Zero to Hero, DIR. Wan Chi Man Jimmy (2021)
Sheung Yue River Big Water-pipes, Sheung Shui, Hong Kong
Mom So comes to find her son to talk causally on the stairs. Scenes from the Edko Film Ltd.’s Zero to Hero 2021, directed by Wan Chi Wan Jimmy.
Zero to Hero (August, 2021) by Wan Chi Man Jimmy was released in Hong Kong. The setting of this film is in Hong Kong and Sheung Yue River Big Water-pipes are one of them. This is a mise-en-scene of Mom So (main female character) witnessing a miracle that So Wa Wai (main male character) can run faster than a train. The movie demonstrates how powerful the love of mom is and the struggles of an athlete with disabilities. The Big Water-pipes are enormous water pipes as shown in its name, with a train track next to them. As it is in Sheung Shui (outskirts in Hong Kong), it is surrounded by fields. Therefore, it is low density.
The Big Water-pipes in the film is showed as an aesthetics place, like it is goodly designed. It even uses telegraph pole as a part of the scene which can actually create an exquisite environment in the movie. While the one in reality is more likely to be perceived as an industry area. Since it is a place for transferring water. It does not require any decorations. This setting is mainly used for showing the strong bong between Mom So and him. The aesthetic environment intensifies the warmness in their relationship. They talk, make fun of each other and give encouragements. Also, there are not many people as it is in countryside. It enhances the exquisite atmosphere to let them interact deeply. This is a thing only between them.
The train So Wa Wai fights with. Scenes from the Edko Film Ltd.’s Zero to Hero 2021, directed by Wan Chi Wan Jimmy.
Also, the train passing creates a nervous atmosphere since So Wa Wai is competing with it. It is like an official running track and an official competition. But in the actuality, it is just an area with ordinary trains going through the outskirts on a regular basis. This scene is to show the extraordinariness of So Wa Wai. This is why the director asked So Wa Wai to fight against the train to let the audience have the nervous mood. The movie uses the train in this way to let the audience to compare the pace of the train and the running speed of So Wa Wai. As normally, it is hard for an ordinary person to run faster than a train.
Moreover, Mom So is standing on the stairs to watch his son battling with the train. The movie director creates higher (i.e. Mom So is on the stairs) and lower (i.e. So Wa Wai is running along the tract) spaces by this method. This scene in the movie creates even more strained feelings. As it is like an auditorium specially for Mom So to watch how her son may win the train. Nevertheless, it is actually just a normal stairs for workers there to check those big water pipes. This way of presentation is to convey a message that Mom So really loves his son and wants him to be a star. As her mom is so worried when she is standing on the stairs. When So Wa Wai finished his running, Mom So immediately goes towards him and hugs him.
Mom So comes to hug her son righter after his son wins the battle in front of the water pipes. Scenes from the Edko Film Ltd.’s Zero to Hero 2021, directed by Wan Chi Wan Jimmy.
This is a place that can be used as both warm and competing atmosphere. The demonstration of affirming the ability of So Wa Wai and the love between Mom So and him is revealed clearly in the film by this scene.
—Hung Shuk Ki 3035840291
You tried to compare the space in reality and in the film, and also linked your comparisons to the film’s story and effect. The idea that the aestheticisation of a relatively mundane infrastructure to showcase the intimacy of the mother-son relationship is particularly interesting. However, there are limited references of the virtual field trip, which could enhance the points made in the essay. You are also reminded to cite any references used.