Once upon a time, about 40 years ago, the Cultural Revolution was raging in China. Chaos, instability everywhere. Hong Kong, neighbouring island to Guangdong, was not unaffected. Who ever said Hong Kong does not have a political heart? Political instability, beautiful painfully depicted in Ann Hui’s Ordinary Heroes; the bombings on Nathan Road, the quintessential road in Hong Kong, the drama of the Vietnamese boat people, the general uncertainty. During that hectic period, a young man decided to board a boat himself that would take him away from home, around the world to a place unbeknownst to him but with promises of a better future. Leaving family behind, not knowing the language nor culture, he decided to travel far away in hopes of building a new existence. The young man, searching for his dreams, carried through all these years with courage and persistence in a land alien and not always welcome to him. Learning from life, persevering for a better future, his efforts, his heart eventually were rewarded – slowly, steadily, peacefully rising. To what he has achieved, is today. This man, is my dad. It’s now my turn. I can only hope I have inherited some of his courage, his perseverance, his heart.

I dedicate this, a song for our fathers, to .. who else? Thank you for giving me inspiration, my dream and, life.