Bends

Flora Lau’s first feature film is a finely crafted and nuanced piece that delves into the lives of two individuals with contrasting futures—a wealthy woman from Hong Kong and her chauffeur from mainland China—both navigating life’s unforeseen challenges. Anna, portrayed by Carina Lau, faces the challenge of keeping up appearances with her status-driven friends after her husband’s mysterious disappearance. Meanwhile, Fai, played by Chen Kun, is dealing with the fact that his wife is heavily pregnant with their second child, lacks healthcare rights in Hong Kong, and faces penalties for violating the one-child policy if they return to their homeland. As their daily lives intersect, their paths only briefly align, with Lau skillfully highlighting the social contradictions by juxtaposing their situations rather than creating conflict between the two main characters.