Disappearing City
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uOPOrI2EEfY
Side walks are known to be the setting of the quotidian, daily experience of the urban city lifestyle. As human beings, we grow a strong sense of attachment to the surrounding environment we are so used to seeing every day. Therefore, this can symbolise a sense of topophilia and nostalgia. However, time is transient and nothing lasts forever. When we walk along the streets, we often start to notice changes that happen in our surroundings as the result of rapid urban renewable and economic development.
Various notable films that inspired me to approach the theme of nostalgia and topophilia is Clement Cheng and Yan Yan Mak’s Merry-Go-Round (2010), where the Tung Wah Coffin home, the film’s main setting, is a real location of cultural heritage. The film often depicts the site as a peaceful and picturesque location due to its role for providing shelter for diasporic Chinese, while also allegorises the site as a subject to erasure from urban renewal. In addition, glimpses of old streets (Wing Lee street as mentioned in the video), neighbourhoods and the old way of life under the British colonial rule surrounding Sheung Wan are also often presented in the film.
The growing attachment has motivated various social movements that aim to prevent the demolishment of historical building sites and restore remnants of Hong Kong’s past culture.
Through this video essay, I wanted to create a short documentary styled video to highlight the disappearing historical and cultural aspect of the city, where the fear of urban renewal and economic development has reinvigorated the Hong Kong people’s sense of cultural identity and the need of preservation.
Methodology
To conduct research for my video, firstly, I did some readings regarding my theme of nostalgia and topophilia. One reading that I found quite interesting and suited the theme of my video very well is “The Urban Maze: Crisis and Topography in Hong Kong Cinema” by Esther M.K. Cheung, where I investigated examples of nostalgic films in Hong Kong and provided an in-depth context behind the allegory of these films, which motivated various social movements against government demolitions of old buildings after the 1997 handover.
Then, I proceed to prepare for the conduction of my field work. I chose Sha Tin (More specifically Sha Tin Tai Pau Village) as my field work site as it is not only the site I grew up in, but it is also a part of the New Territories where it is a subject of rapid urban redevelopment schemes to accommodate the booming population of Hong Kong. I also chose Pai Tau Village specifically as these villages were the original settlements of the Sha Tin area with an extensive historical significance, symbolically representing the rural, pre-urban development lifestyle of Hong Kong. The emergence of these modern skyscrapers therefore signifies this erosion of not only the natural landscape, but also the demolishment of these old buildings.
I found websites such as the online Hong Kong Univserity Library Repository to be quite useful in obtaining a plethora of historical context behind the Sha Tin area prior the redevelopment schemes, such as old photographs and maps to create visual analysis and comparisons between now and then.
Once, I completed the historical research, I proceeded to visit the site physically. I used a tripod to take a variety of shots such as close-ups, tracking shots and wide shots to document various aspects of the surrounding landscape, as well as the dynamic hustle and bustle spatial movement. To illustrate the humanistic and nostalgic experience of walking down the sidewalks, I wanted to incorporate a series of shots that focus on me as a character, that finds pays attention and fascination towards the surrounding environment.
Reflection
Overall, I felt that the research process behind completing the reading behind topophilia through the cinematic lens and delve into old photographs of the Hong Kong scenery to be the most fascinating part of completing this video essay. Not only this made me aware of the changes in Hong Kong’s topography, but also deepened my cultural awareness and need to preserve the cultural and historical aspects of Hong Kong. To ensure that Hong Kong’s cultural significance would be remembered and become an integral part of the city’s landscape for generations to come.
References
Cheung, Esther M.K. (2015). The Urban Maze Crisis and Topography in Hong Kong Cinema. In Esther M.K. Cheung, Gina Marchetti & Esther C.M. Yau (Eds.), A companion to Hong Kong Cinema (pp. 51 – 70). John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Gwulo. Gwulo: Old Hong Kong.
https://gwulo.com/node/14510/photos
Ho, Angela. On the Grid : Wing Lee Street.
https://onthegrid.city/hong-kong/sheung-wan-upper/wing-lee-street
Leung, Mo-ching, Emmeline. Land use survey of the area around Tao Fung Shan and its neighbourhood, Sha Tin, N.T. (unpublished, 1964) Library call number: MSS 333.7095125 L655
https://digitalrepository.lib.hku.hk/catalog/gh93h256q#?c=&m=&s=&cv=&xywh=-285%2C157%2C1676%2C512
Wong, Olga. (2013, August 20). Kwun Tong renewal plan hits squatter trouble.
– Leung Lok Yin Marcus, 3035854606
Very intriguing film! Firstly I love the way you narrated the film, your voice is clear and easy to follow, and it lets your information and ideas flow seamlessly together. The organization of the film was clear and concise. When talking about the disappearing cultural monuments of rural Sha Tin, I like how you contrasted the old images of rural Sha Tin to the current Shatin which as you said is dominated by skyscrapers, it allows us as viewers to easily compare them and makes your message on the restoration of old historical buildings more meaningful. I also felt the final message of the film was simple but meaningful, I agree that the rapid urbanization has to lead to the slow disappearance of cultural identity and history
I love your video! The narration is so clear that I can fully understand the difference between past and present. And I also like the way you express your idea. For example, you compare the map of past and present, which is distinct and persuadable. Besides, the editing technique is also very mature. All in all, I appreciate this video, and thanks for giving me insight into the disappearance of Hk.
Great video. I can tell a lot of effort was put into both the research and production processes in making this video. I especially appreciate the in-depth analysis of the subject matter, utilizing suitable sources and images for clear reference. The narration and some intentional composition choices add to the experience as well. Overall, urban renewal and its potential impacts is a great topic to dive into and you have made a very enjoyable video around it.
It is great that you have pulled out historical materials to discuss urban development and disappearance. I wonder how you have utilized the sidewalk (your site) to discuss development and nostalgia? There seem to be multiple sites – Shatin, Kwun Tong, Central. How do you decide which sites to choose? It seems your video could be better organized so that your content would be more focused.