Review of ‘Anywhere the Wind Blows’: A slight depiction of letting go
Two former friends from a country undergoing political strife reconnect in a foreign land with uncertain intentions.
Review of ‘Anywhere the Wind Blows’: A slight depiction of letting go
Cast: Glen Wong, Ray Kam, Katherine Chu, Nicoletta Hanssen, Anita Harris, Me’Rhanda Jacobs, Trevor Worthy
Critic’s Rating: 3 Stars out of 5
Director: Jay Liu
Duration: 17 minutes
Genre: Drama, Romance
Language: Cantonese, English, Mandarin
Release: 2024
What’s it about?
Two former friends from a country undergoing political strife reconnect in a foreign land with uncertain intentions.
Review:
Here is a lightweight romantic drama which is infused with a dose of politics. Yes, in Anywhere the Wind Blows, there is a moderately intriguing portrayal of love – both personal and patriotic - and the dilemma that arises from such a scenario. While the story of the two male leads is gradually revealed through well-mounted dialogue, this Short film doesn’t provide quite enough substance to keep the audience consistently enthused. Still, it does succeed in making a statement about the mental and emotional condition of individuals who are pried apart amidst a tense milieu.
The film begins with Alex Ng (Glen Wong) reliving a traumatic event in a surreal manner - highlighted by images of a gas mask and handcuffs and his name renting the air. Alex’s voice-over indicates that he had to hurriedly leave his homeland of Hong Kong and hence was unable to bring along all the things he valued. Over a telephonic conversation with his mother, it appears that Alex is in a somewhat compromised situation. And now it seems that one aspect of his past has caught up with him.
This happens to be an old friend called Brandon Ma who is visiting a city in the U.S. which Alex has adopted as his temporary home. But this is no ordinary reunion. Knowledge of the dynamic and significance of Alex and Brandon camaraderie emerges while the two partake of dinner at a restaurant. Over the savoury food, Brandon seems intent on hatching a plan for them to resume a life that their country prevented them from pursuing. But Alex seems committed to his path as a scholar and activist - a joint-vocation that renders his current life with meaning and purpose.
He hesitantly reciprocates Brandon’s display of emotion as the latter draws him into kicking around the good old times. Will the visitor succeed in melting the young man’s icy facade? This is the premise that the viewer is left to contemplate.There is then a repeat of Alex’s haunting dream, this time with clearer imagery of the situation and people involved. One is even left to wonder if Brandon had any role to play in Alex’s panicked departure from their country of birth.
First time writer-director Jay Liu makes a fervent attempt at carving out a friendship against the broader scope of a turbulent political setting. Whether he succeeds in this ambitious endeavour is up to the audience. However, there is no denying that Liu is fairly capable of stirring up a sense of passion and verve. Plus, Wong and Kam try hard to do justice to the material while the cinematography, editing and music offer some support. Ultimately, the profoundly paradoxical question that comes through is: can we ever really return to the home that we are fighting for?
