HKMagazine 07042014

HK MAGAZINE NO. 1051 FRIDAY, JulY 4 , 2014 www.hk-magaz ine.comHK MAGAZINE NO.1051 FRIDAY, JulY 4 , 2014 www.hk

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Could it be YOU?

HONG KONG NEEDS A MAYOR

HK MAGAZINE FRIDAY, JulY 4, 2014 3

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24dIsH

Sail through life in a salad daze

32OpEN bAr

The Envoy sends you straight back to

cocktail school

46fIrst pErsON

Restaurateur Yenn Wong dishes the

secrets of success

18jUNKs

Want people to sit on your junk? Look no further

34fIlM

“Transformers 4”: a masterpi—ahahaha yeah, right

MEMbEr Of:

29UpClOsE

Warwick Ross talks Beijing and Bordeaux for “Red Obsession”

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HK Magazine is published 52 times a year by HK Magazine Media Ltd., GPO Box 12618, Hong Kong. Copyright 2013 HK Magazine Media Ltd. The title “HK Magazine,” its associated logos or devices, and the content of HK Magazine are the property of HK Magazine Media Ltd. Reproduction in whole or part without permission is strictly prohibited. Article reprints are available for HK$30 each. HK Magazine may not be distributed without the express written consent of HK Magazine Media Ltd. Contact the Advertising Director for ad rates and specifications. All advertising in HK Magazine must comply with the Publisher’s terms of business, copies of which are available upon request. Printed by Apex Print Limited, 11-13 Dai Kwai Street, Tai Po Industrial Estate, Tai Po, N.T.

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The annual July 1 protest march has come and gone:

and with it, the annual dispute over attendance figures.

Organizers put the number of attendees at 510,000, while

the police were considerably more conservative with their

estimate of 98,600. Unable to account for the disparity,

we decided to put their math skills to the test.

14COVEr stOrY

Forget the CE; we want a mayor

Publisher and General Manager Greg CrandallEditor-in-Chief Zach HinesManaging Editor sarah fungEditor Adam WhiteFeatures Editor Kate springerSenior Associate Editor Adele WongOnline & Social Media Manager Katie KennyStaff Writers Andrea lo, Evelyn lok, Charlotte Mulliner Reporter Yannie ChanWeb Developer timothy Cheng

Production Manager blackie HuiArt Director pierre pangSenior Graphic Designer Mike HungGraphic Designers Cecilia Cheng, Iris Mak, ryan Chan, siu-fa Wong, tammy tanProduction Supervisor Kelly Cheung

Director of Sales Gary WongStrategy Sales Director jan ChengAssociate Advertising Director joe NgSenior Sales Manager joyce WuSenior Advertising Manager Kent MaAssistant Advertising Manager Arena ChoiAdvertising Managers Keiko Ko, rita Ng Advertising Executive Winnie ChengAdvertising Coordinator sharon Cheung

Marketing & PR Manager james Gannaban Marketing & Circulation Executive

Charmaine Mirandilla

Finance Manager Karen tsang

Assistant Finance Manager penny ChengSenior Accountant Alex fungInternal Compliance Officer lucy WongAccountant Wilke NgAssistant Accountant Coa Wong, Edwin leeAdministrator roy lamI.T. Manager derek WongMessenger li sau-king

Who’s in charge?

Question Organizers police

1) If you have six durians, and I give you one more durian, but then I take two away, what are you left with?

100,000 durians. Half a shriveled kumquat.

2) Explain the difference between median and mean averages.

A median is the middle sample of any ranked group of numbers. Mean is what the Chinese government is.

Mean is the sum of all numbers divided by how many numbers there are, give or take a few hundred thousand.

3) It costs just $500 to hose down 100 protesters with a water cannon. Assuming it costs the police force $1 million to lay on additional security on the day, how much money could the taxpayer be saved if the police just turned on the hoses?

“Do you hear the people sing? / Singing the song of angrygaahahhhh!!” *splutter*

Good point. Let’s see if the commissioner is up for this.

4) If it takes one protester two hours to walk from Causeway Bay to Central, how long will it take 500,000 protesters, assuming that they walk in lines of 10 abreast?

As long as it takes to achieve universal suffrage (protest ends at 6:30pm sharp).

Heh. A breast.

5) Name the next number in this sequence: 2, 3, 5, 7, 11, 13…

611,953. Or any higher prime number.

These are all prime numbers, which means they are not divisible into pro- and anti-Beijing. What, um. What… do we do now?

July 1 Math

pAGE 3

4 HK MAGAZINE FRIDAY, JulY 4, 2014

MAIlbAG

Our tablet app: Out Now!

Your Thoughts, Comments, Ire:

Mr. Know-It-All’s Guide to Lifedear Mr. Know-it-All, Can you give me a primer on all these New territories protests? –Old towner

Mr. Know-It-All answers your questions and quells your urban concerns. Send queries, troubles or problems to [email protected].

Ah, Old Towner, the course of New

Territories housing never did run smooth.

Way back when, the colonial government

was faced with a housing crisis for

indigenous villagers in the New Territories:

indigenous meaning the descendant

of anyone who had been living in the

New Territories before it was leased to

the British in 1898. Developers were

coming in and soaking up the land,

squeezing out those who had been

living off the land for centuries. So the

government introduced the 1972 Small

Village House Policy to relieve the

problem. It was a policy which allowed

any indigenous male villager to apply to

build a three-story, 2,100-square-foot

house within his village. This was known

as the “ding uk”—the “male house.”

These are most of the three-floor, 700

square-foot-per-floor houses you see in the

New Territories, built and then rented out

for profit to the non-indigenous. All well and

good, perhaps (aside from the fact that it’s

a straight-up sexist law): but as time went

on, indigenous villagers—especially those

who had emigrated overseas but retained

their “ding keun”—ding uk rights—started

selling those same rights to developers

for a quick buck. It always comes back

to the developers.

The government’s plans to develop

“new towns” in the Northeastern New

Territories stem from the same problem

as before: a housing crisis. But this time

it’s not just for NT villagers: it’s the whole

of Hong Kong. The problem is that a

significant proportion of what’s planned

to be built—half, in fact—will go towards

private housing, which means luxury flats—

something developers had been planning

on when they bought up the land long ago.

Add to that the evidence of poorly planned

new towns in the past, such as “Town of

Sadness” Tin Shui Wai, and the fact that

farmland is being developed instead of, say,

the sprawling golf course in Fanling next

door, and you can understand some of the

concern. But there’s also plenty of standard

NIMBY-ism going on here, and lots of

concern that these new towns will become

home to pied-à-terre flats for wealthy

mainlanders. New Territories villagers are

a terrifyingly powerful lobby group, with a

whole political party—the thuggish Heung

Yee Kuk—behind them. But so, of course,

are developers. The government, as always,

is caught in the middle.

“What’s the point of a democracy?”

Private Eye

You Shall Not Passphoto by tammy tan

May We think?We reviewed “May We

Chat” [Jun 27, issue 1,050],

a drama about women who

get drawn into a world of triads

and compensated dating.

The one thing it seems to, sadly, portray is

that the women are still the victims of their

times and circumstances after all these

decades. Perhaps in another future movie,

it would be interesting to see this graphic

mental, physical and sexual violence that

happened to the females, through the eyes

of the young men involved, be they the

perpetrators or the victims.

jenny lee

Yeah, dArrENReaders debate the public nomination

referendum on our Facebook page:

What’s the point of a democracy?

I don’t trust Hong Kong to make the

right votes anyway

darren

What makes you think so Darren? It’s not

about making the right votes—it’s about

having the RIGHT to vote.

Mak sin Hang

Darren—someone has to make choices

on how society will be run. If you abdicate

your right to have a say, then those who

are in power can do what they want to you.

Do you trust them that much?

rod parkes

drink responsiblyA letter from the Hong Kong Forum for

Responsible Drinking.

The world has caught World Cup fever, and

Hong Kong is no different! As fans gather

to watch the playoffs, we want to remind

everyone to celebrate responsibly.

The Hong Kong Forum for Responsible

Drinking (FReD), a coalition formed by Hong

Kong’s leading companies importing and

selling beer, spirits and wine, has taken

to the cause. The coalition works with

government and social organizations to

promote responsible drinking.

It is FReD’s belief that more can always

be done to promote healthy attitudes

towards alcohol and to discourage harmful

drinking. It is our wish that everyone has

a fantastic time watching the World Cup.

But when you enjoy the games, exercise

caution and make sure that you and those

around you are making the right decisions.

For more information, please visit our

website at www.fred.org.hk.

shaine deVenny

Chairperson, Hong Kong Forum for

Responsible Drinking

Write us: [email protected]

Write in and Win!

Got something to say?

Write us! Our letter of the week

gets an HK Magazine notebook,

umbrella (pictured) and a copy

of “Historical Hong Kong Hikes”

(total value $470).

letter of the Week

KIA for mayor!

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Champion of Gold_EN_HK Magazine.pdf 1 14-6-13 ��3:23


tHE WEEK

Friday 7/4What the Puck Catch HK Phil perform the final concert of the season in the “Macallan bravo series: A Midsummer Night’s dream.” Sung by the ladies of the HK Phil Chorus, the concert will consist of the incidental music for the play, written by Mendelssohn in 1842.jul 4-5, 8pm. Concert Hall, Cultural Centre, 10 salisbury rd., tsim sha tsui. $160-420 from www.urbtix.hk.

Saturday 7/5Cantopop for CancerChinese-American superstar Coco lee pairs up with producer Chiu tsang-hei to perform 80s and 90s Cantopop hits in a concert benefiting the Cancer Fund. 8:15pm. Hall 5bC, HKCEC, 1 Expo drive, Wan Chai. $280-1,280 from www.hkticketing.com.

Read a Book, Whydoncha?

With nearly 1 million visitors to events past, the Hong Kong book fair is by far the city’s biggest annual literary event. Now

in its 25th year, the all-ages book bonanza will feature hundreds of exhibitors. Be sure to check out the fair’s art gallery,

spotlighting the works of legendary science fiction author Ni Kuang: with book covers,

manuscripts and other memorabilia.jul 16-22. HKCEC, 1 Expo drive, Wan Chai,

www.hkbookfair.hktdc.com.

COMING Up

sUN

MONWEd

Tuesday 7/8Oh, ShucksStockton introduces Oyster revolution every Tuesday, where you can enjoy a dozen French oysters for $280. Chill out, sip on cocktails and listen to 60s music. Then revolt!stockton, G/f, 32 Wyndham st., Central, 2565-5268.

Wednesday 7/9Wintour is ComingNo, not really. But with or without her, Hong Kong fashion Week starts today. Haute Hongkongers: get ready to gawp at the showcase of designer brands and high street goods. Maybe Anna will make it next year. If we survive the winter, that is. jul 7-10, HKCEC, 1 Expo drive, Wan Chai, www.hktdc.com.

Thursday 7/10Dead EndNick Cheung, the veteran actor who caused a splash last year by beefing up for MMA flick “unbeatable,” makes his directorial debut in “Hungry Ghost ritual,” opening today. The horror film comes just before the Hungry Ghost Festival, which marks the opening of the gates of hell for a whole month. Freeeaky.see film listings, p.34.

Sunday 7/6Horse PlayThe racing season wraps up with the sha tin day finale. Watch the parade and the prize-giving while downing bottomless beers and betting on horses with humorous names. Run, Auspicious Sausage, run!11am. sha tin racecourse, sha tin. $10 at the door.

Monday 7/7Swinger’s ClubAttention, squash fans: the World Masters squash Championship is taking place for the first time in Hong Kong. Watch all 700-plus athletes compete in the international tournament—or just stop in for the finals. jul 4-11. squash Centre, 23 Cotton tree drive, Central, www.hksquash.org.hk.

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Summer Hotel_EN_HK Magazine.pdf 1 6/24/14 9:21 AM


NEWs Edited by Yannie [email protected] Twitter: @yanniecsy

Mon 23Hungry striker Four netizens enjoy a picnic in front of

pro-Beijing group Justice Alliance convener Leticia Lee,

who is on an “indefinite” hunger strike in front of the

Central Government Offices. Lee said her hunger

strike would continue until the government

instituted a stronger official response to Occupy

Central and recent “radical” protests at Legco.

