GeGe (2001)

A young Hongkonger heads into remote Western China in search of his elder brother, who had been slowly travelling across the county. He's carrying with him the last postcard his brother sent, postmarked from a small town in Qinghai Province. As the visitor starts his hunt through the crumbling backwater, he slowly connects with his brother's friends and acquaintances to find out more.

With this plot and video equipment on hand, first-time director Yan Yan Mak has shot an intriguing journey deep into China. As the film progresses, the man comes to adapt to local ways and unspoken conventions, and also breaks through unease and distance from Qinghai citizens. Unhurried and quiet, GeGe affords plenty of breathing room for the viewer to take in the situation at a leisurely pace.

A production from the Hong Kong Arts Development Council, X'ian Film Studio and RTHK, GeGe achieves plenty without frills. Camera work is delivered on video and an out-of-tune guitar soundtrack provides an interesting accompaniment. Images from the region are both picturesque and formal, offering a consistently steady overview of locations and situations. The many landscape scenes are thoughtfully framed, while urban compositions matter-of-factly observe the area without labouring on the obvious, such as the dusty streets and incongruous civic architecture. Performances from the leads and supports are consistently calm and natural throughout the feature. A low-budget but far-reaching production, GeGe is a pleasing eye-opener to the talents behind the camera.

Note: Credits taken from the 25th Hong Kong International Film Festival catalogue.

Credits:

Written, produced and directed by Yan Yan Mak
Cinematography by Siuki Yip and Eric Lau
Edited by Tam Kwok-ming
Music by Wang Lei
Art direction by Fan Hong-man
Starring Tam Kwok-ming, Jin Cai-hsia and Cai Tao