It opened with a score of 8.2Privacy coin first year, and after 30,000 viewers rated it, it remained stable at 8.0.

PicturesPrivacy coin first year

It also won multiple awards at the 42nd Hong Kong Film Awards:

Best Actress, Best Supporting Actress, and Best Supporting Actor.

These are enough to prove that the film's artistic and production standards have been recognized by the industry and the audience.

Pictures

Pictures

But its box office can only be described as miserable, earning only 7.5 million in the opening weekend. (As of the time of writing)

Pictures

Pictures

There are fewer and fewer screenings, so you should watch it in theaters while you can.

Let's talk about this month's best film that is "well-received but not popular" -

"Under the Sun"

In Broad Daylight

2024-04-12 (Mainland China) / 2023-11-02 (Hong Kong, China)

Picture

Picture

The story of "Under the Sun" is very simple, showing the cruel reality behind the news reports.

The story begins when a news agency receives an anonymous tip that a home for the disabled called "Color Bridge Home" has abuse.

In order to dig deeper into the management deficiencies of the home, reporter Ling Xiaoqi (played by Yu Xiangning) decides to disguise herself as the granddaughter of a lonely old man and sneak into the place to reveal the cruel truth hidden under its glamorous appearance.

ImagePrivacy coin first year

Image

The plot of "Under the Sun" is inspired by a series of real events, and the script draws on many cases that shocked the public:

The "Cambridge Home Director and Mentally Disabled Women Illegal Relationship Case" in 2014;

The "Cambridge Nursing Home Nursing Home Residents Take a Nude Bathing Incident" in 2015;

In 2016, the "National Treasure Home" in Kwai Chung had residents who were only given a small amount of siu mai and green vegetables with rice.

And in 2019, a series of residents in the Cambridge Home died mysteriously.

Image

Image

Image source network

Among them, the main plot of "Under the Sun" is based on the real-life private disability home in Kwai Chung, the Cambridge Home.

In August 2014.

Zhang Jianhua (played by Lam Pou-yee in the film), the former director of Kangqiao Home (called "Rainbow Home"), was accused of sexually assaulting a mentally disabled female inmate (played by Leung Yung-ting in the film) in his office.

Image

Image

Image

Top: Zhang Jianhua (played by Lam Pou-yee) in "Under the Sun" Bottom: Zhang Jianhua, director of Kangqiao Home (photo source: Internet)

The case began when a resident submitted key video evidence to the police.

During the subsequent search, the police found six tissues with his biological fluids and the female inmate's DNA in Zhang Jianhua's office, which became the key to the case.

But as the investigation deepened, complex legal and medical evaluations led the case to an unexpected direction.

In 2016, the Department of Justice found out after obtaining the specialist medical report of the female victim provided by the Hospital Authority.

Because the female victim suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder and mental retardation, she was not fit to testify in court.

After carefully evaluating the opinions of all experts and the evidence of the case, the prosecution concluded that the existing evidence was insufficient to support any charges against Zhang Jianhua, and therefore decided to withdraw the prosecution against him.

This decision caused an uproar in society.

Many groups went to the nursing home to protest, demanding that the government review the regulations for the regulation of nursing homes for the disabled and the qualification review of social workers to prevent such incidents from happening again.

Picture

Picture

Picture source: Sing Tao Entertainment

After Zhang Jianhua was acquitted, he claimed in a radio interview that he was the "real victim":

"It was the female inmate who forced me to do it with her."

Pictures

And explained that his DNA appeared because of a wet dream.

All this was because the female inmate accidentally knocked over the trash can, resulting in the tissue containing his body fluids being used as evidence.

After the case was over, Zhang Jianhua further requested to recover the legal fees he had paid.

Pictures

Pictures

PicturesSource: Sing Tao Headlines

I thought the matter would be over.

But who would have thought--

After the law dropped the sexual assault charges against Zhang Jianhua, the police received another report from a woman.

She claimed that between 1982 and 1986 (when she was between 7 and 12 years old), Zhang Jianhua, who was an activity assistant at the visually impaired school at the time, molested her five times in the school library, stairwell, recreation room and Wu Kai Sha Youth Hostel.

In addition, the news broke that

six residents of Kangqiao Home, which was managed by Zhang Jianhua, had mysterious deaths in just eight months.

Pictures

Pictures

Among them, a 14-year-old autistic boy accidentally fell to his death while removing window grilles from Kangqiao Home.

His mother said that the child had frequent bruises after moving inPrivacy coin first year, and revealed that he was beaten by staff.

Afterwards.

A series of scandals broke out, resulting in Zhang Jianhua and Kangqiao Home having their social worker certificates and exemption qualifications revoked by the Social Welfare Department. This was the first case since the licensing system for disability institutions was implemented in 2013..

Image

Image

Image

The Social Welfare Department revoked the exemption certificate of "Cambridge Home" in 2016, and the disguised institution was officially delisted (Photo source: Sing Tao Entertainment)

On May 6, 2019, Zhang Jianhua was finally convicted of five counts of indecent assault and sentenced to 33 months in prison.

