More than a month after the reopening of Maus Hábitos, FEMME SESSIONS return in July with a double session of Films at the Table. Thus, we present, on July 22 at 9:00 pm, a session dedicated to Macaense women cinema.

This #27 session is curated by Cheong Kin Man, originally from Macau but has spent most of his time in Europe (Belgium and Germany) since 2013. Having organized several film screenings in different parts of the world, notably at Slovenska Kinoteka in Slovenia and at the Yilan Museum of Art in Taiwan, he has been recommending non-Macanese films to a Macau festival since 2016 and occasionally promoting Macanese cinema overseas for more than a decade.

One of the greatest concerns of post-colonial Macanese women filmmakers is to maximize creativity in a society characterized by self-censorship. Here are three pertinent examples that deserve attention in this regard: “A Friend of Mine” (2013), very subtly one of the first LGBT films in Macau, by the brave filmmaker Tracy Choi who has gained a positive impression in the transregional public. “The Kids Project” (2016) was the result of the observation of a school teacher: Nancy Io made several short films before going to study at a film school in Formosa. Originally joint production with several other short films to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Macau Special Administrative Region. “Until the end of the world” (2019) is the production of Emily Chan, who is alongside Tracy Choi one of the most important names of the Macanese filmmakers.

Program

A FRIEND OF MINE

Macau | 15’00’’ | Fiction | 2013

Director: Tracy Choi

Synopsis

Well-behaved Sin witnesses bullying in her new school and dares not to disclose it. Seeing the victim, Tong, being always unfairly treated, she offers to help. Gradually heir friendship grows, however, Sin is afraid to be implicated on Tong’s problems. Since then, she tries to keep a distance from Tong and ignore all the bullying she witnessed. She has plunged into a moral dilemma…

Trailer

THE KIDS PROJECT 

Macau | 25’00’’ | Fiction | 2017

Director: Nancy Io

Synopsis

Kids in kindergarten are used to just following orders and taking those so called 'nutrition' provided by the adults. Someone should consider the kids feeling and speak up for them. Ted, the new art teacher, was nominated by the school principal to curate the talent show because of his outstanding techniques and skills. However, the principal keeps stressing and even forces them to use up the regular classes to practice for the talent show. Both the teachers and the kids are in distress, and so, Ted decides to stand up for the students.

TILL THE END OF THE WORLD

Macau | 12’00’’ | Fiction | 2019

Director: Emily Chan

Synopsis

The 2012 phenomenon said that day will be the end of the world. Zoe decided to leave Macau on that day. Before she left, she met her ex-lover in this small city, and walk with him for the last time.