Bamboo Theatre

Inspired by the observational documentaries of Frederick Wiseman, Cheuk Cheung’s elegantly constructed documentary offers a fascinating backstage pass to a travelling coastal roadshow showcasing traditional Cantonese opera.

Australian premiere

For over a century, the residents of coastal villages in and around Hong Kong have invited Chinese opera troupes to perform during ritual celebrations. Cheuk Cheng’s fascinating documentary focuses on a number of these – villages including Sai Kung, Po Toi, High Island and Peng Chau – that are continuing the tradition of building temporary bamboo theatres to celebrate the birth of Tin Hau, the goddess of the sea. Hand-crafted without a single nail or staple gun in sight, these ephemeral structures evoke giant Kerplunk games (for anyone old enough to appreciate the reference) before being clad with metal sheets.

Once constructed, Cheuk’s roving camera captures the myriad backstage rituals of a small army of stagehands, set dressers, wardrobe assistants, make-up artists, musicians and actors as the opera troupes prepare to perform to local community audiences. Shot without narration, Cheuk’s film offers a gently paced, meditative and absorbing view into some of the unique architectural and cultural traditions coastal Hong Kong communities continue to uphold.

– Roberta Ciabarra; Curator, Film