Everything Everywhere All at Once Shines at the 95th Academy Awards, and makes Oscars history.

Having just dominated the SAG awards two weeks ago with four wins, it clearly came as no surprise that Everything Everywhere All at Once swept the most awards at the Oscars too.

The movie was directed by Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert and follows the life of Chinese immigrant Evelyn Wang, played by Michelle Yeoh, who has quite a lot of things going on in her life – Her laundromat is being audited by the IRS; her husband Waymond Wang, played by Ke Huy Quan, is on the verge of divorcing her; she is having her pernickety father for a Lunar New Year Party; and she is unable to come to terms with her daughter (played by Stephanie Hsu) Joy Wang’s relationship with a non-Chinese girlfriend.

With all that is happening, Evelyn’s life is anything but dull, that is until she is sucked into a multiverse where there are different possible versions of her that would have resulted from a particular decision she took. As a protagonist, Evelyn has to use her verse-jumping abilities to save the multiverse from her daughter who has formed an everything-bagel sort of phenomenon that can suck the different universes and destroy all of them.

There are quite a lot of movies that deal with the multiverse genre. There is The Matrix from the top of our heads. However, the Daniels-directed movie goes for a completely unique representation of the multiverse genre with its exhilarating plot packed with action and quirky humour that is so absurd. For instance, Evelyn has sausage fingers in one universe.

The queer science-fiction movie perfectly touches on the topic of existential crisis as it explores the what-ifs of Evelyn’s life, and also deals with nihilism, absurdism and other philosophical concepts that add more layers to the already-overwhelming storyline.

With an IMDB score of 8 and a 95 per cent Rotten Tomatoes score, Everything Everywhere All at Once shined at the Oscars by taking home the most trophies. The movie won the following awards at the 95th Annual Academy Awards: Best Picture, Best Actress in a Leading Role – Michelle Yeoh, Best Actor in a Supporting Role – Ke Huy Quan, Best Actress in a Supporting Role – Jamie Lee Curtis, Best Original Screenplay, Best Director – Daniel Kwan & Daniel Scheinert, and Best Film Editing – Paul Rogers.

Michelle Yeoh’s win was historic as she became the first Asian actress in 95 years to win an Academy Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role. It was a more prideful moment for Hong Kongers as she said in her acceptance speech, “…and to my extended family in Hong Kong, where I started my career. Thank you for letting me stand on your shoulders, giving me a leg up so that I can be here today.”

Also Read: Five things you need to know about the widely talented Michelle Yeoh

Hugill & Ip’s Alfred Ip on supporting marriage equality and his time sitting as deputy district judge

Co-founder and partner of pioneering private client law firm Hugill & Ip, Alfred Ip chats with Gafencu about wealth and estate security law, supporting the LGBTQ+ community and sharing a few laughs in the comfort of his home.

What was your upbringing like? Any fond memories from childhood?
I come from a rather humble family. I grew up in Shek Kip Mei, where I went to school. We weren’t affluent but we didn’t exactly have many financial difficulties either. I remember thinking to myself that if I don’t make it for myself, no one else will make it for me, but that didn’t make me a grade A student. I was lucky to get into Hong Kong University to study law at a time when there were a lot of uncertainties about how things would change after the ’97 handover. Because I can honestly tell you, with my grades at the time, I would not have been able to get into HKU today.

I would have to say watching Hong Kong fly through the ’80s and ’90s, sitting in front of the TV, watching Anita Mui and Leslie Cheung, or variety shows like Miss Hong Kong Pageant or charity events (it was common for people to rush back home to watch these shows pre-internet), that was my fondest memory growing up. I witnessed Hong Kong at its prime and how it’s developed over the years. I didn’t realise it at the time but looking back now, the drive of the Hong Kong people – what we call the Lion Rock Spirit – was a value that I am grateful to have grown up with. It makes me very proud to be a Hongkonger.

