[Reading Response] NOIRS: The City, the Woman and Other Spaces

This article has indicated the functions and developments of films during 1960, when Hong Kong was undergoing modernization and industrialization. It was eager for the government to advertise the beauty of Hong Kong to facilitate modernization. For instance, Black Rose (Hak Mui Gwai, 1965) was one of the famous firms in 1960. It tells a story of two high-society sisters stelling from the rich to the poor. There were a multitude of scenes shot with the backgrounds of riveting scenery in the city, such as the coastal line, high-ways, skyscrapers, etc. Moreover, through the shot angles followed the protagonists to shuttle from the fancy houses to the center of poverty, we are able to observe the changes of modern architectures from the old times. More importantly, we can notice the inequalities among different classes and genders after we have appreciated and understood them. Hence, films are deemed as an avenue to encourage the promotion of social equalities.

Besides that, architecture and decorations in the film had led to a trend of constructing skyscrapers in the city, which provoked the problem that Hong Kong has lost its uniqueness under modernisation. Until today, the majority of architecture that represents the culture of Hong Kong had been demolished due to the need for economic development. Despite the success in economic growth, the disappearance of local culture has rendered the loss of the sense of belonging for citizens.

To deal with this problem, it is vital for the government to increase the investments in cultural heritage and raise the awareness of cultural heritage through consistent education.

So Yau Ting Justin
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