In Broad Daylight-The Most Heartwrenching Movie Of The Year--Vancouver International Film Festival

Quite often when going into a movie, one is not certain what they are going to encounter. I knew very little of this film and was unprepared for what it was actually about.

I have seen countless films about journalists looking to dig out the truth, be it politics, the pharmaceutical business, war, and so many other topics. In Broad daylight, focuses on the abuse that is often found in private care homes, in this particular case, Hong Kong.

The film has been nominated in 5 categories in this year's Golden Horse Awards, it is the 60th year for the awards.

Jennifer Yu(above) is nominated for Best Actress           Bowie Lam for Best Actor

Rachel Leung for Best Supporting Actress   Albert PoonYick-sum, Kate TSE for Best Art Direction

Albert Poon Yick-sum, CHAN Hau-sin  Best Makeup & Costume Design

The awards will take place on November 25, 2023

From The Post Oct 4, 2023

{Hong Kong filmmakers continue to be amply represented at the Golden Horse Awards, a Taiwan showpiece film event entering its 60th edition that has – for the fifth year running – been boycotted by mainland Chinese authorities.}

Kay(Jennifer Yu) has gone undercover for the local newspaper to follow up on a lead they were given about abuse that is happening in one of the local private care homes for the disabled. She has told the staff that one of the patients is her grandfather. Quite early on we see the abuse along with Kay as one of the nurses slaps a young man a number of times when he doesn't seem to want to leave his room. Kay confronts her, and she is told that they won't listen if she doesn't hit them. Kay is not really concerned about the outcome, as she mentions to her boss one day- she just wants awards and a pay raise.

Over time, the abuse gets increasingly worse and she and a colleague witness some of the elderly residents being strapped to bathroom chairs and taken to the top of the roof and hosed down like someone is washing a car. There are two scenes in the film that actually had me cry painful, hurtful tears, such innocent and defenseless people who are left in the care of those who could care less about them. I can see why there are so many awards nominations for the actors here, everyone is solid throughout the film.

Even with enough time, Kay's walls start to come down, one of the resident's granddaughter's wedding is happening and she goes through the facility trying to find him something nice to wear and she drives him to the wedding.

The abuse eventually becomes news and the care home's operator is charged with sexual abuse of one of the residents, he has been charged twice before in separate instances. 

Kay is torn between doing her job as a journalist and what is right and she still chooses justice & kindness. 

If you have a chance to see this film, do so, but have some tissues nearby, I am glad I did.
I don't recall the last time I cried as much at a movie.

The film is in Cantonese with English Subtitles