Ho Ka Cheng

Supervisor of Audio-Visual CUT Association. One of the directors of Macau Stories 1, also involved in Macau Stories 2─Love in the City and Macau Stories 3City Maze. Macau Stories 2Love in the City received a special mention at Portugal’s Avanca Film Festival, and was shown at film festivals in Tokyo and Osaka.


Films ain’t no dreams: a review of do it for yourself

07 2015 | Issue 7

Organised by the Macao Cultural Centre, the Macao International Film and Video Festival (MIFVF) was held from March till May 2015. Among the films in different styles and genres from Macao and all over the world, Do It for Yourself (Director: Benz Wong / 45 minutes) is a documentary featured in the “Macao Indies” section of MIFVF.


The film tells the story about Chi Kin Wong, an energetic fresh graduate majoring in 3D design in a Taiwan university. He cannot find a way to show his talent after graduation and thus becomes a drugstore clerk. When the opportunity comes, he takes part in the production of the film Macao Stories 3 and starts his career in video production. The documentary also includes interviews of freelance filmmakers, unit still photographers, directors, producers, photographers, actors and Wong’s mother, etc., in order to explore the work of filmmakers from different angles.


Although Wong studies 3D design, he does not mind taking up other posts in a film project such as being a production assistant, a photographic assistant, a lighting technical assistant, a props designer or even just a filming equipment mover at the set. The audience might not notice the hardship behind the glamorous silver screen, in fact film production is physically and mentally demanding every step of the way. Long work hours, and even longer hours waiting on set. It is not surprising one might question his/her decision of choosing such career, while most the of the time he/she is moving equipment around instead of being creative. As a matter of fact, being a filmmaker is like any other occupation that requires hard work, experience and knowledge.


Members of Free Dream, a Macao-based production studio are featured in this documentary as well. The studio is formed by a group of young and talented filmmakers, who share a same dream. The work for each member changes when there is a new project, so that they can work closely together and learn from different posts. This reminds me of the Taiwanese New Wave Movement in the 1980s, when everyone in the industry was helping each other to pursuit their dreams. We all hope that the film industry in Macao will flourish. It is also important for people to compete under a fair and friendly environment.


I am particularly moved by the interview of Wong’s mother. On one hand she is very supportive to her son’s pursuit, on the other hand she is worried if he can make a living by making films. She wishes for him to find a stable job if his career in the film industry comes to an end. Wong is also worried about not having enough saving to get married and purchase a flat.


Time has changed and so as everything. Nowadays it is easier to edit a film than find a parking space; it is easier to record or mix a song than being hired as a civil servant; it is easier to make a film than buy a flat. Sometimes I feel that filmmaking is no longer a dream, living a life is.