Did you always want to become a lawyer or did you have other aspirations growing up?
Speaking honestly, being a lawyer was not my first choice. I had always wanted to be an architect, but fortunately that did not happen as it turns out, I was not very good at the subject anyway. But I have no regrets because fortunately, this pivot led me to take up law instead which is actually quite perfect for me because there is a lot of common sense in it, and I’m a Libra!

Jokes aside, I think the greatest satisfaction I get from my job is helping people with genuine issues. For many clients, problematic situations such as divorces and sibling rivalries result in consequences that can haunt them for the rest of their lives. What we do as lawyers is to help clients resolve their issues. It can be complicated and we cannot guarantee our clients that we will win a case – especially when nobody really wins in a divorce or estate dispute. What we can do is minimise the pain, suffering and loss of an unfavourable situation.

Is there an experience throughout your career that stands out to you?
I would have to say serving on the judiciary at the District Court was one experience that changed me, in terms of practice as well as a person. Sitting in a position that high – both literally and metaphorically – gives you a huge sense of responsibility. You have to look at cases from an objective point of view, to look at both sides of the argument, think deeper and judge whether the person is credible or just trying to fool you. You learn to look at things differently and become somewhat of a cynical person. But it is what is required of our legal system and what makes it a reliable and respected system.

“Serving on the judiciary at the District Court was one experience that changed me. Sitting in a position that high gives you a huge sense of responsibility”

You co-founded your private practice Hugill & Ip four years ago. Tell us more about that.
One Sunday afternoon, my partner and I were outside Staunton’s Bar talking and the idea just sprung up. We saw the needs of a private client market, the issues that needed to be addressed professionally, be it in employment, estate planning, or divorce issues and realised that there was a strong synergy between his practice specialty and mine.
I specialise in private client, which is something that is rather new in Hong Kong. The needs of high-end clients only came up when wealth accumulated over the past few decades. Now, there are private client lawyers, like ourselves, to resolve those issues.

What advice do you have for potential clients regarding wealth and estate security?
Generally, I would advise them to have all their documents in place. Nobody ever plans to get divorced or for sudden death and the emotional trauma that comes with it, but it’s always important to have an exit strategy. In cases where you don’t, we need to first, understand the client, help them figure out what they want and need because more often than not they are just as unsure how to communicate the situation. It takes a high level of empathy, understanding, patience and heart to help clients navigate the situation.

HKSAR doesn’t recognise same sex marriage. What are the barriers facing marriage equality?
When one man and one man or one woman and one woman want to get married, why can’t they? For those who value the romantic gesture, they can always get married outside of Hong Kong. But I think it’s important for the city to recognise same sex marriage, otherwise that leaves same sex couples in a vulnerable situation and unprotected by the law.

There are laws that protect individuals through a divorce or when a spouse passes away, but I’m very sad to say that at present those laws cannot be applied to same sex couples who want to protect themselves, their children and family, or fight for what should be entitled to them. We have had to, and are still, handling many such cases at the firm. I believe the law should be helping those that are vulnerable. That is what we stand for in our career and at our law firm – guiding people in genuine need of help. That is the most important thing for me.

Can more can be done? I’d say, certainly, but it takes everyone in society to pay more attention to the topic, listen more and don’t judge.

“It’s important for Hong Kong to recognise same sex marriage as same sex couples can’t get a divorce in this city – leaving them vulnerable (and) unprotected by the law”

If you could choose a superpower, what would it be and why?
If I could read people’s minds, that would save me a lot of time and energy to try to understand what people are doing and why. I’m a very straight forward person and I prefer people to treat me the same way. I’ve spent a lot of time in the closet, I don’t really need to be in there anymore [laughs]. Just let your hair down, let your guard down, and be who you are.

Finally, could you share with us one thing that’s on your bucket list?
I’m not quite sure if I should admit this, but I’ll go ahead and say it: I’d like to one day get a tattoo! I’m not sure if that is something I have the courage to do just yet, but if I were to do it, I’d probably get a cross on my arm, just below the shoulder. I’m not a religious person but growing up in a catholic school, I appreciate the symbolism behind the cross – how one person’s pain, suffering and sacrifice was made for another’s future. To me, it means to be grateful for what you have, be humble of what you achieve and be kind to everyone.

