Behind the Scenes: Flora Lau's Filmmaking Journey
Hong Kong-born filmmaker Flora Lau (劉韻文) is preparing to premiere her latest film Luz (花明渡) on the opening day of the Sundance Film Festival on January 23rd, 2025.
Flora Lau: A Visionary Filmmaker
A Hong Kong native, Lau had not always set out to be a filmmaker, initially studying applied mathematics and economics at Columbia University before starting a career as an investment banker at Morgan Stanley.
Eventually, she transitioned to filmmaking, graduating with distinction from the London Film School in 2009. Her thesis film, Dry Rain, which explores the relationship between a young man and the Filipino domestic worker employed by his wealthy family, won Best Film at the Hong Kong Fresh Wave Short Film Competition.
Lau's feature-length film, Bends, tells the intertwined stories of an upper-class housewife struggling to find her identity after her husband's disappearance and her chauffeur, a young man from Mainland China seeking a better life. The screenplay first drew attention at the Hong Kong Film Financing Forum in 2011, leading to its global debut in Un Certain Regard at the 2013 Cannes Film Festival – a feat that no other screenwriter-director has earned in Hong Kong film history.
Her second feature, Luz, is one of only 10 international films selected to compete for the World Cinema Grand Jury Prize this year, beating out over 17,430 films from over 150 countries submitted to the festival.
Luz: A Tale of Discovery and Connection
The story of Luz unfolds in two parallel narratives in Chongqing and Paris. Wei, a father, is desperately searching for his estranged daughter, Fa. Meanwhile, Hong Kong gallerist Ren struggles with the complexities of her relationship with her ailing stepmother, Sabine. Their lives converge in a virtual world, leading both characters to set off on journeys of self-discovery and familial connection.
The film explores the complexities of parent-child relationships and reflects on the role of technology as a means to build connection. "It encapsulates many themes I wanted to explore – what's real, what's fake, generational gap, family values, virtual mixed with real and many more," Lau said.
Shot between Chongqing, Hong Kong, and Paris, with post-production carried out in Paris, Luz features a diverse cast and an international award-winning film team.
Continuing the Legacy of Female Filmmakers
Lau is the latest to join the ranks of formidable female filmmakers in Hong Kong following the success of Ann Hui, who won the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 29th International Film Festival of Kerala in 2024. Hui previously received the Golden Lion Lifetime Achievement Awards at the 77th Venice International Film Festival in 2020.
Photo from IMDB.
Empowering the Future: Revitalizing Hong Kong Cinema
Following its heyday in the 1980s, Hong Kong's film industry has seen a steady decline in recent years, facing significant setbacks as filmmakers deal with diminished funding, increased competition from international cinema, and changing audience preferences.
Lau's bold entry into the industry sparks the hope that a new generation of filmmakers can rejuvenate the industry, reintroducing Hong Kong's rich cultural tapestry to a global audience.
The innovative story and unique narrative of LUZ showcases the unseen facets of Hong Kong culture waiting to be discovered. As Lau prepares for her grand debut at Sundance, she is poised to pave the way for a resurgence in the industry, inspiring both audiences and aspiring filmmakers alike to explore and celebrate their identities.
"Throughout the writing and filming of Luz, I've learned a great deal about myself and the world we inhabit," Lau said. "I'm super thrilled to share this experience...at our premiere in Sundance."