In the Face of Demolition 危樓春曉 (1953)

Life in a Hong Kong tenement

I saw the 1953 classic Cantonese movie In the Face of Demolition (危樓春曉) on YouTube. The social realism drama took place in a tenement house. A group of poor working class tenants shared not only the house but also mutually assisted each other to face life struggles.

Crowded into the flat are a teacher, a courtesan, a taxi driver couple, a family of five, the money lender’s family and the landlady couple. People all knew each other. There was no other way, giving the small space and non-existent privacy. They also shared similar life struggles. Money was always short. Rent and debts were due. Job loss deepened the despair. But the neighbors often stepped in to support and lend money to relieve the problems.

From today’s perspective, we live a prosperous life in our own housing. Our life becomes rather individualistic. The tenement living depicted in the movie seems far removed from today. We should also consider that the movie can be a dramatization and not necessarily a very accurate portrait of real life at that time.

Still, to a large extent, I believe it can be seen as a time capsule to the life in Hong Kong people once lived. My own life witnessed some of this transition. My father fits the Wai character. A taxi driver. Wife expecting a child. They rented a room when I was born (which I have no memory of). Later, in the 70s, we rented our own apartment. We in turn become a landlord to rent out one of the bedrooms to help on rent.

Life was difficult then. People struggled to find work, which barely pays for food and lodging. There was no government welfare. It was inspiring how people count on each other to help ease the burden of life.

A bonus point is to see a young Bruce Lee in the picture playing a responsible son.