IB HERALD MAY 2017

1 // OPINION

OH, THE PLACES YOU’LL GO! MARTIN YIP | 4

ON EDUCATION EVAN CHENG | 12 // INTERVIEWS A WORD FROM THE EDITOR “A SPACE FOR LIVE” MS. LESLEY CROFT Dear readers, JAMES LEE | 16 MR. NEIL HODGSON MR. CHRIS PERCY is issue is the result of a year of hard work, both from our editors and MS. JEAN LEE from our greatly talented writers. EVAN CHENG, RON MA | 21, 23, 25, 27 click to jump to page e IB Herald prides itself in providing opportunities for aspiring writers, even artists, to express themselves. is issue continues to strive towards that goal, and includes a wide array of articles. In the following pages, you MR. DAVID LEACH will €nd discussions of Hong Kong’s political environment, the value of education, and the entertainment industry in Hong Kong; you will also MS. JULICE YEUNG encounter various teacher interviews, reviews of TV shows and even a MICHAEL LAU, JEFFREY LAU | 29, 32 commentary on arthouse cinema. Of course, you will also hear from our aspiring artists — or photographers.

is issue marks the €nal issue of my term as Layout Editor and Edi- tor-in-Chief, before I hand the publication over to a group of bright and // ART & ENTERTAINMENT promising successors. As it so happens, both the quality and quantity of articles in this issue exceed those of the previous issue; our magnum opus, SO YOU WATCH ARTHOUSE CINEMA? if you will. And of course, I am con€dent that the issues to come will set the bar even higher. RON MA | 34

If you have any suggestions or would like to join the team, please do not LAUGHS SANS FRONTIERS hesitate to contact us via [email protected]. Once again, thank you WILSON LAM | 40 for your kind support, and we hope you enjoy this issue. POEMS Happy reading! TON YEH | 46

Linus Lam Yan To ART (“UNTITLED”) Editor-in-Chief JAMES LEE | 48

A MOMENT IN TIME ADRIAN LEUNG | 50

GAMES EVAN CHENG | 60

2 3 During the Occupy Central movement, protesters lit up the night with the glare of smartphone screens. Studio Incendo / CC BY 2.0

Oh,the Localists have received unprecedented support in the recent election. As a third major political power, could their inclusion in the local political scene break the pro-establishment and pan-democrat duopoly?

–—˜™š ›œž Ÿ¡¢£¤ œ¥¥¡£¦¡¦ independence or self-determination, and gained places by C.Y. Leung. It was early 2015, small but monumental victories in the 2015 District when the proposal of electoral reform Council elections and the 2016 LegCo elections. in 2017 was being €ercely debated Voter turnout al so broke records, suggesting in- inside and outside of the Legislative creased political awareness in society. e localists Council (LegCo). Leung was asked how he would have the promising combination of new ideas and deal with the €libustering pan-democrats. He re- considerable public support, and should therefore you ll go! sponded,A “ e short answer is that you [citizens] attempt to steer Hong Kong in the direction they ’ register as voters and use your votes to vote them desire—but considerable hurdles lie ahead. out.” Leung’s call gave little traction to the cam- paign of pro-establishment camp. ey, as well as e €rst hurdle is political truth—essentially the the pan-democrats, lost support and resources to boundaries of what can be done. For example, Hong Martin Yip the increasingly vocal localists, who advocated either Kong is an “inalienable part” of the People’s Repub-

4 ■ OPINION \\ // OPINION ■ 5 lic of China, which has a less favourable political system (whether democracy is a preferable system is a debate for another time): a one-party socialist government which the national Constitution calls a “people’s democratic dictatorship”. is system con- µicts with the ideals of democracy, and therefore our semi-democratic system is biased. e Beijing-con- trolled LegCo and Chief Executive election process- es ensure that our executive and judicial branches are dominated by those who adhere to the values of the Chinese Communist Party and not neces- sarily the values of Hongkongers. Despite that the pro-establishment camp has never been supported Edward Leung of Hong Kong Indigenous won over 66,000 votes in the 2016 LegCo North Territories East by-election, only behind Alvin by the majority, they are the group that we have been Yeung of the Civic Party and Holden Chow of DAB governed by. e crooked system limits the range of actions non-establishment forces can take. ey cannot join the executive branch as so many of their advocates. Even a historic meeting between student ideals di¶er from those of the government. In the leaders of the movement and top government o·- legislative branch, they are destined to always be the cials during the movement yielded no results. We are, minority, as the majority of the pro-establishment however unfortunate it may be, trapped in a vicious camp is safeguarded by this biased system. cycle of divisiveness and radicalness on one hand, and a mutual refusal to cooperate, with neither side Yau Wai-ching, center, and Sixtus “Baggio” Leung, right, e second hurdle is political climate—what sepa- having any incentive to make any compromises. It is are escorted by pan-democrats to enter the legislative chamber in Hong Kong on October 26, 2016 rates the principally plausible possibilities from the analogously the Prisoner’s Dilemma with a twist, as practical possibilities. e duopoly that was created in choices are not one-o¶ but repeatedly made, and and reinforced by a crooked political system has each side knows the other’s previous choices. Unfor- been deeply ingrained into local politics, save for rare tunately, it is the society which pays for being in the slogan remained a slogan instead of a principle, it is occasions when the Liberal Party or the Democratic wrong equilibrium—that is to say, not the optimum not one to easily justify. Consider an extreme case in Party switches allegiances. is is extended to the one—as no progress can be made with stalemates. Kosovo, where opposition legislators once resorted to general public, as the supporters of each side become It is analogously releasing teargas canisters in session for six months more united and, at times, radical to battle against However, the problem with the localists as a third straight from 2015 to 2016, aiming water and lasers the other. Radicals do exist on the pro-establishment force in parliament and hoping they will bring the Prisoner’s at government ministers. ey were opposing an side, such as Leticia Lee. At the same time, commu- change is that they are inherently against the govern- agreement which granted local Serbs greater powers. nication and €nding common ground among the two ment. is turns them into a subset of the “non-es- Dilemma with a e government had to buy airport-grade body scan- sides are extremely di·cult. Recently, the Democrat- tablishment” camp, a relatively new concept which ners and ventilators just to deter their actions. Just ic Party negotiated with the Hong Kong government e¶ectively implies we return to the undesirable twist, as in choices across the strait, the legislative body of Taiwan, the and the Liaison O·ce of the Central People’s Gov- dichotomy albeit in a slightly di¶erent manner. e Legislative Yuan, has a notorious history of €ghting ernment, with the result being €ve extra functional key to them being able to make a di¶erence is then are not one-off but over bills. As Emily Lau, Hong Kong’s €rst ever constituency seats that contribute little to the ulti- their ability to be di¶erent from the other two forces female legislator, put it, “not only does undermin- mate goal of universal su¶rage and democracy. e in a constructive way in di¶erent areas as political repeatedly made, ing parliamentary order fail to promote democracy, quest for this goal su¶ered further setbacks when entities. obstructing LegCo’s functioning stalls Hong Kong’s the Standing Committee of the National People’s and each side development.” It is unlikely and unjusti€ed that Congress released the “831 Decision” that was seen e €rst area of resistance is the parliament, such violent scenes should become frequent in LegCo, as as a screening procedure for potential Chief Execu- as €libustering, which Hongkongers are painfully knows the other’s it achieves nothing more than non-violent methods tive candidates before they could enter the election. acquainted with. Since 1997, we have gone from very (barring perhaps slightly more media attention) but It signi€ed the adamant stance of ¼½¾, and was the long speeches to throwing objects at government previous choices. gives rather worse impressions and implications. immediate cause of the Umbrella Movement. “We o·cials and physical altercations. Indeed, some lo- have reached the end of the road for communication calists speak of using force against the tyranny of the However, Lau does support non-violent acts of and compromise,” shouted the troubled democracy government (以武制暴). However, not only has this dissent, which she considers justi€ed as they are in