Now that I’ve actually said it, I might as well just do it!

Thank you.

(Interview by: Roberliza Eugenio; Photographer: Jack Law; Art Direction and Styling: Jhoshwa Ledesma; Videographer: Andy Wan)

Renowned local artist Michael Lam on his HSBC Rainbow Lions statues and more…

Renowned for his groundbreaking surrealist artwork and being the mastermind behind HSBC’s “Rainbow Lions” statues, Hong Kong-based artist Michael Lam is not only one of the city’s brightest artists, but is also among its leading crusaders for LGBTQ rights.

Can you give us a glimpse of your childhood?

I grew up in rather straitened circumstances and didn’t have the easiest upbringing. My family ran a food hawker business in Hong Kong when I was a kid and I would get up at 5 o’clock every morning to help him set up for the day before heading off to school. After class, I would be back helping my parents pretty much every day.

How influenced were you by your subsequent education?

I attended local schools and never actually took any art courses or pursued a university degree. I’m very much a self-trained artist, with everything I’ve accomplished coming from research and personal experience. I feel that being educated in the arts – while a worthy pursuit for people looking to understand its history or hoping to take up a career in art procurement or something similar – would have hindered my own spiritual growth and artistic endeavours. Over the course of my career, my works have undeniably evolved and shifted. This, though, is a reflection of my personal journey rather than being down to the impact of other artists on my style.

Do you see yourself as having always been destined for an artistic career?

Well, I was interested in art and design from early age. In fact, I originally dreamt of becoming a designer. Later I discovered that came with many restrictions and the need to stick to particular guidelines, something I believed would only hamper my creative vision. Ultimately, I chose to immerse myself in the field of fine art field, which allowed me to focus solely on bringing my artistic designs to life. I didn’t jump right into an art career though. In fact. prior to becoming a full-time artist, I worked in sales as well as in product merchandising. It wasn’t until after the SARS outbreak, around 2003, that I decided to take the plunge.

Where do you find inspiration?

It comes, largely, from my subconscious. I use colours and ink to transform my mind’s fantasy world into surreal works of art.

How would you describe your artistic style?

My creations are mainly abstract in concept and feel, tending to combine Chinese calligraphy and art to create truly surrealist works. In this, I was hugely influenced by the works of the renowned Spanish artist Salvador Dali, having long been very attracted to the bizarre yet striking images that characterise his art.

“I use colours and ink to transform my mind’s fantasy world into surreal works of art”

What are your proudest accomplishments to date?

I’m honestly blown away by the great reception any of my pieces have garnered. Of all my works, though, I’d say I’m proudest of two in particular. The first is my role in the rebranding of Cathay Pacific’s inflight magazine, Discovery. It amazes me that my artwork fronts the publication and is seen by people from all across the world. Another highlight for me was being commissioned to create statues for HSBC’s Rainbow Lions campaign. My statues, which I crafted in line with the principles of feng shui, stand as symbols of inclusivity and unity – causes I hold dear to my heart – and have been installed in Hong Kong and in a number of other locations around the world.

What are your current projects and which particularly excite you?

A number of my latest creations are now on show at the Jade Gallery, courtesy of an arrangement made by my agent, Youmei Zhen. Recently, I ‘ve also been undertaking bespoke work on a range of lifestyle accessories, including wine bottle carriers and high fashion items. This has seen me working for clients on an ad hoc basis, allowing me to ensure that each unique statement piece exactly matches an individual purchaser’s tastes.

You are very prominent supporter of the cause of LGBTQ rights in Hong Kong. Where do you see the city ranking on the more global scene in terms of tolerance and enlightened views?

It’s no secret that, while Hong Kong is a diverse society, it’s still somewhat more conservative than many other cosmopolitan cities. At present, the issue of LGBTQ rights still has a certain stigma, with many individuals treated unfairly because of what is perceived as their non-conventional identity, whether that’s at work, socially or even by their own family members.

