The vanishing colours of the central star ferry pier
Youtube link: https://youtu.be/adZYg-kT2YE
The central star ferry pier, one of Hong Kong’s most iconic artifacts built in 1890 has long marked itself as a pivotal part of Hong Kong’s identity and urban vibrancy. However, it is apparent that it’s struggling to restore back its original colours due to the detrimental effects of the pandemic. For what used to be an alluring tourist destination packed with people, the building no longer attracts a comparable amount of attention from tourists and locals unlike pre-pandemic.
The covid outbreak contributed in hindering street accessibility in which travelling covid restrictions disencouraged tourists from visiting given its time-consuming quarantine procedures and measures. Likewise, locals weren’t keen on visiting the pier due to stern social distancing restrictions. It is reported that the star ferry company has suffered a loss of $9 million since 2019, where the company’s momentum predominantly depended on loans whilst paying their employees amidst the city’s economic recession. Therefore, this raises concerns over the ferry pier’s longevity given the accumulated debts from covid.
As a result, the harbourfront commission has set forth an urban revitalization scheme to renovate the central ferry pier in hopes of redeeming Hong Kong’s night economy. The proposal mainly focuses on seeking commercial concessions and non-farebox revenue improvement to permit urban mobility. Such where the public viewing deck and seaview corridor in central pier no.7 is recommended for retail opportunities to ameliorate harbourview enjoyment (Hong Kong Ferry (Holdings) Co. Ltd., 2023). As well as an addition of shop mix, merchandise collaborations and kiosks to further improve location strength and user experience. While this may sound like positive news, heritage activists criticized the top down approach in urban renewal schemes as the replacement of commercial shops over traditional artifact spaces sidelines hong kong’s heritage preservation (Chu, 2022), which stimulates second-thoughts on the urban renewal scheme as its commercial approach suggests that the central ferry pier could potentially lose its original essence to neoliberal urbanism.
Additionally, the shift in tourist trends in the mainland further contributed in reinforcing this. Given China’s slowing economy over the years, people are more budget conscious and thus prefer investments in cheaper experiences, hence rather than visiting Hong Kong’s conventional tourist attractions like the central pier, mainland tourists prefer indulging in in-depth trips to Hong Kong. All of which deteriorates the urban vibrancy of the central ferry pier.
Needless to say, the star ferry pier has been an integral part of many Hong kongers’ lives. Hence, as urban development advances, it is vital to sustain and preserve the heritage in traditional Hong Kong architecture, for it cements the city’s identity and spirit. And that it would require the help of coordinated efforts and immediate steps to revive its colours from vanishing away (Hossain, 2014).
Pre-production research
In hopes of emanating a sense of uncertainty with regards to the central pier’s ambiguous future, the cinematography was heavily inspired by the aesthetics of Wong Kar Wai’s Chungking Express (1994). As showcased in my mood board, I planned to utilize the colour board in Final cut pro in accentuating the blue undertones similar to the blue montage shown in the opening scene. Moreover, I plan to further amplify the melancholic ambience through increasing the contrast levels. Through adding more accents to the cinematography, it visually emphasizes the seriousness of the discourse. Furthermore, Christopher Dolye’s employment of mise en scene (E.g windows, doors) in creating internal framings sparked my inspiration in leveraging this as another device in conveying the dilemma in balancing between commercialization and preservation. However, acknowledging the shortage of filmic equipment available, I decided to make use of natural lighting in highlighting the spatial composition of the central pier interior, which simultaneously permits opportunities for chiaroscuro lighting. Additionally, upon expanding my research I came across a SCMP video that enlighted an idea to implement an educational filmic style such that the stylistic cinematography will be synergized with images of research findings.
Reflection
Overall, this has been an enjoyable and insightful experience as I got to broaden my horizons in terms of exploring the socioeconomic and political aspects of traditional hong kong architecture, specifically the central ferry pier, as well as the ways it can shape urban development. Subsequently, this project has curated me a valuable opportunity to challenge myself in experimenting new filmic styles and camera angle usages. All of which I’ve thoroughly enjoyed as I got to exercise my creativity and researching skills.
UID: 3036268397
Name: Larissa Lai
Works cited:
– Chu, C. (2022). Imagining a new urban commons: Heritage preservation as and community movements in Hong Kong. Urban Studies, 59(5), 1062-1079. https://doi.org/10.1177/00420980211035837[2]
– Harbourfront Commission . (2023). Star Ferry Temporary Commercial Concession Application at Central Pier & Central Terminal Building and Wanchai Pier (Sep 2023). https://www.hfc.org.hk/filemanager/files/HKTF_20230922_ppt_item5.pdf
– Hossain, M. (2014). A study of architectural heritage [Doctoral dissertation, Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology]. CORE. https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/48655918.pdf[1]
– Hung , E. (2023, September 23). Hong Kong’s Star Ferry lays out vision for pumping new life into piers. South China Morning Post. https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3235601/weddings-alfresco-dining-and-music-hong-kongs-star-ferry-lays-out-vision-pumping-new-life-piers
– Kwan, S. (2022, April 29). Hong Kong’s Star Ferry Needs a Rescue Plan With No Tourists in Sight. Bloomberg.com. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2022-04-29/hong-kong-star-ferry-needs-rescue-plan-as-tourism-drops
Lin, N. C. (2024, February 15). As Economy Slows, China’s Shoppers Look for Affordable Alternatives. Voice of America. https://www.voanews.com/a/as-economy-slows-china-s-shoppers-look-for-affordable-alternatives/7488461.html
– Ruwitch, J. (2022, July 27). Hong Kong’s Star Ferry faces an uncertain future, as ridership falls and debt climbs. NPR; NPR. https://www.npr.org/2022/07/27/1113164660/hong-kong-star-ferry-tourism#:~:text=Hong%20Kong
– Wong, W. (2023, August 25). Mainland Chinese tourists drop shopping and chase Hong Kong’s “trending” side. South China Morning Post. https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3232176/shop-till-you-drop-dead-mainland-chinese-tourists-hong-kong-chase-instagram-worthy-photo?campaign=3232176&module=perpetual_scroll_0&pgtype=article
– Xiao, L., & Liu, J. (2023). Exploring non-linear built environment effects on urban vibrancy under COVID-19: The case of Hong Kong. Applied Geography, 155, 102960. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apgeog.2023.102960
Thank you for your video essay! The topic you chose is very unique, and your research is very comprehensive. I also admire your techniques for the video as it was interactive and educational, it helped me deeply involve in the content.