The Hong Kong International Film Festival Society (HKIFFS) tonight hosted the long-awaited world premiere of “Stoma“, Kit Hung‘s devastating but ultimately sanguine story of survival and resolve.
Initially scheduled for the cancelled 44th Hong Kong International Film Festival (HKIFF44) earlier this year, the screening took place during CineFest at K11 Art House. Director Hungand lead actor Sing Lam were in attendance to meet and share their insights with the audience afterwards.
The screenplay for “Stoma” was written by the late cultural icon Julian Lee, based on his long battle with cancer. The film follows an emotionally harrowing journey endured by young gay photographer Alex after he is diagnosed with peritoneal cancer. Abandoned by his brother and his dithering lover, Alex is forced to face his mortality and the loss of sexual identity, through sheer resilience.
“It is taboo to talk about diseases or cancer in traditional and conservative Chinese society, simply for their inauspicious implications, and discussions on sex and homosexuality even more so,” explained Hung, who directed the acclaimed “Soundless Wind Chime” in 2009. “So you can imagine the predicament of a cancer-afflicted gay man who becomes an invisible victim of double discrimination.”
“Through “Stoma”, I hope the audience can hear the voices of the marginalised gay community,” he said. Lead actor Lam also noted that his role in the film was the most stressful and heart-wrenching among all his acting experiences.
