[PIFF] Ann Hui speaks of lesbianism in "All About Love"

Hong Kong director Ann Hui poses during a photocall of a press conference for her film "All About Love" at the Haeundae Grand Hotel in Busan, South Korea on October 11, 2010. [PIFF]

In her latest film "All About Love," Hong Kong auteur Ann Hui draws on all forms of love, particularly that of lesbians, but she says she found herself not being as open to homosexuality as she had initially thought she was.

"I was very scared and nervous about making the movie because I was afraid I wouldn't do a good job of portraying homosexuals but I realized it came from me being a bit prejudiced about them," Hui told reporters on Monday at a press conference in Busan at the ongoing 15th Pusan International Film Festival (PIFF).

She then explained, "It's not that I ever looked down on them but for example, I don't know anything about serial killers and how they think or what they feel but I wouldn't be scared to make a movie about them."

In the film, female ex-lovers Macy (played by veteran comedy actress Sandra Ng) and Anita (Hong Kong's highly idolized Vivian Chow) meet after 12 years, both pregnant from one-night stands. After finding their emotions for each other rekindled, they decide to pick up their relationship after which the father of their babies turn up saying they will take responsibility.

Hui said she had no lesbians to refer to on a personal level to tell the story but was able to depict on their lives as accurately as she could thanks to the film's scenarist who studied about them extensively by visiting their hangouts, observing their lifestyle and talking to them.

Yet with homosexuality stigmatized in Hong Kong, as is the case in most countries throughout Asia, Hui's attempt to shine light onto the hardships lesbians face in society did not reach out to as many viewers as she expected.

When "All About Love" premiered, reaction was excellent, Hui said, which led her to believe the film would do well on the local box office but she saw ticket sales drop from medium to bad.

"I suspect that people who are non-verbal with their disagreement did not say so but they did not like the film, it was sort of a silent protest," she said. "A lot of people will not speak about it but just vote against it by not going to watch the movie."

That is why Hui said she felt even more lucky to get high-profile actresses Sandra Ng and Vivian Chow to star in her pic. "I guess they agreed with the message I wanted to deliver -- that everyone is equal and deserves to be treated the same."

"All About Love" is being screened as a Gala Presentation at this year's PIFF running from October 7 to 15.

Jessica Kim jesskim@