Tai Kwun Movie Steps - Summer of Wild Grass (Aug 2025)

This summer seems particularly hot, with consecutive days of high temperatures easily surpassing 30 degrees. The stifling heat at night makes it hard to sleep, and the breeze carries a warm, dry air. Summer during my childhood was always inseparable from watermelons. For me, air conditioning was a luxury; my mother often bought a watermelon and put it in the fridge, waiting for it to chill. Sitting in front of the TV, enjoying a cold watermelon while watching shows was the most delightful time of my childhood.

Perhaps it is this nostalgia for childhood that inspired me to make the film The Perks of Being Wild. I realized that watermelons and summer have always been intertwined in my past works. The premiere of The Perks of Being Wild took place outdoors on the beach, where everyone enjoyed the charm of the film in the sea breeze. However, the screening missed the summer, leaving me with a slight sense of regret. Now, knowing that Tai Kwun will hold three-day screening in the height of summer not only completes this film but also allows me to relive that childhood sentiment!

Additionally, I am honoured to introduce three short films by two directors in this screening series: Game Rules, See You, My Besties, andWhen Grandma Turns Orange. These works revolve around themes of childhood, family, and friendship, showcasing a positive attitude when confronting the theme of separation, prompting deep reflection among the audience.

We sincerely invite everyone to join this screening series, stepping into JC Cube, Tai Kwun to enjoy the coolness amidst the summer heat, savoring watermelons, films, and the company of fellow viewers. In fact, summer isn't that hard to endure. Regardless of how the world changes, thunderstorms and sweltering heat seem to remain constant, yet everything appears to have transformed. Memories cannot be relived, so let those childhood stories, preserved like films, quietly remain in our memories.

- Benson Koo, Curator
 

Free admission, registration required

Screening sessions might be subject to change, please refer to latest updates at www.taikwun.hk

^Free Tai Kwun Guided Tours will be held before the screenings. Limited seats available on a first-come-first-served basis. Advance registration is required. 

Meet-up venue
Tai Kwun Guided Tours - Visitor Centre
Screening activities - JC Cube

The summer in Cheung Chau is a happy wonderland for children. Three local Cheung Chau kids and a dog break into the houses while many residents are travelling or leaving Hong Kong for good. While having fun, the journeys also impart some unexpected lessons about the secrets of the adult world. When the summer is soon over, the trio is destined to depart at the cruel crossroad of youth.

Writer & Director: Benson Koo
Starring: Rowan Leung, Cheng Tung Kiu, Yilo To, OKEE
Duration: 54 mins
Language: In Cantonese with Chinese & English subtitles

The rule says “no running on the playground” - what makes a rule rule?

Writer & Director: Chan Wing-ki
Starring: Lok Sze Ching, Yeung Yi Yi
Duration: 32 mins
Language: In Cantonese with Chinese & English subtitles

It was an unbelievable experience to direct my grandma and cousin, the two main characters, in the story about myself on-site. To reconstruct the scenes from my memory was like ticking back the clock, together my grandma and I went through all the thick and thins all over again. Everything was so magical, even if it is only a 30-minute-long reminiscence.

Writer & Director: HO Sze-wai
Starring: Lee Pak Kiu
Duration: 36 mins
Language: In Cantonese with Chinese & English subtitles

Five years ago, a group of form-six girls from a local all-girls school made a graduation video together. Now, the director picks up her camera again to document the friendships they shared back then. Can they keep the promise they made - to stay best friends forever?

Writer & Director: Chan Wing-ki
Interviewees: Ho Tze Tung, Lee Suet Ching, Lee Sze Wing
Duration: 14 mins
Language: In Cantonese with Chinese & English subtitles

Post-screening sharing will take place at JC Cube to share the context and stories of the films selected in the programme. Stay after the screening and let us know your thoughts after watching the films.

* Post-screening sharing sessions will be conducted in Cantonese

Post-screening Sharing (1)
Date: 1 Aug 2025 (Fri)
Speaker: Curator Benson Koo & Film Editor Lai Kwun Tung

Post-screening Sharing (2)
Date: 2 Aug 2025 (Sat)
Speaker: Curator Benson Koo & Film Director Ho Sze Wai

Post-screening Sharing (3)
Date: 3 Aug 2025 (Sun)
Speaker: Curator Benson Koo & interviewees of See You, My Besties