Local short film “Rainy Moments” (等雨) won the Asia-Pacific Regional Films Selection Award at the 62nd Asia-Pacific Film Festival at Hong Kong’s Shangri-La Hotel on July 9, according to a statement released by Sina Corporation earlier this month
“Rainy Moments” explores pressing social issues through interconnected stories set in Macau’s historic Chi Lam Vai (茨林圍 – Chi Lam Walled Village, known in Portuguese as Pátio do Espinho – “Thorn Courtyard”) neighbourhood close to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Ruins of St Paul’s and Na Tcha Temple.
Yes, the Chinese character “茨” (“Chi” in Cantonese transliteration) can refer to “potato,” particularly in certain dialects or contexts. However, it is more commonly associated with “thistle” or “thorn”, according to the chatbot Poe.
Funded by the Macau Government Tourism Office (MGTO) and organised by the local Chinese Cultural Industry Promotion Association, the film project received additional support from the Macau Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC) as an acknowledged partner.
This film delves into the emotional bonds between Macau residents through the lens of Chi Lam Vai – a settlement that has witnessed four centuries of the city’s history. By tapping into the neighbourhood’s rich historical legacy, the movie aims to portray the enduring human connections that define Macau’s community,
On July 12, a concern group set up by the villagers held a brainstorming session with the Macao Community Construction Promotion Association, and during the session, local film director Steven U (余志雲) said that the film’s storyline originated from the authentic experiences of Chi Lam Vai’s current residents – who not only acted in the production but even operated the cameras during filming. “This raw authenticity allows audiences to deeply understand and immerse themselves in the narrative,” he said.
In Cantonese, the settlement is also known as “Chi Lam Chuen” (“Chi Lam Village”).
Chi Lam Vai has been described by observers as a “living history” hamlet, where, for instance, Macau’s first anatomy textbook was translated from English into Chinese, and is the village even featured in Bruce Lee’s (李小龍) classic film “Fist of Fury”.
The area has also drawn an increasing number of locals and visitors in the wake of the huge global success of Chinese animated fantasy action-adventure film “Ne Zha 2”.
The village includes a café dedicated to Taoist protection deity Ne Zha (known as “Na Tcha” in the local Cantonese dialect). One of Macau’s two Na Tcha temples is located near the village. “Ne Zha 2”, which was released early this year, has become China’s most successful film to date, raking in over US$2.2 billion so far.
This poster released the Chinese Cultural Industries Promotion Association shows Macau’s award-winning short film “Rainy Moments” shot at the local “Chi Lam Vai” village.
