Keep Kindness Even Without Reward: Director on ‘In Broad Daylight’

Kay, the journalist in the film, threw out a thought-provoking remark: ‘Ten years from now… Will journalism still exist?’

Hong Kong film “In Broad Daylight” has been nominated for 5 awards at the 60th Golden Horse Awards. Supplied

“If it’s the right thing, don’t regret it.”

This is director Kan Kwan-chun talking at the 22nd New York Asian Film Festival about his new film “In Broad Daylight,” which has grossed over HK $5 million since its release on Nov. 2 and been nominated for 5 awards at the 60th Golden Horse Awards.

Adapted from true events in Hong Kong’s disability care homes, “In Broad Daylight” tells the story of an investigative journalist uncovering dark secrets of these care homes, including sexual abuse of girls, inhumane mistreatment of the elderly, poor hygiene and food conditions, and more, yet reporting on this did not bring about sufficient changes.

Kay, the journalist in the film, threw out a thought-provoking remark: “Ten years from now… Will journalism still exist?” As she turned away in sadness, the comforting words of her longtime friend came to her, “Don’t feel guilty for doing a right thing.”

Inspired by Disability Care Homes Scandal

Mr. Kan started to write the script five years ago.

“I remember the first time I read the article about the scandal in Hong Kong. It’s a shock in Hong Kong, and I just got triggered by that news,” he said.

Yet after he talked to the journalists behind the news report, he found it was way more complicated than he thought.

“When the news was published in Hong Kong, the care homes involved were banned by the authorities, so it made a huge impact.”

However, while some of the victims were thankful to the journalists, some blamed or even swore at them because the report made them homeless.

“I was shocked, and I think that perspective is something that I want to explore,” he said.

Scandals related to Hong Kong disability care homes are not limited to that one case.

In 2014, a report emerged of the sexual abuse of a mentally handicapped woman by a care home director, followed by a 2015 incident in which an elder was pushed out onto the terrace and stripped naked to take a bath, a 2016 incident involving a fight triggered by meal problems, and the mysterious death of six care home residents—all presented in the new Hong Kong film.

During the preparation of the script, Mr. Kan talked to the victims’ families and social workers in an attempt to gain a broader perspective.

“I tried to get more perspective instead of just make it like a superhero movie,” he said. “I tried to make it as real as I can, because I really want to carry that struggle and sadness with the victims.”

“But it’s not just about their struggles. Back to the story, it somehow reflects us too, right? It reflects on humanity. It reflects [that] everyone will get old, everyone will get sick.”

‘Not a Superhero Film’

“I’m not trying to make it like a superhero film,” Mr. Kan explained about his disposal of the ending.

“I try to put it in that way because you know, I know, everyone knows that this is reality. We try so hard to make changes and we always want to change the world, but somehow the reality is cruel, is sad.”

Kan Kwan-chun, director of "In Broad Daylight" attended the 22nd New York Asian Film Festival for a post-screening talk in July, 2023. Jenny Zeng/The Epoch Times

On the name of the film, Mr. Kan maintained that it is the most straightforward way to tell the audience about the crimes that happen in broad daylight.

“In a cinematic world, we always thought all the crimes, all the evil things are happening in the night. That’s why we have Batman,” he said.

“No. In the real world … we have journalists, we have social workers, we have you guys, we have filmmakers, but all those evil things are happening around us in broad daylight. That’s why I call it ‘In Broad Daylight.’”

Hope

At the end of the film, after finishing the report, Kay leaves the paper, leaving the world with one less journalist who stands up for justice.

“Even though the reality is sad and cruel, at the end, the last shot of the film, there are people who are still doing these so-called stupid things,” Mr. Kan said.

“Sometimes we chose to be good, but we don’t get rewarded, but there are people still making changes… We’ll start small, and then maybe we can make a huge impact.”

The director argued that while people think this world is too sad and there is no hope, he personally takes hope as an attitude.

“Some people still believe it,” he said. “I think we have to keep believing it.”