The Drunkard

Dir / Scr: Freddie Wong
Orig Story: Liu Yichang
Ed: Mary Stephen
Cast: Chang Kuo-chu, Irene Wan, Joman Chiang, Elena Kong, Katie Kwok
2010 / Colour / 35mm / Mandarin & Cantonese / Chi & Eng subtitles / 106min

The Drunkard is hailed as the first stream-of-consciousness work in Chinese literature and veteran film critic Freddie Wong's directorial debut did it faithful justice, crafting a potent existential parable out of a frustrated writer, Lau, whose work is no longer demanded by a populace obsessed with frivolous entertainment. Lau turns to pulp novel writing as his private life spirals down a path of self-destruction, growingly addicted to alcohol and women… With a literary voiceover and graphics-driven narrative, Wong synthesises emotional chaos and painful experiences into a chronicle of an intellectual soul who delves into depths of his own humanity in the mist of economic boom and turbulent social norms. Gifted with a nuanced understanding of rhythm and the constructive power of editing, Stephen imparts the scenes with the raw, visionary physical and emotional energy that is uniquely Fresh Wave.