All Shall Be Well, Ray Yeung’s latest screens in the Panorama strand at this year’s Berlinale, a world premiere for the captivating, very sad drama set among the skyscrapers of contemporary Hong Kong.
The story revolves around lesbian couple Angie (Patra Au Ga Man) and Pat (Maggie Li Lin Lin), two likeable people in their mid-60s living in a nice flat in the middle of the city. They’ve been together for decades, happy and in love, content with the life that they’ve made together. They’re also family people and have many friends, often entertaining them in their nice abode, all accepting of their relationship. Pat manages the finances for the couple, and her name is on the deeds for the property, but Angie contributes equally to the household bills and has done so for the entire time they’ve been together. There is clearly an economic and social divide between the members of the family. Angie and Pat met in a factory when they were younger, but went on to successfully run their own textiles business. On the flip side, Shing (Tai Bo), Pat’s brother, has lost his business and is struggling for work, recently taking on a job as a parking attendant on the brutal night shift. He’s happily married with children and grandchildren, with Shing’s son, Victor, an Uber driver who has also been dependent on Angie and Pat in the past.
When Pat passes away suddenly, the dynamic between the grieving Angie and the immediate family shifts, with the family clashing over funeral plans and ultimately their home which, because of Hong Kong law, passes to the immediate family – Shing – rather than Pat, who has no legal rights.
Running at a swift 93 minutes, the film doesn’t waste a moment or frame. It’s an emotional journey with the audience completely involved in Angie’s situation. We feel for her in every moment but recognise the suffering, brutal conduct of those around her and the anxiety associated with an unknown future as the life which she once knew crumbles before her. You do, however, see the angle from Shing and other members of the family, Hong Kong’s extortionate property price prohibiting most who live there from buying, the international community on which the SAR thrives from sending those house and apartment prices sky high. It is thought-provoking stuff and Yeung’s beautiful screenplay examines its subject matter brilliantly.
Ming-Kai Leung’s cinematography captures Hong Kong beautifully, and there’s wonderful art and production design from Albert Poon (who is also credited as costume designer).
A heartwarming and heartbreaking drama about family dynamics, grief and moving on from loss. Superbly acted and told, All Shall Be Well is one of the highlights of Berlinale’s Panorama.
All Shall Be Well was reviewed at the 2024 Berlin International Film Festival.
All Shall Be Well
Summary
Beautifully told and superbly acted, All Shall Be Well is an involving, very sad drama that is a standout at this year’s Berlinale Panorama strand.
