It's our right, say New Territories leaders fighting to keep small-house policy
Unflattering portrayals of New Territories leaders in the film Overheard 3 has not deflected powerbrokers Leung Fuk-yuen and Hau Chi-keung from a mission to retainthe controversial small-house policy, writes Elaine Yau
Leung Fuk-yuen, chief of Tai Tong village in Yuen Long, hadn't been to the cinema in 10 years, but local thriller Overheard 3 was a film he had to see.
That's because he's practically in the movie - the plot is built around struggles over access to rural land between male descendants of indigenous residents (so-called ding), tenants, and property developers. And the film doesn't shy from the fact it's loosely based on real events, with several characters resembling New Territories strongmen such as Leung and his pal Hau Chi-keung.
City people are jealous of New Territories people’s wealth but they ignore the hard work behind it
The portrayals aren't flattering. Rural powerbrokers are depicted as operating like thugs and colluding with property companies.
Sporting a similar bouffantto Leung's, actor Dominic Lam Ka-Wah plays a character who is involved in fights, prostitution and drug trafficking. Leung had to see for himself and, not surprisingly, took exception to it.
"It's sensational fabrication to boost ticket sales," he says. "I don't smoke, drink or gamble."
Hau, who chairs the Sheung Shui Rural Committee, feels much the same way about a character played by award-winning actor Lau Ching-wan.
Despite their complaints, the two men aren't too upset.