As part of the Queer Contexts Conference 2024, we are honoured to have a very special film screening of internationally acclaimed All Shall Be Well, directed by Ray Yeung and starring Patra AU Ga Man, Maggie LI Lin Lin, Tai Bo, HUI So Ying, LEUNG Chung Hang, Fish LIEW Chi Yu, and Rachel LEUNG.

The Director, Ray Yeung, describes the film as follows:

ALL SHALL BE WELL is a story about the aftermath when a partner in a long-time committed relationship suddenly passes away without leaving a will. Many unexpected and unanticipated issues arise. ALL SHALL BE WELL is set in Hong Kong and is centered on a lesbian couple, but the scenario is universal and highly relatable. Most people have experienced the death of a beloved family member, which often leads to a period of uncertainty and chaos following that event. When it comes to the rights of the surviving partner, there are many concerns that must be resolved to ensure that the loved one’s final wishes are respected while at the same time, protecting the bonds of the family. When there is no will left behind, the legal status/rights of the survivor change, and this often leads to misunderstandings and disagreements among different members of the family. The difference in opinions could originate from tradition, religion, money and legal status and legal rights. Usually there are a lot of personal histories involved between the different family members and
disagreements may be heightened by grief and personal beliefs.

ALL SHALL BE WELL explores these issues with a unique point of view from the perspective of a lesbian relationship. Our story brings a new focus to this situation while highlighting the rights of the LGBTQ community in Hong Kong today. Gay marriages and same-sex civil relationships are being recognized and legalized in more and more regions and countries around the world, so it is important that Hong Kong as an international city should have a movie which focuses on this issue. ALL SHALL BE WELL addresses the volatile matter of survivor’s rights within same-sex couples and the relatable highly emotional issues of grieving families and family dynamics. Our film questions what the meaning of ‘family’ in the modern context is. Do blood relations automatically have more rights than a life partner? What is more important – properties or years of personal relationships and shared histories?

ALL SHALL BE WELL also touches on the unique situation in Hong Kong, where property prices are out of reach for most ordinary citizens. When a family dream of having a comfortable home and suddenly it is within reach, would they give up that dream or compromise in the face of their own conscience and moral obligations? Each of the themes depicted in the film is vital and has rarely been shown in Hong Kong movies. Hong Kong has a strong international reputation in world cinema, however, there have only been a handful of lesbian themed movies produced in Hong Kong. ALL SHALL BE WELL is a natural extension of my most recent film, SUK SUK which reflected on the meaning of family and inequality in our society. Once again it is a film that will place a spotlight on the lives of the underrepresented in our metropolitan city.