In this week, I completed a 3 + minute short film ( I think it’s a drafted video at this stage) composed of snippets and dialogues from various Hong Kong movies (most from Wong Kar-Wai’s films). The video was to emphasize the connection between “individual identity” (who am I) and the city Hong Kong. I sent this version video to 8 people living in London (my target audiences) – 5 from Hong Kong aged between 35-45 and have moved to London for more than 2 years, and 3 from mainland China aged 25-34, and came to London less than 2 years. I gained the feedback in one to one conversation from Hong Kong audiences and have a small group discussion with mainland Chinese audiences in hybrid way (online and offline). Their feedback provided me with fresh perspectives, which I will discuss below. (As my target audiences all know I’m not the professional in video edition, their feedbacks will not involve the quality of the video edition at this stage)
Feedback Summary
Hong Kong Audiences
I can say it’s an artistic presentation of HK culture, which shows only one side. But that is definitely HK culture and feeling.
comments from one of the HK audiences
- Cultural Resonance and Nostalgia: Most of them are fans of Director Wong Kar Wai and this age group found some scenes or dialogues reminiscent of their past days working/living in Hong Kong.
- Identity and Multiculturalism: They can understand why I put these snipperts and selected these dialogues in the video and what I intend to express, but all of them cannot be really touched via watching this video becuase it looks not like a whole story, like fragments instead. And they suggested me to include some elements of London in the video so that to prompt deeper reflections on cultural and identity interplay as they’re Hong Kong people but now living in UK.
Mainland Chinese Audiences
- Lack of Relatability: The mainland audience felt disconnected from the video due to unfamiliarity with the movies, language, and settings of Hong Kong. (suggested to add the subtitle)
- Inclusion of London: They suggested that including elements of London and mainland China, one is their current place of resience and a city known for its multiculturalism, and another enhances relatability and empathy with mainland viewers, which would make the video more relatable and engaging.
Reflections on Feedback
- The 1st edition video started from my own prefernce and connection with Hong Kong and Hong Kong cinema, there’s no whole story in the video, I have to consider to draft a story to make the target audiences understand what I intend to do.
- Both Hong Kong and mainland audeinces suggested me to include London elements into the video and make it more engaging if the next intervention will still happen in London.
- The interaction with stakeholders in this intervention is not enough which affected the feedbacks collected are not comprehensive. This time, the post discussion is a free style discussion. I didn’t design a questionaire or set specific questions/topics to invite the stakeholders involving. Instead, they only shared their views about their connections with the video after watching if you like. It could not be useful for me to decide the direction or clues clearly for the next edition video.
- Inspired by LV Soundwalk in Hong Kong with Shu Qi , she uses sound to narrate, making what seems like a personal story reflect the complex character of the entire city. At the same time, while I’m listening, the sound also connects with my memories and emotions from when I worked in Hong Kong. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=76L_2ZEH9gY&t=19s
- Hong Kong was once a British colony, so some street names are named after British places or people. However, under British rule, there were also many streets named after Chinese localities or cities. https://justincheuk.wordpress.com/2016/03/07/hk_uk_namesake_streets_hkg/