In the Face of Demolition

The events take place during the 1950s, a period of rapid urban growth and economic hardship in Hong Kong. Postwar reconstruction and social stratification shape daily life for the residents. The era's uncertainty intensifies the struggles of workers, tenants, and families in cramped flats.

Set in 1950s Hong Kong, the story unfolds inside a crumbling building on Fife Lane housing subdivided flats for rent. The surrounding neighborhood is crowded, bustling, and marked by financial strain, yet it also fosters close-knit communities. The building itself stands as a symbol of postwar urban housing pressures and the tenants' tenuous existence.

🤝 Solidarity

Neighbors rally to support one another as rent pressures threaten a family’s home. The repeated refrain 'One for all and all for one' drives acts of kindness, from helping newcomers move in to sharing scarce resources. The film uses these moments to show how collective action can sustain people under strain.

💰 Economic Hardship

Unemployment, wage decline, and the collapse of stable jobs push characters into precarious livelihoods. A taxi driver loses his income while his wife is pregnant, and others resort to selling blood or cutting corners to pay the rent. The narrative critiques the widening gap between the wealthy landlords and the poor tenants.

🏚️ Housing Crisis

Cramped subdivided flats and a dilapidated building define the living conditions of the residents. Daily life revolves around renting, sharing, and hustling to get by in a crowded urban space. The building’s fragility becomes a metaphor for social neglect and the need for communal support.

⚖️ Injustice

Yuk-fong’s assault by a powerful landlord exposes the abuse of wealth and authority. The film highlights how the vulnerable, especially women, face exploitation with little protection. Characters confront moral compromises and the system’s failures to safeguard the powerless.

⛈️ Disaster

A typhoon strikes and the dilapidated building collapses, leaving the tenants shelterless. The catastrophe underscores the urgency of unity and collective rebuilding. In the aftermath, the community redoubles its efforts to reform their living situation and protect one another.