The men waved bags of chips and McDonald’s

fries in front of Lee; Netizens urged more

people to bring food along to “cheer” Lee on.

fri 27fire Walking A 59-year-old “barefoot doctor” is sentenced to four months in jail for

attempted arson. The man claims that he holds a secret family cure for diabetes-related foot

complications. Last November he bought an advertisement in a medical journal to lobby

for more research into the subject. After the Department of Health issued him a warning,

he went to their offices to confront staff. He opened a bottle of paint thinner and took out a

lighter, but was restrained by the police.

thurs 26sneaky Wings At around 2am, two men

break into a Yuen long warehouse

and steal a mechanical part worth

several hundred thousand dollars. they

successfully distract the two guard dogs

by feeding them chicken wings, but

police on patrol discover them. One of

the men is arrested.

CY’s Accomplishments: dinosaur Exhibition! CY Leung has published his second annual progress report, and he’s got a wide-ranging list

of accomplishments, including Hong Kong athletes winning 83 medals in sporting competitions;

the public library updating its online portal; and the “legends of dinosaurs” exhibition at

the science Museum. The 41-page report also details “significant process on many of Hong

Kong’s deep-seated problems,” such as working to build more houses, setting a poverty line and

jumpstarting consultations on population policy and constitutional reform—none of which have

seen any results yet. CY failed to mention his plan to reform the Mandatory provident fund—

which never made it to Legco—and the government’s refusal to grant a license to HKTV.

Our take: *Slow clap*

New town funding Controversially ApprovedFinance Committee chairman Ng Leung-sing forced through the government’s funding

request for the new town development last Friday. It was the government’s seventh attempt to get

the bill passed. Ng called an early vote, and when pan-democrats leaped up to crowd Ng, he

pushed the vote through when the opposition politicians were out of their seats. the proposal

was approved 29-2. Ng then fled the scene under the protection of security guards. Politician and

Civic Party member Margaret Ng told Apple Daily it was the “ugliest result” Legco had ever seen.

Protesters say the plan only favors developers and cronies: 40 percent of the land is reserved for

public housing, while the rest is for private residential use. The $120 billion project will see two new

towns built in Kwu Tung and Fanling North.

Our take: You stay classy, Legco.

proposed Change Will see 1.15 Million fewer Mainland touristsThe government has finally reacted to the people’s anger over the influx of mainland

tourist arrivals. Commerce and Economic Development Chief Greg So met with officials from the

liaison office early last week, with an initial proposal to cancel the unlimited visits enjoyed by

mainland visitors with multiple-entry permits, and put in a restriction of 52 visits per year.

It’s estimated that Hong Kong will see 1.15 million fewer visitors from across the border every year.

There are currently 12.15 million visits from Shenzhen yearly—only around 1.5 million of these

stay overnight.

Our take: Just do it already.

Last Week In Reality Talking Points

Quote of the Week

We read the news, so you don’t have to.sat 21Hot Mess At around 9pm, a server spills hot red bean soup on a 27-year-old woman’s left

shoulder in restaurant chain Honeymoon Dessert. Her mother insists on calling the police. When

the police arrive, a woman claiming to be a passerby says the restaurants don’t usually offer

compensation for such injuries, and suggests that they leave. The mother later sees the woman

appearing to instruct the restaurant’s staff, as if she is a manager. Honeymoon Dessert says they

will punish the woman if the incident is verified.

sun 22Work drama An 18-year-old woman threatens to throw herself from a building after her

boyfriend refuses to buy her new clothes. At around 5am, the couple debates work

attire and the woman asks her boyfriend to buy her a presentable piece of clothing.

When he refuses, she runs up the stairs to the building’s rooftop and threatens to

jump. After the police arrive, the woman calms down and explains that she had not

been serious; she had simply been frustrated at work.

Illustrations: Cecilia Cheng

tues 24rose Is the New black A 53-year-old woman

is convicted for attempting to smuggle

contraband into prison. Her best friend is

serving a life sentence, and he suffers from

insomnia. After he tells the woman he wants

to drink rose tea to help with the condition,

she bribes a Correctional services officer

with pork jerky and dried pepper from

taiwan, so he will smuggle in the tea leaves.

they are caught red-handed but the officer

is not prosecuted due to a lack of evidence.

Wed 25taipei reunion A 17-year-old teen leaves his wallet in a Taipei shop. The 60-year-old shopkeeper

discovers it and shows the ID card to every Hongkonger who walks into the store. A Hong Kong

couple posts it online and it goes viral: three netizens call his school, and one identifies his

Facebook. Within an hour, the news reaches the teen, and he retrieves his lost wallet.

“Autonomy, like virginity, once lost cannot be retrieved.”Denis Chang Khen-lee, the Bar Association’s second-ranking

member, comments on the claim in Beijing’s white paper that Hong

Kong’s autonomy is subject to Beijing’s authority. Around 1,800

representatives of the legal sector organized a march last Friday

to protest the white paper’s assertion that judges have to be

patriotic. They urged the central government to issue a correction.

dickso

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UpfrONt

➢ Overthrow the existing political structure, install one under your own

cult of personality, consolidate media holdings, vanquish enemies,

establish propaganda department, then hire/conscript smart people

to promulgate your thoughts and edicts.

➢ speak with your feet (dressed up in costumes on an adorable

diorama stage)!

➢ Create new symbols and signs that circumvent blacklisted ones.

that’s semiotics, bitch.

➢ purchase it.

➢ sink gently into the warm embrace of constant streaming

media and forget all the thoughts you wanted to express.

➢ passive-aggressive silence. No, it’s fine.

DISTRICT COuNCILOR: OK, WE ADMIT IT, TuEN MuN OffICIALLY BLOWS

Street TalkHongKabulary

Junk Judas (dʒʌnk dʒʊdæs), n.The asshole who bails on the morning of a junk trip, leaving the organizer to pay out their share. “Oh, man, sorry dude, I can’t make your junk. I have to do this, um, thing.” “Are you kidding me? We’ve been waiting at the pier! You are such a Junk Judas.”

HONG KONG—A container ship aground off Butterfly Beach, Tuen Mun. (Dickson Lee/SCMP)

Alternatives to free speech

After battling the Decepticons in Hong Kong, Optimus Prime

and Bumblebee are taking a breather in the Maritime Square

and Telford Plaza shopping malls. They’re there courtesy of

model builder debbie Wong and her team from Conceptual

Communications, who constructed these 1:1 scale models.

She tells Alice Wan about the project. Caption This

fast Facts

trust Geoff to Organize this shitty junk trip, say Geoff’s friendslifeguards Warn Container Ship For Playing With Flying Disc

HK Magazine: so, what does it take to build a life-size transformer? debbie Wong: We spent six months on the

paperwork before we started production.

Then another six months for design

and production. Each Transformer costs

millions of dollars!

HK: Can these transformers actually transform into cars?dW: Unfortunately, they can’t. These models

each weigh a ton. Inside the models we use

a lot of support to hold them up. It’s difficult

to install the parts because of their weight,

let alone transform them! If I were asked

to “upgrade” these models, I would try to

make them talk and move their hands.

HK: How tricky was it to build the them? dW: During production, every part and

detail of the Transformers had to be

approved by the film’s producers. For

example, we had been struggling with the

color of Optimus Prime. The film producer

wasn’t satisfied with the color we proposed.

As we had to make Optimus Prime look

metallic, we had to be very careful with the

proportion of silver paint to blue paint.

HK: Any unexpected hiccups in the production process?dW: After the final product was finished,

we invited the film’s producers to give us

final approval. They pointed out that the

head and hands weren’t perfect enough—

and we only had two weeks to go before

the exhibition!

HK: Are you a transformers fan? dW: To be frank, I wasn’t very much into

robots or such films. But this project made

me fall in love with Transformers, and I had

a strong feeling when I watched the preview

of the movie.

HK: Who’s your favorite transformer?dW: I have to say Optimus Prime. He is so

cool and majestic. And you can see from

the movies that he is loyal to his friends

and teammates. I like both his appearance

and his character.

HK: What would you have done differently if you did it all over again?dW: I would have used a different color for

Optimus Prime. I didn’t have the chance

to watch the movie before we started

manufacturing the models. We only made

them according to the information provided

by film producers, and our understanding

from the trailers. The Optimus Prime you see

now is not “old” enough—he doesn’t look

like a veteran of battles. If we had made

it with a different color, the viewers could

better understand how many hardships

Optimus Prime has been through.

HK: When is the best time for fans to visit the transformers models?dW: I would suggest they bring along a

professional camera, and come earlier in

the morning. The exhibition area is usually

full of people in the afternoon, and you

won’t be able to take a picture of only you

and the Transformers.

HK: What’s up next? Gonna build some Gundams? dW: This project tested our limits, but now

we are more confident in doing big projects

like this. We are hoping to bring more

characters from big movies to Hong Kong

citizens, but I’m not sure about our next

challenge. We have some ideas in mind but

I can’t say yet. You’ll know when it comes.

Visit Optimus prime at Maritime square

in tsing Yi or see bumblebee at telford plaza

in Kowloon bay. see debbie’s other work

at www.conceptual.com.hk.

Chip tsao is a best-selling author, columnist and a former producer for the bbC. His columns have also appeared in Apple daily, Next Magazine and CUp Magazine, among others.

POLITICALLY INCORRECTwith Chip Tsao

12 HK MAGAZINE FRIDAY, FRIDAY, JulY 4, 2014

UpfrONt

Only the Paper is Allowed to be WhiteHong Kong judges have been ordered by

a “White Paper” issued by Beijing to “love

China” while conducting their judiciary

work. This is going to cause big problems

for dozens of white Anglo-Saxon male

judges recruited to Hong Kong from

western common law countries such as

Great Britain and Australia.

The WASP expat judges are supposed

to offer Hong Kong an impartial,

distanced, rational and independent

mindset. Not unlike that English

teacher Anna, who was seconded to

the palace of Siam in the mid-19th

century, and who upheld and promoted

a different value system than a court

ruled by eunuchs, women slaves and a

misogynistic emperor. Our judges’ love

of China might have been limited, upon

accepting a job from the Hong Kong

SAR legal department, to being able to

wield chopsticks when eating Yeung

Chow Fried Rice from their local Chinese

restaurant in Melbourne or Bristol.

So it would be a wise contingency to

organize an intensive Love China Course

for Foreign Judges (LCCFJ), tailor-made

for expat judges to help them catch up.

Apart from a mandatory awe-

arousing tour to the Great Wall and

Forbidden City in Beijing, western

judges should learn of classical Chinese

legal terms and concepts like Sha Qian

Dao (Death by a Thousand Cuts) and

Gong Shen (Trial by the People)—and

they should understand that being

presumed guilty is the starting point of

all Chinese legal thinking. No, a Chinese

court normally does not sentence an

adulteress to death by stoning. But

occasionally a Chinese wife could take

up some European medieval justice

into her own hands, by pouring fuel on

a mistress from behind and torching

her with a lighter on the street. If such

a case comes to a British or Australian

high court judge’s scrutiny in Hong

Kong, the “Love China” principle would

quietly apply, depending on whether the

murderess is found to be the wife of a

senior communist party official like Bo

Xilai. If so, the accused should receive

a lenient sentence on the “Love China”

basis. The Beijing office in Sai Wan, which

serves as a top advisory body, would

probably offer tips when necessary.

Each of the gweilo judges would

need a young pretty personal Chinese

female adviser (or handsome effeminate

boy, to taste) attached to his office.

Her duties would include day-to-day

routine instruction of Opium War history,

some basic Putonghua sessions, and

foot massages.

As the “Love China” awareness

deepens with more supervisory phone

calls from those who care from the top,

High Court sessions should start opening,

like the daily TV news broadcast, with

a minute-long soundclip of the Chinese

national anthem through an amplifier in

the courtroom, with the judges required

to stand up in respect. These music drills

can serve as a kind of religious meditation

for the judges to reflect upon. Give it a

few years, and the white paper could

turn some gray-silk-wearing whites into

mature reds. A good vintage lies ahead.

