A Life in Focus

After four decades spent telling the stories of overlooked people, director Ann Hui becomes the subject of a documentary about her own remarkable career

- Zabrina Lo

Walking onstage to receive the Golden Lion award for lifetime achievement at the Venice International Film Festival in September, the director Ann Hui On-wah captured the world’s attention with her disarmingly self-deprecating manner. Dressed in her signature, minimalist uniform of a black blazer over a white poplin shirt (Prada on this occasion), round glasses, plain black trainers and a single, sparkling statement earring dangling from her left lobe, she spoke not much of herself, but rather, her home.

“Thanking you alone does not adequately express my feelings,” Hui said. “You do not know what encouragement you are giving to the people of Hong Kong, too.”

In many ways, it was a moment that perfectly illustrated the essence of Hui, whose work, above all, reflects a lifelong appreciation for the city in which she was raised and has lived most of her life, and a keen eye for observing all of its nuances. Her camera has documented some of the most powerful and candid stories about Hong Kong’s most overlooked people. Hui said of the city: “It has given me an education and a scholarship to study film in London. It has given me my life experiences and chances to work and find fulfilment.

“I treasure even my sufferings there and all those crazy, cool people,” she added, before making a vow from the stage to support young filmmakers pursuing their dreams today.