Interview by William Chan
Local filmmaker Tracy Choi’s (徐欣羡) latest feature, “Girlfriends” (《女孩不平凡》), premieres locally tomorrow, probing the paradox of seeking “extraordinary” lives in a modern world – especially for women.
According to the film description, “Girlfriends”, a 101-minute drama, follows a young woman’s journey through three distinct love stories and stages of life. At 17, she is naive; at 22, hesitant; and by 34, she has matured through life’s challenges. The narrative traces her path from being shaped into a “normal” Chinese girl by societal and familial expectations in her youth in Macau, to deliberately seeking the “extraordinary” during her studies in Taiwan to break free, and finally, to re-evaluating the true meaning of “ordinary” amidst the realities of life in Hong Kong.
During an exclusive interview with the Post earlier this month, Choi frequently posed a central question: “What truly constitutes a comfortable and free state?” The film, through its protagonist’s experiences, asks if the relentless pursuit of the “extraordinary” might inadvertently strip us of inner peace, and whether embracing our “ordinariness” is, in fact, the genuine path to freedom and contentment.
“The movie refrains from providing simplistic answers, instead guiding the audience alongside the protagonist on a journey of self-definition, from confusion and struggle to eventual enlightenment.
“It is not merely a girl’s story but a microcosm of every soul seeking self-identity on the path of growth,” Choi said.
The Chinese title, “女孩不平凡” (“Girl Extraordinary”) carries an additional layer of gentle aspiration. By casting three different actresses – Fish Liew, Jennifer Yu, and Elizabeth Tang – to portray the same character at various stages, set in Macau, Taiwan and Hong Kong respectively, Choi aims for the film to be broadly representative, hoping that every female viewer can discover a piece of themselves within the protagonist’s narrative, fostering a unique sense of engagement and resonance. “I hope every girl can find her own point of connection,” Choi underlined.
Macau’s enduring imprint
As a local director, Choi’s works consistently bear the distinctive imprint of her city. The decision to set the beginning of “Girlfriends” in Macau was deliberate, allowing her to vividly portray the unique social ecology of the small city – characterised by its dense web of human relationships. “In a small city like Macau, the closeness of people can sometimes make it difficult to truly be yourself,” she observed.
In Macau, Choi noted that individual actions often feel exposed to countless familiar eyes, creating an invisible pressure and scrutiny that can constrain young people’s pursuit of individuality and freedom. “The protagonist’s formative years in Macau, set within this intimate yet often suppressive atmosphere, mark the beginning of her initial exploration of self and the external world.
“This collective experience, deeply rooted in Macau’s local context, imbues the film with a powerful sense of authenticity and regional resonance,” she said.
Choi also candidly reflected on the dual nature of her identity as a “Macau director.” While the scarcity of filmmakers in Macau initially provided her with relatively more opportunities and attention early in her career, she admits that in her youth, she was often concerned about external perceptions, fearing that “doing too much” might invite criticism.
However, with age, this apprehension about external judgment has solidified into unwavering creative resolve. “You become more convinced that this is what you want to do. And this is what feels comfortable to me; I no longer mind what others think.”
This shift in mindset perfectly mirrors the film’s central theme of the protagonist ultimately embracing her true self, accepting either ordinary or extraordinary.
From her acclaimed debut, “Sisterhood” (2016), which garnered the Macao Audience Choice Award and two nominations at the 36th Hong Kong Film Awards, to “Lonely Eighteen” (2023) and “Promise of Decades” (2024), Choi’s oeuvre has consistently revolved around female narratives. She affirms her enduring passion for female-centric stories but remains open to new challenges. “Female themes are always something I deeply love and want to pursue, but if other genres come my way, I wouldn’t mind trying something new.”
Tomorrow’s premiere will be on at Fantasy Box, L2, MGM MACAU in Nape, for 288 patacas (the price includes a number mementoes). Tickets can be bought at:
https://www.macauticket.com/TicketWeb2023/programme/P-055820.
Director Tracy Choi reviews footage on set during the shooting of Girlfriends last year.
Local actress Eliz Lum (right) interacts with Hong Kong actress Natalie Hsu on set.