6 ■ OPINION \\ // OPINION ■ 7 Leung Kwok-hung “Long Hair” (長毛). However, the Basic Law, setting an unwanted precedent which this form of opposition is losing e¶ectiveness for two allows the NPCSC to circumvent Article 159, stip- The threat against our reasons. Firstly, the government is now turning the ulating the procedures for amending the Basic Law tables. It has, at the time of writing, €led to invali- which have never been undertaken: rule of law and judicial date the oath-taking of six legislators whose political stances range from pro-independence to traditional €e power of amendment of this Law shall be vested independence sounds pan-democrat. As Long Hair put it, “I’ve got no in the National People’s Congress. money and the government has heaps [of it]. It’s far-fetched, but is using public funds to remove elected legislators from €e power to propose bills for amendments to this o·ce and change Hongkongers’ political decisions.” Law shall be vested in the Standing Committee of the totally legitimate. e inconvenient truth is that court battles require National People’s Congress, the State Council and the big money, often in the millions of Hong Kong Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. Amend- Yau Wai-ching, center, and Sixtus “Baggio” Leung, right, are dollars. e playing €eld is inherently uneven since ment bills from the Hong Kong Special Adminis- escorted by pan-democrats to enter the legislative chamber in Hong Kong on October 26, 2016 rarely can anyone match government spending. Sec- trative Region shall be submitted to the National case would be taken to court. It frightfully reminds ondly, Hong Kong’s “mini-constitution”, the Basic People’s Congress by the delegation of the Region to us of Lam Wing-kee of Causeway Bay Books, who Law, was written in the interests of Beijing and not the National People’s Congress after obtaining the was abducted and detained in secret for months in accordance with the Rules of Procedure and serve necessarily those of Hong Kong, and furthermore consent of two-thirds of the deputies of the Region to China and lived to tell the tale. the political purpose of stalling the government’s the National People’s Congress Standing Committee the National People’s Congress, two-thirds of all the “evil” bills. Here there is no room for impact for has the power to interpret it. It is widely agreed that members of the Legislative Council of the Region, and e irony is that the localists have made a large im- the localists. ese acts are after all the prominent each interpretation a¶ects the rule of law in Hong the Chief Executive of the Region. pact in this area of resistance, but in a totally negative tactics of the pan-democrats. Time again the pro-es- Kong, although some suggest “damages” is the more way. Even though the Youngspiration duo started out tablishment legislators rally for and emphasise the appropriate word. e recent interpretation, only Before a bill for amendment to this Law is put on the intending to test the boundaries of the law, with con- importance of amending the Rules of Procedure, the €fth ever in the history of the Basic Law, poses agenda of the National People’s Congress, the Com- sequences of unexpected magnitude, their fatal error but ironically, they also have a history of €libuster- a potential threat in which the Basic Law can be ef- mittee for the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special was failing to present a case with a remote chance of ing—in 1999, ÂÃÄ’s Jasper Tsang Yok-sing and Tam fectively amended for political purposes or otherwise. Administrative Region shall study it and submit its winning. As omas Au, Judge of the Court of First Yiu-chung delayed the vote to ensure the Provision Article 104 of the Basic Law states that: views. Instance wrote (italics added for clarity): of Municipal Services (Reorganisation) Ordinance was passed under the support of their allies who were When assuming oce, the Chief Executive, principal No amendment to this Law shall contravene the 13. It is important to note that, notwithstand- absent on the planned date of voting; this year, the ocials, members of the Executive Council and of the established basic policies of the People’s Republic of ing the ¼É and the ÊË’s above forefront entire pro-establishment camp planned a walkout Legislative Council, judges of the courts at all levels China regarding Hong Kong. contentions made in these applications, Mr in a meeting to prevent Youngspiration duo Sixtus and other members of the judiciary in the Hong Kong Leung and Ms Yau have not put forward Leung and Yau Wai-ching from taking their oaths. Special Administrative Region must, in accordance e threat against our rule of law and judicial in- any positive case by way of submissions e government is also cooperating, tightening its with law, swear to uphold the Basic Law of the Hong dependence sounds far-fetched, but is totally legit- (primary or alternative) or evidence that control over LegCo by barring candidates from Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s imate. e Chinese government is well known for the oaths they purported to take on 12 Octo- entering the election and applying for judicial review Republic of China and swear allegiance to the Hong having a unique understanding of “rule of law” in ber 2016 complied with ÄÌ104 or the re- regarding legislators’ oath-taking methods. What Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s that it is a tool for ensuring political stability and quirements under the ÍÂÍ. ey also have can be legitimately done very likely has been done, if Republic of China. eliminating foes. In 2015, in an event that came to not put forward any positive arguments by they not made illegitimate in the near future. us, be dubbed “ e Great Arrest” (七零九大抓捕), over way of submissions or evidence that they localists are likely to have little constructive impact e interpretation stated that the oaths in question three hundred activists and lawyers were taken into did not “decline or neglect” to take the LegCo in this area. should be taken in a “solemn and sincere” manner; custody in various locations all over China in a single Oath when requested to do so on that day. that an oath-taker who “refuses” to take the oath day. One of them, a lawyer was named Xie Yanyi Another area that can be explored is resistance in cannot retake it and should be disquali€ed; and that (謝燕益). His wife recalled when he €rst brought a And: court, a manifestation of the checks and balances it is the duty of the oath administrator to con€rm lawsuit against Jiang Zemin, then Chairman of the of power in Hong Kong, well known to even the the legal taking of the oath. To many democrats, this Central Military Commission. She asked her hus- 120. us, I agree with Mr Yu’s submissions average secondary school student. In the past, judi- explanation takes advantage of the phrase “in accor- band, “Even the Chairman can be sued?” “Sure,” Xie that the outcome of this case as regards Mr cial reviews have been used numerous times by Hong dance with law”. Since practically the explanation responded, “so long as it is according to the law.” He Leung and Ms Yau is the same with or Kong citizens to challenge government decisions, has imposed new restrictions on the Basic Law and and his colleagues su¶ered this fate: a forced disap- without referring to the terms of the Inter- the most notable individuals being Kwok Cheuk-kin also the Oaths and Declarations Ordinance, demo- pearance, with means of communications to lawyers pretation. “Cheung Chau King of Reviews” (長洲覆核王) and crats reasoned that this was in fact an amendment to and family severed, and no schedule as to when his

8 ■ OPINION \\ // OPINION ■ 9 The Lennon Wall of Hong Kong, as it was named, was covered by the opinions and voices of citizens written on Post-its

ally well received by locals. Local policies and values are after all what localists are familiar with. Eddie Chu, the King of Votes in the 2016 LegCo election, started out in civil movements campaigning, among other issues, against demolishment of Queen’s Pier and for the Choi Yuen Tsuen villagers a¶ected by the non-violence” (和平、理性、非暴力) as promoted Guangzhou–Shenzhen–Hong Kong Express Rail by Occupy Central with Love and Peace in 2014. Link. Youngspiration €rst made their name when However, the argument against force in legislative they attracted support in Whampoa during the 2015 chambers stands equally in the streets. District Council elections. Nathan Law of Demo- sistō was formerly the secretary-general of the Hong seek change for the good. e power and inµuence Even so, it is important to understand that the Kong Federation of Students, a major €gure in the of a civil movement is likely to be larger if they were Sunµower Movement is not representative of the Umbrella Movement. Hong Kong Indigenous made spontaneous instead of being initiated by political concept of “resistance in society”. “Resistance” in the headlines when they “defended” Hong Kong €gures. Consider Taiwan’s Sunµower Movement this sense refers to the motivation of citizens to not from the disturbance brought by parallel traders, in which took place in 2014. Kuomintang, the ruling sit idle in the face of government policies but take districts such as Tuen Mun and Sha Tin. e actions of the Youngspiration duo were severely party at that time, intended to rush the Cross-Strait actions. e most commendable characteristic of civil detrimental to the image of the localists as a whole. Service Trade Agreement through the Legislative movements is that they are based on virtues such as e very roots of localists suggest that hope is to Not only have they drawn an interpretation from the Yuan, Taiwan’s parliament. e Agreement came unity, cooperation, self-initiative, and so forth. ey be found among the streets rather than in air-con- ν¼Ê¼ for the Basic Law for zero gain to the entire under criticism, as some feared that it would en- do not necessarily negate the government’s actions ditioned o·ces in tall towers. It is where they can non-establishment camp, their decision to express large Taiwan’s economic dependency on China and and policies, but rather may be constructive. For transform society from the bottom up and ultimately their political views in their oaths undermined the increase political pressure from Beijing. ÏÐÑ’s hold- example, one policy that captured public attention change the society for the better. As the saying goes, localists’ e¶orts as a whole to spread their inµuence ing of public hearings was also attacked as notable would be public bazaars. Current government poli- “insanity is doing the same thing over and over again using what resources they would have been able to opposing €gures were deliberately uninvited. Stu- cy discourages such activity: it has to a large extent and expecting di¶erent results.” e pro-establish- utilise as legislators. e pro-establishment camp also dents and other civic groups eventually forced their stopped issuing new licences to hawkers for decades ment camp and the pan-democrat camp have used wasted no time in characterising the duo as childish way into the Yuan, resisting attempts by the police to and aims to reduce the number of hawkers, illegal or the same set of methods for thirty years and set the and senseless, transferring these qualities onto the expel them from the legislative chamber. After more otherwise, on the streets. Self-determination advo- pattern of binary opposition in stone. Localists, by public’s impression of the localists as a whole. than three weeks, the government was forced to put cate, present legislator Lau Siu-lai mentioned setting working on local issues and values which the other the Agreement on hold until all relevant legislation up bazaars to “counter the hegemony of ÌÒÎÏ [a two major political forces have not prioritised or e €nal area to investigate is resistance in society. was passed. e Movement posed a dilemma in the private €rm which owns numerous shopping cen- focused on, may bring some hope to the local politi- Time and again, the phrase “the silent majority” ap- use of force as a method of dissent. In Hong Kong, tres near public housing estates]” and giving citizens cal scene. It may not be the fast path to the ultimate pears on the political stage. Politicians know that ral- localists like to use the phrase “principles without control over their lives instead of suppressing their goal of universal su¶rage and democracy, but it is lying them is a powerful tool. However, the modern a bottom line” (有原則無底線), which allows for choices. ere have been various non-government how they can most e¶ectively break the dichotomy citizen should know better than to be passive if they higher µexibility than the mantra “peace, rationality, organisations organising bazaars which were gener- and bene€t society.

10 ■ OPINION \\ // OPINION ■ 11 Evan Cheng ON EDUCATION In Hong Kong, tutors are bona ‰de celebrities. photo: BBC T  

Ö¡ ¢žž™¡ —– ¥™¥—˜¢œ× Øלžž¡ž ֜ž the students who don’t have that faith in themselves? polarized students and teachers alike. Re- It’s undeniable that there are countless students gardless of whether you were pushed by whose self-esteems have been beaten down by the yourT parents, or in a moment of exam-induced terror, system (and themselves) more than once. Do they you’ve likely taken tutorial classes at some point in resort to tutorials simply because it is better than your school life. I don’t intend to contest whether or wallowing in their own failure? Possibly. But any- not a parent should force a child to attend tutorials, thing is better than stagnating in hopelessness. ere just the internal conµict a student may have when is no shame in trying to improve yourself; would considering tutorial classes. you discourage a drug addict from going to rehab? If you’ve reached a point where you have enough I have been told by many people that they could faith to rely on you and yourself alone, then by all not bring themselves to take tutorial classes because means stop taking tutorial classes; but if you are like they feel that relying on an external teacher is pretty the countless students with insecurities and just feel much equivalent to selling yourself out. By taking more secure with something else to rely on, then you extra classes, you feel like you’re admitting to yourself shouldn’t feel ashamed in trying to better yourself that you haven’t been trying hard enough, that you’re for the sake of your accomplishment and emotion- giving up on trying it yourself, and have decided to al security. is extends to everyone: you shouldn’t let someone else take over for you. For the sake of think less of people for trying to better themselves their own scruples and self-worth, they €rmly refuse and recruiting someone to help them. to take tutorial classes. e €rst thing to note is that people must have enough faith in themselves to rec- One may see attending tutorial classes as taking ognize that they can do better if they try. But what of advantage of an opportunity and that we owe it to

