花椒之味
Drama
Hong Kong
Language: Cantonese, Mandarin
Subtitles: English and Czech
Directing: Heiward Mak
Starring: Sammi Cheng, Megan Lai, Li Xiaofeng
Distributor: Media Asia Film
Guest: Heiward Mak
The film will be introduced by director HEIWARD MAK, and the screening will be followed by a Q&A with the director.
During a family funeral, Hong Kong native Acacia (Sammi Cheng) discovers that her father had two other daughters. Branch (Megan Lai) grew up in Taiwan and Cherry (Li Xiaofeng) in mainland China. Their father’s death reunites the three separated sisters, who come from different environments, to work together and save the family restaurant and learn the recipe for his special soup. In the process, they come to understand what family really means to them.
Brilliant filmmaker Heiward Mak has one of the strongest voices in contemporary Hong Kong cinema. Her work is characterised by vibrant characters being challenged by pressing issues. Fagara brings out the theme of confronting family history, such as the secrets of our parents, but also the vast intergenerational differences leading to toxic family relationships. The narratives of the individual characters evolve into a more general dialogue between the three regions of China that the women come from. Mak’s combination of powerful women’s themes with subtle humour follows the tradition of Hong Kong social dramas and, in particular, the poetics of the legendary Ann Hui who also produced Fagara. The star, Sammi Cheng, excels in the lead role, brilliantly oscillating between different kinds of acting. Fagara is based on a text by popular writer Amy Cheung and features several acting surprises for Hong Kong film fans.
Despite the said parallels, Heiward Mak remains distinctly unique and exceptional. With confidence, she takes contemporary Hong Kong dramas in a new direction and that is what makes Fagara one of the most inspiring films of recent years.
