Podtalk: Chicago’s Asian Pop-Up Cinema Co-Presents ‘Still Human’ on May 13, 2019

CHICAGO – One of the most honored recent films of Hong Kong, “Still Human,” will have its Chicago Premiere in a co-presentation by Chicago’s Asian Pop-Up Cinema and the Hong Long Economic & Trade Office. The emotional drama, about a disabled Hong Kong man (Anthony Wong) and his Filipino caregiver (Crisel Consunji), recently won accolades from the Hong Kong Film Awards and the Udine Far East Film Festival. First-time feature director Oliver Chan – she is a female filmmaker, despite the moniker – and lead actress Crisel Consunji will appear on behalf of the film at the Gene Siskel Film Center, on May 13th, 2019 (8pm). Click here [16] for tickets and details.

Crisel Consunji and Anthony Wong in ‘Still Human,’ directed by Oliver Chan Sie-Kuen
Photo credit: AsianPopUpCinema.org

A disabled Hong Kong man named Cheong-wing (Anthony Wong), who was paralyzed in an construction accident, is in need of a domestic caretaker. Evelyn (Crisel Consunji) is assigned, who has escaped a marriage in the Philippines and has fled to Hong Kong to earn a living. Living under the same roof, these two strangers begin to learn more about each other, and in that process rediscover themselves. Through their seasons together, they will go through several trials but will also touch on lost dreams, and provide hope for each other when all seems hopeless. This heartfelt film is director Chan’s feature debut.

Oliver Chan and Cristel Consunji in Chicago Photo credit: Patrick McDonald for HollywoodChicago.com

This Chicago Premiere is a special presentation of the Asian Pop-Up Cinema (APUC), which just finished Season Eight last month. APUC highlights a different Asian country or theme every week during their season in Chicago, facilitated by founder and veteran film programmer Sophia Wong Bocchio … Season Eight featured films from Japan, Mongolia, Singapore, Cambodia, Hong Kong, Taiwan, China, Indonesia and South Korea. Season Nine will begin in the Fall of 2019.

In Part One of a Podtalk with Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com, director Oliver Chan (speaking first) and lead actress Crisel Consunji of “Still Human,” talk about interpreting the elements of the film from the angle they approached it.

In Part Two, the duo observe kindness, love and life lessons in association with the film.

[18]	By PATRICK McDONALD [19] Editor and Film Writer HollywoodChicago.com pat@hollywoodchicago.com [18]