The Current Cinema - Michael Campi draws attention to screenings of another Chinese indie - A LIGHT NEVER GOES OUT (Anastasia Tsang, Hong Kong, 2022)

A Light Never Goes Out Poster

This poignant Hong Kong drama is another recent Hong Kong indie feature that pleases through its subtlety and fascination with the past, something that never becomes sentimental nostalgia, but more of a realistic lament for the rapid decline of an industry of uniquely talented and experienced artisans, creating those world famous colourful neon displays which have illuminated the length and breadth of many Hong Kong locations. They had a practical purpose in terms of advertising but also provided lighting for busy areas of a bustling city. During this century, decisions to replace these sometimes unofficial structures with smaller, more economical LED lights have been met with regret. Today there are non-profit organisations collecting signs that have been subject to removal orders although there are ways to overcome these decrees but they are expensive. There's a move to smaller, safer, more economical LED illumination. 

Sylvia Chang

Winner of the 5th First Feature Film Initiative project organised by Create HK, a film promotion scheme of the Hong Kong government, A LIGHT NEVER GOES OUT received its world premiere at last year's Tokyo International Film Festival followed by the Golden Horse Film Festival in Taiwan and was included in Rotterdam IFF earlier this year. With over a hundred appearances in front of the camera and more than a dozen as director, Sylvia Chang won the Golden Horse Award for Best Actress for A LIGHT NEVER GOES OUT in which she portrays a recently widowed mother, whose late husband (Simon Yam) manufactured colourful neon lighting from his small artisan workshop. 

In an unofficial cycle of new Hong Kong films in Cantonese, this is another reminder of such small manufacturing enterprises which have been disappearing in Hong Kong. The widow discovers that her late husband's workshop is still operating although her daughter believed it had been closed long ago. Moreover there's a new apprentice installed and sleeping in the workplace, puzzled by the disappearance of his master while small orders keep arriving and larger debts like back rent are significant. Unknown to the mother, the daughter plans to migrate to Australia with her partner of the last three years. She believes her mother needs psychological help when there is any discussion of the family enterprise still functioning. The lack of communication between mother and daughter is significant. It's no surprise that a close platonic bond develops between the mother and apprentice, both of whom become intent on recreating a particular sign hinted at by mysterious designs found in the workshop.  

Simon Yam

This is the feature debut of Anastasia Tsang, a graduate of the Sorbonne, who co-wrote the fine script. Like Sylvia Chang, Simon Yam as the late husband is another veteran of Chinese cinema.  There's a understated, loving understanding between their characters which is well developed. Their performances are subtle with a genuine fondness appearing in their union. It's surprising  these two popular actors have rarely appeared together before. Well-judged flashbacks of the couple feature potentially fresh stars playing husband and wife many years earlier. The attractive score is by Wong Ngai Lun and Janet Yung while the frequently nocturnal scenes are delicately photographed by Leung Ming-kai who has worked with many filmmakers including Anocha Suwichakornpong, Amos Why, Jun Li and indeed an earlier film directed by Sylvia Chang. 

Beside the final credit roll are pictures of significant neon sign craftsmen with short bios indicating many of them developed these often huge structures during fifty or more years of creativity, perhaps from school leaving age. 

Below are the imminent screening details for Australia. 

Adelaide -  28 July 2pm @ Mercury Cinema

Melbourne - 5 August 2:30pm @ Cinema Nova 

Brisbane - 12 August 3pm @ The Elizabeth Five Stars Cinema

Gold Coast - 18 August time tbc

Sydney - 21 - 23 August 5pm @ Roseville Cinema 

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Editor's Note: Michael Campi is a longtime Melbourne-based cinephile with a particular interest in Asian cinema. In a recent previous post he drew attention to another Chinese indie having one-off  or exclusive screenings around Australia. Click here to read his notes on THE NARROW ROAD (Lam Sum, 1922)