12 ■ OPINION \\ // OPINION ■ 13 ourselves to take advantage of this time-limited op- portunity while we can. Never again will we so easily C S be able to trade money for knowledge and validation. In college and life beyond that, there are no experi- forting. e blend of perfect enced institutions that will reach out to try and help strangers that Starbucks has you speci€cally; you must rely on you yourself for gathered is even more ideal accomplishment, validation, and most importantly, than their co¶ee blends. self-esteem. Validation is never as quanti€able as in school; anywhere else, it is far too easy to be left with e atmosphere that entic- only a vague idea of your progress (not to mention es students is not Starbucks the paranoia of “I’m messing up so badly I don’t even itself but rather the people it realize I’m messing up”). Of course, one should al- attracts, which in turn attracts ways rely on other things to measure their self-worth more of the same people. even when in school, but when one can take a help- e Houston Chronicle names ing hand, why should one refuse? Starbucks’ target market as Students studying in a Starbucks store in Singapore, where the education “urban professionals from ages It’s known that tutorial classes are controversial system is also demanding. Nicola Sap De Mitr—CC BY 2.0 ÛÜ to ÝÞ”. Does the fact that among teachers as well. e general opinion seems Hong Kong teenagers thrive in to be either that teachers are disapproving, or that ¥ ›œž œ£ ¢£¤¡£¢—™ž š—Ù¡ –—˜ S¥œ˜- the same atmosphere as ÛÜ to they don’t see anything wrong with it. As a student bucks to expand to Hong Kong. Hong Kongers ÝÞ-year-old professionals imply I am unsure of the reasoning behind either of these are fueled by the pressures of a machine-gun something? Probably. Anyway. perspectives, but I myself don’t think teachers should Ionslaught of various responsibilities and issues, and be disapproving of students taking tutorial classes. co¶ee only fuels the manic rush of a teenager whose When one goes to Starbucks If a teacher takes it as a personal jab that somehow ÉÉ is due tomorrow. It is somewhat sad that con- and sees people huddled around insinuates that their teaching is inadequate, the only fronting problems is what gives life meaning, but tiny tables tapping away at their advice I can give is that they shouldn’t take it person- such is life. Too bad. It’s beside the point. tablets (I absolutely adore alliter- ally. Students take tutorial classes because they know ation), one can only smile at the their teachers believe in them and expect them to People, especially students, don’t go to Starbucks sight of others being productive. do well; in order to meet those expectations to avoid only for the co¶ee. e students who spend hours at Personally, this motivates me to disappointing their teachers and themselves, they can Starbucks aren’t there to nurse a short black Ameri- be productive as well. Misery loves and will try to improve, even going so far as to *gasp* cano sip by sip; they’re there for the atmosphere. e company and being productive take tutorial classes. atmosphere of Starbucks is simply ideal for work and is both miserable and gratifying. productivity. How could Starbucks, a corporation ere’s an illicit comradeship e choice to take tutorial classes may be an evalu- that has spent millions to cultivate an image of a between you and the kid hunched ation of one’s self-worth and esteem, and far more cozy, smooth (jazz) and urban co¶eehouse, be a hot over integrals at the next table; than simply about academics. Teachers, parents and spot for students churning out thousand-page essays you’re both there to be productive, often even students ourselves fail to understand what on the daily? and neither of you is going to judge taking tutorial classes mean for us and for our edu- the other. cation. Should one be judged for trying to get a good One simple reason is that there are few better alter- education; should one be judged by peers, teachers, natives. Home is out of the running; a bedroom in- I can safely say that Starbucks’ and even themselves for making an e¶ort to im- tended for sleeping will invariably entice one to lazi- student culture is a direct product prove? For the sake of education at large, I sincerely ness. Someone else’s home is even worse; if studying of the high expectations that Hong- hope not. at a close friend’s home, any attempts will descend kongers have for themselves and for into antics. If studying at the home of somebody each other. In my eyes, this is not a you’re not familiar with, then how did you even get bad thing. Trading forty bucks for a there in the €rst place? School is not ideal as where cup of mediocre co¶ee is €ne by me if there are peers, there is pressure and not everyone it gives me a comfy seat and more pro- does well under pressure. Being amongst strangers ductivity in three hours than a week at and a small cluster of close friends is far more com- home.

14 ■ OPINION \\ // OPINION ■ 15 or some, the name possesses an inexplicable allure. In the summer of 2009, a ragtag team “A SPA CE FOR LIVE” of alternative music lovers took a rehearsal studio in the industrial district of Kwun Tong, and J AMES L EE F did something nobody had ever cared to fathom. 1700 square fe et, $7600 rent. is patched up teddy bear of a live house was anything but comfortable. e air was thick of sweat and dust, the µoorboards cracked, the stage lights close enough to touch. Nevertheless, with each passing week, more and more would embrace this beat-up burrow. It became a stepping stone for local independent musicians, bands, and enthusiasts, distortion and dissonance

16 ■ OPINION \\ // OPINION ■ 17 blasting through cracks in the ground. cracks and €ssures must-€lled, walls seasoned in a factory block in the industrial district. Says 28-year- Lamentably, the euphoria did not last. Our gov- carpet of grime. Over time, it became everything old Hui Chung Wo, founder of Hidden Agenda ernment’s “Industrial Building ‘Revitalisation’ Act” that its predecessor had been, with a little extra room — “Everyone knows the government won’t support forced an end upon the venue. Operating outside of for improvement. A backstage lounge, sound and music. And it’s not just music; they don’t even care the terms of lease, the eviction and termination of lighting, a bar, even toilets. A stronger foundation about how people live. If you want to stay in this the venue had to be ordered. e names and memo- and a di¶erent stage brought around an underground business, it’s only because you want to; it’s because randa of those who called it home covered the door renaissance. One year into its inception, over sixty you’re stubborn. It’s like this in Hong Kong: if you to the venue, and that door was presented to the Art shows were held. A multitude of genres spanned can survive, then great.” Development Council. It was this silent protest that across a mass of performances, musicians and per- spoke louder than any other. formers hailing from Hong Kong as well as countless other regions.

I feel the Šoor beneath my feet irregular and potholed. So are the walls. A tinge of claustrophobia has its way in this room, what with the ceiling hanging just above our heads, not an inkling of space between us allowed to be wasted. Breathing becomes more of a chore as we ‰le into whatever space is left un‰lled. It could be the three hundred or so people in the room, or the ventilation, which is lovely. Absolutely impeccable. €en again, there was not much I could expect from an industrial build- ing in Kwun Tong. My eyes ‰ght the sting of sweat and mist, and I feel my hair getting damp. Deafening are the vibrations, the strobes blinding. €e wave of chatter dissipates.

Having no license as a concert venue, a nightclub, or even a bar, the venue had to stay in the shadows — not that an active e¶ort had to be made. Operating Service lifts in a street of garages reeking of gasoline and under the radar for seven years, evading the Lands motor oil build character. I tell myself to ignore the red Department at all costs, it did not come as a surprise Šags and push the button. An inviting chrome yellow when history inevitably repeated itself. e violation lights up behind the translucent plastic. €e ground only of land lease terms that limited the unit to “indus- being two storeys from the stage, everything is audible trial use only” meant iminent eviction. After yet in the lift. As we ascend, my chest cavity acknowledges another blow to the local arts scene, they still would the vibrations, threatening to cave in. I am welcomed by not concede. A crowdfunding campaign amassed maroon brick walls, retro neon lights, chalkboard signs, over 500,000 dollars within ten days, greenlight- grati, and folding doors covered in layers upon layers of ing the latest — and current — generation on 15th stickers all illuminated by half-lit incandescents. It’s the September 2016. ese resources from musicians and underground aesthetic that everyone notices ‰rst — the fans alike allowed the venue to be what it had always visual embodiment of postmodernist punk and grunge. been, running under the license of a food kiosk. is time, they were hiding in plain sight.

2A, Winful Industrial Bldg, 15-17 Tai Yip Street, Hong Kong’s independent arts scene has never been Kwun Tong. e address was not in any way glam- able to thrive. For aspiring musicians, shows are the orous, nor was it meant to be. Supporters of the needle and Hong Kong is the haystack, having no local scene reconstructed the new 4000 square foot choice but to reside in illegal establishments. In a industrial space from the ground up. e rectangular µourishing world city, you would expect a decent room was in no better shape than the €rst — the background of artistry and music, not some secluded

18 ■ OPINION \\ // OPINION ■ 19 English teacher.

H: e inevitable follow-up question to that is: why did you come to DBS?

C: A big draw was the luxury of teaching the IB diploma; I had previously taught 7th to 13th graders, and I was really attracted to the whole ethos of IB.

H: Let’s go a bit more into speci€cs. What’s your favorite part of teaching IB English?

C: ere’s the obvious bits: challenging students to think about how we’re manipulated by the media is always fun. It’s good to have a healthy dose of cynicism from time to time. Making students cynical and critical is my life passion! e last thing students need nowadays is to take everything at face value, especially with fake MS. LESLEY CROFT news. I also like the literary component of Lang is a new English teacher and Extended Essay Lit of course; the literature involved is always coordinator in the DBS IB section. interesting particularly in how they link together. It’s holistic. H: IB Herald (Evan Cheng, Ron Ma) C: Ms. Lesley Croft H: at’s your opinion of the curriculum; what’s your opinion of DBS students?

