Hong Kong writer and director Cheuk Wan-chi is actively seeking investors to complete financing for her ambitious film project, 38.83, a deeply personal drama that blends cross-generational family bonds with sharp social commentary on aging. The script, which transforms Cheuk’s relationship with her 96-year-old grandmother into cinematic narrative, is an official selection at the 24th Hong Kong-Asia Film Financing Forum (HAF), appearing as part of the market’s spotlight on “In-Development Projects” (IDP).
The director aims to secure additional resources through HAF, which runs concurrently with the Hong Kong International Film & TV Market (FILMART), to elevate the film’s production quality and expand its scope. Cheuk sees the project as a heartfelt dedication to her grandmother, hoping to premiere the film as a 100th birthday gift.
Funding Challenges and International Scope
While 38.83 has already secured a significant HK$9 million grant from the Hong Kong Film Development Fund’s Asian Cultural Exchange Film Production Financing Scheme, Cheuk revealed that the current funding falls short of the overall necessary budget. The film requires substantial co-financing due to its international nature, necessitating extensive shooting in Japan and featuring Japanese characters.
“This is a Hong Kong-Japan co-production,” Cheuk explained. “Additional funding would allow us to enhance the production scale and potentially bring in more high-caliber Japanese actors.”
The project’s inclusion in HAF is a culmination of a revised strategy for Cheuk, who admitted a previous, unsuccessful attempt at the forum years ago due to a lack of preparation. This time, she is pitching the project equipped with a complete, detailed storyboard, significantly increasing the chances of securing financing and co-production deals.
A Tribute to an Unconventional Elder
The inspiration for 38.83 stems from Cheuk’s unusually vibrant and non-traditional grandmother, whom she lightheartedly described as an “unconventional elder” who could sometimes be “naughtier” than younger people—even engaging in late-night solo whiskey sessions. The grandmother’s free-spirited personality forms the core of the story, allowing Cheuk to explore universal issues around aging, social integration, and the complexities of intergenerational relationships across different cultures.
Balancing roles as both screenwriter and director, Cheuk emphasized that casting the central pair is critical. She is more focused on finding two actors who share genuine chemistry and effectively portray the unique dynamic of her relationship with her grandmother, rather than demanding a direct imitation of her or her relative.
Cheuk acknowledged that launching a film during the current unpredictable climate presents formidable challenges. She recounted a setback where an initial investor withdrew their commitment after she had spent a year completing the script. This forced her to personally finance foreign language translation—noting that artificial intelligence proved unable to handle the complex nuances of the script—before successfully finding a Japanese collaborator and eventually securing the substantial government grant.
Navigating a Changing Media Landscape
The director remains pragmatic about the fast-evolving media consumption landscape. She recognizes that two years from now, viewers may primarily consume content on mobile devices, citing an extreme industry example of a feature film being fragmented into 96 TikTok segments for release.
“It is difficult to predict the world the film will face upon release,” Cheuk noted. “I must constantly re-evaluate my work from different perspectives, adapt strategically, and build a crew that shares a similar vision and outlook.”
Despite the financial and logistical hurdles, Cheuk maintains that the passion for filmmaking remains strong, adding that the art community is increasingly prioritizing creative relationships and shared artistic vision over merely focusing on monetary concerns. For Cheuk, the process of bringing her family’s story to the screen remains the ultimate reward.