Image

"He is a burden, I am a burden too, and people become burdens when they get old!"

This is the most thought-provoking sentence in the conversation between the heroine Ling Xiaoqi and her mother.

Tong Bo (David Chiang), who lives in an orphanage, once said, "When people get old, they become a burden."

Picture

Picture

Through an orphanage, the film starkly shows that the elderly are reduced to a symbol, and those who no longer have direct economic value to society (such as the disadvantaged or the disabled) are also regarded as a burden to society.

The government's one-time funding allocation and superficial supervision of nursing homes reflect this view:

These groups are not worth investing too many resources.

According to statistics from the Hong Kong government, Hong Kong has entered a super-aged society since 2021, with the proportion of people aged 65 and above accounting for more than 20% of the total population.

It is predicted that by 2050, one in three Hong Kong people will be elderly.

Image

Image

Image source: Internet

Although aging is a global phenomenon, Hong Kong is particularly feeling the pressure of demand for elderly care facilities far exceeding the existing supply.

Currently, Hong Kong faces 1.45 million elderly people, but only 79,000 elderly care beds. (Data at the end of 2023)

Data from the United Nations Human Development Report show that Hong Kong's average life expectancy has reached a world-leading 85.5 years (an average of 89.6 years for women), further highlighting the urgent need for elderly care resources.

In the face of this situation, Hong Kong has launched a variety of services to meet the needs of different elderly people.

For example, the government helps seniors over 65 through a unified assessment mechanism, allowing them to stay in government-designated nursing homes for a monthly fee of only HK$1,506 to 2,000 (RMB 1,392-1,849).

However, due to the large number of applicants and the shortage of beds, it usually takes about three years to wait.

In the movie, disabled people have to wait for 15 years for a public bed.

Pictures

Pictures

Then the question is -

In the face of such heavy pressure, has society been unable to make further progress in ensuring the welfare and acceptance of disabled people and the elderly?

In Hong KongPrivacy coin first year, many institutions that specialize in caring for the elderly and disabled actually have more control than expected.

In particular, private institutions that are mainly profit-oriented often neglect to update facilities and improve employee welfare, causing the behavior of caregivers to become extremely rude and out of control under great work pressure.

Pictures

Pictures

What is the difference between subsidized and private institutions in Hong Kong?

(Photo source: https://theinitium.com/zh-Hans/article/20161122-hongkong-carehomescandal02)

Then, the people abandoned in the "concentration camp" are indeed like hell on earth.

For example.

Mingzai, a mentally retarded person, was stapled to the flesh and covered with scars;

Photo

Photo

Top: The real situation (Photo source: Ming Pao) Bottom: Stills from "Under the Sun"

The elderly were collectively taken to the patio to take a bath.

They were washed without gender segregation, and their dignity was completely lost. The eyes of the surrounding residents made this moment even more humiliating.

Picture

Picture

Top: The real situation (Photo source: Ming Pao)Bottom: Stills from "Under the Sun"

But.

"What's wrong with a nursing home? You don't have to sleep on the streets. What else do you want?" (Abuse and humiliation VS sleeping on the streets, which one do you choose?)

So, in the "Rainbow House".

There is no hysterical screaming, because screaming in pain will lead to displacement;

There is no uncontrollable sadness, because everything will be replaced by silence.

Picture

Picture

So far.

The film reveals a more desperate truth:

Whether it is the residents or their families, many people are unable or unwilling to escape from their plight because of the burden of their families. They choose to turn a blind eye or pretend to be ignorant, and sink with the perpetrators.

This choice is sad, but at least it is a choice. For them, it is better than having no choice.

Pictures

Pictures

Pictures

The film is called "Under the Day", but "day" is not only a symbol of time, it also implies the social system of Hong Kong.

When Xiaoling was violated by the dean, Mingzai tried to protect her but was locked in the utility room. He looked out the window and faced the sunlight. It was a brief moment of calm contact with the outside world. Then he chose to escape desperately - suicide.

Pictures

Pictures

A painful truth is self-evident:

In this social system defined by "day", people with physical disabilities are deprived of their rights as complete people and become victims of the system and institutions.

Image

Image

In recent years, many popular Hong Kong films such as "Justice Corridor" and "The Attorney General" have discussed in depth the issues of justice and the system..

Image

Image

Top: "Corridor of Justice" Bottom: "The Attorney"

"Under the Sun" also touches on this theme by depicting a reporter's investigative experience in a nursing home.

In the film, some memorable lines deeply reflect director Jian Junjin's criticism of the existing system:

"If we don't report the truth, we are accomplices";

"Do you think you can change the world? You're just a reporter!"

"We have established so many systems, but these so-called systems can't even protect a little girl!"

Image

Image

These dialogues reveal the shortcomings of the system and the trauma of society.

But what can we do about the plight of the people in the welfare home in the film?

Journalists pursue justice and insist on revealing the truth in a way they believe is right, even if it means they lose their stable living environment.

In this case, can we still call this behavior right?

Does the right decision make sense?

What can it change?