H: Ms. Croft, thanks for taking the time to be in- C: Well my general impression of you bunch is that terviewed by us today. you’re highly sophisticated; strongly ambitious is all I can say. C: Sure, no problem. H: at’s fair. What advice would or can you give H: First things €rst, we’d like to get a bit of back- students about to take IB English Lang Lit? ground on you: what did you do before you came to Hong Kong? C: e €rst thing I would say is to read literature, of course. It’s not Eng Lit, but literature does C: I have done many jobs from legal secretary for a have a big part in it. e most important thing is solicitor in a law €rm to teaching swimming and to read from di¶erent points of view, for exam- even working on the check-out in a supermarket. ple news from di¶erent countries such as the I have worked in schools in various capacities US, India, Britain, France or even texts targeted since 1989. Seven years In Saudi Arabia at the towards di¶erent groups such as women’s, men’s British International School of Jeddah teaching or children’s magazines. e exposure to di¶erent swimming. In the four years before coming to styles of writing is the best preparation you can Hong Kong I worked part-time at St. Chris- get; some news sources have political agendas topher’s School in Bahrain as well as doing my that may inµuence their writing. Some students degree with e Open University UK. at was have trouble doubting sources that are obviously distance learning. I have been in Hong Kong pro-Brexit, for example. since 2001 which is when I started work as an INTERVIEWS

20 ■ INTERVIEWS \\ // INTERVIEWS ■ 21 H: Could that be a cultural issue, though? H: Let’s hop back to what you said before about drawing. Anything you particularly enjoy draw- C: Yes, I suppose so; at any rate, students can’t ing? blame themselves for that. C: I like doodling mandalas; you know, those H: Alright, so that’s one issue students have. Any Buddhist drawings monks do. I do it as a sort of other things students commonly struggle with in meditative practice. It follows a pattern of eight English? points, and links to yoga, which is perhaps why I like it. It’s quite obsessive too. C: Sustained concentrative reading. I’m not ques- tioning students’ literacy; it’s just that many H: Back to something both school related and a bit students nowadays have problems with being personal: What type of student were you back in able to open a book and €nish the entire thing. secondary school? It’s an issue, especially in Lit where you have to read twelve to thirteen books for the curricu- C: Believe it or not, I was really, really quiet. I hard- lum. It’s because of the digital era; we can’t even ly spoke in class, but I really enjoyed school. stand to watch a thirty second long advert before MR. NEIL HODGSON H: You said the kids you taught in London were a Youtube video. It makes us want everything H: Were you nerdy? is a new physics teacher in the DBS IB section. less advantaged. How so? quick, quick, QUICK! It’s not necessarily a disadvantage though, that’s what Lang Lit does: C: No, de€nitely not! I was cool. I was very cool. H: IB Herald (Evan Cheng, Ron Ma) N: eir families were traditional working class it makes us aware of how media manipulates and N: Mr. Neil Hodgson families and many of the adults were unem- inµuences us. H: What literary work or author do you €nd most ployed. In addition, there were a large number overrated? H: What did you do before you came to Hong of new immigrants from Bangladesh, many of H: Maybe that’s enough of schoolwork for now. Kong? whom had no English capabilities at all when What hobbies or interests do you pursue in your C: George R. R. Martin and Game of rones is they joined school. School for them was the safe free time? not my thing. N: I arrived in Hong Kong back in 1995, so that place to be. ey were nice kids, tough but fair. was a long time ago. I grew up in Cardi¶, Wales C: I do yoga four or €ve times a week. I recent- H: Last but not least, what’s your favorite joke. and was a huge fan of Welsh rugby, Cardi¶ H: Why did you come to DBS? ly picked up drawing and watercolors too, but Blues and Cardi¶ City. After taking A levels, I I’m still a beginner; I’ve only been doing so for C: I prefer short jokes, not long ones. If I had to went to Imperial College to study physics, while N: I had been working at Shatin College for 18 around eighteen months. I also write for my own choose one though, I would say “Stationery also pursuing my interests in rock climbing and years, so naturally I was looking for new chal- pleasure, both €ction and non€ction. I actually shops move”. mountaineering. I used to go ice climbing as lenges. I learnt a bit about the MYP [IB Middle started o¶ with a blog, for family in the UK to well! Years Program] at ISF academy, which I felt was read about my life as an expat in Hong Kong. It H: at’s certainly snappy. anks for your time! quite a hard curriculum for grade 6 students, but later became a blog about any issues I felt were N: Once I graduated, my €rst choice was to work at an excellent preparation for the IB diploma. I important. I generally try to be funny in them; I BP, but I was unsuccessful in doing so. I turned was fortunate that a permanent physics position don’t try to be o¶ensive or controversial. to teaching because it meant that I could spend was being advertised at DBS, so I applied. e my holidays climbing and trying out other ac- job was o¶ered and here I am. I’m glad that I H: A blog? IB students might get curious when tivities. More importantly, I am very passionate can teach a group of motivated students here and they hear that you have a blog. Are you okay about physics and believe that a good under- have a headmaster who is very trusting of teach- with talking about this? standing at school level can really help students ers, allowing me to experiment with di¶erent in life. I €rst taught in London to a group of teaching styles. C: Well… I mean, sure. It’s called “Lesley in Hong nice but not such advantaged students, then be- Kong”. I’m quite interested in theatre and €lm, gan teaching in Kenya, which I had decided on H: Having taught at international schools like KGV so I’ve also got a couple of reviews of local com- since I spent one summer climbing there during and Shatin College, do you think the local back- munity productions there. I wouldn’t criticize university. After that, I went to Doha, which was ground of DBS students has an impact? local productions though, because – let’s be fair where I met my wife. We moved back to the UK – they volunteered to do it out of fun. and I got my master’s degree. Finally, I arrived in N: Not really. Based on my experiences in Shatin HK upon taking a job at KGV. College, international students and local ones

22 ■ INTERVIEWS \\ // INTERVIEWS ■ 23 share similar learning attitudes. ere was a mix H: What hobbies/interests do you pursue in your of international and local students there, but in free time? MR. CHRIS PERCY terms of learning style, they were all pretty much is a new biology and chemistry teacher in the DBS IB the same. I have never taught the DSE students N: Fitness, I do that quite a lot now. Watching section. here, but I think the main di¶erence would be rugby is another hobby of mine. I would also like the di¶erent learning styles made to suit each to start mountaineering again when the oppor- H: IB Herald (Evan Cheng, Ron Ma) curriculum. Hongkongers are µexible though. tunity arises. P: Mr. Chris Percy ey can adapt to di¶erent learning styles easily. H: You mentioned that you have a passion for H: What did you do before you came to Hong H: How about girls vs guys? What comparisons climbing. Do you still do it now in HK? Kong? would you make based on your teaching experi- ences? N: Absolutely. I’ve climbed at Beacon Hill, Fei Ngo P: I studied chemistry in the University of Durham Shan, Sheko and several other places. Now that and then I came straight to Hong Kong. I liked N: Girls are more organized in my opinion. For I’m here at DBS, staring at Lion Rock for so the prospect of living somewhere di¶erent and example, a few days ago I printed a lab handout much time has made me want to try the route exotic! In the UK, the obvious thing to do after for my students, which is rare for me. I don’t “Gweilo”. Also, I used to take students from graduating was to get a job in London, but I often print things out. Once I passed it out, the Shatin College on climbing trips. It would be wanted a little more excitement. So I moved to students started doing the experiment enthusi- fun to take DBS students, but I would de€nitely Hong Kong with my then girlfriend, who is now astically without reading the instructions. None need the o·cial quali€cations €rst – for insur- my wife. of them bothered weighing the µasks, although ance purposes. it was stated clearly on the sheet. If they were H: Why did you come to DBS speci€cally? girls, that wouldn’t have happened. Girls would H: What type of student were you back in high have sat down and carefully highlighted all the school? P: I had just €nished a teaching course at HKU key points. at’s what I mean by girls being when I saw the opportunity to work here. Frank- more organized. But boys can be good to teach N: Academic, hardworking. As for extracurricular ly, I did not know DBS back then, but upon do- too. ey have a lot more positive teasing among activities, I was on the rugby team. I also played ing research and visiting for the interview, I was DBS students? themselves, which is always nice fun as long as the clarinet for the orchestra, but frankly I was attracted by the culture and feel of the school. I they see the €ne line between positive and nega- rubbish. felt that there were a lot of similarities between P: Lazy and rude. tive teasing. DBS and my old school in terms of ethos: a H: What’s your favorite joke? focus upon academics and extracurricular activ- H: Finally, an honest answer. H: What advice would you give to students taking ities, especially sports and music. Such schools physics? N: Oh I can’t repeat that. really appeal to me because my teaching career is P: No, I’m just kidding. I mean that in the most heavily inspired by my own school days. In fact, sarcastic way possible. Students here are the N: Go for it. It’s a multi-faceted subject, so I think H: at’s €ne. Finally, can you explain what’s hap- a large part of why I wanted to become a teacher exact opposite of lazy and rude. ey are very there is something that can interest everyone. It pening in your IB sta¶ photo? was because of my experiences back then. Even self-motivated and get interested in subjects eas- also supports the skills that lead to many career now, much of my teaching style is modelled after ily, which makes my job as a teacher enjoyable. options. N: at’s a stereotypical physics teacher. You know the teachers I encountered. e students don’t only work for their test scores, how the headmaster or an English teacher would but also for ful€lling personal interests. H: What do you think students most commonly have a pen in his or her hand? A physics teacher H: Now that you have experienced being a teacher struggle with in physics? would be on a Van de Graa¶ generator. and a student in a similar culture, which role do H: Some would say that HK students are too mo- you enjoy more? tivated, giving themselves excessive pressure. Do N: Its application and the mathematics, but the IB you agree with that? does a good job of minimizing this issue. ey P: A student de€nitely. ere are less responsibil- separate physics and its mathematical compo- ities and pressures, although I know that’s not P: I do think that’s true. Sometimes, students place nents to help the students who aren’t that inter- what most of you think. Also, you have the time too much pressure on themselves because they ested or good at maths. As long as students are and energy to try out a wider variety of things as don’t think about the bigger picture. Marks in interested in physics, they can take the subject. a student, which is always a positive. G10 and G11 won’t be seen once they get into Obviously, there is still some maths involved but university, let alone during their career, so stu- it shouldn’t pose a huge obstacle. H: As of now, what is your overall impression of dents shouldn’t get overly frustrated with their

