To Be or Not To Be (來生不做香港人) is a 2014 television series produced by Hong Kong Television Network and premiered on 12th December, 2014. The drama portrays about a reunion of a pair of sisters, but with much arguments about the job, the family and attitude towards aspects due to the cultural differences. Anson Leung (張可頤) is a typical Hong Kong women, whereas her elder sister, Leung Mei Tin (劉美君) acts as a mainlander, she comes to Hong Kong from a Hakka village in Dongguan.
On the other hand, Jacky, Lana and Lennon act as the new generation of Hong Kong. They reflects the values, ideals and the reality of the current situation. They fight for justice by demonstration. This relates to the phenomenon of Hong Kong society nowadays, similar to the umbrella revolution. In overall, the drama revealed subtle changes of the relations between Hong Kong people and the mainlanders during three decades.
The
difference between the identity of Hong Kong people and the mainlander are
clearly shown in the drama, especially in women. It is observed that Hong Kong
woman like Anson is more autonomous, independent and self-sufficient. She
makes decision on her own. She likely
to follow rules and systems. That is the reason why Anson's boyfriend fell in
love with a women from mainlander, Isabella
(陳丹丹). Whereas Leung Mei Tin is
submissive, she likely to find man to support her. She likely to use personal connections to do business.
Since 2003, the government implemented the free exercise of
policy for the sake of economic interest. Large number of mainlanders come to
Hong Kong for business, and even become migrants. With the
divergence of culture, several problems have been raised in Hong Kong.
The text points out the mainlanders are not likely to queue up. It also reflects the problem
of the parallel traders and other cultural
conflicts. One of the major conflicts is the Simplied
Chinese characters are used in the menu in Hong Kong which leads to the contradictions
between Anson and Isabella. Besides, Prudence Liew stated that if she comes
Hong Kong early as Hong Kong citizen, but not her sister, she can speak in
fluent English. These issues cause people stereotype mainlanders in
a negative way. As such, we can observe an ordering process which shows
the Hong Kong people are having a higher social status, whereas the mainlanders
have lower end of order.
In conclusion, this TV drama series is quite unique and controversial that it highlights some history and social issues of Hong Kong. In this drama, it demonstrates the different values of Hong Kong and the Mainland. I do not think this is a series which praises or discredits any parties. It used two characters between the two places of life showing the cultural difference, the identity and characteristics of Hong Kong people and mainlander, so giving audience a space to rethink and take reflection. Besides, it shows how persistent Hong Kong people is. Hong Kong people are dedicated to maintain the core values and try defending the local culture.
(530words)
Student Name: Yau Suet Yan
Student No. : 10489094/21426557
沒有留言:
張貼留言