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SCMP Reporter

Young Achiever of the Year:  Barbara Wong
Barbara Wong Chun-chun  knows from experience that persistence pays off. Ten years ago she was a long way from achieving her dream of making films. She was selling insurance on the streets of New York by day and tending bars at night to pay off her debts.
This year, she released a feature film in time to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Hong Kong's handover. Wonder Women  charts some of the city's more turbulent events of the past decade through the eyes of its women protagonists. And the filmmaker celebrated her own 10-year milestone on Friday, when she was awarded the title of Young Achiever of the Year  at the Women of Influence Awards.
The choices and challenges faced by modern women is a dilemma  Wong, 39,  is familiar with. Like the characters in her movie, the filmmaker has struggled with trying to create the 'perfect life'.
'There were times when I sat down and cried. I had to ask myself is this really what I want to do,' she said. 'I didn't want to do anything but make films. I love it.'
Wong's passion for filmmaking developed when she enrolled in a summer film school in 1993, run by the Department of Film and Television at New York University's (NYU) Tisch School of the Arts.
After graduating, she set up a production house, providing freelance news and documentaries for NBC,  CNN  and ABC. She tried to make films but funding proved to be an obstacle. 'I tried to hook up with investors and film companies but no one wanted to talk to me,' she said. 'You can send scripts but people don't react.'
Her next move only made life harder. 'I put all my savings into the stock market. I lost all my money and almost became bankrupt.  That was when I asked myself if I really wanted to give up film and realised that I didn't want to,' she said.
Wong decided to use the last US$60,000 limit that she had on her  credit card to make an independent film.
The period may have been one of the bleakest of her career, but she worked tirelessly to make the film. Tending a bar from 6pm until 4am, she found time to write, produce, direct and act in her first independent film.
The film was shot in her apartment and that meant she also handled set design. 'I remember one morning the crew was supposed to arrive at 7am to shoot a scene in my bathroom. I had just got home from work to realise that the white walls would look awful in this pivotal scene we were about to shoot,' she said. 'I didn't sleep so I could paint it greyish-blue to reflect the depressing mood of the film.'
Perhaps it was her attention to detail that impressed people at the Anthology Film Archives  in New York. Her film, A Carburetor for Suzy, was selected for the New Filmmaker  series in 1997.
Armed with this  success, she returned to Hong Kong.
'My family was really worried about me. My friends were telling me that I was coming back at a time when the film industry was going down the tube. Nobody really believed in me,' she said.
It took some time before her next film proposal caught the attention of willing investors. The resulting documentary, Women's Private Parts,  is a frank discussion on women's sexuality which won best international feature film in the New York International Independent Film and Video Festival in 2001.
She has since made several feature films, including the youth comedy Truth or Dare: 6th Floor Rear Flat,  The Black Rose  with pop duo Twins, and Six Strong Guys.
The way she works now is a departure from her days in New York. 'I've achieved something. I can work professionally as a director and have so many people collaborate with me,' she said. 'When I make a film these days, there are all kinds of people, including production managers and art directors. I can focus  on the art.'
Having fulfilled her dream to make films, her goal now is to be a better director. 'Dreams always change. When you achieve one, you set another,' she said.
Sharing her vision and feelings with an audience is 'a big part' of what she does.
'I'm a big supporter of women. Part of my mission is to encourage young women to fulfil their dreams,' she said.
'It doesn't have to be a big dream, but it's very important to look after your own dream or objectives to make yourself complete.'
Overcoming her own struggles, she said, gave her confidence in facing obstacles in the future.
'Life is full of them and it's very important that you have the chance to work on [your confidence]. A lot of people give up maybe a step too early,' she said. 'I don't fear failure any more. Fear of failing will stop people from trying.'
Judge's comment
'When I reviewed the application and endorsements of Barbara Wong Chun-chun  I was immediately impressed. Here was a talented and passionate lady who excelled in all that she did. I am sure this is not the last award our talented director will receive and it is far from the first. We are proud to have as our Young Achiever award winner, a prominent director developed in Hong Kong.'
Steven DeKrey
Associate dean
Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Business School



Hard work and passion helps filmmaker to fulfil her vision