TBCBurger-2014-06-HKMagAd-265x375mm.indd 1 12/6/14 9:28 pm

Hong KongLondonNew York City


face it: The Chief Executive is never going to get anything done. Unelected, unsupported and unloved, it’s a job no sane person would want. But what if Hong Kong had someone in charge, elected by the people, who could make our lives better, day-to-day? Would that be enough for our city? Will Hong Kong ever join the mayoral revolution? We’ve compared the leaders of three of the world’s great cities—and put together a mayoral proposal of our very own.

What’s So Special About Mayors?In his 2013 book “If Mayors Ruled the World: Dysfunctional Nations, Rising Cities,” American political theorist Benjamin Barber argues that nations are failing to achieve their goals. Increasingly, he says, it’s city mayors who are becoming the ideal political unit to improve people’s lives and combat global issues.

Mayors across cities in the US, UK, Europe and Korea are changing urban citizens’ lives on a daily basis in ways that the state government cannot, by improving practical issues such as transport, housing and urban planning. Mayors, “whether elected or appointed,” says Barber, are the opposite of presidents and politicians at the state level: they are effective because their job requires them to be pragmatic problem-solvers. “Presidents pontificate principle; mayors pick up the trash.” While countries are stuck in a deadlock over climate change, the World Mayors Council on Climate Change has come up with community-level solutions to lower emissions. While the Chief Executive of Hong Kong struggles to keep Beijing and the world happy, a mayor could work on solving the city’s daily problems.

“Cities have little choice: to survive and flourish they must remain hospitable to pragmatism and problem solving, to cooperation and networking, to creativity and innovation,” writes Barber, citing the development of public bike sharing systems which started in Europe, then spread to the UK and the US in the quest for energy-efficient cities. Practical changes to our everyday lives are the types of changes that mayors can create and implement: Hong Kong needs one.

pOpUlAtION

8.42 m 7.22m8.41 m

New York london Hong Kong

Led by Michael Bloomberg Boris Johnson CY Leung

Term 2002-2013. 2008-present. 2012-present.

Who? Billionaire, founder and owner of media company Bloomberg L.P.

Former journalist and Member of Parliament. Approval rating tops that of Prime Minister David Cameron. Known for his unruly hair and buffoonish persona. Bikes to work.

Self-made millionaire, former surveyor. Pro-establishment politician.

Job responsibilities Hires and fires the heads of all executive departments and city agencies, sets the budget. Also responsible for education and tax, which are usually state-level responsibilities.

Far-reaching powers over planning, transport, housing, economic development and policing. Creates strategic plan on health, culture, employment and the environment, but has to work with responsible bodies not under his authority to ensure its implementation.

Executive power over all government departments and agencies, nominates department heads, plans policy, signs bills and budgets, approves bills before they can be introduced in Legco. Also appoints and fires judges, and decides monetary and fiscal policies.

No power over Transport. Health, education. Defense and some foreign affairs.

Checked by… State legislature. Also, a largely Democrat 51-member City Council can turn down bills with a simple majority: it took 12 years for the state to approve the installation of 20 speed cameras.

A 25-member London Assembly can amend the budget with a two-thirds majority; The same assembly can only scrutinize executive decisions after they’ve been made.

A 60-member Legislative Council representing largely pro-establishment and business interests; Beijing.

Mayor or Meh? Mayor. Mayor. Meh.

F*** the ChieF exeCutive:

We Need a MayorThe CE has an impossible job. Is a mayor what Hong Kong needs to succeed? By Zach Hines and Yannie Chan

In 2008, Time Magazine coined the term “Nylonkong”—New York, London and Hong Kong—in a story describing the three cities as exemplary models of globalization. When it comes to governance, both London’s mayor Boris Johnson and New York City’s former mayor Michael Bloomberg have made a name for themselves. Can CY Leung measure up?

Comparing the Cities


KEY ACCOMplIsHMENts: CAN HONG KONG’s CE MAKE tHE CUt?

UrbAN GrEEN spACE pEr pErsON

NeW York LoNdoN HoNg koNg

Bloomberg banned trans fats, reformed the education system, installed a bikeshare program, introduced restaurant grading and turned some traffic lanes into pedestrian-only zones. His 2003 smoking ban, which is estimated to save 10,000 lives a year, has led to similar laws in many other cities (the UK and Hong Kong caught up in 2007).

“BoJo” implemented the “Boris bikes” public bicycle rental system, banned alcohol on the Tube, upgraded buses to new ones with green diesel hybrid engines, and is building the new Crossrail 2 rail system to link southwest and northeast London.

CY set a poverty line. Some credit him with putting a stop to mainland pregnant women overwhelming the healthcare system. To be fair, he’s only into his third year, so here’s what Donald Tsang did as well: revitalized heritage preservation (after complaints), set a minimum wage, provided 12 years of free schooling.

How Do They Think?

NYC 13.4m2

LDN 20.4m2

HK 2.9m2

MAYOr’s sAlArY

HK$ 1,742,914 Per Year*NyC

LdN

HK

HK$ 1,899,194 Per Year

HK$ 5,056,752 Per Year

VOtEr bAsE

NyC 2009

585,466 votes

( totaL: 1,154,802)

HK 2012

689 votes

(totaL: 1,200)LdN 2012

1,054,811 votes

(totaL: 2,047,084)

CItY bUdGEt, 2014/5

HK$581 biLLioN

NYC

HK$ 411 biLLioN

HK

HK$228 biLLioN

LDN

Michael bloomberg “I would describe myself as a social liberal and a fiscal conservative. But I think I’m too liberal for the liberals, because I actually try to deliver the services rather than just promise them.” —September 2013, New York Magazine

boris johnson “The great thing about the mayoralty is that it is independent. I do not have to follow a manifesto dictated by Central Office, even if I knew what it was.” —May 2012, London Evening Standard

CY leung “Hong Kong is one of the many carriages in the train that is our country. We should contribute what we can. Hong Kong’s first Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa had a brilliant take on Hong Kong and China’s relationship. He said, ‘If the country is doing well, Hong Kong will do even better.’ I think it’s a wise saying.” —March 2014, China National Radio

*Michael bloomberg drew Us$1 per year

read our proposaL oN tHe Next page!


In Hong Kong, the debate over universal suffrage

has inspired passion about the future of our city.

It is clear that many Hong Kong people would

like to elect their leaders via universal suffrage, and

that many of them also view a public nomination of

candidates as part of that universal suffrage.

We think that the “White Paper” the PRC issued

about the “One Country, Two Systems” policy was

helpful in the sense that it provided unequivocal

clarification of the PRC position on issues related

to the Basic Law and universal suffrage reform

proposals. We hope that more clarification will lead

to a more constructive discussion on this issue.

With clarity in mind, we present the following

suggestion for political reform and universal suffrage

in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

Firstly, the heart of this issue is about “One

Country, Two Systems,” and we should therefore

look at each side of this philosophy in turn.

On the “One Country” side, the PRC government

has expressed that the nomination of chief

executive candidates by universal suffrage is not in

accordance with the Basic Law. This means that the

PRC will not accept a reform proposal that includes

the nomination of chief executive candidates by

universal suffrage.

On the “Two Systems” side of things, many Hong

Kong citizens worry that their choices for the Chief

Executive will be limited, and they will therefore not

be able to select the candidate they want. While

there are many who desire a say in the nomination

of candidates as an integral part of “universal

suffrage”—and indeed, these people are right, as that

is the very meaning of “universal suffrage”—there are

others who desire this outcome for more practical

ends: they would simply like to have a leader who

can address the issues facing the city: such as a

widening rich-poor gap; market distortions that make

aspirations such as home ownership difficult to

achieve; issues of holistic city planning that genuinely

incorporate the public’s point of view; and so on.

Having a leader who is nominated and elected by the

people makes that leader accountable to the people.

Therefore, that leader has a genuine interest in acting

within the interests of the people, which is something

our previous leaders have struggled to demonstrate.

This is the practical, material reason many in Hong

Kong would like universal suffrage, and why they

want public nomination of this position.

But we have to accept the “One Country” side

of things first, which is that there will be no public

nomination of candidates for the Chief Executive

position. This creates a contradiction between what is

desired by many in the general population and what

will be permitted.

We suggest that the solution to this

contradiction is to create a new position

separate from the Chief Executive.

We call this position the “Mayor of Hong Kong.” We

suggest that the powers of the Chief Executive be

split among the Chief Executive and the Mayor of

Hong Kong. In essence, we suggest that all matters

that pertain to “state-like” affairs (affairs that are

typically within the purview of the state-level) such

as monetary policy, immigration policy, foreign

relations, and relations with the PRC government

should be vested in the Chief Executive. Meanwhile,

the Mayor of Hong Kong will hold powers that impact

at the city-level: for example, the mayor would

have authority over city planning; transportation

and infrastructure; health and environmental laws;

education policy; and so on.

In keeping with the essence of the “One Country,

Two Systems” policy, it would be necessary to

establish a hierarchy among these two positions. We

therefore propose that the Chief Executive should

have the right to veto policies and decisions made by

the Mayor of Hong Kong. This should ensure that the

Chief Executive can prevent “un-patriotic” policies

or decisions from being enacted. In other words, the

Mayor of Hong Kong would ultimately be subordinate

to the Chief Executive. In this sense, “One Country”

prevails over “Two Systems,” just as suggested in the

White Paper.

The next key difference will be in the

accountability and selection of the Mayor

of Hong Kong as compared to the process

for selecting and holding accountable the Chief

Executive. The Chief Executive will be selected by

a means acceptable to the PRC government and in

accordance with the Basic Law: as interpretations

of the law have made clear, this precludes public

nomination. We propose, however, that the Mayor of

Hong Kong belong to a political party and be publicly

nominated and then elected by universal suffrage.

In this scenario, we can satisfy the aim of the

“One Country”—to ensure that the candidates for

the Chief Executive position, who holds ultimate

authority, will be patriotic and will “love China, love

Hong Kong.” It will also satisfy the aim of many

ordinary Hong Kong citizens—the “Two Systems”—

who demand better governance and accountable

leadership: someone who will take the views of

the public into consideration as they run the city.

Obviously, this is a high-level proposal.

It would need to be executed by legal

experts, and the Basic Law may need to be

amended. We think a good starting position would be

to look at the responsibilities of the Chief Secretary

for Administration position and begin by expanding

them to create the Mayor of Hong Kong position.

Many in Hong Kong demand universal suffrage

and public nomination as an inherent right, yet this is

in contradiction with the view expressed in the White

Paper. Therefore, we should look at a compromise.

A compromise whereby Hong Kong citizens can

choose a mayor who will be accountable and address

their concerns on the city level, but who will remain

ultimately subordinate to the “Chief Executive,” who

will be nominated via a process that ensures he or

she is a patriot who loves China.

The essence of a compromise means both parties

don’t get everything they want. But if this proposal

were to become a reality, we think everyone could

reflect on what a remarkable achievement it would

be—for both the People’s Republic of China and her

citizens in Hong Kong.

A Modest Proposal: Creating a Mayor within

One Country, Two SystemsWe submitted the below proposal to the China Liaison Office in Sheung Wan to see if they would consider

creative approaches to the universal suffrage question. We will update you if they respond.


Why the Chief Executive Isn’t A MayorHong Kong’s Chief Executive may have many more executive powers than a mayor, but when it comes to fixing Hong Kong’s problems, the power doesn’t seem to make any difference. The reality is that the job of Chief Executive is broken: whoever gets the job is screwed.

1. No legitimacy. The successful mayors Benjamin Barber describes, including Bloomberg and Johnson, are democratically elected. Boris Johnson won his most recent election with more than a million votes, and his popular mandate justifies the relatively weaker checks and balances imposed on him: he needs the power to deliver what voters asked for. Our current Chief Executive received only 689 votes, from an already largely pro-Beijing 1,200-member election committee. There’s no popular mandate for his vision.