24 ■ INTERVIEWS \\ // INTERVIEWS ■ 25 current scores. at being said, they should still seem to be as hesitant with children engaging say I’ve been teaching for a long time and in keep up the e¶ort and strive for the best. How- in those sports. To take myself as an example, many di¶erent countries. I once got a Fulbright ever, if things do not go as planned, rather than I’ve been playing rugby since I was 7, but I have fellowship to do a teaching exchange in Bulgaria, getting down-hearted, try to take it as a lesson never broken a single bone. Having said that, we which was challenging due to the cultural di¶er- learned and then move forward. take player safety very seriously here at DBS. We ences, but it was all great fun. After that, I went have well-trained, professional coaches, who not to Amsterdam, Qingdao, Korea, Seoul, Taiwan H: What advice would you give to students taking only teach the players how to approach rugby and Argentina before €nally coming here to biology/chemistry? in the right way, but also help them to develop Hong Kong! good techniques and skills, so that they can play P: Challenge yourselves to think of these subjects the sport safely. H: Has your experience as an IB English teacher outside of the classroom. Even if you elect to helped you as a university counselor? pursue di¶erent subjects in university, it does not H: Any students who are interested to €nd out stop the relevance of science in everyday life: the more are welcome to come to rugby training L: Absolutely. To know the IB program has been way we choose which foods to eat, what clothing after school on a Tuesday or ursday. At DBS, incredibly useful because I have a foundation on to wear and so on. Personally, I €nd that science rugby is a participatory sport – in other words, which to base further knowledge. When I see is always relevant and helps you to think critical- everyone is welcome, including those who have teachers submitting predicted grades or reference ly, which is one of the key lessons that I hope my never played before. Many valuable life-lessons letters, I know what subject that teacher teaches, students will learn. can be learned from playing rugby, from team- and that is always helpful. work to discipline to mental toughness and H: Is it harder to get students not interested in resilience, so I hope that some of you will give it H: How about dealing with university applications science to think about the subject in the way you a go! from DSE students? just suggested? P: Even those who think they are not physically L: To be honest, IB students are the bulk of my P: I wouldn’t say so. As long as one is not too large enough? work. I do feel that the DSE education system is test-driven, anyone can enjoy science – it’s all quite di¶erent from IB, although the application about understanding the world around us. H: Certainly. What I like about rugby is that there process is pretty much the same. is a job for everyone: the big guy, the small guy, H: What hobbies/interests do you pursue in your the short guy, the tall guy, the fast guy, the slow MS. JEAN LEE H: Which role, university counselor or teacher, do free time? guy … It is only when we bring together people was previously an English teacher at DBS, working in you €nd more challenging? with di¶erent strengths that a good team can be the IB section. €is year, she became the senior university P: I’m a big fan of rugby. I coach the DBS rugby constructed. counselor, in charge of applications to the US and Cana- L: ey are both challenging, but in totally di¶erent team and also enjoy playing socially, although da. ways. As a teacher, the challenge is to €nd the I’ve not been able to spare the time to play in the P: What type of student were you back in high best approach to teaching students. IB teachers last couple of years. I have 2 young children and school? H: IB Herald (Evan Cheng, Ron Ma) abide by a philosophy called “backward design”, that €lls my time e¶ectively! Besides that, I like L: Ms. Jean Lee meaning we start with the goal and then work to read a wide variety of things, such as €ction, H: Strange! I don’t know how exactly to describe backwards. For example, if the goal is to produce history books, and current a¶airs. myself, but I was a funny mixture: part geeky, H: Why did you €rst come to DBS? a Paper 1 essay [a literary commentary of an part sporty. I was fairly con€dent, so I didn’t unseen text], I need to give the students prac- H: Some parents might think that rugby is too mind not always €tting in, though not to the L: is is my fourth year here at DBS. When I €rst tice; but before that, they need to see exemplars physical and thus discourage their children from point of being “popular” or the center of a group. applied for a teaching position here, it was most- to know what to write, and I need to know very playing it. Given that you are a parent as well, ly because of DBS’s excellent reputation. Also, clearly what the €nal product should look like how would you respond? H: How would you respond to allegations that you Hong Kong is an amazing cosmopolitan city, and how to get them there. So that way I’m are the most handsome teacher DBS has ever so the city’s appeal was part of the reason why I working backwards and I know how to get the P: I would dispute that it’s a relatively dangerous had? joined the school. students to their ultimate objective. sport. ere is an element of danger involved, but isn’t that the same with every sport you play and P: e fumes in the lab seem to be having an e¶ect. H: What did you do before you come to Hong Being a counselor means that my objective has even crossing the street? In the past few years Kong? changed. e assessment of my ability is whether at DBS, more people have injured themselves H: Finally, what’s your favorite joke? or not students get into universities. Although playing gymnastics or basketball, but we don’t L: Last year was my 15th year of teaching, so I can the “backward design” principles can still be P: A man walked into a bar. Ouch.

26 ■ INTERVIEWS \\ // INTERVIEWS ■ 27 applied, it is far more logistical now, since I’m L: e €rst thing I would say to them is that there tural misconception. working with grades and documents. I work are many other ways out. You could apply to backwards by extracting information from teach- schools with rolling admissions, or apply for H: What role should parents play in their son’s ap- ers, which leads me to the predicted grades. e spring term instead of fall term. As long as you plication process? information I handle is more concrete, unlike stick to deadlines, there is always a solution. A my experiences as a teacher. In a nutshell, I don’t more popular alternative would be to apply to L: Parents should have very serious discussions with think either role is de€nitively more challenging. community colleges, which feed directly into their children, guiding them through the process ey are both uniquely engaging in their various bigger US universities. Santa Monica College for and making sure their kids complete everything forms and functions. example, feeds into UCLA. So by applying to on time. I also believe that everyone should have the college, you’re actually getting on a path that a say in the college applications; everybody’s H: What are students generally most nervous about will eventually get you to the ideal university. feedback should be valued. is is why I think when applying to universities? Another possibility is to take a gap year. I know DBS students are very fortunate. ey have there are certain things in HK that may discour- parents who all care very much and are quite L: Whether they will get into universities, but I age students from doing so, but it’s de€nitely a involved in the application process. But at the don’t think being nervous is necessarily a bad possibility students can consider. same time, I think the students’ points-of-view thing. A certain amount of nervousness helps should be appreciated as well. you stay on top of your game, so it’s actually H: What should students do during a gap year? quite bene€cial. Perhaps the word detail-orient- H: Did you have to make a CV back in high school? ed is better. Being nervous makes you pay more Anything outside of your usual experiences. It attention to details, from internal deadlines to makes you unique and helps your application L: Back when I wrote my CV, high school students MR. DAVID LEACH ManageBac messages [intranet for IB students], stand out. For example, community service didn’t even know what that was. I wrote it before is a new English teacher in the DBS IB section. which is the crucial €rst step for a successful that is long term, substantive, and enables you Facebook was invented! But let’s back up. It application. But if students do become overly to pursue a personal interest, is a great way to was technically not a CV, but more like a list of J: Je¶rey Lau nervous, the CFFS is always there to help. We spend time during a gap year. Or take free online extracurricular activities. I got that idea from a M: Michael Lau have set up a pretty good calendar of internal courses, which are practically everywhere right 10th grade English teacher, if I recall correctly. L: Mr. David Leach deadlines this year, and we’re always €nding ways now. Doing so means that you’re taking a step She told me to write down all the activities I to make it more e·cient and streamline our op- towards university, which is always appreciat- participated in or else I would forget by the time J: What advice would you give to students taking erations. Hopefully, this can help ease students’ ed. Basically, anything that makes you stand I applied for universities, so I did! ank your English Literature? nervousness. out from the crowd would be great. However, English teachers, kids. I should stress this is only for US universities, L: Well, I think they’ve got to have a lot of reading H: Are there any common misconceptions about since they like all-rounded applicants. It might H: Can you tell us some of those activities? to start with and I think they’ve got to be pre- universities that you would like to debunk? be a bit di¶erent for the UK and other countries. pared to put in a lot of time outside school with L: I did everything, since US schools at the time their texts and not just think they can get by L: Many people think that local universities are H: Going back to your point about community were looking for all-rounded students. I was a looking in Sparknotes. ey’re going to have to trying to accommodate more DSE students, or colleges, how would you respond to those who jack of all trades, master of almost none. I did spend time looking into the same text more than have a speci€c quota allocated to non-JUPAS think it is undesirable to attend one? volleyball and was part of the track team for once. I think they should also be prepared to students. is simply isn’t true! Students from a few years. I also did a lot of public speaking, read extra texts – if they’ve got that real passion other curriculums, like those taking IB here in L: I totally understand why some would think so. debate, and even some theatre productions. for reading I think they will do well; if they just DBS, often panic since they think there is a After all, my family background is very similar, take it because English is a compulsory subject, limited number of spots for them. e fact is if not identical, to most students. I understand H: How would you describe your sense of humor? then it’s going to be a sad time for them. that fewer IB students apply to HK universities, if HK culture makes you less enthusiastic about meaning they make up a smaller percentage of the thought of attending a community college, L: Perfect. Deadpan. J: What do you think students most commonly applicants statistically, which makes it seem like but I think people should consider the fact that struggle with in literature courses? IB students have limited spots. People worry they can eventually bring you to a good school. H: What is your best joke? about it, but that really isn’t the case. Take Santa Monica College as an example again. L: I think it’s just the sheer amount of reading, Even if you go there, you can still graduate with L: I was in Moscow last month for a conference, particularly in the higher level. I think a lot of H: How would you help a student who did not get a degree from UCLA, so it makes sense to go to and I couldn’t €nd a taxi. I was very late but I them feel that reading is di¶erent from a writ- into any of the universities he applied to? a community college. e ends justify the means, thought, meh, I’m not Russian. ten assignment because if they fail to hand in a at least in this case. So I think it’s mainly a cul- written piece the teacher is going to know and

