8. 1:99 Short Films (2003) , by Cheng ka yan, Emma

Background
The outbreak of SARS crisis in 2003
Causing economic downturn
Political instabilities
------> upset Hong Kongers
------> confidence crisis
SAR government supported the
Federation of Hong Kong filmmakers to
shoot the 1:99 film action to cheer HK
people up.
This was a non-profitable action
—11 short films (less than 5 mins) directed by 15 Hong Kong directors
—HK artists were invited to play the film
—Different ways were used to invigorate and cheer Hong Kong people up to bring out the HK spirit ‘Hong Kong people concern about Hong Kong people’

Title

—1:99 = 1set of bleach + 99 sets water. A common way to disinfect
—The action was to disinfect HK people’s unhappiness and encourage them to strengthen themselves

Rhapsody (Johnny To & Wai Ka Fai)
Grassroots and classic medley of Sam Hui
—The hardworking spirit of 70’s workers
—Message: Dream on! The best is yet to come.

My Sow Is Not Feeling Well(Chan Fruit)
A piggy (HK) is not feeling well
—We can’t give up the piggy. Only by being nice to it, piggy will be nice to us
—Message: Be nice to HK! We need an energetic HK which we take pride in

Smile (Teddy Chen)
‘Always look on the bright side of life’
—Look carefully, there are smiles everywhere
—Message: Invigorate HK people to be positive and look on the bright and light side of life.

Hong Kong - A Winner(Stephen Chow)
—Yuen Qiu was infected SARS, staying in the isolation ward.
—Still being very positive and encourage her family
—Besides caring patients, families of patients also re-involve to work and daily life
—Message: Hong Kongers will definitely win!

Who's Miss Hong Kong?(Joe Ma)
—‘HK’ won the Miss HK pageant
—Message: Ask Hkers to cheris and take good care of HK.

Family of Heroes (Alex Law and Mabel Cheung)
—A child describing his family, with whom are all related to ‘fei 飛’
—Message: successes come after setbacks. To be succeed, one has to go through the low point.

Until Then (Gordon Chan and Dante Lam)
—People are so helpless and longing for ‘God help us’ in facing difficulties
—Message: No matter what do we face, good or bad, we have to be strong and take action to solve difficulties

Discussion
How effective are the 1:99 short films in
encouraging and cheering up Hong
Kong people? Comparing to Golden
Chicken 2, which one is more effective?