Director Jun Li hopes his new film, “Drifting“, which made its Asian premiere at the 45th Hong Kong International Film Festival (HKIFF45) tonight, can spotlight Hong Kong’s homeless people for more public attention.
Joining Li at a star-studded gala screening at Hong Kong Cultural Centre was the ensemble cast, including Loletta Lee, Cecilia Choi, Chu Pak-hong, Baby Bo, Will Or, and Cecilia Yip in a special appearance. Selected for the International Film Festival Rotterdam’s Big Screen Competition earlier this year, “Drifting” is the young filmmaker’s second feature following “Tracey”, his critically-acclaimed debut in 2018.
Based on a true story, “Drifting” recounts how an ex-convict, played by Francis Ng, and his fellow drifters take their fight to court after the authorities had raided their makeshift homes and disposed of their belongings.
“I used to walk past the squatters in the Sham Shui Po underbridge every day on my way to school,” Li said. “I only began to understand the barrier and social injustice that they have to put up with when I met them face to face and listen to their stories.”
The film marks Loletta Lee’s return to acting after a long hiatus. “My career is deeply rooted here,” Lee said. “I hope our new generation of filmmakers can preserve and revitalise the heritage of Hong Kong cinema.”
