Reel Asian International Film Festival

  • Home
  • About
    • Staff
    • Board of Directors
    • Contact Us
    • Reel Asian’s 20/20 Series
    • Festival History
    • Press Releases
  • FESTIVAL
    • Awards & Jury
    • Festival Schedule
    • Reel Ideas
    • Industry Accreditation
    • Media Accreditation
    • Submissions Info
    • Ticketing FAQs
    • 2019 Sponsors & Partners
  • Opportunities
    • So You Think You Can Pitch?
    • See Yourself Here: Online Video Contest
    • Reel Asian’s First Feature Program
    • Telefilm ‘Talent to Watch’ Program
    • Employment Opportunities
    • Volunteer Opportunities
  • Year Round
    • Lunar New Year Fundraiser 2019
    • Newsletter
    • Ticket Contests
  • Education
    • Asian Heritage Month School Tour
    • Festival Youth Programme
    • Unsung Voices: Youth Video Production Workshop
  • Support Us
    • Make a Donation
    • Become a Member
    • Sponsorship Opportunities
    • Advertise with Us
    • Facebook
    • Flickr
    • Instagram
    • Twitter

A Grand Night for A Simple Life

Posted on April 16, 2012

The 31st Hong Kong Film Awards have just been announced tonight with A Simple Life scooping up most of the sought-after awards including Best Director, Best Picture, Best Actor (Andy Lau), Best Actress (Deanie Ip) and Best Screenplay.  Congrats to Ann Hui and her team!  It is no coincidence that all 450 seats were filled at the free screening of A Simple Life that Reel Asian co-hosted last Tuesday.

While this film was dazzling critics abroad, on more humble carpets this morning I went to A Simple Life with my mom, dad and 90-year-old Grandma at AMC Kennedy Commons.  Although it was an early morning screening (anything before noon is ‘morning’ in my books), the Scarborough theatre had a decent turnout with approx 80 people – all Asian and most of them over the age of 40 (except me).  Once the lights dimmed, Dr. Seuss’ Lorax appeared on screen to remind us to turn off phones and refrain from unneighbourly disturbances.  Of course, this didn’t stop the audience from giving a running commentary during the entire movie.

Man in front: “Is that a fat cat or a small dog?” (when Ah Tao is petting her cat KaKa)
Women behind me: “Ah Tao can’t peel the orange herself, help her” (when Roger asks why Ah Tao is not eating her orange in the hospital)
Mom beside me: “Oh no the other nursing home residents are gonna drink her birds nest soup” (when Roger and his mom bring Ah Tao soup)
Uncle yappy in the 4th last row: “Wai? Oh yes I can talk…” (while he engages in a 2 min conversation using his outside voice)

Nevertheless, after seeing this film for the second time I am still as touched as I was the first time – that Ann Hui tackled such a universal story (not only for HK families who have taken in maids from China, but for families who have aging parents everywhere) and that she did so without glorifying the sentimental relationship between Roger and Ah Tao.  For many, it will be too easy to watch this at home – but why sit on the couch when you can watch this on the big screen with the same familiar chatter of 80 of your closest uncles and aunties?  Trust me, it’s an experience worth paying for…well, maybe minus uncle yappy.

A Simple Life will be in theatres until at April 26, 2012 at select AMC Theatres.  Check showtimes here.  Watch trailer here.

Posted under: News Tagged as: 2012 Hong Kong Film Awards  /  A Simple Life  /  Ann Hui

Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival

401 Richmond Street West, The Commons (Suite 448)
Toronto, Ontario, M5V 3A8
Canada

T: (416) 703 – 9333
info@reelasian.com

Charitable number: 870021383RR0001

Copyright © 2019 Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival. All rights reserved.
"Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival" and "Reel Asian" are registered trademarks of Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival.
Charitable number: 870021383RR0001