Review | Still Human film review: Anthony Wong, Crisel Consunji shine in heart-warming domestic help drama
- Film set in Hong Kong follows a disabled middle-aged man and his young Filipino maid as they learn to embrace their lives again
- Film by director Oliver Chan is nominated for a number of awards at the upcoming Hong Kong Film Awards
3.5/5 stars
One of Hong Kong’s most recognisable actors, the once-prolific Anthony Wong Chau-sang was largely shut out from major roles in Hong Kong-China co-productions after he voiced support for the pro-democracy protesters during the 2014 “umbrella movement”.
It is understandable, then, that he would seek to channel the frustration into his down-on-his-luck character in Still Human, a low-key and sensitive domestic drama which has been earning acclaim since its premiere at the Hong Kong Asian Film Festival in November. Wong’s best actor nod at the upcoming Hong Kong Film Awards caps a period of welcome respite.
Paralysed from the chest down after a workplace accident and divorced from his wife, who has moved abroad with their teenage son (Himmy Wong Ting-him), former construction worker Leung Cheong-wing (Anthony Wong), confined to a wheelchair, is left to spend his days contemplating his existence in a cramped public housing estate flat.