2. No power. Assume that the Chief Executive has good policies and a bold vision: it’s still a headache to get anything passed in Legco, because the executive and legislative branches just don’t get along. Among all the government’s proposed initiatives, an average of just 55.6 percent of them have been passed every year since 1997. In CY’s first year, more than 40 percent of his proposed bills had to be postponed. And it’s not just the opposition pan-Democrats who get in the way: local policy think tank SynergyNet has found that pro-establishment lawmakers have blocked their fair share of bills. It’s taken the government five years to improve food security, seven years to regulate medical waste and 14 years and counting to give the Labour Tribunal the right to order the reinstatement of domestic helpers if they are judged to have been dismissed unlawfully. “The CY government proposed paternity leave and subsidy for the elderly. Are they bad [ideas]?” asks Brian Fong, Vice-Chairman of SynergyNet and Assistant Professor at the Hong Kong Institute of Education. “The problem is that there’s no party politics—parties in Legco do not get credit for passing laws and hence they have no incentive to do so.”

3. No single master. Mayors are thriving in other cities because the system creates a single, visible and accountable figure to represent the city. But Hong Kong’s Chief Executive owes “dual accountability” to Beijing and to Hong Kong. “This governance culture creates a great amount of political uncertainty, where the public feels they can never truly understand the agenda of any policy initiative—is this for the benefit of Beijing, businessmen or the public?” explains Lam Wai-man, an Assistant Professor at HKU’s Department of Politics and Public Administration. “Normally less sensitive issues such as urban planning can have multiple hidden agendas, and become very much a debate of ideologies.”

4. Entrenched institutional opposition. Over the years, the government has developed in a way that “benefits ‘development’ rights,” says Ng Mee-kam, Associate Director of Chinese University’s Urban Studies Programme. “It’s become entrenched in the legal and administrative framework.” Any work on the societal level to try to change the status quo is going to meet with considerable opposition from big business. Ng believes that a democratically elected leader will have more power and a stronger voice to push bureaucrats, but it will still take institutional reform, as well as a more active community, to change the ways our city is planned.

AIr QUAlItY

The annual average concentration of harmful particulate matter of over 10 micrometres (PM10) in the air.

Source: World Health Organization

23μg/m3 22μg/m3

NyC

45μg/m3HK

LdN

What do the People Say?We put our proposal to the thinkers of Hong Kong.

Ng Mee-kam, Associate Director of the Urban Studies Programme, Chinese University; Associate Director, Institute of Future Cities

“Do you think the central government is dumb? They are vigilant against anyone who can mobilize a lot of people—that’s how the Communist Party rose to power in the first place. Also, will the Chief Executive as suggested in your proposal be so open-minded to have a subordinate elected by the people? He will be seen as very powerless. He would be despised. If the central government would allow this, they might as well allow true universal suffrage for the Chief Executive. I appreciate the creativity, though.”

brian fong, Vice-Chairman of SynergyNet and Assistant Professor at the Hong Kong Institute of Education

“I don’t see how Beijing will approve this. You talk about letting Beijing have direct control over the popularly elected mayor to appease them, but it will not be seen as safe enough for Beijing. We don’t have universal suffrage yet, but Beijing has already implemented similar measures: the Chief Executive is required to report his progress to Beijing yearly, so they can directly instruct him on policy issues and the National People’s Congress Standing Committee can interpret Hong Kong’s law. It’s been done.”

Ada Wong Ying-kay, convener and director of the Good Lab, member of the Consultation Panel of the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority, advocate of sustainable development and cultural development

“I like the idea. It’s good as a daydream. It’s like a cloud far away, with the word “Mayor” on it. But between here and the cloud, what can you do to get there? You need to have a strategy and a plan. It’s also similar to the Urban Council, which had citywide executive powers over cultural activities, venue, arts and culture policy and even housing at one point. It was scrapped because it had too many executive powers. I appreciate that you are thinking about changes at the local level, because not many people talk about reforming district councils in the discussion of constitutional reform. We need to talk about this more. I would suggest introducing district mayors instead. If our districts are planned and used better, we will already be much happier.”

Kitty Ho, Ming Pao columnist

“All Chinese cities have a mayor, but above him is a party official. You can’t equate the mayor to the Mayor of London, because [a Chinese city mayor] is technically a CEO to implement policies. He will be able to do some things, but there are some things he just can’t overcome, such as the established stakeholders from the business sector. But he’ll be able to organize bottom-up improvement schemes at the community level. If there really isn’t universal suffrage for the Chief Executive, being able to hold someone accountable is better than nothing.”

Source: Demographia International Housing Affordability Survey 2014

New York City london Hong Kong

Affordability ranking across 85 major markets (1 being “most affordable”)

71 76 85

Median house price US$405,400 ($3,142,154) £326,000 ($4,301,284) $4,024,000

Median household income US$65,200 ($505,348) £44,800 ($591,289) $270,000

If you spend your entire salary on your mortgage, you’ll pay it off in…

6.2 years 7.2 years 14.9 years

HOUsING

Our New Mayor the Chief Executive

Housing and land policy Liaising with China

Transportation, infrastructure, urban planning

Immigration and monetary policy

Education policy International relations

Health care Cross-border initiatives

sEpArAtION Of pOWErsThis is how we’d divide up the executive powers —

the “state”-like powers go to the un-elected CE, while the elected and accountable Mayor handles all of

the quality-of-life issues that matter.

Cater AidHate pot luck junks where everyone just

brings noodles? Cater your junk in style.

relish KitchenRelish Kitchen offers everything from canapés to full on fine-dine. Dishes include whole beef tenderloin or tea-smoked salmon. Prices range from $300-1,000 per head; minimum order 15 people. Delivery costs $200 to Central Pier 9.

G/f, Hoi sing building, 128 second st., sai Ying pun, 3481-1924, www.relish-kitchen.com.

pomegranate Pomegranate serves up dishes such as scallops with pomegranate gremolata, pork belly with candied apricots and artichoke, and proscuitto and truffle crostini. Prices from $450 per head ($5,000 minimum spend) and a chef will come on board to prep the food.

2580-0663, www.pomegranate.com.hk.

GingersGingers has a range of light buffet choices, from $350 per head for a minimum of 10 guests. Delivery from $350.

2964-9160, www.gingers.com.hk.

Basic BoatsVikings CharterJunks start at $3,000 for weekdays ($4,500 on Sundays). A weekday package gets you a 30-person junk plus 3.5 hours of speedboat, banana boat, water skiing and wakeboarding for around $3,500; drop-off is at 6pm. Pick up from Central, Tsim Sha Tsui or Aberdeen.

2576-8992, www.boatandboating.com.

standard boatStandard Boat has a wide range of junks and cruisers, ranging from $3,000-$6,000. Prices for catering range from $78 to $190 per person, with varying delivery charges. Pick up from Central, Tsim Sha Tsui or Aberdeen.

2570-1792, www.standardboat.hk.

jubilee Jubilee has a large selection of junks, with prices from $3,700 on weekdays. Food packages start at $80 per head, with supplementary drinking packages starting at $68. Pick up from Central or Tsim Sha Tsui.

3555-5533, www.jubilee.hk.

jumbo ChartersJumbo Charters has boats which carry 30-60 people. Prices start at $2,500 for weekdays and $5,000 on weekends. Pick up from Central, Tsim Sha Tsui, Wan Chai or North Point.

2873-0345, [email protected].

laissez faireLaissez Faire prides itself on heading to cleaner, more secluded waters. Whole-day rentals start at $6,000 on weekends. Buffet menus range from $45-$120 per head, or you can bring your own. Pick up from Central and Tsim Sha Tsui.

2770-8066, www.laissezfaire.com.hk.

fully CateredIsland junksIsland Junks is dog- and child-friendly, and there are loads of food and bevvie packages. Prices start at $300 per person, $4,900 minimum weekday spend for a basic charter. Packages include a $640 per head deal with a seafood lunch on Po Toi or Lamma thrown in.

2877-5222, www.islandjunks.com.hk.

jaspas junksJaspas Junks are all about the party. Each one takes up to 40 passengers, and costs $650 per head including food and all the booze you can drink. Junks leave from Causeway Bay or Sai Kung.

2792-6001, www.jaspasjunk.com.

Angus Yacht ClubBoth of Angus Yacht Club’s boats come fully kitted out with built-in water slides. Prices from $8,000 on weekdays, $9,000 on Saturdays and $10,000 on Sundays, including food and booze. Pick up only in Sai Kung.

9090-1660, www.angusyachtclub.com.

Koh thaiAn all-inclusive trip lasts for eight hours and includes food, booze and the boat for $580 per person. Alternatively, boat hire starts at $6,800 with $180 or $140 per person food or drinks packages: it’s easy to book everything online.

6014-8460, www.kohthai.com.hk.

Something SpecialAqua lunaThe red-sailed Aqua Luna may be better known for its harbor tours, but you can also rent it for the day. It holds up to 80 people, and costs $9,000 per hour before 5:30pm or from $10,000 per hour after that. Add a food package ($528-838 per person) and prices drop to $3,800 per hour before 5:30pm or $5,000 per hour afterwards (minimum spend $30,000). Pick up from Tsim Sha Tsui or Central.

2854-1813, www.aqua.com.hk.

MichelangeloDon’t want to scrimp? Book the Michelangelo, a beautiful dark wood 80-footer that takes up to 59 people. One-day charters start at $23,000, while a buffet menu with drinks starts at $500 per person. Pick up from Central, Aberdeen or Hebe Haven.

6621-1691, www.luxuryjunk.com.hk.

Hong Kong YachtingHong Kong Yachting doesn’t just do regular junk hire (which starts at $8,000): it also has a converted Australian crayfishing boat with a huge swimming platform, and a 64-foot round-the-world racing yacht, which starts at $800 for three hours (including drinks).

2526-0151, www.hongkongyachting.com.

saffron CruisesSaffron Cruises has a huge fleet of junks, red-sailed boats, luxury boats and even a three-masted sailing ship. Prices range from

$8,000-60,000, with buffet options starting at $300 per head. Want to bring your own food? There’s a $500 surcharge. Pick up from almost everywhere, but fuel surcharges may apply.

www.saffron-cruises.com.

Everything you need to organize the perfect junk. By Cynthia li and Zoe lai

Junk for Joy

HK Yachting be cray(fishing platform)

Island junks lookin’ all plushGo classy on the Michelangelo

jaspas, comin’ atcha

Aqua luna in a fragrant(ish) harbor


Cut me out and

keep me!

Other vintage covers also available on hk-magazine.com/store

Own a piece of HK Magazine history with a limited edition print of our stunning 1,000th issue cover.

Each print is authenticated by a numbered certificate.

PRINT ONLY HK$450

FRAMED PRINT HK$1,288

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HK House ad_hk1k cover_20140425.indd 2 12/05/2014 7:25 PM


GEt MOrE OUt Of HK | SHOPPING + TRAVEL + DINING | Edited by Katie Kenny

Nice Bum! Where Ya from?Everyone makes a big deal about getting “bikini

ready.” Juice cleanses, carb-cutting and all that

jazz are grand, but let’s not forget about the

most important part of looking good in minimal

clothing: fitness. lucky for us, this city offers up

fun ways to stay active by the bucketload, and

plenty of snazzy threads to wear while doing it.

Who said exercise can’t be sexy?

Oysho gymwear. shop l1-10,

1/f, festival Walk, 80 tat Chee Avenue,

Kowloon tong, 2448-9834.


LOOKBOOKwith Katie Kenny

SHOPPING

Got any advice on new workout trends for little ol’ me? let me know by email at [email protected] or hit me up with pics on twitter @Katie_Kenny or Instagram @katekatiekatharine.

HMVShop 109-110, 1/F, Style House, The Park Lane, 310 Gloucester Rd., Causeway Bay, 2504-3669.

By the time you read this, I could be seriously injured. I’ve been asked by a very pushy

friend to join his dragon boat team, and we’re racing this weekend. “You seem sporty-

ish,” he said. Once upon a time, I was. I’ve decided that—if I’m still alive when this hits the

street—I’m going to get back into shape. Goodbye flabby arms! Sayonara chubster thighs!

Escapade1/F, Yee Hing Building, 19 Leighton Rd., Causeway Bay, 2891-1855.

NikeG/F, Trust Tower, 68 Johnston Rd., Wan Chai, 2520-0771.