For me, the best way to improve this situation is to encourage everyone – no matter who they are – to educate themselves with regard to LGBTQ culture. This is the only way they will gain a more inclusive and diversified mind frame that will, in turn, lead to an end to pre-conceived notions and discrimination at every level.

You are also known for donating works of art to various charities…

Yes, despite that, I don’t really see myself as a philanthropist, partly because I’m not wealthy enough to qualify for such a title. Essentially, I’m an ordinary artist who feels a need to give back to society. I feel that there are many people in Hong Kong who require help, as well as many causes that are deserving of extra support. Within my current capabilities, I do my part to give back to society by donating artworks and raising funds for various causes.

How do you choose which charities to support?

I’m always open to helping whichever organisation approaches me, as long as they’re doing something worthwhile. In terms of causes I personally hold dear, obviously anything related to ensuring LGBTQ equality or enhancing the rights of sexual minorities has a particular appeal – that’s why crafting the Rainbow Lions for HSBC meant so much to me.

Given that my family has suffered hugely on account of cancer – and I had personal experience of battling the disease a decade ago – supporting related research, as well as the provision of proactive care for patients, is another cause close to my heart. As is AIDS research, something else I’ve been involved with fundraising for.

Away from all that, what do you like to do with your free time?

To be honest, while I occasionally like hanging out with friends, I’m not a very social person by any stretch of the imagination. I find, for me, one of the most relaxing things is to just sit by myself, tucked away in the corner of a hotel bar, watching people interacting around me.

If you could meet any person, past or present, who would it be and why?

If I could go back in time, I would love to meet my mother and grandmother again. They were such an integral part of my upbringing and played key roles in shaping the person I am today. I miss them a lot and treasure the great advice they gave me on how to behave in life.

Finally, what’s left on your personal bucket list?

I really want to open a foundation geared to supporting the elderly in Hong Kong, particularly those with serious health conditions. I feel that, despite the government’s best efforts, the city still doesn’t have the infrastructure to help the most vulnerable members of our society. Given my own experience of my mother’s battle with cancer, I want to do everything I can to ensure older people have the support and care they need.

Thank you.

Interview by: Tenzing Thondup

Photos: Jack Law

Art Direction & Styling: Jhoshwa Ledesma

Wardrobe: SPY Henry Lau

Venue: Jade Gallery Company

An evening of celebration for the LGBTQI+ community at the luxurious St. Regis

This Wednesday, 7 August, within the luxurious St. Regis, Hong Kong Marriage Equality – a campaign led by businesswoman, philanthropist and activist Gigi Chao – announced its new community outreach programs and activities for Hong Kong.

Leading the cause for legalising same-sex marriage in the city, the organisation was founded earlier this year in May and consists of LGBTQI+ activists and allies. As a community-focused initiative, HKME strives to be a non-partisan social movement that focusses on equality.

Among those present were celebrity guests such as former chairman of Tung Wah Group of Hospitals Vinci Wong, William Tang and singer Joyce Cheng who delighted the crowd with her beautiful singing of the song Black Rainbow which was written in support of the LGBTQI+ community.

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Those who wish to learn more about Hong Kong Marriage Equality and its campaign can visit their website here.

Text: Bailey Atkinson

Transformative Times: Bobbie Huthart speaks out about her gender journey

At the age of 67, Robert Huthart, the son of a former Lane Crawford managing director, undertook gender reassignment surgery. Reinvented as Bobbie, she now lives in Thailand and is a keen campaigner for trans rights.

Did being part of the high-profile Huthart family put any pressure on you while growing up?

There was never really any pressure on me at any time. I actually had a number of great advantages. I could go anywhere and had the Lane Crawford brand backing me up. Being part of a well-off family meant I had everything I could have imagined or might possibly have needed.

Was it always on the cards that you would join the family business?

I always knew I’d enter the family business in one capacity or another. Ultimately, when I came back to Hong Kong after having qualified as a Certified Public Accountant and having worked in an investment bank for a while, my father had just taken a stake in the company – Z enith Refinery and Pacific Palters – which did very well for us.

