In 2007, Hong Kong International Film Festival organized a "Focus Filmmaker: Herman Yau", which reviewed a number of Herman Yau Lai-To's old and new films, among which "Whispers and Moans" (2007) even had a world premiere, which was a great event. Herman Yau is an anomaly among Hong Kong film directors, with his proficient skills and experience, he has made many low-cost topical films, such as "The Eight Immortals Restaurant: The Untold Story" (1993), "Ebola Syndrome" (1996), etc., and "Troublesome Night" (1997) series of horro films, he can be regarded as a "B-movie" master in Hong Kong, but on the other hand, he has a strong appeal and stance on social current affairs and phenomena, and has made several films with a very social and clear stance, including "From the Queen to the Chief Executive" (2001), "Give Them a Chance" (2003), etc. Secondly, he's a fan of rock music, he has made MVs for Anthony Wong Chau Sang's rock songs and documentary "Rock Chinese Music Force" (1994).
The film "Whispers and Moans" can be summed up as his social and sincere film. It's adapted from Yeung Yee-Shan's book "Whispers and Moans". It tells the story of a group of sex workers and female pimps in ten days. Obviously, the social worker Elsie played by Yan Ng Yat-Yin in the film is the incarnation of the original author and screenwriter Yeung Yee-Shan. She fights for the dignity and rights of these sex workers, argues with the experienced female pimp Jenny played by Yu On-On. It's also supported by Coco, who was transferred from a sex worker to female pimp and played by Athena Chu Yan, which all showed the attitude and position of the director and Yeung Yee-Shan towards sex workers. Herman Yau also stated that he hoped that this film would win the favor of sex workers some respect.
In fact, films like Herman Yau with strong social appeals are sincere, and they are also a clear stream of Hong Kong Cinema. Compared with "From the Queen to the Chief Executive", the handling of "Whispers and Moans" has improved. This may also be a sex worker, compared with the "From the Queen to the Chief Executive" in terms of fun, it's not so sad and indignant. Herman Yau has a more flexible way of dealing with this group of people who are discriminated against by society.
By Kam Po LAM (original in Chinese)
The film "Whispers and Moans" can be summed up as his social and sincere film. It's adapted from Yeung Yee-Shan's book "Whispers and Moans". It tells the story of a group of sex workers and female pimps in ten days. Obviously, the social worker Elsie played by Yan Ng Yat-Yin in the film is the incarnation of the original author and screenwriter Yeung Yee-Shan. She fights for the dignity and rights of these sex workers, argues with the experienced female pimp Jenny played by Yu On-On. It's also supported by Coco, who was transferred from a sex worker to female pimp and played by Athena Chu Yan, which all showed the attitude and position of the director and Yeung Yee-Shan towards sex workers. Herman Yau also stated that he hoped that this film would win the favor of sex workers some respect.
In fact, films like Herman Yau with strong social appeals are sincere, and they are also a clear stream of Hong Kong Cinema. Compared with "From the Queen to the Chief Executive", the handling of "Whispers and Moans" has improved. This may also be a sex worker, compared with the "From the Queen to the Chief Executive" in terms of fun, it's not so sad and indignant. Herman Yau has a more flexible way of dealing with this group of people who are discriminated against by society.
By Kam Po LAM (original in Chinese)