Giga sports Shop 124, 1/F, Pacific Place, 88 Queensway, Admiralty, 2918-9088.

Happy feetAfter spending a month in my first pair of summery all-white squarestreet kicks, I knew exactly who to go to for our July giveaway. Swedish designers Alexis Holm and David Ericsson, along with the rest of the team behind the local brand, have donated two pairs of comfy sneakers from their 1000s 2nd edition line, worth $500 each! For a chance to win, tag @HK_Magazine and @squarestreet in a pic of you enjoying summer in the city on Instagram or Twitter. Good luck!

squarestreet, G/f, 15 square st., sheung Wan, 2362-1086, www.squarestreet.se

GIvEAWAY

lookbook

loves!

Sports headphones, $1,199, SOUL @ HMV

Gloves, $290, Gilbert @ Escapade

“Free Run+ 2” sneakers, $899, Nike

Men’s singlet, $410,2XU

@ Giga SportsArm band, $228,

Tune Belt @ Escapade

Belt with water bottle and pocket, $290, Ultra Aspire

@ Escapade

HK MAGAZINE FRIDAY, JULY 4, 2014 23

Bowers & Wilkins 805 Maserati EditionTo celebrate the partnership between Bowers & Wilkins and Maserati we are proud to announce the launch of an exciting new loudspeaker that combines the unbeatable audio performance of Bowers & Wilkins, coupled with the understated opulence of Maserati. The 805 Maserati Edition provides a twist on the highly-regarded 805 Diamond, by incorporating elements of the luxurious interior of a Maserati car.

2869 9916 (Central Showroom)

3472 9388 (TsimShaTsui Showroom)

“Movie x Spending” Special Offers @ CyberportThe Arcade, Cyberport is running “Movie x Spending” Special Offers from now till 30 September 2014. Enjoy HK$10 movie ticket discount at Broadway Cyberport by showing your same-day receipt from any of The Arcade’s shops. You can also receive an array of dining and shopping offers at participating shops by presenting same-day Broadway Cyberport ticket. For details please visit Cyberport homepage: http://www.cyberport.hk/en/arcade/events_promotions/1827

The Arcade, Cyberport, 100 Cyberport Road,

Hong Kong, 3166 3111

Now Open - Ovolo Southside Hotel!Be the fi rst to stay in Hong Kong’s maiden warehouse conversion hotel in the south island cultural district. Guestrooms feature raw, art-industrial interiors and panoramic views. In-hotel venues include full-service restaurant, lounge, rooftop bar and dynamic event and meeting rooms. Special opening rates start from $1,111/night and include free daily breakfast, free minibar, free Wi-Fi, free happy hour drinks and more.

Ovolo Southside Hotel, 64 Wong Chuk Hang Road,

Southside 2165 1000

“A Touch of Five Senses” Room PackageIn celebration of our 12th Anniversary, Harbour Plaza Metropolis breaks through the traditional hotel services frame, and excitingly present an unrivalled “A Touch of Five Senses” Room Package. Incorporating Five Sensory inputs, including Sight, Smell, Touch, Taste and Hearing provided by Philips Lighting, THANN, OTO, hotel’s Executive Chef and Media Asia respectively, you will be truly amazed by the interactivity and enjoyment provided by the nine designated themed rooms, bringing you a brand-new vacation experience you have long cherished for.

Tel: (852) 3160 6822, Fax: (852) 3160 6926

Email: [email protected]

nood food SoHo Now OpenDrop by the newest health food place to hit SoHo, serving wholesome, delicious food all day, breakfast lunch or dinner. nood food features a raw and cold salad bar, hot meals, made-to-order smoothies, organic cold-pressed juices and cleanses you can grab and go without pre-ordering. nood’s selection is vegan-friendly and Paleo-friendly, made fresh daily from the best handpicked ingredients.

2/f Kinwick Centre, 32 Hollywood Road, Central,

Hong Kong, 8199 8189, www.allnood.com

Epic x Grips Exclusive Athletic ShortsEngineered for performance, these innovative multi-functional athletic shorts offer a perfect balance between form and function. Its modern design features superior durability by combining the front and back fl exible panels with a Safe Lock™ system. Moisture repellant, breathable and quick to dry, this is a piece you won’t want missing from your active wear wardrobe. Visit us at our fl agship studio in Central to view the rest of our athletic line.

1/F, China Building, 29 Queen’s Road Central,

Tel: 2525-2833

K11 Art Foundation Pop-up Space, G/F, Cosco Tower,

Sheung Wan, www.K11artfoundation.org

Space Painting by Zhang Enli Space Painting by Zhang Enli, curated by Adrian Cheng, is the artist’s fi rst solo exhibition in Hong Kong. The exhibition showcases Zhang’s recent works exploring spatial creativity, as well as a unique installation refl ecting the artist’s emotional response to the Hong Kong cityscape. Duration: Now – 13 July 2014 (11am – 7pm Monday through Sunday, except Public Holidays) Entry Cost: Free Admissions

BMW i. Electrifying Hong Kong. The BMW i Showroom is now open, featuring the all-new BMW i8 & BMW i3. The BMW i8 is the fi rst plug-in hybrid vehicle from the BMW Group. Ready to revolutionise its class, it’s the world’s most forward-looking sports car. Redefi ning urban mobility is the all-electric BMW i3, an uncompromisingly sustainable vehicle designed for urban driving. Visit the BMW i Showroom now and experience the future of premium mobility.

G/F, Dah Sing Financial Centre, 108 Gloucester

Road, Wanchai 3129 9010, www.bmw-i.com.hk

Sponsored FeaturePERKS

PERKS2014JUL1.indd 23 30/06/2014 8:19 PM

DINING


live and Let LeafKeep your body beach-ready with

Hong Kong’s finest salads. By Cynthia li

Mana oh Mana“Eat like it matters!” is Mana! fast slow food’s motto. It offers all the efficiency of a fast food shop, and all the nutritional value of organic slow-cooked food. Mix-and-match salad boxes are $65 (small) and $95 (large). Current greens include kale, roasted veggies, French beans, mixed greens and rice ‘n’ quinoa.

92 Wellington st., Central, 2851-1611.

Bloomin’ vegetablesThe chic Central resto bloom has a takeout lunch menu offering more choices for the health-conscious, available every weekday. Try the pan-seared salmon salad with yuzu dressing ($148), or the quinoa salad with grilled vegetables, corn, toasted almonds and citrus dressing ($98)—both are refreshing for an alfresco lunch.

5/f, lKf tower, 33 Wyndham st., Central, 2810-6166.

Beautifood Tonight“Demon Chef “ Alvin Leung’s beautifood is all about fresh Asian takes on healthy food. Salted preserved lemon may be good for a sore throat, but it also makes for a great salad dressing: check out the salted lemon and seared salmon salad ($50). Stranded at your desk? You can get delivery via www.koziness.com, 2545-6777. $100 minimum spend plus 11 percent of your total.

G/f, j senses, 60 johnston rd., Wan Chai, 2860-0012.

Spin to WinVeggie spinner is a small local vegetarian cafe in the quiet foodie neighborhood of Tai Hang. Placing an emphasis on freshness, salad choices change daily depending on what’s new, crisp and delicious. A salad platter is $48 and allows you to mix-and-match from the salads of the day. The Irish moss (it’s a kind of seaweed) and cucumber salad is a popular choice.

144 tung lo Wan rd., tai Hang, 2802-6126.

Lab freshIpC foodlab uses veggies from local organic farms and home-grown herbs, all overseen by Michelin-starred chef Jeremy Biasiol. The takeaway corner at the Caine Road store offers eight salads including a Cobb salad ($68) and a beetroot salad ($58) with oven-cooked shallot, basil, green apple and pine nuts.

38A Caine rd., Central, 2810-6083, www.ipcfoodlab.com.

Grassroots voteWith its large wooden tables and cozy lighting, all-veggie Grassroots pantry is a perfect venue for a Sunday brunch with friends. The menu changes regularly depending on what’s fresh. On the newly launched summer menu is a curly kale Caesar salad with microgreens, shiitake bacon, cashew-pine nut pecorino and almond croutons ($90).

12 fuk sau lane, sai Ying pun, 2873-3353.

Salad Dazejenny’s salad is a new takeout salad bar in Sheung Wan that’s ideal for office workers looking for a quick, healthy lunch fix. The Thai Bonanza ($68) with shrimp, corn, peanuts and Jenny’s Salad’s signature Thai-style dressing is a refreshing choice for a hot summer day. Free delivery in Sheung Wan with a minimum spend of $350, so get some health-conscious colleagues together to make it worth their while.

78 Wing lok st., sheung Wan, 2426-4266.

Eat NakedNaked Gurume Gyarari literally translates to “gourmet gallery.” The resto/gallery from Locofama’s Justin Chang is all about modern Japanese cuisine with organic ingredients. Salad choices include a goji sesame quinoa salad ($88), and Hotate (scallops) with “crystalline ice” leaves ($168).

1/f, 28 Elgin st., Central, 2363-7299.

Enough of this Salad Nonsense!Our ancestors didn’t fight all the way up the food chain just to be herbivores. Forget about getting in shape for summer with a 24-inch Chocolate Pizza ($260) from paisano’s. Ingredients: banana, pineapple and marshmallow, slathered in chocolate sauce. That’s basically a salad, right?

Various locations including 23 Hollywood rd., Central, 2544-4445.

boom ,bloomMana from heavenColor blocking at Mana

Healthy and tasty at Grassroots pantry

“European meat – tradition, quality and

taste”, is a promotional and information

program, the aim of which is to provide

potential consumers with knowledge about

European high-quality pork, beef and poultry

meat and their high quality products.

You will have the opportunity to discover

the merits of those meats read during

the FOOD EXPO trade fair in Hong-Kong,

which will be held from August 14th to Au-

gust 18th 2014. And so, please accept our

invitation to the culinary shows and tast-

ings of the dishes prepared with high-quality

European meat.

During the trade fair, famous European chefs will

be cooking numerous dishes with outstanding

taste qualities, using high quality poultry, pork

and beef meat, all of which are covered by the

promotional activities of the program. During the

culinary presentations, you will have the chance

to witness how the European meat allows you

to prepare delicious European cuisine dishes,

as well as dishes from cuisines of the entire

world. The stand promoting European meat will

offer the consumers the possibility to enjoy the

superior flavor merits of the presented meats

and their products.

Tradition, quality and delicious taste of

European meat is a series of efforts of

generations of breeders and meat producers,

who have long enjoyed the support of science

and cutting-edge technologies. Currently, the

European Union is one of the largest meat

producers in the world. According to current

estimates, the worldwide production of pork

at the end of 2013 was approximately108

million tonnes, and was higher than in 2012

by about 2%. On the other hand, the worldwide

production of beef has increased slightly and

amounted to 57.5 million tonnes. The short-

term forecast released in the fall of 2013

the European Commission predicted that in

2014 the production of pork in the EU-28 for

2013 will increase slightly over 2013, and will

reach 22 360 thousand tonnes. The same

document asserts that production of beef

in the EU-28 will be 7 657 thousand tonnes

and will be about 1% greater than in 2013.

(Institute of Agricultural and Food Economics

“Meat market, status and prospects” October

2013). The figures concerning the poultry

market are also promising. According to a

Food Outlook 2013 report, the global poultry

production in 2013 estimate by the FAO (Food

and Agriculture Organization of the United

Nations) will increase compared to the year

2012 by 1.4% and will reach 308.2 million

tonnes. (http://www.thepoultrysite.com/

articles/2871/fao-food-outlook-june-2013-

poultry-meat).

T he European slaughterhouses only ac-

cept animals that are reared in cattle

and pig farms, and in poultry farms which

are subject to permanent and thorough ve-

terinary care. The farms and farm facilities

where the animals are reared meet all of the

stringent requirements regarding animal

welfare. The production carried out in these

places is always compliant with the policies

of environmental protection.

