Over the years, I have created feature-length screenplays, and this short film is "no exception". It is quite long, running for an estimated 30 minutes and spanning over three decades of two people's lives.
"My Brother" is a story about tracing roots between Shantou and Hong Kong, a process that involves questioning what 'roots' truly signify: homeland or loved ones. Although the characters are based on my grandfather and cousin, I realized that they could represent anyone swept along by the tides of their time. Shantou and Hong Kong may be geographically close now, but in the past, they seemed worlds apart.
I don't want to dwell on how difficult the filming of this movie was because filmmaking itself is a challenging process that requires overcoming numerous obstacles. Instead, I prefer to capture the moments my fellow teammates enjoyed during the shooting process. Like falling in love with riding Suzuki motorcycles, learning Cantonese Mahjong, capturing beautiful seaside photos, savoring beef hot pot from Chaoshan, and witnessing the director's temperamental nature. This is the significance that the film brings to us and the essence of "My Brother" in its search for roots.
Thank you to all the friends who have helped us along the way with "My Brother". We hope to see you on the big screen soon.
可能这几年写惯了长片的缘故,我把这个短片写得有点“长”。长到时长估计有三十分钟,也长到两人的故事跨越了三十年。
《远洋》讲的是在汕头香港两地寻根的故事,也是在追问一个一直困扰我的问题——根到底是指家乡的一方水土,还是某些亲朋好友?故事人物原型是我的爷爷和表伯,而拍完后我发现,他们可以是在那个年代随波逐流的任何人。汕头和香港现在很近,但在过去,它们之间的距离是那么地遥远。
我不想说这个片子的拍摄有多不容易,因为拍电影本身就是一个不容易且要克服重重困难的过程。我更愿意去记下小伙伴们在拍摄过程中所享受的那些时刻,比如他们爱上了开铃木王摩托车,学会了广东麻将,拍到了唯美的海边照片,吃上了潮汕牛肉火锅,也见识了导演的暴脾气,这就是电影带给我们的意义,也是《远洋》寻根的意义。
谢谢一路上帮助过《远洋》的朋友们,我们大荧幕见。