28 ■ INTERVIEWS \\ // INTERVIEWS ■ 29 they are going to lose marks and get punished. ailand. to a new curriculum. Having square pegs and M: Wrapping up with a bonus question: do you However for reading, if they’ve got to read the round holes, you know; however good the school support a particular football team? next €ve chapters for tomorrow but they haven’t M: What was it that attracted you to come to Hong is, not every student in that school is going to really got time for that, they would think that Kong, and more speci€cally, DBS? feel they’re a perfect €t. L: My local team at home is Newcastle United. the teacher probably wouldn’t realise. at is a Unfortunately however Newcastle were relegated big misconception. (looks at Michael) L: I was working at a French school in Hong Kong J: Do you have a motto for life? from the Premier League just last year, but I’m for 16 years before coming to DBS. Hong Kong sure they’ll bounce back this year. M: You shouldn’t look at me while you’re saying attracted me partly because of its cosmopolitan L: I am particularly fond of something said by this. nature… it’s sort of a central hub for travelling. Oscar Wilde, in fact. He said, “We are all in the J: And here is the end of our short interview with Beside the activeness, I also like traditional gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars.” you today. ank you for your time. L: Well I’m giving both of you equal amounts of Chinese culture. DBS, in particular, attracted me attention. due to its high academic reputation, and it’s also M: Oh, but I’ve heard of a better quote from him -- a school with traditional values and a Christian “I have nothing to declare but my genius.” at’s J: What hobbies/interests do you pursue when you ethos. Additionally, the boarding school here my motto for life. are not teaching? reminds me of the typical English boarding school. L: Well of course it could be applied to you, L: In the little free time that teaching allows me, I couldn’t it. Speaking of geniuses, Shakespeare suppose my main interest is classical music and J: So, after a few months of hands-on experience had also said something which lingered in my opera. here, is it reality or just reputation? mind. He said, “ ere is nothing either good or bad but thinking makes it so.” So it’s all about J: Oh! So who’s your favourite composer? L: Oh, no, the reality is so. e students are very your attitude towards life, isn’t it -- the source of driven, expectations are high on their teachers happiness lies within yourself. L: Well I’m particularly fond of Anton Bruckner. and vice versa. I’d say that the written work I He’s only become popular in the last 20 years receive here is of the best quality I’ve ever en- J: Speaking of attitudes, what do you think is the or so, but I think he’ll be up there with the countered in any school. most essential trait for a student to succeed in top composers in about 20 to 30 years’ time. I the IB program? particularly enjoy his symphonies; they’re very M: ank you so much. spiritual. Besides classical music and opera, other L: I think time management is very important, be- hobbies of mine include travelling and garden- L: Well you can certainly take that in as a compli- cause there’s a lot of material thrown at you, and ing. Back in England where I have a house, there ment directed towards you, Michael. many deadlines to meet. I think you also need is a nice garden. I spend most of my summer to have a high capacity for work, because it’s a tending to the plants. Oh yes, I like cars also. J: If an advisee of yours, or any other student, feels really demanding course. depressed and came to you to ask for advice, M: You mean buses and minibuses? Or the Disney what would you say to them? J: So €nally, could you try to describe the IB in one movie “Cars”? word? L: I’ve encountered a lot of such cases in previous L: Oh de€nitely not that movie. I love to look at schools, but it’s hard to say because every case is L: Grueling is the word I would choose. Students cars, especially race cars, and I purchase cars too. di¶erent. e one single piece of advice I would have to realise that the IB is going to be a great I’ve got a Jaguar here in DBS. give to almost everyone in that situation is that challenge and be prepared to put in a hundred they have to be perfectly prepared to talk openly percent e¶ort into it. Otherwise, they are proba- J: Where did you teach before you came to Hong about their problems, and not feel embarrassed bly going to fall by the wayside. Kong? about them. M: Wait a minute. Does the word grueling suggest L: Well, my €rst job was in England, where I M: How about if a student comes up to you with any possible negative connotations? taught for around 10 years in a school very academic issues? similar to this one – it was an all-boys grammar L: Well the word simply means it is hard work, it school with selectively high academic standards. L: Well I would have to question him if this is a doesn’t mean that it is unpleasant and I think So in a sense, I’m back to where I started. I also suitable learning environment for him. In the you have to be prepared to perform at the very taught in the Middle East, in Kuwait, and in student’s best interest, he might have to switch best of your abilities all the time.

30 ■ INTERVIEWS \\ // INTERVIEWS ■ 31 we had more boys than girls in history class. Y: I think it’s the willingness to ask questions MS. JULICE YEUNG Some boys are really good at understanding wars because the IB is not easy. Sometimes you do is a new history teacher in the DBS IB section. the strategies used in them. And the boys here need help and we’re all in this together, teach- wouldn’t confuse respect with opinion. Some- ers and students. What is important is that you J: Je¶rey Lau times many students in HK think they can’t ask for help when you need it and also when M: Michael Lau disagree with teachers and textbooks as a form you’re dealing with subject content, especially Y: Ms. Julice Yeung of respect. But that’s not the case for history for Group 3 subjects: you need to ask and make because there are always di¶erent opinions and sure you understand the concepts and theo- M: What advice would you give to students taking they can all make sense. ries. Sometimes you may challenge established history here in the IB program? arguments, which helps you form your own J: If a student was depressed and came to you to arguments or makes you understand why those Y: I think they need to think about what history ask for advice, what would you say? arguments were established in the €rst place. students really do. I tell my students that history students are both detectives and lawyers. ey Y: First thing, I would thank him for trusting me M: Last question, could you describe the IB in one are detectives in the sense that they look at what and opening up a more delicate part of himself word? happened critically and then decide whether to me. I would like them to know that I real- they want to trust di¶erent evidence or not. And ly cherish that. en, instead of lecturing him, Y: I’d say it’s holistic in a sense that students have a they are also lawyers in the sense that they look I’ll probably let him talk €rst to understand his high degree of freedom to decide how they want at di¶erent arguments and think of their own problems better. en, I’d help analyze possible their IB experience to be. For CAS, you pretty arguments, where they might agree or disagree phy. Hence, when I was in university, I worked solutions and risks and let the students them- much decide and plan what to do by yourself. with some people but that is perfectly €ne. ey part-time as an eco-tourist guide which involved selves make their own decisions, At your age, you Although you need to ful€ll C, A and S, what’s are de€nitely not story-tellers, which is the gen- bringing people to marine parks to observe should learn to make decisions for yourselves in those is up to you, so you have a degree of eral perception of historians. wildlife and telling them about the importance and we teachers are here to facilitate that, instead freedom there and can manipulate your IB life of protecting the ecosystem, as well as explaining of making the decision for you. somewhat holistically. Also, you can choose the M: I see, and what do you think students most com- why it is so connected to us. subject your EE will be based on. at’s quite monly struggle with in history? J: So now to a philosophical question: what is your holistic to me. J: So, do you still have a snorkeling license? motto for life? Y: Well for G10s, the struggle is that they are too J: ank you Ms. Yeung for your time with us nice to others. ey accept other people’s argu- Y: Yes. When I have time during holidays, I often Y: It is a quote from the US President Franklin D. today. ments too easily without much critical thinking, like to go snorkeling. Roosevelt, which is “ e only thing we have to which makes it di·cult for them to form their fear is fear itself ”. own arguments. By contrast, G11s and G12s J: What was it that attracted you to come to DBS are too nice to themselves. When they make this year? M: Oh, haven’t heard of that one. their arguments, they accept them too easily and sometimes forget to criticize their own use of Y: I guess DBS has a unique culture, which makes Y: I share this quote with my students as well, evidence. But students can usually master this it probably the best place to teach history in, especially before the exams. Every day is a new skill in the end. because boys here have a critical mind. ey’re day and we have new challenges so we cannot not just receiving information, but they actually avoid them. What is important is that we have M: Let’s move on to some less academically related think about it and €nd ways to disagree with an attitude to cope with them, not to exaggerate questions. So, what hobbies do you pursue when others. And that’s what I think is the most im- our fear and try to use that as a way to motivate you are not teaching? portant thing for learning history. ourselves. I think most of the time, things are not as scary as you think they are. Y: I think there are two main things. One being M: But there exists a convention in HK that boys painting, because I like art in general, especially study the sciences and girls are more into hu- M: Like the IB, maybe. oil painting. I rented a studio with a few friends manities like history. Would that change your of mine and we had an art exhibition in the mind about the study of history in DBS? Y: Yeah, de€nitely (chuckles). Hong Kong Cultural Centre in 2005. Another interest of mine would be snorkeling. Not only Y: Well, boys do have their strengths in history. I J: What do you think is the most essential trait for did I study history, I also majored in geogra- myself studied in a co-educational school and a student to succeed in the IB program?

32 ■ INTERVIEWS \\ // INTERVIEWS ■ 33 SO YOU WATCH ARTHOUSE CINEMA? A CASE STUDY OF UNCLE BOONMEE WHO CAN RECALL HIS PAST LIVES

RON MA • I’š ž™˜¡ ¡Ù¡˜âŸ—¦â 㣗›ž ž—š¡—£¡ ›Ö— ˜¡–™ž¡ž to watch €lms online, enjoys strange movies you haven’t ever heard of, and knows about the smallest details of cinema history. I guess I’m that person to many of my classmates. As a result, the titular question is one that I have rector’s style. It is understandable why one might not been asked rather frequently. I must admit that I fall be intrigued by a static shot with barely any dialogue. easily into the category of an arthouse viewer, but Frankly, even I may be compelled to sleep. Such an that response contains a questionable implication. extreme demonstration of style is often what makes Does it mean that the average moviegoer cannot arthouse cinema seem so “di¶erent”. appreciate arthouse cinema? Yet one must ask if this should be the case. It would at seems to be the prevailing viewpoint today. be pointless to analyze what distinguishes arthouse While many reasons can be suggested, I personal- cinema from mainstream €lms, if there is no reason ly €nd style to be most responsible. After all, the to distinguish the two in the €rst place. e question content, €lmmaking techniques, and ways to judge a thus becomes: should arthouse cinema be so “di¶er- €lm are shared by commercial and arthouse cinema ent”? To answer this, it would be best if we examined alike. It would be unreasonable to say that certain a polarizing arthouse €lm from recent years: Uncle themes or long takes only exist in arthouse €lms. Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives. What makes such themes or shots distinctively arthouse is the way the director handles it, i.e. the di- SPOILERS AHEAD, PROCEED WITH CAUTION!

