Still Human
| Still Human | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Oliver Siu Kuen Chan |
| Written by | Oliver Siu Kuen Chan |
| Produced by | Fruit Chan |
| Country | Hong Kong |
Still Human is a 2018 Hong Kong film directed and written by Oliver Siu Kuen Chan in her feature film directorial debut. It stars veteran actor Anthony Wong and Crisel Consunji in her film debut.[1] The film chronicles the relationship between a wheelchair-bound man and his Filipina domestic helper.
The film received positive critical reception upon release. At the 38th Hong Kong Film Awards, it took home three prizes, including Wong's third Best Actor.[2]
Plot
A paralyzed and hopeless Hong Kong man meets his new Filipino domestic worker who has put her dream on hold and came to the city to earn a living. These two strangers live under the same roof through different seasons, and as they learn more about each other, they also learn more about themselves. Together, they learn about how to face the different seasons of life.
Cast
- Crisel Consunji as Evelyn Santos
- Sam Lee as Fai Cheung
- Anthony Wong as Cheong-Wing Leung
- Cecilia Yip as Jing-ying Leung
Production history
The Government of Hong Kong runs the First Feature Film Initiative, which funds winners' first feature film. Oliver Chan won the prize in the Higher Education Institution Group in 2017 with Still Human, and was awarded $3.25 million HKD.[3]
Chan sent Anthony Wong an email pitching the film with little expectation, but Wong agreed to take the part with no pay. Consunji auditioned for her role after reading about it in a Facebook ad.[4]
Social impact
There are over 370,000 foreign domestic helpers, otherwise known as migrant workers, in Hong Kong as of 2017. They mainly come from Indonesia and the Philippines. Their condition has been scrutinised by human rights groups as cases of abuse have been reported, in addition to poor living conditions and treatment from employers, and everyday discrimination. This film is the first in Hong Kong to have a migrant worker as a main character, and has sparked discussions about their lives in the city.
Accepting Best New Performer at the 38th Hong Kong Film Awards, Crisel Consunji said "in Hong Kong, when we celebrate our diversity, we move forward together", and thanked "all the women who bravely shared with [her] their stories" and called them "modern heroes" in English before speaking in Tagalog.[5]
Awards
| Award ceremony | Category | Recipient | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 13th Asian Film Awards[6] | Best New Director | Oliver Chan | Won |
| 25th Hong Kong Film Critics Society Award | Best Film | Still Human | Nominated |
| Best Director | Oliver Chan | Won | |
| Best Screenplay | Oliver Chan | Nominated | |
| Best Actor | Anthony Wong | Won | |
| Best Actress | Crisel Consunji | Nominated | |
| Films of Merit | Still Human | Won | |
| 38th Hong Kong Film Awards[2] | Best Film | Still Human | Nominated |
| Best Director | Oliver Siu Kuen Chan | Nominated | |
| Best Screenplay | Oliver Siu Kuen Chan | Nominated | |
| Best New Director | Oliver Siu Kuen Chan | Won | |
| Best Actor | Anthony Wong | Won | |
| Best Actress | Crisel Consunji | Nominated | |
| Best New Performer | Crisel Consunji | Won | |
| Best Supporting Actor | Sam Lee | Nominated | |
| 21st Far East Film Festival | Audience Award (first place) | 'Still Human' | Won |
| Black Dragon Award | 'Still Human' | Won |
References
- ^ "IMDB page". IMDB.
{{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|dead-url=(help) - ^ a b "38th HK Film Award winner list". Hong Kong Film Awards.
{{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|dead-url=(help) - ^ "3rd First Feature Film Initiative winners".
{{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|dead-url=(help) - ^ "(Chinese) HK01 interview with Oliver Chan". HK01.
- ^ "Consunji's acceptance speech at 38th HKFAs". Youtube.
{{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|dead-url=(help) - ^ "Asian Film Awards".
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