To Be Continued (2023) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

The Fight to Save the State Theatre

A grassroots campaign emerged in 2016 to save Hong Kong's State Theatre from demolition. Filmmaker Haider Kikabhoy, co-director of 'To Be Continued', was among the campaigners fighting to preserve the historic venue.

When

2016

Where

State Theatre, Hong Kong

A Campaign Becomes a Quest

As the campaign unfolded, it transformed into a journey to uncover the legacy of Harry Odell, the man behind the theatre. Kikabhoy found himself searching for the story of a forgotten showman who had shaped the city's cultural life.

Where

Hong Kong

Tracing Odell's Origins to Cairo

The investigation reveals that Harry Odell was a Russian Jew born in Cairo, Egypt. His multinational background marked the beginning of an extraordinary journey that would eventually lead him to Hong Kong.

Where

Cairo

Odell Serves in the First World War

During the First World War, Odell served with the US Army in France. His wartime experience was the first of two global conflicts that would define his early life.

When

First World War

Where

France

Odell Fights for Hong Kong

In the Second World War, Odell fought for Hong Kong against the Japanese invasion. His defense of the city marked the beginning of his deep and lasting connection to Hong Kong.

When

Second World War

Where

Hong Kong

Captured by the Japanese

After Hong Kong fell, Odell was captured by the Japanese and held as a prisoner of war. Surviving the ordeal cemented his resilience and his bond with the city he had defended.

When

Second World War

Where

Hong Kong

The Empire Theatre is Born

In 1952, Odell founded the Empire Theatre, the original incarnation of the State Theatre. This venue became the cornerstone of his ambition to build a world-class entertainment empire in post-war Hong Kong.

When

1952

Where

Hong Kong

World-Class Artists Come to Hong Kong

As a showman, Odell stamped his mark on the city's post-war cultural landscape by bringing world-class artists to Hong Kong. Legends such as violinist Isaac Stern and bandleader Xavier Cugat performed under his banner, elevating the city's entertainment scene.

Where

Hong Kong

Booking The Beatles

Among Odell's greatest coups was bringing The Beatles to Hong Kong. This landmark booking demonstrated his stature as an impresario capable of attracting the biggest names in international music.

Where

Hong Kong

Ravi Shankar and The Carpenters Perform

Odell's venue also hosted other global icons, including sitar master Ravi Shankar and The Carpenters. These performances cemented the theatre's reputation as a premier destination for international entertainment.

Where

Hong Kong

Interviewing Odell's Family

Kikabhoy's documentary quest leads him to interviews with Harry Odell's family members. Their personal insights offer an intimate look at the man behind the showman persona.

Rebecca Pan Shares Her Recollections

Diva Rebecca Pan offers her recollections of Odell and the golden era of Hong Kong entertainment. Her testimony provides a first-hand account of the city's rich cultural past.

Where

Hong Kong

Experts Weigh In

The film features commentary from leading experts: Hong Kong pop culture scholar Ng Chun Hung, music historian Oliver Chou, and military historian Kwong Chi Man. Their analyses contextualize Odell's contributions to both the city's entertainment scene and its wartime history.

Former Colleagues Remember Odell

Memories from Odell's former colleagues add a personal dimension to the documentary. These accounts help paint a fuller picture of Odell as both an impresario and a human being.

Two Stories Intertwined

'To Be Continued' interweaves two parallel storylines: Odell's pursuit of his cultural enterprise and Kikabhoy's quest to piece together his life. As writer Fionnuala McHugh observed, the film is 'the story of one passion project that gave birth to another.'