The European slaughterhouses and processing

plants hold international certificates of

quality of production and management. They

all satisfy the technical as well as hygienic

requirements, as well as very high standards

and regulations, necessary for the export

activities to the third countries’ markets. All

operators producing food in the EU apply the

production control method of Hazard Analysis

at Critical Control Points (HACCP). The meat-

exporting plants are equipped with adequate

cooling and freezing facilities. Safety first

– is the motto making all production of food

of animal origin subject to the supervision of

full traceability. In addition, many states of

the European Union have decided to develop

their own programs ensuring the quality of the

meat and its products. European beef, pork

and poultry – frozen and fresh meat is always

perfect in taste, and safe for consumers.

The success of the European meat is

built on very solid pillars: experience of

producers and processors, modern techni-

ques and technologies of production, and the

documents governing this type of economic

activity – the Decrees of the European Par-

liament and the Council, initiated by directive

178/2002 (the so-called General Food Law).

The main authority of the EU taking care

about food safety and ensuring high level of

consumer protection is the EFSA (European

Food Safety Authority). In all member states,

the various stages of food production are be-

ing monitored through the ISO standards and

the principles of the following policies: Good

Manufacturing Practice (GMP), Good Hygie-

ne Practice (GHP), Good Laboratory Practice

(GLP) and Good Agricultural Practice (GAP).

You will soon be able to discover even more

about the quality of the European meat and

its comprehensive range of products and

varieties. Between August 14th and 18th,

at the FOOD EXPO in HONG KONG, you are

welcome to visit our stand where we will be

presenting the program “European Meat

– tradition, quality and taste.”

www.eu-meat.eu

Sponsored Feature

NEW AND NOTEDwith Adele Wong

DINING


Genie juicery

Elephant Grounds

Pancake WarsTwins Josh and Caleb Ng, who own hipster cafe Common Ground up on Shing Wong Street, are now onto their second venture, stack (G/F, 1 Third St., Sai Ying Pun, 2549-9787), an American pancake house in a funky, retro Hong Kong outfit. Josh says there will be two kinds of pancakes on offer: buckwheat and ricotta cheese. But that’s only the beginning. The pancakes will be topped with things you don’t expect pancakes to be topped with: pulled pork, short ribs, seafood… “It’s a very new concept,” he told me on WhatsApp. I believe him!

Then, there are the guys from Fleur de Sel turning up the heat on Hillier with takeout joint Grain de sel (G/F, Manhattan Avenue, 255 Queen’s Rd. Central, 3904-2929), right beside popular La Rotisserie. GDS sells crepes and galettes (that’s a savory buckwheat crepe) made-to-order, and you can choose from classic fillings like ham and Emmental cheese or more adventurous options such as duck confit, minced beef and smoked salmon.

Spilling the BeansConcept store WOAW now has a coffee shop inside called Elephant Grounds (G/F, 11 Gough St., Sheung Wan, 2253-1313), serving brews from Africa, Indonesia, Latin America and other parts of the world. Which sounds lovely, but because we have plenty of cool

coffeehouses to choose from in this part of town, I’m actually more excited about the thick, large American-style “Homie” cookies EG stocks: there are s’more, chocolate chip and green tea varieties available.

Nearby is the Mixing bowl (G/F, 5 Shin Hing St., Sheung Wan, 5333-7175), a more comprehensive cafe-slash-deli that offers simple sandwiches and pastries as well as coffee and tea-based drinks. You can also browse their shelves for an eclectic mix of retail products like chocolates made in Vietnam, or all-natural soymilk from Japan.

A fresh faced Affair Genie Concepts is now Genie juicery (Shop 2096, IFC Mall, 8 Finance St., Central, www.geniejuicery.com), a more upscale take on the fresh, raw, cold-pressed juice bar that used to be just down the street from our Sheung Wan office. Owned by model Cara G and business buddy Melanie White, GJ offers a creative product line using delicious combinations of fruits, nuts and vegetables. Sounds ridiculously healthy.

Email me at [email protected] or follow me on twitter: @adelewong_hk.

Hong Kong Sinfonietta is financially supported bythe Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region

Hong Kong Sinfonietta is the Venue Partner of the Hong Kong City Hall

Tickets at URBTIX2111 5999 | www.URBTIX.hkProgramme Enquiries: 2836 3336For ages 6+Hong Kong Sinfonietta reserves the right to change the programme and artists

In collaboration with

Programme

Mendelssohn Three Psalms, Op 78Mendelssohn Hör Mein Bitten

(Hear My Prayer)Mozart Requiem, K626

Conductor

Rolf Beck• Founder & Artistic Director,

Bamberg Symphony Orchestra Choir

• Founder & Artistic Director, Schleswig-Holstein Music Festival Choir Academy

• Director, Schleswig-Holstein Music Festival (1999-2013)

26.7.2014(Sat) 8pm

HK City Hall Concert Hall$340 $240 $140

Chorus MastersPatrick ChiuFelix ShuenChorusSingFest 2014 Youth Chorus

BassApollo Wong

TenorAlex TamMezzosoprano

Carol Lin

SopranoYuki Ip

© T

OPAZ

LEU

NG

“Charismatic conducting.”Memminger Zeitung

“Breathtaking… magnificent performance.”

Kieler Nachtrichten

“Fresh, vigorous and rock-solid,they [SingFest 2013 Youth Chorus]

did their chorus masters Patrick Chiuand Felix Shuen proud”South China Morning Post

SingFest 2014 is supported by


ratings★ Don’t go ★★ Disappointing ★★★ We’ll be back ★★★★ We’ll be back—with friends ★★★★★ You MUST go

price Guide$ Less than $200 $$ $200-$399 $$$ $400-$599 $$$$ $600-$799 $$$$$ $800 and up

Our policyReviews are based on actual visits to the establishments listed by our super-sneaky team of hungry reviewers, without the knowledge of the restaurants. Reviews are included at the discretion of the editors and are not paid for by the restaurants. Menus, opening hours and prices change and should be checked. New restaurants are not reviewed within one month of their opening. Reviews are written from a typical diner’s perspective. Ratings are awarded in accordance with the type of restaurant reviewed, so the city’s best wonton noodle stall could earn five stars while a fancy French restaurant could be a one-star disaster.

RESTAuRANT REVIEWSBÊP vietnamese Kitchen ★★★★★Vietnamese. lG/f, 9-11 staunton st.,

Central, 2522-7533.

Hongkongers love Vietnamese food. So why is it that one of the most popular Asian cuisines in this city is always overpriced or under-par? Enter BÊP— a comfortable, no-fuss SoHo restaurant from the team behind popular Vietnamese restaurant Nha Trang—offering up an open kitchen, good service and excellent food.

HIT The two clear standouts of the meal—and with eight of us ordering, we were able to sample a good portion of the menu—were the roasted suckling pig ($198) which had juicy and tender meat underneath a thick crackling skin; and

the fresh, simple and extremely flavorful soft shell crab rolls ($78). Other favorites included the chicken and beef skewers ($70-88) and the conversation-stopping pandan sticky rice dessert ($48). Definitely leave room for that bad boy.

MISS It was hard to pick out a bad dish. The garlic chicken wings ($58) got lost in the mix since there was nothing new with BEP’s version, but that’s about it.

BoTToM LINe BÊP delivers the fresh, crisp flavors we’re craving. This is our new favorite Vietnamese joint in town.Open daily noon-11pm. $$

Price per person, including one drink, appetizer, main course and dessert. Prices do not include bottles of wine unless stated.

Corner Kitchen Café ★★★★★Café. G/f, 226 Hollywood rd.,

sheung Wan, 2803-2822.

Taking over Heirloom’s old digs in Sheung Wan, Corner Kitchen Café has the same shabby-chic interiors—but it has revamped the menu, with more salads, wraps, cakes and pastries. It’s also more casual: you order at the counter and pay up-front.

HIT The Asian chopped salad ($95) had big chunks of chicken and a spicy dressing that added a nice kick. The traditional English breakfast ($105) came with the works: it’s sure to be a popular hangover cure. Daily soup ($42)—chicken and veg in our case—hit the spot. No complaints about the crispy sweet potato fries ($44),

and thumbs up for the self-serve water station.

MISS The dishes were all well-portioned, with the exception of the chicken soup—which came in a teeny, tiny tea cup. Plus, charging almost $100 for a salad seems a little steep. Our only other complaint is the bacon: the streaky bits were almost impossible to chew.

BoTToM LINe Good for a quick bite or a long, lingering lunch date, this resto is worth hitting up. We only wish the dishes weren’t quite so pricy.

Open Mon, Wed-fri 10am-10pm; sat-sun 9:30am-6pm. $$

Mama San★★★★★balinese. 1/f, 46 Wyndham st.,

Central, 2881-8901.

Aussie chef Will Meyrick’s popular and uber-trendy Mama San comes from Bali to Central. Not as roomy and high-ceilinged as the mothership, Mama San HK still remains faithful to the original decor, complete with MS Bali’s signature wall mural.

HIT Service was generally fantastic. Cocktails were strong and refreshing. The deep-fried prawns (complete with heads and shells) and the uniformly golden, crispy-skinned suckling pig stood out with feisty flavors. The accompanying sambal sauces were another plus. Mains were served with heaps of greens on the side—a nice, healthy touch.

MISS Grilled chicken came out on the dry side, although the skin was nicely seasoned and perfectly charred. The two-person tables were too small for the large dishes, and we had to play Tetris to make it all fit. Dessert was a complete disaster: our cookies ‘n’ cream was cloyingly artificial, with dry chocolate-flavored cookie pieces in a jar of strawberry-jam-topped cream.

BoTToM LINe Mama San in Bali is still a notch above its Hong Kong cousin. But there’s a lot to like here, from the friendly staff to the delightful mains. Open daily noon-3pm, 6-11pm. $$$

TERMS AND CONDITIONS APPLY

Passion for Splashin’The Hard Rock Hotel Macau’s infamous splash

pool parties are back. It’s one winning formula:

swimsuits, sunshine and plenty of alcohol.

On July 5, EDM DJ duo Tritonal and lA-based

Paris Blohm are on the decks. Bring your best

sexy cut-out swimsuit and your game face.

jul 5, Aug 2, 4pm-midnight.

Hard rock Hotel Macau, City of dreams,

Estrada do Istmo, Cotai, Macau,

(+853) 8868-3338. $450 from

www.cityofdreamsmacau.com/splash.


CulTuRE + NIGHTlIFE + FIlM


Arts theater & Artsurbtix (credit cards) 2111-5999urbtix (enquiries) 2734-9009HK Ticketing 3128-8288HK Arts Centre 2582-0200Fringe Club 2521-7251HK Cultural Centre 2734-2009

Need to KnowHK City Hall 2921-2840HK Academy for Performing Arts 2584-8500Kwai Tsing Theatre 2408-0128lCSD Music Programme Office 2268-7321lCSD Dance/Multi-Arts Office 2268-7323lCSD Theatre Office 2268-7323

stage

ComedytakeOut Comedy presents: tony WoodsA comedy veteran who appeared on the “Bad Boys of Comedy” with P. Diddy, Woods has a strong following in the US and Europe. He’s making his Hong Kong debut this July at TakeOut Comedy. Sit tight for his laid-back attitude and smooth delivery: you won’t be disappointed. Jul 3, 8pm. Champs Bar, 209-219 Wan Chai Rd.; Jul 4-5, 9pm. TakeOut Comedy, B/F, 34 Elgin St., Central, 6220-4436. $250 from www.takeoutcomedy.com.

Improv at takeOut ComedyTakeOut Comedy hosts People’s Liberation Improv’s monthly show, with regulars Pete Grella, Chris Carmon, Kay Ross and Sean Coleman. Performers present games in the style of “Whose Line Is It Anyway?”, where everything’s made up on the spot, based on audience suggestions. Reserve tickets on the website and as always, BYOB. Jul 11, 9pm. TakeOut Comedy, B/F, 34 Elgin St., Central, 6220-4436. $150 from www.takeoutcomedy.com.

Operabeijing bohèmePop-up Productions brings an English adaptation of Puccini’s “La Bohème” to the kooky and glamorous House of Siren stage. The original opera was about a group of bohemians living in the Latin Quarter of Paris, but in this revamp, director Natalya Zeman brings the action to contemporary China. The story is about four arts graduates knocking around Beijing and finding love, lust, death, and no job offers at all. Sep 16-20, 8pm. $195-495 from beijingboheme.ticketflap.com.

