Women X alumni: An interview with Calif Chong
Filmmaker Calif Chong, whose short film Underneath was featured in Women X Film Festival 2021, speaks with us about her inspirations, experiences with Women X, future projects and work-life balance.
Underneath was a favourite at Women X 2021, winning three awards at last year’s festival. What inspired you to make this short film?
Thank you so much for the love. It is definitely needed! This story is actually inspired by real life. The character Jane does exist. Although she wasn’t a teacher, and she had a son instead of a daughter, but the sick husband and the panty man did happen to her. The story was actually introduced to me by one of my producers, James Chu. He originally asked me to write a feature script about this underground sex club in Hong Kong, and Jane was one of the participants.
At the time I was 24, very young and naive. The whole idea about married people going to this secretive underground sex club just opened my eyes and brain about sexuality, marriage, and relationships. Not gonna lie, it was a very difficult theme to tackle for me. While I was researching, I also constantly asked myself ‘What would I do if I were in Jane’s situation?’ In the feature script, the main character is the rebellious schoolgirl Karen who you saw in the first few scenes in the short film version. I chose to tell the story of Jane instead of Karen in the short film version because I think a middle-aged woman’s manifold life is more suited for a short. Maybe I am wrong, but I made it anyway!
Over the past few years, a lot of people have been expressing their discontentment with their lives, both personally and professionally, and Jane especially exemplifies that. Have you ever experienced that yourself? If so, how did you get through it?
Always expressing discontentment with my life. I guess talking to other people is one way to find consolation for your own misfortune because we share a similar life experience with other human beings. When you talk about your own problems, other people tell you theirs too. I think that’s also the power of films.
I remember there was a time when I felt sad about my own life and I would watch a sad film. After watching I actually felt comforted, not because I was happy to see other people suffer. But I guess it did make me understand suffering in human life is a normal occurrence and is deemed to happen, in some form or another.
Hong Kong’s film industry has been celebrated for decades. What was it like filming there? Is it something you’d like to do again in the future?
I am very proud to be a Hong Konger and a filmmaker from Hong Kong. Filming there before 2019 definitely became a special experience in my life, if you know what I mean. In general, the main differences between Hong Kong and the UK film industries is that there are no health and safety rules and restrictions there in Hong Kong. Renting locations is as expensive in Hong Kong as in the UK, but I was quite lucky to get a lot of help and discounts, even for free, on the location because it was a student film.
I would say finding good actors is harder there. There are not many freelance film and TV actors like in the UK, as the industry is much bigger here. It was a particularly hard task to find an actress who could accept a certain level of nudity on screen. Filmmaking is still a niche industry in Hong Kong, you meet more bankers, lawyers, or doctors than filmmakers there. Unlike in London, you meet more filmmakers and artists than bankers! If there is an opportunity, I definitely would like to make more films in Hong Kong. After all, it is my homeland.
You made Underneath as a student filmmaker. Did being a student present any specific challenges in the filmmaking process?
I think working with actors who are way more experienced than I am is a challenge. How do you balance the level of respect for them and giving them directions? If the performance is not what you think, how do you bring them back with clarity without being too "humble”? Even though it was a student film, I had a private producer investing in it. That was a challenge in itself – did I deliver something that he was satisfied with? If not, how do I face it and handle it? I think it is something I am still exploring.
What was your experience like participating in Women X Film Festival 2021? Is there anything that stood out to you?
Women X was a fun, engaging, beautiful experience! I wasn't able to attend in person last year but I didn't feel left out at all. I love that you had a live broadcasted award ceremony so I was able to tune in. Also, all the artwork, socials on Instagram, and the website are so nicely designed. You can tell it is a festival that is created by a group of creatives who care and have the love for what they do. So, thank you!
What are some things you look for when choosing which festivals to submit your work to?
Price? Lol, kidding. That is somewhat true but not the only thing. I tend to submit to festivals that come with a live screening. Ultimately films are made to be watched in a cinema, sharing the experience with fellow audience members, and the discussion afterwards.
I think the photos on FilmFreeway really help to visualise the vibe and energy of the festival. If you see people smiling and busy mingling in the festivals it is a good sign!
Has your work been influenced by any particular filmmakers or films?
Regarding Underneath, yes, there are a few films I referenced a lot: July Rhapsody by Ann Hui, Eat, Drink, Man, Woman by Ang Lee, The Piano Teacher by Michael Haneke, and Persona by Ingmar Bergman.
What projects have you been working on?
Life's been hectic but I've been developing a coming-of-age comedy film with a team of people and trying to resume working on a personal feature documentary project!
Do you have any interests or hobbies that help you “decompress” from the filmmaking headspace when you need to?
Recently, I feel like time for hobbies has become less or non-existent… I need to get back on track! Before lockdown, I managed to find a table tennis club that I could go to every Tuesday to just practise table tennis. During those two hours, all you focus on is hitting or blocking the ball to the other side of the table – no socializing, no mingling, just focusing on the sport, and that was amazing.
During lockdown, time feels unlimited, and I picked up cycling. That year's summer, I cycled a lot because the weather was mostly warm and sunny! Obviously, meeting up with friends, just chatting nonsense is also a good way to decompress.
Have you found it difficult to keep a work-life balance? Or are you someone who enjoys staying busy with work and projects?
Yes, definitely not very good at work-life balance. I think I am a bit of a work machine... Not that I love working, that's why I don't use the word “workaholic”. I just want the work to be done! But sadly there is always work to be done and so I find it hard to stop!
