Tagline: One of the simplest yet pleasantly emotional movies of the year...Simon Yam has finally found his ground. After years of nominations, sweats and determination, Yam has won his most wanted award – HK Best Actor. Gladly he deserved it with both hands down. A bravo display from a true veteran at work and to say this is his best ever performance cannot be departed with understatement. The scene in the gushing of wind leading to the collapse of the shoe shop, confirms to us that Yam has finally hit the right emotional buttons. Well done. Usual writer Alex Law tries his hand at directing and the result is extraordinarily.The story is a personal one and yet portrays the time frame of Hong Kong in the 1960s so perfectly that one feels immense into the every situation. It is rare that you come out of a commercial Hong Kong film with the same subtle feelings not seen since Ann Hui's The Way We Are. Yet, this film is far more accessible, simple and yet astonishingly moving. Echoes of the Rainbow do go the route taken, but goes about it in the most effective and simplistic of manner. Led by an excellent star turn from Buzz Chung who simply chew the scenes with both cuteness and innocence, adding to a mix is perhaps a slight mis-cast in Sandra Kwan, who still manages to impress. Perhaps, Teresa Mo (Mr. Cinema) may be a more suitable candidate for the role. The expression on Buzz's face when he hears about the death is almost seamlessly touching and almost lingering. Upcoming singer, Aarif Lee also does well and the award winning performance from Simon Yam sums up the movie. Exceeds expectations and beautiful to endure.All in all, Echoes of the Rainbow fills the heart and the soul and despite its flaws, simplicity, it works. The film is most probably best Hong Kong film of the year and comes highly recommended...(Neo 2010) I rate it 9/10www.thehkneo.com

MOVIES often transport us to worlds of fantasy and hype. This one, however, strives for nostalgic realism, tempering yesteryear charm and familial bond with a touch of tragedy. It is not a movie for the masses but "Echoes Of The Rainbow" is a rare gem for film buffs who look for something different from the familiar fare.It will take you back to the Sixties, at the time when Neil Armstrong walked the moon, and maybe wring a tear or two out of you...The film is about eight-year-old Big Ears (Buzz Chung Siu To, who narrates), growing up on Wing Lee Street in Hong Kong's Sheung Wan district, where his father (Simon Yam) runs a shoe shop on one end while his uncle owns a hair salon at the opposite end. Together, they take care of their customers' top and bottom, or so they boast.Big Ears is a spoilt brat who makes a hobby of pinching stuff, quite unlike his elder brother Desmond (singer Aarif Lee) who is both a model student and a top athlete in school. The narrative follows the adventures of the two brothers, with Desmond courting the demure Flora (Evelyn Choi) - and Big Ears wearing a fish bowl on his head, dreaming of becoming Hong Kong's first astronaut.The first thing that grabs us is the movie's attention to detail, recreating a part of Hong Kong that vibrates with local street life and small-time enterprise. The mood of nostalgia is further enhanced by director Law Kai Yu's inclusion of catchy Sixties songs, especially those of the Monkees, that Desmond loves to listen on the transistor radio. In this world, poverty may be romanticised with the neighbourhood community gathering together for dinner but the dark side, of widespread bribe-taking and corrupt cops and nurses, is also explored.The cast is exemplary too, with young Buzz Chung effortlessly stealing the show from Aarif Lee and even veteran Yam. Chung helps to give the film a touch of playfulness and naivete, showing us Big Ear's kiddie point of view. Lee is rather bland in his role as the 'model son' and student but Sandra Ng is in her element as the resourceful and sweet-tongued mother. I find the ending rather melodramatic and predictable. Still, it seems the only way to close the story.This movie won the Crystal Bear Award at the 60th Berlin Film Festival for Best New Generation Film and has been nominated for six prizes at the Hong Komng Film Awards. A rare and refreshing family movie. - By LIM CHANG MOH (limchangmoh.blogspot.com)

In the last decade, the proliferation in the use of fatal diseases in plots for romance movies and TV drama from a certain area (which shall be unnamed) has done great damage in cheapening this tragic element in drama. Knowing that this is the true story of Director Alex Law's childhood has gone a long way in countering this cheapening effect and restoring to the audience the proper perspective of tragedies in life.This is a double coming-of-age story of two brothers (8 years apart): Director Law's elder brother, a model student tragically lost to leukemia at the golden prime of his teenage and himself, a bright but somewhat delinquent kid at the age of 8 who later grew up to be a successful and well respected member of the motion picture industry. Among various other things, the love and bond between the brothers is the most affecting aspect in this movie. The "various other things" include a nostalgic look at the grass-root life of Hong Kong in the 60s, portrayals of an interesting variety of characters and their values, a simple yet all-embracing philosophy that life is made up of alternating segment of good times and hard times.The cast is all that you hope for. It's refreshing to see Simon Yam neither a cop, a gangster, nor a fantasy villain, but a taciturn, hard-working, stern but kind-hearted father, a role he played admirably. Sandra Ng shines as the street-smart mother with an indomitable spirit. Elder brother Aarif Lee is an all-age dream heartthrob, talented in his own right, responsible for writing and singing the theme song. Younger brother CHUNG Shiu has been recruited from over 500. Producer Mabel Cheung intimates on a radio interview that from the shortlist of a few, Chung was finally selected because of his can still say his line while crying. It's this little kid that steals the entire audience's heart.Crystal Bear for the Best Film in the Children's Jury "Generation Kplus" comments on this winning film: "With its loving attention to detail, atmospheric lighting and emotional music, this film succeeded in creating a special atmosphere. The excellent actors gave us deep insight into a moving story about two brothers."

I was surprised that this film won an award at an international film festival. I am not being racist, being a Hong Kong person myself. I didn't know that Westerners would appreciate the charm and quaintness of "unspoilt" urban Hong Kong.This film is so full of 60s old Hong Kong flavour, that it will certainly churn up collective memories of old timers like myself. The street scenes coupled with all the other little bits and pieces of prop were so authentic that one could hear "ooohs" and "aaahs" from the audience. It was really heart-warming to see (and remember) that family closeness once existed in "ancient" times.Being a woman, I was prepared that this would be chick-flick with a lot of tear jerking scenes, because I read a bit of blurb about the story. Fortunately, the whole movie is not all teary -- there were a lot of comical moments at the start, especially from the young star. (However, I just dislike his brawling scenes, which I found unusual for a boy of 8 years young.)Overall, I would say this film is a "should watch", especially for locals -- to support the local film industry and to reminiscence old times.