Classical

Colin Carr and Mary Wu recitalTwo famous virtuosi come together for this cello-piano duo concert: talented and acclaimed Hong Kong pianist Mary Wu; and British cellist Colin Carr, a true maestro who has played with a multitude of international orchestras in Europe. Hear them play pieces by Bach, Beethoven, Debussy and Brahms at this recital. Jul 7, 8pm. Concert Hall, City Hall, 5 Edinburgh Place, Central. $150-300 from www.urbtix.hk.

the Harvard din & tonicsMeet the classy gents of the Harvard University Din & Tonics—who’ll be making a stop in Hong Kong as part of their 15-country tour this summer. The all-male a capella group will bring their well-dressed charm, foot-tapping jazz, comical antics and, presumably, their signature lime green socks to the fray. Jul 18, 19, 10:30pm. Fringe Club, 2 Lower Albert Rd., Central, 2525-1032. $100-120 from www.hkticketing.com.

john thompson Guqin recitalEver been curious about the the guqin, but don’t speak a word of Chinese? The American guqin player John Thompson is holding three recitals with sharing sessions after each performance to explain more about the delicate instrument. Trained in piano and violin, Thompson later became an ethnomusicologist, specializing in the ancient music of this Chinese zither. Jul 5, 7:30pm; Aug 2, 7:30pm; Sep 6, 7:30pm. City Hall, 5 Edinburgh Place, Central, 2921-2838. $120 from www.urbtix.hk.

Dance

National folk dance Ensemble of Croatia (lAdO)Kicking off the month-long International Arts Carnival in Hong Kong is a colorful performance by the National Folk Dance Ensemble of Croatia. Also known as LADO, the group of 50-plus dancers and musicians will be performing traditional song and dance in vibrant folk costumes, and their team of virtuosos will play national instruments that none of us can pronounce, let alone play. No one knows how to dance in a circle better than the Croats. Except maybe girls in LKF. Jul 11-12, 7:30pm; Jul 12-13, 3pm. Grand Theatre, Cultural Centre, 10 Salisbury Rd., Tsim Sha Tsui. $160-380 from www.urbtix.hk.

TheaterAttempts On Her lifeOne of two exciting mainstage plays by the HK Rep is British playwright Martin Crimp’s “Attempts on Her Life,” which has been translated into more than 20 languages across the world. Lauded for its masterful tension-laden storytelling, “Attempts on Her Life” is 17 fragmented stories about a mysterious character, Anne. It’ll be performed in Cantonese, with Chinese and English surtitles. Jul 10-12, 15-19, 7:45pm; Jul 12-13, 19-20, 2:45pm. Theatre, City Hall, 5 Edinburgh Place, Central. $140-280 from www.urbtix.hk.

timber!Part of the International Arts Carnival, “Timber!” is an acrobatic lumberjack showcase from the Canadian Cirque Alfonse. Yes, you read that right. Gear up to see burly, bearded men tossing axes, wooden stumps, and each other all over the place. Founded by a Québécois family, you’ll also hear a live band sing traditional folk songs while the circus troupe somersaults over log saws. Front row seats, please! Note that the final show on August 10 is at the Yuen Long Theatre. Aug 7-8, 7:30pm; Aug 10, 3pm, 7:30pm. Auditorium, Sha Tin Town Hall, 1 Yuen Wo Rd., Sha Tin. $120-300 from www.urbtix.hk.

Warwick ross is the co-director of “Red Obsession,” a documentary about the skyrocketing prices of Bordeaux wine with the emergence of Chinese billionaires. After showing at Le French May earlier this year, the film hits cinemas on July 17. He tells Evelyn Lok about his sneaky film education, the making of the documentary, and his fascination with Russell Crowe.

HK Magazine: How did you get your start in film? Warwick ross: When I wanted to learn about film I went straight to USC [University of Southern California]. I never enrolled, I just kind of barged in and started taking notes. It was the brand new year, and I just walked in with all the other students. No one noticed for a week. But then the classes began to get smaller. The directing class only had

about 12 people. The professor turns to me and says, “Are you enrolled in this course?” I explained who I was. I said, “I want to learn about movies.” A few days later, he grabbed me in the corridor as I was going between classes. He said, “I hear you’re sitting in on all the different classes. I’ve discussed it with people and we’d like to invite you to stay for the year and learn as much as you can.” I never paid anything, and he gave me a wonderful reference letter at the end of that, saying how I showed spark and ambition.

HK: Why make a movie about wine and China? Wr: I am a winemaker as well; I also have a winery and vineyard. [But the idea for the film came when] three years ago, I recognized Andrew Caillard, a Master of Wine, on a plane. We started talking. He said, “You’re a winemaker, and a filmmaker. Why haven’t you made a film about wine?” He began telling me about these price rises in Bordeaux in the last three or four years, and the impact of Chinese billionaires pushing the market. This new vintage coming up [that year] was also meant to be the greatest vintage to come in possibly 100 years, and there are only so many bottles. It began to feel like a perfect storm.

HK: What is it about bordeaux that’s so alluring to China?Wr: If you’ve never had wine before, this is your introduction: Bordeaux is the romance, it’s the prestige, the glamor, the history, all of those things wrapped up into one place. It’s also very much a status symbol; if you present a bottle of Chateau Lafite Rothschild worth a thousand US dollars, who cares what it tastes like? It’s the act of giving it. But that’s changing very rapidly. Chinese wine drinkers have shifted from Bordeaux to Burgundy, Burgundy to Italy. Now they’re discovering Spain and Napa Valley. And that’s happened in two years. They’re catching up at such an amazing rate:

they’ve only had 15 years of wine appreciation, and the West has had 500-600 years.

HK: What’s the biggest difficulty about shooting a film like this? Wr: As you film a documentary, events keep happening. Twelve months after we started filming, the [Bordeaux market] crash happened. Every time something dramatic would happen, I’d get on an airplane with a camera. That’s why I was in Bordeaux so many times. Budgeting was a disaster! This film was self-financed to a certain point. My filming colleague had worked at a Macquarie Group bank: he went out and raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for me within two and a half weeks. If he hadn’t done that, it wouldn’t be the film that we have now. That allowed us to finish, and also allowed us to approach Russell Crowe.

HK: How did you manage to get russell Crowe to do the narration?Wr: I was originally doing the narration, but I was never happy with it. I wanted the voice of “Gladiator.” After showing him the film, he said “I’ll do it, but I can’t tell you when, because I’m so busy.” He was doing four films at once: We

were down to 24 hours before the deadline. He was filming “Noah,” and Hurricane Sandy had just hit Manhattan so they had to rebuild the set and he had some time. He said he was doing “Les Misérables” in the studio until midnight, and would do my narration after. He started work at 1am, and finished at 3am, and it was perfect. His reputation is that he can be quite difficult, but he really is the consummate professional.

HK: What do you hope viewers can take away from the film?Wr: When people go into this film they’re expecting a wine film. And I’m hoping they are surprised by what they see. The film I’ve ended up making is really about the shifting of economic power from the West to the East. It’s really about the rising power of China, through the prism of Bordeaux. Wine has the ability to draw people around the table, but also has the ability to draw cultures together. Throughout this film, I kept getting reminded by Chinese people and by Bordeaux people, that wine is a conduit. It becomes a common language. “red Obsession,” screens at broadway Cinematheque from jul 17.

A Chinese billionaire in his Us$60m wine cellar

Edited by Evelyn [email protected]

uPCLOSE Warwick Ross


ArtsExhibitions

leandro Erlich: bâtimentArgentinian artist Leandro Erlich is known worldwide for his “Bâtiment”—the facades of old buildings you can scramble over, defying gravity itself. Or so it seems: It’s a trick of the eye courtesy of a huge angled mirror, allowing you to take Spidey selfies without ever leaving the ground. Erlich joins Hong Kong artists Meta4 Design Forum and Kingsley Ng for this Reflection! exhibition; check out their optical illusion art all around the Oi! gallery. Closed Mondays 10am-2pm, except public holidays. Through Jul 8. Oi!, 12 Oil St., North Point, 2512-3000.

the Altar of blingIn their search for the meaning of luxury, the art collective/gallery Island6 puts on a new exhibition, aptly named to celebrate all things shiny and decadent. With their ongoing aims of combining traditional Chinese craftsmanship with modern-day technology, expect more video art and light installations of flashy dancers with multicolored wigs or bling cars sporting blingier women. Don’t even THINK about showing up if you’re not wearing your grills. Through Jul 12. Island6 Hong Kong, 1 New St., Sheung Wan, 2517-7566.

Zhang Enli: space paintingCatch this pop-up exhibition at the K11 Art Foundation’s temporary exhibition space in Sheung Wan while it lasts. It’s the first solo exhibition of Zhang Enli’s work in Hong Kong, curated by Adrian Cheng, chairman of the Art Foundation. Zhang focuses on an intimate and unconventional look at everyday objects in his paintings: No kitschy political pop art here. His installation at the pop-up space features a huge fort built from cardboard boxes, painted in his signature, gestural brushwork. Go play! Through Jul 13. K11 Exhibition Pop-Up Space, G/F, Cosco Tower, Grand Millenium Plaza, 183 Queen’s Rd. Central, Sheung Wan.

lam tung-pang: playLam Tung-pang comes back to the theme of “play” in this four-month exhibition. On top of his expertise with traditional Chinese ink landscapes, he uses found objects to investigate the way the adult mind links childhood toys to personal histories and nostalgia. See tiny dioramas, toy cars and blocks joining in on the fun, with distant bamboo forests and mountains as the backdrop. Through Sep 30. Espace Louis Vuitton, Louis Vuitton Mansion, 5 Canton Rd., Tsim Sha Tsui, 8100-1182.

h k - m a g a z i n e . c o m / h k t a b l e t

It’s free!

WIN A PAIR OF TICKETS TO

*Winners will be contacted by email. Prizes not collected one week from the date of the notification email are forfeited. Mutiple entries are welcome. Applicants may re-enter each week using the same registration form. Participants below the age of 18

must seek parental consent to apply. Prizes will be awarded by lucky draw.

*Closing date: July 9, 2014 (noon)

To enter and win, simply register on our website,www.hk-magazine.com/hkfreebiesand answer the question on the page.

It’s a battle for the ages as two-time Chinese Olympic champion Zou Shiming and Cuban favorite Guillermo “El Chacal” Rigondeaux headline world championship boxing fight Champions of Gold, July 19 at the Venetian Macao. Hongkonger Rex Tso and Filipino boxer

Brian Viloria will also throw down in undercard bouts. Thanks to The Venetian Macao, we have three pairs of A Reserve tickets (worth $980 each) plus roundtrip ferry

vouchers up for grabs. For a chance to win, just tell us what Rex Tso’s moniker is. Contest ends at noon on July 9. Good luck!

HK Freebies Champions of Gold Jun27 (FP).indd 1 30/06/2014 7:47 PM


NIGHtlIfE Edited by Andrea [email protected]

Twitter: @andreas_lo

Open Bar The Envoy

blackbart turns threeEvents organizer Blackbart is celebrating its third anniversary with this party. Expect remixes of songs from the likes of Radiohead, M83, Two Door Cinema Club and more. Jul 11, 11pm. Club 18, G/F, 18 Lyndhurst Terrace, Central, 2796-8830. $100 at the door.

Ministry of sound with patrick HagenaarDutch DJ Patrick Hagenaar will be playing at Ministry of Sound at Volar. Why are there so many Dutch house DJs? Is spinning house beats a rite of passage in Holland? Jul 18, 11pm. Volar, B/F, 38-44 D’Aguilar St., Central, 2810-1510. $300 before 12:30am; $350 thereafter, both include two drinks.

patrick OliverFinally—a DJ with a normal name! Yes, Play’s resident DJ Patrick Oliver is spinning again. He’s bringing his house beats to the club. Da club? One of the clubs, anyway. Jul 18, 11pm. Play, 1/F, On Hing Building, 1 On Hing Terrace, Central, 2525-1318. $200 for ladies and $300 for gents at the door.

