Filmmaker's love letter to Macao hits cinema

As the storyline aligns with the economic growth and cultural vibrancy of the era, the film incorporates some elements aimed at evoking a sense of nostalgia among a generation in both the Chinese mainland and Macao. Additionally, it showcases Macao's iconic sites, such as the Ruins of St. Paul's Cathedral and the A-Ma Temple, as well as local delicacies and snacks like herbal tea.

"Herbal tea stores serve as a collective memory for most of us in Macao. When I was a young girl, I always purchased a cup of herbal tea while strolling on the street to look for such a stall," recalled Ho. She explained that the humidity is high throughout the year in Macao, making herbal tea a must-have to get rid of internal heat and improve health.

For director Choi, the movie serves as her love letter to Macao and a precious opportunity to delve into its enduring cinematic charm. In one scene, the two characters sneak into an old cinema, clandestinely using the projector to screen a movie with the reel-filmed machine.

Commenting on the constraints of Macao's local film industry due to the region's size and population, Choi said that she wishes native filmmakers could access a broader audience by seeking more collaboration with counterparts from the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong.

Fu Ruoqing, producer of the film and chairman of the China Film Group Corporation, said the group has produced two movies to mark the 25th anniversary of the return, with the other film being Revisit, a heartwarming story between a young woman and her grandmother.

"Both films capture the essence of Macao's progress and development after the return through the lens of everyday residents, highlighting their upbeat spirit and the heartwarming connection that time has forged between the people of the Chinese mainland and Macao," Fu remarked.

Wang Haizhou, dean of the Graduate School of Beijing Film Academy, praised the film's artistic quality, noting that the bridge functions as a crucial symbol, representing the emotional bond between the people of the Chinese mainland and Macao.