Hong Kong their home, and it does this through a series of realistic and natural conversations. It's no secret to anyone that Hong Kong has some of the best food in the world. And if you are a foodie, this film will be a treat, as we get to see the characters going to eateries and sampling some of the best local dishes while their relationship blossoms. The structure of this film being non-linear can throw you off if you don't pay attention to the inserts explaining when it is taking place, and if you aren't familiar with when some of the Hong Kong holidays and events occur.

Surprisingly the fourth film is a documentary, which was a little jarring at first, but quickly becomes apparent on why it was chosen. The final film follows Jessica Lam as she runs for a job on the district council. This documentary works incredibly well because Jessica is such a charming and likeable person. She seems almost out of her depth running for a political office job, as she feels like a regular everyday person. But there is something fun and interesting about the way that she speaks and carries herself, that you can't help but cheer her on. It was a bit of a gamble finishing on a documentary, but it feels like the rightful ending.

Memories to Choke On, Drinks to Wash Them Down works effectively as depicting Hong Kong today, for locals and for outsiders. While the film in total only runs for 78 minutes, the plot of some of the films, especially the first one, might be a little too breezy for some viewers. The stories can be a little challenging with their subtlety and require some thinking about what the true meaning behind them is. But for a film like this, that is part of the fun. Now, where can I find some Hong Kong style French toast?

7/10

 

Memories to Choke On, Drinks to Wash Them Down is streaming as part of the Focus Hong Kong Film Festival from the 9th of February at 10:00 GMT until the 15th of February at 23:59 GMT.