海的那一邊  | Habitat

故事摘要

Logline

當簽證成為情感的壁壘，年過古稀時間緊迫，追尋愛及棲身之地的空巢老人 – 舅公（盛正明）和王奶奶，搖擺旅途的終點將止於何方？

When the visa remains the barrier, there is not much time left for the seventy-year-old empty nester. On the way of looking for habitat and love, where would the destination be?

故事大綱

Synopsis

「音樂，鋼琴，對孩子遙遠的愛，對與摯友重聚的期盼，足以構成一個動人的故事。」

盛正明和王奶奶都是早已退休的老上海，相識於老年大學，因為興趣脾氣相投，成為了好朋友，他們多次辦理簽證被拒的經歷，令他們有著一種革命情愫，惺惺相惜。

王奶奶的獨子移民加拿大多年，她心心念念去加國看看兒子的生活環境；盛正明近些年一直在辦理去日本的簽證，希望去看望年輕時候的摯友今野先生。今野由於年事已高，病情不斷惡化，他們見面的機會越來越渺茫。兩人屢次失敗的簽證經歷成了心中的大石，時間一分一秒過去，餘下的時間不多，看似平靜的生活湧動著強烈的不安。然而他們仍做好每一餐飯，伴好每一次奏，唱好每一首歌，積極在為將來做好準備……

“The music, the piano, the distant love for a child across the sea and the hope of reuniting with a friend are enough to make a touching story.”

SHENG ZhengMing and WANG Lele, the retired empty nesters in Shanghai, meet at the elderly university and soon become good friends because of their common interest and similar personalities. But most importantly, it is the same difficulty they have been encountering for many years, the failure in visa application, that brings them closer.

WANG Lele always wants to visit her son who emigrated to Canada a long time ago. SHENG ZhengMing has always wanted to visit his special friend Mr. Konno from teenage time. Mr. Konno is 93 years old and worries that the two would never meet again. The failure of getting a visa becomes the biggest worry in the hearts of SHENG and WANG, and it gets more intense as time goes by. Not only were their dreams consumed, they also lost control of their body gradually because of ageing. They, however, stay hopeful and have full respect for life flowing in their blood.

導演闡述

Director’s Statement

通過舅公的介紹，與王奶奶第一次見面，留下了深刻的印象。傍晚的夕陽從木窗框裡斜斜打落，窗邊厚的琴譜，一個瘦小卻很有力量的背影在老鋼琴前，外國風情的民歌緩緩流淌著。

自己從小和外公外婆一起生活，所以對老人有種特別的親近感。從兩位老人的歌聲、尋找養老院的旅程、簽證的失敗、對於達成內心願望的執著，他們的樂觀和我看過的老人紀錄⽚很不⼀樣，和他們在一起很輕鬆快樂，讓我不禁想多陪伴和幫助他們。拍攝過程發現影片盛載很多社會性議題:獨生子女政策，歷史遺留的上山下鄉，養老方式等等，加上涉及的簽證困局，讓我覺得片子有它能承擔的責任和意義，同時讓觀眾思考怎樣才能活得溫和但有力呢？看完這部片子，希望觀眾有自己的答案。

Through my uncle‘s introduction, the first meeting with Wang Lele was unforgettable. The warmth of sunset showered on the sheet music, a skinny but powerful figure sat in front of an old piano, the music of foreign folk songs slowly flew in the air.

I grew up with my grandparents, therefore I feel particularly close to the elderly. The songs, the journey of searching nursing houses and visa applications, the way they insisted on accomplishing their will, as well as their optimistic characters, distinguish them from documentaries of similar theme I have seen before. Being with them is always sweet and happy, and makes me want to spend more time with them. During the production, I found various potential social issues in this film, including one-child policy, The Down to the Countryside Movement left in history, and caring for the elderly etc. In addition to the problem of visa, I believe the film carries social responsibilities and meanings, at the same time makes us wonder how we can live our late life in a gentle and powerful way. I believe the audience will have their own answer after watching this film.

總預算

Total Budget

US $62,923

葉絲絲

IP Szesze

畢業於香港城市大學創意媒體系，現就讀於香港大學。本科以來曾參與多部紀錄長片的導演及製作，包括參與金甘蔗影展的《南瓜炒麵》，由英皇監製的《崔健搖滾三十年》，由哈佛大學獎學金資助的《烈士》等。

Graduated from City University of Hong Kong, IP Szesze is currently studying at the University of Hong Kong. Since her time as an undergraduate student, she has been participating in the directing and production of feature-length documentaries, including Pumpkin Fried Noodles which was nominated at the Golden Cane Film Festival, Thirty Years of Cui Jian Rock and Roll produced by the Emperor Company, and Martyrs funded by the scholarship of Harvard University.

葉詠然 IP Wing Yin

現於CNEX基金會工作，近年擔任CNEX出品的獨立及新晉紀錄片導演作品的製作及協調，如《三輪車電影》、《良醫》及《海的那一邊》。近年參與發行之作品如《塑料王國》、《幸福定格》及《無去來處》。

IP Wing Yin currently works at the CNEX Foundation. She has recently participated in productions co-produced by CNEX and emerging independent filmmakers, including TukTuk Cinema, Symptoms of A Stranger, Habitat. She also participated in the distribution of Plastic China, Love Talk and I’m So Sorry.

陳玲珍

Ruby CHEN

陳玲珍是近百部紀錄電影製作人，華人紀錄片機構 CNEX 的共同創辦人暨執行長、奧斯卡影藝學院會員及金像獎紀錄片選片委員，為《海的那一邊》之監製。

Ruby CHEN has produced nearly a hundred documentaries and featured films. She is the Co-Founder and CEO of CNEX. She is a member of The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS), as well as the selection committee of documentary in the Oscars. She is the producer of Habitat.

影像單位 / 製作公司

Film Unit / Production Company

CNEX 基金會