After that, I took on an investment role within the family business, initially focussing on Phuket real estate. At the time, this saw us buying land that no one else really wanted, which led to outstanding profits further down the line. I really enjoyed everything I did, and came to believe that, as long as you have conducted yourself with real zest and maintained a positive attitude, while treating people well, you could get anything done.

Bobbie Huthart — *Serpenti* Tubogas necklace in 18K rose gold set with pavé diamonds on the head and the tail; *Serpenti* earrings in rose gold with mother-of-pearl and pavé diamonds, both by Bulgari

How do you view the world as a woman now, opposed to when you were living as a man?

When you are transitioning, you start off by taking hormones and, all of a sudden, you begin to see the world in a dramatically different way. You also find yourself having the kind of conversations that you really couldn’t have if you are a man. I find that women talk very openly with each other. I also think having lived as both genders has given me a truly unique understanding of their different perspectives on life. I believe only open discourse can unite the two for a better world.

You came out to your family back in 2015. Looking back, is there anything you’d have done differently?

I think if I had been a member of a later generation, if I had known I was transgender when I was younger, it would have bothered me not to have transitioned earlier. I wasn’t aware of all the possibilities and I think, in some ways, my ignorance was a kind of blessing. It ultimately allowed me to live two full lives in one lifetime.

Do you think coming from an affluent background has given you a different experience as a trans woman compared to those less-advantaged?

Well, the transgender women I talk to tell me I’m lucky because I come from a rich and accepting family. With that in mind, I try to speak out on behalf of all older transgender individuals, as well as for all elderly people in general. I want people to know they don’t need to shrivel up and die when they reach a certain age.

While I believe trans women are able to secure jobs at the lower end of the pay scale, it’s often difficult for them to progress. I also believe that this isn’t a specific trans issue, but one that affects all women. As a result, we have to collectively fight for women’s rights and move forward together.

Are there any misconceptions about the trans community that you would like to tackle head on?

I think the biggest misconception about the trans community – not only in Asia, but also on an international basis – is that it is inevitably linked to prostitution. As a Buddhist, I have no problem with prostitution, but, in general, it seems to carry a huge stigma. There is also the issue as to whether or not post-surgery you can “pass” as a member of your reassigned gender. In truth, being transgender is about what’s in your heart, rather than about your looks, and that’s what’s important.

What do you hope the 21st century will deliver in terms of transgender rights and acceptance, particularly within the Asian community?

Ultimately, I just want to get my point of view across without offending anyone. I just want us to be accepted. In the case of China, I think the process of gradual change has to begin and I believe the next generation will come to accept transgender people. So much of its culture is male-centric, with every mother-to-be wanting a boy. What happens, though, when that boy wants to be a girl? At the end of day, people need to be allowed to transition and to then be accepted.

I also believe in order for transgender people to win the hearts and acceptance of society, we must continue to do good deeds, and recognise that if we push too hard, especially in Asia, for rapid law changes, this could lead to more discrimination and hate.

Is there anything you are currently campaigning for?

Well, I currently run a foundation that aims to help transgender people in Thailand. Initially, I thought surgery always topped the agenda for trans people, but I’ve since found that isn’t necessarily the case. Sometimes, the bigger priorities are education, medication and support from doctors. And so, the foundation’s focus is now on financing education, and funding seeding capital and venture capital businesses run by trans people in Thailand. Our foundation has no name, and thus, no ego.

Finally, what’s left on your personal bucket list?

Really, I just hope to live long enough to help more people, not just for their sake, but also for my own. I am also still trying to become far less egocentric. That’s one of the biggest challenges I have ever had to face and it’s an ongoing battle.

Thank you.

Interview by: Bailey Atkinson
Photos: Jack Law
Art Direction: San Wong
Make-up: Irene Hung
Hair: Eva Lee@Headquarters
Venue: Ichu Peru
Jewellery: Bulgari

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