34 ■ ART & ENTERTAINMENT \\ // ART & ENTERTAINMENT ■ 35 the form of a monkey ghost. e important thing to note is that all these interpretations do not require

The opening scene \ \ / / A princess has sex with a catfish

If this sounds like a mind-bending science €ction that the slow pacing and lack of a traditional narra- €ve full minutes of a wandering ox to convey. e talking to her reµection in a pond, expressing her €lm to you, trust me it is not. is ai €lm captures tive will upset some audiences. In the end, the €lm’s text preceding this scene already hints that the ox craving for youth and beauty. e cat€sh responds the €nal days in the life of Boonmee, a man su¶er- profundity and craftsmanship can hardly be appre- could be one of Boonmee’s past incarnations, so the in a godly voice, o¶ering solace in the midst of her ing from kidney failure, and his encounters with his ciated because people lack the interest to attempt scene’s length is inconsequential to such an inter- troubles. Such context indicates that the princess’ in- dead wife and long-lost son. Despite winning the comprehending the €lm, let alone successfully doing pretation. Moreover, the other themes can barely be timacy with the cat€sh is not meant to be a repulsive 2010 Palme d’Or, generally considered the most so. e director’s e¶orts are lost within his “di¶erent” deciphered by a €rst-time viewer, so even if Weer- artistic exercise, but rather a symbolic gesture of the prestigious award for “artistic” €lms, the honor has style. asethakul provides much room for thought, there is soul being €lled with youthful energy, a process of not stopped the €lm from dividing critics. On one nothing the audience can do unless they have seen reinvigoration. Despite such conventional ideas, the end of the spectrum are those like A.O. Scott, who e opening scene alone epitomizes this problem. what follows. e scene demands the audience’s lack of build-up to the unconventional event forces hailed the €lm as “something close to bliss”; on the For the €rst €ve minutes, the audience is greeted attention by emphasizing every single moment, but some to construe all this as ridiculous. e themes other end are those like Olivier Delcroix, who stated with nothing but an ox roaming through the woods, ends up losing the audience instead. are established, but many are deterred from examin- bluntly that “boredom sets in”. haunted by an unidenti€able €gure with glowing red ing how they relate to the excessively bizarre actions. eyes. You could interpret the ox as one of Boonmee’s e cat€sh scene is another example often raised What we are left with is a case of style overshadow- It is precisely such a contrast in opinion that reveals past lives, although the €lm never establishes clearly in relation to this problem of inaccessibility. While ing story, form obscuring content, director alienating the problem with trying to be “di¶erent”. Director what his past lives are. You could interpret the scene I €nd this scene intriguing, I can easily understand audience. Apichatpong Weerasethakul adopts a unique style at as a reµection of the tranquility of nature. You could why some viewers €nd it o¶-putting to watch a the risk of losing some viewers’ attention, burying his interpret the theme to be the µuid identity of man, talking cat€sh engage in sexual activity with a prin- A common counterargument against such criticism thoughts within the abstruseness of the €lm. Even free to transform into an ox or the unidenti€able cess. Weerasethakul’s motive behind this seems clear is that a director need not pander to the audience. those who praise Uncle Boonmee must acknowledge €gure, which is later revealed to be Boonmee’s son in enough. Prior to such activity, we see the princess If one sees no better approach to a certain subject

36 ■ ART & ENTERTAINMENT \\ // ART & ENTERTAINMENT ■ 37 matter, then one should not be compelled to do to illustrate is that there are ways to make the €lm otherwise. at argument in itself makes sense and is more accessible and thus enhance the aptness of the one I certainly agree with. Many landmarks through- style. e same argument applies to all of arthouse out the history of €lm, such as the French New cinema. Arthouse €lms have been regarded as “dif- Wave and the introduction of Soviet montage theory, ferent” because time and time again, €lmmakers have emerged as a reaction against the norm. e depths treated stylistic qualities as if they were incompatible of cinema can only be discovered when creators with mainstream €lms, but that should not be the adopt the style they see as best, rather than merely case. Why obscure a €lm’s themes if a more accessi- ful€lling the audience’s expectations. Yet I stand by ble and equally e¶ective style serves the purpose? this argument only when a director has no better ap- proach, which includes making a €lm more accessi- e reactions to Uncle Boonmee tell us that when ble. I should stress that I view accessibility di¶erently style is employed extensively, it does not merely from pandering. To pander is to do what the audi- alienate the average audience, it alienates critics ence likes; to be accessible is to do what the audience as well. Being adamant over maintaining arthouse understands, in hopes that they like it. If there exists cinema as a “di¶erent” genre thus seems pointless, a more accessible style, then doing otherwise would when it is perfectly €ne to weave it into commercial not be pandering. It would be the appropriate step to cinema. It might have a vastly di¶erent tone and take. approach, but it is not any less accessible and inter- esting. When that is achieved, the titular question Let us return to the cat€sh scene for a moment. My would no longer need to be asked. Instead, here interpretation of the sexual acts is that they serve as would be a better question—why don’t you watch a representation of youth, illustrating the princess’ arthouse cinema? transition from the human realm to the natural one and in doing so, attain eternal beauty. But prior to such acts, the €lm makes no attempt to prepare the audience. We go from a princess talking to a cat€sh, immediately to the two engaging in implied sexual intercourse. e jump happens without warning, as if the audience is meant to keep up with the director’s train of thought, which is an impossible feat to many. It is hard to look past Weerasethakul’s eccentric and inaccessible style, explaining why many feel unable to dive into the €lm’s philosophical core.

However, if Weerasethakul had hinted at the sexual undertone, or even replaced the sexual acts entire- ly with, for example, a visual transformation of the princess, it would express the same idea I interpreted without losing the audience. For me, this is a better approach to the subject matter. It retains room for contemplation without €lling certain viewers with disgust, hence solving the issue of inaccessibility. Weerasethakul does not need to pander—to reiter- ate, I don’t think anyone should do so either—for there are better ways to uphold the mystical and unique style while maintaining the audience’s atten- tion. I know that not everyone will agree with my suggested approach to Uncle Boonmee, and I don’t claim to be a master at €lmmaking. e point I wish

38 ■ ART & ENTERTAINMENT \\ // ART & ENTERTAINMENT ■ 39 In most of the Spanish-speaking Laughs world, the above words means “This rain pisses me off.” In Colombia it means “This rain sans makes me horny.” Fron -

Más Mexican: Worship Jesus... tiers and the Grim Reaper.

multiple races and the ̾ÄÑ+ community, they are Trump’s imminent presidency, Hausmann serves still viewed as highly “American” content. up a unique blend of familiarity and exoticness. In wilson lam addition, Hausmann also produces videos starring Naturally, this empty niche was noticed by some white Americans (gasp) being quizzed on all sorts ™š—™˜ ¢ž œ 䗛¡˜–™× ¥Ö¢£¤. approach to humour creates opportunities to make media hopefuls and exploited- with stunning results. of basic Latino knowledge, such as Latin American Whether employed for mindless entertain- life itself funny, it also limits the scope of things we Introducing çÌÃÐà (pronounced Šah-mah), a chan- capitals and the pronunciations of Spanish words. As ment, or for imparting important lessons €nd funny. Given the year that’s just passed, everyone nel created by Latin Americans, for Latin Americans someone from a country she herself deems a trash Hembedded in said mindless entertainment, humour deserves a bit of comic relief (especially if you’re in (and everyone else who stumbles upon their clips). €re, Joanna is surely a star on the rise. holds a unique place in human culture. Indeed, the the ÒÄ) and more importantly, new sources of hu- However, the laughs can be enjoyed by virtually any- jesters of multiple European courts who o¶ered wry mour. erefore, we at the Herald now challenge you one. Much like BuzzFeed, çÌÃÐà o¶ers content on Another person to watch is Yessica Hernandez-Cruz. and hilarious observations on the world best illus- to laugh out of your comfort zone, and maybe learn a pretty much everything, but with a distinctly Latin Sounds familiar? at’s because she interned brieµy trate its esteemed position. few things along the way. µavour. From the low-down on Latin American for BuzzFeed, featuring in Latino-centric content on Spanish (very di¶erent from Spain’s Spanish) and BuzzFeed’s Latino channel Pero Like. Since joining According to South Park, Comedy Central’s best-rat- turn up the flama food to hilarious dramatisations of abuela (grand- çÌÃÐÃ, she has starred and produced in Más Mex- ed show of all time, humour is based on the break- ma)’s antics, çÌÃÐà is new and informative as it is ican, a series exploring all facets of what it means to ing of expectations, with an optional side of awk- YouTube is everybody’s go-to source of entertain- relatable, and nobody can argue against something be Mexican. As her parents were immigrants, Yessica wardness. In past years (especially since the ÛÞåÞs), ment and information in audio-visual form, and educational, can they? is a second-generation Mexican-American and grew humour has been created by shared experiences. in recent years it has produced its share of media up in Seattle. Following her move to California, her rough social media, mutual but repressed feelings moguls. Among these, BuzzFeed has become one of One of the channel’s stars (not unlike BuzzFeed’s exposure to Mexican culture and subsequent resolu- of awkwardness or outrage over similar occurrences the best known. Despite its multiple channels devot- Try Guys) is Joanna Hausmann. Despite her red hair, tion to re-immerse herself in it leads to many adven- became shared and “relatable”. We found things fun- ed to basically everything a person can experience, it Jewish heritage, and decidedly (or stereotypically) tures in weird, wonderful and delicious spots. ny because we could imagine or remember ourselves has nonetheless garnered accusations of pertaining un-Latina surname, she is Venezuelan and proudly doing the exact same things: accidentally texting to a fairly limited audience. Indeed, most of their so. Besides detailing her Jewish-Latina upbringing In all, çÌÃÐà is an amalgam of many contributors’ complaints about a person to the person him/herself, content seems to be churned out of its main Los in hilarious stand-up routines, she also hosts Joanna e¶orts, all connected by a common yet diverse Latin faking a sick day o¶ then meeting someone from Angeles location, with occasional contributions from Rants, a series of €ve-minute videos featuring her American heritage. However, if you’re looking to school or work, even horri€c encounters with a date, its Indian, Australian, and British o·ces. Although complaining on many di¶erent topics. With these go even more international, stay tuned for our next roommate or relative. While such a personalised their videos cater to a diverse audience belonging to ranging in topics from random pet hates to Donald recommendation …

40 ■ ART & ENTERTAINMENT \\ // ART & ENTERTAINMENT ■ 41 Following current issues

O Canada...

