Apart (2020)

"The fireworks are awesome, but are you happy?" College elites Maryanne and Yin were deeply in love, but they couldn't be together because of political pressure - "Apart" is a poem about the sorrows and tough choices faced by the new generation in China-controlled Hong Kong - pragmatic life or fight for democracy? When UK passed Hong Kong and her 7-million people to Communist China in 1997, China promised a 'gradual and full' democracy in 10 years. Twenty years passed; nothing happened. This was the world Maryanne and Yin grew up in, and what drew them into the Umbrella Movement in 2014 to express their discontent over China's manipulation of Hong Kong's elections. They were joined by Shi, a new immigrant from China herself and Maryanne's best friend. But what started as a peaceful week-long strike soon evolved into a months-long occupation movement that ultimately failed. This forced Maryanne and Yin to face their differences rather than their ideals. When they split, Shi became Yin's soulmate and moved with him to US after graduation. Four years went by. Maryanne became a determined democracy fighter. When she bumped into Yin again, who had returned for business ventures in China, their hot passion re-ignited. But this was hurting Shi who yearned only for a peaceful life away from politics. When Yin finally made his tough choice, however, he was only to learn from Maryanne her tough choice too - "There are paths we have to take, not because we want to take..."