Image

Image

Image

Director Jian Junjin once said in an interview:

"Some people are grateful, but the exposure also embarrassed many people. Some families of inmates were implicated, some people at the scene publicly insulted us, and journalists also received insulting messages. In this process, society does not always correct its mistakes, and sometimes even condones the problem to continue, causing the whistleblower to be attacked."

Similarly.

The film conveys a sense of hope through the words of a rookie reporter:

"Maybe the previous attempt failed, but this time it might work."

Picture

Picture

After Rainbow Bridge House was closedPrivacy coin first year, many people blamed Ling Xiaoqi for making the wrong decision -

exposing the evil deeds of Rainbow Bridge House and the director, which left everyone homeless.

She herself began to doubt her "righteous behavior."

But Tong Bo said to Ling Xiaoqi:

"Don't feel guilty because you did the right thing."

This sentence reflects the core idea of ​​the film -

right is right, wrong is wrong, and having ability and doing good things are not contradictory. We can't choose to give up just because we feel that we can't change anything.

This is what director Jian Junjin thought:

"Although the attention of three minutes of enthusiasm cannot melt the three feet of ice, at least someone is paying attention. At least my attitude is to hold hope, because if I don't believe that something will happen, it won't happen. Even if there is still one person who still believes, and maintains this attitude, there is a possibility of change. I believe in the butterfly effect."

Picture

Picture

Back to reality, can the popularity of the movie and the attitude of hope really solve the problem? Or is it a drop in the bucket?

The good news is.

In reality, four months after the movie was released (it premiered in Hong Kong last November), the court finally ruled in favor of the plaintiff, and the welfare agency previously exposed by the media was forced to compensate the victim more than one million Hong Kong dollars.

That's it.

So far, social pension resources in Hong Kong are still in short supply.

Data from 2021 show that most elderly people have begun to choose home care (95.2%), with only 4.8% choosing to live in nursing homes or other institutions.

Due to the high demand for subsidized beds and the long waiting time, by March 2024, the waiting list had exceeded 16,000 people.

However, compared with a few years ago, the waiting time for beds in welfare institutions has been reduced from an average of 3 years to an average of 8 to 10 months.

However, there are still about 20% of vacancies in the elderly care industry, which increases the difficulty of care.

Image

Image

As for the film's criticism of the system, has it changed or been promoted in real life?

For example.

Has the social system's indifference to obvious criminal behavior converged?

Is the frequent abuse in nursing homes frequent enough for legal intervention?

What percentage of the nursing staff are bad people like Fang Jie (the nursing staff who abused the residents)?

In the case, although Zhang Jianhua was brought to court, the charges were eventually dropped because a female resident was not mentally fit to testify in court.

When a key witness is unable to provide testimony, does the court consider other forms of evidence, such as secretly filmed videos?

In this film, lawyers have already given the answer that "the judicial system is better to let off than to wrong."

Pictures

Pictures

Take the "Cambridge Home Sexual Assault Case" and the "Cambridge Nursing Home Abuse Incident" as examples.

There is no doubt that they both expose problems in the judicial process and legal protection of victims with intellectual disabilities.

At the time, the then Secretary for Labour and Welfare of Hong Kong, Cheung Kin-chung, promised to increase resource investment in the next few years.

Including expanding the rehabilitation service workforce, strengthening community assistance, and building more compliant and complete facilities for people with disabilities, day centers and integrated rehabilitation service buildings.

Despite this, these promises are still questioned.

Many people point out that given that the number of intellectually disabled people in Hong Kong has reached 100,000, the proposed rehabilitation services and accommodation places are far from enough to meet the existing demand.

Later, it turned out that the results were minimal.

Picture

Picture

The movie reveals the answer to the truth, but there is no "solution".

Because no matter how commercially successful the movie is, how many praises it receives, or how many awards it wins at film festivals.

We all know:

These cannot change the sad ending in reality..

Perhaps just like "Under the Sun" has been cold to the end -

Under the Sun, there is nothing but injustice and powerlessness to change.

Pictures

References:

1. "Under the Sun" restores the human purgatory of the disabled community. Jian Junjin: I believe that movies have the ability to change the world | 2023 Hong Kong movies", Zheng Tianyi

2. "How difficult is it to build a home for the disabled in Hong Kong?", Initium Media reporter: Chen Qianer, intern reporter: Dang Yuanyue

3. "The Greater Bay Area is "going north and south" in both directions, and the elderly Hong Kong people appear in the rolling crowd", 21st Century Business Herald 21 Finance APP, author: Zhou Miaomiao

4. "Under the Sun·True Story丨Adapted from the case of the director's involvement in sexual assault on a mentally retarded woman! 6 tissues stained with body fluids were found in the office. He once argued: I had a wet dream. "Sing Tao News Headlines

(There are still a few screenings in theaters)

Movie Detective

Watch dramas, movies, and variety shows, in-depth analysis of the great complaints, millions of fans are here

2024/04/17

Pictures

Supervisor: Tanzhang

Supervisor: Tanzhang

Editor: Xiao Tan

Editor: Xiao Tan

Douban: Movie Detective

Douban

Weibo: Movie Detective

Weibo Privacy coin first year