The true reason behind the travel ban balls will roll

Before we start with this next piece of comedy, please Polandball is your average Polish stereotype in ball zens and became an Internet sensation. Nowadays, ‘violating’ Ukraineball. Be of good heart, however, as answer a series of “would you rather”s: form: he has an often-rocky relationship with his such comics can be created by anyone and new strips relations between talking shapes with eyes can only neighbours, Russiaball and Germanyball, occasion- surface daily on various forms of social media. Balls get so graphic (i.e. not at all). Would you rather… ally cleans toilets for UKball, and wishes his crush/ depicting all nations and territories can be found, Learn Polish or read a comic strip? nemesis Ukraineball would move to the European guaranteeing an international selection of lampoon- Apart from being a (not quite) mildly profane parade Learn about the Holocaust or read a comic strip? Union soon. Together they star in comic adventures ing and mockery that literally never ends. of national stereotypes, Polandball also has a sur- Learn about the African Union (yes, it does exist) or with friends—and enemies—from all over the world, prisingly educational side. It is, in essence, a lesson read a comic strip? forming the Internet-famous Countryballs comic Since its creation, Polandball has been notable for in world history and politics with the occasional bad Actually … why not all in one go? series. portraying various international issues in light-heart- pun. Where else would you willingly learn about ed and even humorous tones. However, the gravity Scandinavia’s role in World War II? By embedding “Wait,” I hear you say, “Surely there’s no way to do all Countryballs (or Polandball to those better-versed of such events still stands starkly clear. Multiple morsels of history and politics into squabbles and that and read a comic?” Well, prepare to be amazed. in Internet culture) had the most unconventional of strips feature island nations such as the Maldives the occasional murder (deaths are hardly ever per- Meet Polandball, a red and white circle with two beginnings. First drawn as a caricature of the Polish drowning, reµecting the very real and unfunny risk manent), the comic actually makes readers go read blank but expressive eyes. His name says it all- he on German Internet forum Krautchan.net in ÛÞÞè, of them being lost beneath the waves. e annex- up actual historical events, all to understand a joke! is a round, bouncy representative of…. Poland! the character was quickly adopted by Russian neti- ation of Crimea has often been shown as Russiaball After all, you’d hate not to get a joke … right?

42 ■ ART & ENTERTAINMENT \\ // ART & ENTERTAINMENT ■ 43 Of all the nephews in the world, yours turned out to be the Antichrist.

The perfect husband-and- good morning usa wife reunion. The Beast in the Beauty If the previous two o¶erings still prove a bit too al- ternative for your tastes, prepare for your trip to veer a bit closer to reality, but only a bit. You’ve laughed at e Simpsons’ antics in Spring€eld and paid Family Show), American Dad! is markedly di¶erent from Guy a visit at Quahog, Rhode Island, but might you its contemporaries. You can’t quite put your €nger know their equally hilarious (if not more so) friends on it, but from the moment Stan leaps out of his abreast and even ahead of everything that’s going on at Langley Falls, Virginia? Meet the Smiths, and star-spangled bed in the title sequence, you know in the world, American Dad! stands out for being (or don’t worry, they’re not half as generic as they sound you’re in for a ride that’s completely di¶erent from appearing to be) the new classic animated sitcom: … or are they? anything you’ve ever seen. Maybe it’s the absence of just wholesome family fun and bickering. With guns. incomprehensible cutaway gags, or maybe it’s the And an alien who runs over six people because they ere’s Stan, secret agent by day and apathetic fact that all characters are in their appropriate skin owed him nineteen U.S. dollars. It earns the ‘Ameri- father by night; Francine, whose polished veneer colours. Or maybe –just maybe- it’s the familiar mix can’ in its name both for the amount of stereotypical last laugh hides equal parts of ingenuity and idiocy; Hayley, of real-world family issues and out-of-this-world yet relatable situations the Smiths encounter, and for the rebellious daughter independent enough to get adventures. It’s de€nitely not unheard of, but the the overreaction to literally everything that makes After this journey through some of the unexpectedly married but not enough to move out of her parents’ show’s execution seamlessly meshes everyday occur- each episode an audio-visual acid trip. Not that I’ve funny parts of the digital world, we hope your inter- place, and Steve, the quintessential foil to his hy- rences with absurd encounters, with the odd splash ever experienced an acid trip. Its relative timelessness est’s been piqued enough to sneak a peek and/or a per-masculine father. Needless to say, there’s never of dark humour. Where else might you witness and unconventional take on humour makes the show chuckle. Humour is by no means hard to seek in life, a dull moment in the Smith household, and that’s someone being forced through all €ve stages of grief a true television gem that will stay relatable for years but the feeling you have when you’ve stumbled upon before you factor in Roger, their housemate who’s in a day, just so she could referee a tennis game? Or a to come. Well, as relatable as losing your husband to something new to laugh at is priceless. Maybe we’ve literally an illegal alien, and Klaus, their CIA-experi- family religiously keeping their Lenten vows, on pain alien abduction can be. To sum it up: Sometimes a made that search a bit shorter and easier for you. ment gold€sh with a human brain. of losing a €nger? family sticks together because of all the good times Even better, maybe we’ve opened up a whole new they’ve shared, and sometimes because they canni- treasure trove (or can of worms) to binge watch/read. Created in ÛÞÞÜ by the great Seth MacFarlane (Oth- While shows such as South Park (introduced last balised their camp activities director (don’t worry, she Whichever it may be, don’t forget to laugh while you er works include Ted, Family Guy, and the Cleveland issue if you missed it) make their mark by being died in an accident). still can! I’m dead serious about that.

44 ■ ART & ENTERTAINMENT \\ // ART & ENTERTAINMENT ■ 45 Poems Ton Yeh

On the absence of news from a friend, Boutade who had just taken an Admissions A request Turn the lights out Test and whose future one imagines to His last line of defence: May one unwanted µuids swiftly purge, Let day make way for night! And nothing blight 好笑 depend thereupon Humph! [Funny]! Before in µoods untimely up they surge? e darkness wherein sight sups not on light. And months of deathly silence. From yonder o·ng I cannot make out e cry announcing victory or rout. Towards triumphant Cambridge will he sail? Or meet what makes all seamen deathly pale: e Inchcape Integral – Fate’s fancies fail eir prayers to spare their lungs and fearful tale!

46 ■ ART & ENTERTAINMENT \\ // ART & ENTERTAINMENT ■ 47 James Lee Untitled Watercolour on paper 58 × 42 cm

48 ■ ART & ENTERTAINMENT \\ // ART & ENTERTAINMENT ■ 49 *Disclaimer* A MOMENT IN TIME What you’re going to see below is an amateur trying shots of our community—ones that capture our city to sound professional. e photos he has taken are vibrant at work; ones that are so commonplace that ADRIAN LEUNG certainly not of top-notch quality, but that is precise- we don’t take notice or €nd them special anymore. I ly the point of his gallery—the ordinary is the most hope by sharing my precious moments in this gallery, extraordinary. it will remind you to remember the old stories of Hong Kong that we have long forgotten, and more I enjoy being a photographer. I like it not because importantly, appreciate the beauty in life. I’m good at it (obviously I’m not an expert at all), or because it appears professional to have this hobby. I “She dwells with Beauty—Beauty that must die” like it, instead, because of the process. Since I don’t have any professional equipment, I take photos with Time µows. Memories fade. Our transient life is cru- my phone anywhere, at any time, of anything. el but beautiful at the same time, since not a single moment we’ve had can be relived again. at is why Having been an owner of an iPhone for years, I photographs are so precious in that they are frozen believe moments captured unpreparedly and unex- time forever, and keep our memories imprinted and pectedly are often the most fruitful. Of all the candid remembered. shots I take, I particularly love the ‘involuntary’ snap-

50 ■ ART & ENTERTAINMENT \\ // ART & ENTERTAINMENT ■ 51 IB LIFE — A PICNIC WITH ANGELA CARTER AND JOHN KEATS

Taken on 25/11/16 when we were preparing for our oral exam (Individual Oral Commentary [IOC])

家

Taken on 1/12/16 when this pair of parents were taking their child to the second interview for a place in DBSPD

52 ■ ART & ENTERTAINMENT \\ // ART & ENTERTAINMENT ■ 53 MOOD - BLURRED AND SCATTERED Taken on 28/11/16 of the sky at DBS

－ THE HUSTLE 一蓑煙雨任平生

Taken on 18/8/16 in Central during the lunch hour of a rainy working day

54 ■ ART & ENTERTAINMENT \\ // ART & ENTERTAINMENT ■ 55 STRUGGLE TO SURVIVE RUBBISH

Taken on 1/10/16 on a random street in Wanchai Taken on 31/8/16 in Mongkok while waiting in line for the minibus

56 ■ ART & ENTERTAINMENT \\ // ART & ENTERTAINMENT ■ 57 STATIC MOTION UNDER THE BRIGHT STAR

Taken on 13/11/16 after the opening of the new

58 school■ ART & €eldENTERTAINMENT at the annual \\ school fete // ART & ENTERTAINMENT ■ 59 CROSSWORD WORD SEARCH Herald GAMES BY EVAN CHENG

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E ANC N RESO 1. 60 ■ ART & ENTERTAINMENT \\ // ART & ENTERTAINMENT ■ 61 Editor-in-chief: LAM YAN TO LINUS

Managing editors: CHENG HENRY EVAN YUEN-KIN MA RON TING

Teacher advisor: MR. GREGORY VANDERHEIDEN

Layout editors: LAM YAN TO LINUS WONG MAN KIT OBILE

Contributors: YIP CHEUK LAM MARTIN, CHRISTOPHER JAMES LEE, LAU YIK MING MICHAEL, LAU YAN HO JEFFREY, LAM WAI WILSON, TON YEH, LEUNG TSZ HIN ADRIAN

Cover Photo: LEUNG TSZ HIN ADRIAN

Contact Us: [email protected]

Material in this publication does not necessarily reŠect the policies and opinions of Diocesan Boys’ School and its IB Division. E—orts have been made to trace copyright holders of images and to obtain permission for their use. €e Herald apologizes for any uncredited images. 62