Mat ZoThe 22-year-old DJ Mat Zo is a London-based DJ-producer. Despite being so young, he already has an EP, “Bipolar,” under his belt—and his tunes have been given the nod by industry heavyweights such as Steve Aoki and A-Trak, who have incorporated Mat Zo’s songs into their sets. DJs showing each other love: awww. Jul 31, 11pm. Play, 1/F, On Hing Building, 1 On Hing Terrace, Central, 2525-1318. $200 at the door, including a drink.

Gigsbritrock 3Enjoy a night of British pride at this gig, where original rock ‘n’ roll tunes inspired by Brits throughout the years will be showcased. Performing bands include The Sleeves, Operator, Bank Job and Twelve.Eight. Jul 12, 9:30pm. Hong Kong Brew House, G/F & Basement, 21 D’Aguilar St., Central, 2522-5559. $100 from www.ticketflap.com.

VaderDeath metal band Vader started out way back in 1983, on the eve of the birth of the genre. Band members have come and gone over the years, but one of the founding fathers of Vader, vocalist and guitarist Piotr Wiwczarek, remains. And yes—he is your father. Sigh. Jul 13, 8pm. Hidden Agenda, Unit 2A, Wing Fu Industrial Building, 15-17 Tai Yip St., Ngau Tau Kok, 9170-6073. $240 from www.ticketflap.com.

russian CirclesUS rock and post-metal three-piece Russian Circles hits up Hidden Agenda. Known for its instrumental tunes, the band adds layers to its sound with effects units and tape loops. Sounds… complicated. Jul 22, 8pm. Hidden Agenda, Unit 2A, Wing Fu Industrial Building, 15-17 Tai Yip St., Ngau Tau Kok, 9170-6073. Price TBA.

slowdiveUK shoegaze pioneers Slowdive are back after a 20-year break, and are set to perform in Hong Kong as one of their four worldwide headline shows. The five-piece was formed in 1989, and they spearheaded the fuzzy, hazy shoegaze genre. They disbanded in 1995, but the band reformed to play their first live gig in late May. Book now, because these tickets won’t hang around for long. Jul 28, 8pm. Rotunda 3, KITEC, 1 Trademart Drive, Kowloon Bay. $595 from www.cityline.com; $640 at the door.

the Underground presents summer serenadeSummer Serenade is a brand new indie gig brought to you by The Underground. The appropriately named indie folk band Summer Romance will kick things off with their bittersweet lyrics about life, love and Hong Kong. Also performing are jazz-funk band Tri-deuces, Britrock five-piece Fantastic Day, and Britrock group FAD (pictured). Aug 9, 10pm. Backstage Live, 1/F, Somptueux Central, 52-54 Wellington St., Central, 2167-8985. $120 from www.ticketflap.com; $150 at the door.

the AristocratsBeing known as a band is just too mainstream. The Aristocrats is a “heavy progressive rock collaboration” consisting of guitarist Guthrie Govan, bassist Bryan Beller and drummer Marco Minnemann. Apparently, Govan replaced someone who had to drop out of a gig at the music trade event, NAMM, and the other two liked what he did—and so the Aristocrats was born. Yup, nothing beats a boring origin story. Aug 11, 8:15pm. Musiczone, KITEC, 1 Trademart Drive, Kowloon Bay. $380 from www.ticketflap.com.

shane filanWestlife’s Shane Filan has apparently gone solo after the group disbanded in 2012, and he will be touring Hong Kong for the first time. Unmissable. UnMISSABLE. Sep 29, 8pm. AsiaWorld-Expo, Chek Lap Kok. $480-880 from www.hkticketing.com.

Clubsfrancois KOne of house music’s most respected DJs, Francois K made his start way back at Studio 54 in NYC. Jul 5, 10pm. Kee Club, 6/F, 32 Wellington St., Central, 2810-9000. $250 from www.eventbrite.com; $300 at the door.

sol sessionsCatch a lineup of four Hong Kong-based DJs at Ozone: Ed Rollo, Mike Wolf, Soulfunkee, all playing funk and house beats, and Celebrity Pool Boy, bringing indie-electro and nu disco to the decks. Jul 5, 10pm. Ozone, 118/F, The Ritz-Carlton, 1 Austin Rd. West, West Kowloon, 2263-2263. $150 at the door, including a drink.

bastille day Celebration partyFrenchmen and Francophiles, assemble for Bastille Day. Hosted by events organizer French Tuesdays (who else), there will be DJ beats, live entertainment, party favors and a whole load of French people. Zut alors. Jul 11, 7pm. Ozone, 118/F, The Ritz-Carlton, 1 Austin Rd. West, West Kowloon, 2263-2263. $200-350 from www.frenchtuesdays.com.

HK PICKS

No lights No lycraAt this “non-judgmental” dance night, lights are turned down low, so it’s just you and your moves. Go ahead and embarrass yourself—no one’s watching. Jul 9, 7:45-8:45pm. XXX Gallery, B/F, 353-363 Des Voeux Rd. West, Sai Ying Pun. $50 at the door.

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the buzz: Antonio Lai has done it again. The mixologist extraordinaire is one half of the award-winning duo behind the Tastings Group, alongside managing director Charlene Dawes. The group brought us the likes of Quinary, Angel’s Share and Origin, and this time, they have set up shop in boutique hotel Pottinger. The Envoy is a stylish venue in an unbeatable Central location, with a touch of colonial influence. Tea makes a frequent appearance in the cocktails: a tip of the hat to the city’s first governor Sir Henry Pottinger, who had a hand in establishing Hong Kong as a major shipping port for the infusion.

the décor: The Envoy has a theme similar to its sister outlets—it has a distinctly intimate feel, without the stuffiness you might expect of a hotel bar. A long, wooden bar comes complete with low-hanging lights and an extensive stock of liquors and tea leaves. Beyond the bar and the adjoining restaurant, you’ll find the airy terrace, with a buzzing view of Queen’s Road Central below.

the drinks: As Lai himself puts it: “Most bartenders can make a drink—it’s about how we can deliver a beautiful version.” And the signature cocktails at The Envoy really

are beautiful creations, with one-of-a-kind presentations. Kick things off with the refreshing Dewdrops of the Heart, prepared in a Perlini carbonated cocktail shaker with vodka, green tea and jasmine double-strength tea, jasmine flowers, and homemade pandan syrup. Meanwhile, the Birds of a Feather makes for an ideal apéritif: Talisker 10-year-old whisky, blueberry and pomegranate tea syrup, wild blueberry jam, malt essence and lemon juice. It comes in a dainty bird-shaped glass that you’ll want to steal when staffers aren’t looking. Be sure to try the Dinosaur: a pile of Milo powder sits atop an ice ball, with Godiva chocolate liqueur, milk and vodka. The powder is still as addictive as ever: our tastebuds were reunited with an old friend.

Why You’ll be back: Although The Envoy’s drinks don’t come cheap—cocktails hover around the $150 mark—it’s worth coming back on payday. It’s only been open for a couple of weeks, so go now before the terrace gets packed. Andrea lo

3/f, the pottinger Hong

Kong, 74 Queen’s rd.

Central, 2169-3311.


Yalun tu is a columnist for HK Magazine. You can reach him at [email protected] or @yaluntu on twitter.

The Worst Date in the WorldI spend a lot of time thinking about good dates. It’s important to impress girls, and dinners, bike rides and junk trips are important ways to show you care. I spend the same amount of time thinking about bad dates. I’ve been on quite a few (“Hi, I’m Yalun,” “Hi, I’m Cheryl and I’m married but my husband doesn’t love me but we’re staying together for the kids and just thought I should put that out there OK let’s go to dinner”), and I wonder just how bad a date could go before I bailed.

Would I leave if she threw a drink in my face? If she insulted my mom? If she told me her No.1 interest was shopping? Most bad dates aren’t horrific, just horrifically boring, so it’s fun to think about a date actually being horrible in a tell-your-friends sort of way. And because I’ll probably never get to experience the horror/joy of going on the worst date ever, I decided to design one myself. Two important points before we start:

1. The worst date in the world is the worst DATE. Going out with someone who turns out to be creepy qualifies as a “bad date.” Going out with someone who then kidnaps a dog and tortures it as she watches qualifies as a “horrible crime.”1 So we’re staying on the side of strange/bad, not murder/sex crimes. Got it? Good.

2. This is a thought experiment. If you don’t approve of messing with the heads of strangers, that’s cool. You can stop now and check out some stuff about restaurants on another page of the mag. But if you’re petty like me, read on…

My plan is to start the date somewhere trendy with good drinks, convo and cheer. See, the worst date can’t start out badly or she’ll bail and then it’s just a bad date.

Truly awful experiences must start with some real joy before you ruin it all (see: Thrones, Game of, for this move). So we’d have a nice fine cocktail, I’d compliment her—but not too much—and show enough interest that she decides, hey, maybe this could work out.

Next: a special dinner. This requires isolation. Somewhere she can’t leave easily if she wants to. A taxi to the New Territories. A junk to the border of China. A special place for the two of you. Now slowly (and this is the key word) get weirder and weirder.

Tell her that you like her dress and it would look good if you wore it. Tell her that you’re intrigued by what goes through a serial killer’s mind as he kills his victims. (“The passion. It’s incredible!”)2 Tell her she’d make a great wife and your other wives are gonna love her. Tell her your phone’s dead and when you borrow hers, take a selfie and MMS all her contacts with “Husband to be!” as the descriptor.3

She’s going to start getting concerned now. This isn’t going well. That’s when you bring in the next thing: another girl on the date. Preferably somebody you paid who works as a dancer on Lockhart Road. Tell her that the three of you are going to have a lot of fun together tonight and keep trying to get a fist bump from her. Then ask if she remembers the spaghetti scene from “Lady and the Tramp” and tie two noodles together so you can have a three-pronged piece of pasta.

By this point the date will probably be over. Which means it’s a convenient time to forget your wallet or to excuse yourself to the bathroom and just bail. Being a weirdo, implied threesomes, and attempts to get a three-way kiss going qualifies as pretty bad. Hey, at least she’ll get a good story out of it.

1. If you’ve kidnapped a cat you’re just being a good friend since cats are horrible and don’t love

their owners at all.

2. This actually happened during a date, according to a Cosmo Confession I read when I was 15 years old. Yes!

3. If any of you have done any of this, email me and please tell me what happened.

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Nightlife EventsHong Kong pole dancing CompetitionWatch Hong Kong’s pole dancing pros and enthusiasts take to Club 18 to show off their moves. After the competition wraps up at 10:30pm, the after-party goes on no-poles-barred until 5am. Jul 4, 7pm. Club 18, G/F, 18 Lyndhurst Terrace, Central, 2796-8830. $250 at the door, including a drink.

W Hong Kong Heat Wave summer series 2014Chill out poolside, 76 floors up—the venue will be decked out in white, complete with hammocks, palm trees and dancers twerking. Jul 12, Aug 9, Aug 30, 8pm. W Hotel, 1 Austin Rd. West, West Kowloon, 3717-2222. $350 in advance or $400 at the door, including a drink poolside and a drink at the after-party; $950 in advance or $1,000 at the door for “WIP” tickets, including free-flow drinks and champagne until 1am. Tickets from tiny.cc/hk-whotel.

lan Kwai fong beer and Music festLKF’s annual Beer and Music Fest is inevitably back. You know the drill: more than 100 beers, flowing liberally from street booths, restaurants and bars. And the Wo On Lane amphitheater will actually be used properly, with live gigs all weekend. Remember: Drink to excess, responsibly. Jul 19-20, 1pm-late. Lan Kwai Fong, D’Aguilar St. & Wo On Lane, Central. Free.

Armani privé sunday sessionsAfter brunch hour winds down, Armani Privé’s Sunday Sessions start up, offering free-flow Peroni, Prosecco and selected cocktails for $250. Sipping bubbles on the gorgeous terrace isn’t a bad way to while away a Sunday afternoon. Sun, 3-7pm. Armani Privé, 2/F, Chater House, 8 Connaught Rd. Central, 3583-2828. $250 per person.

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THE STRAIGHT MAN with Yalun Tu

Edited by Evelyn [email protected]


Coming Soon

beyond beauty, taiwan from Above(taiwan) Part documentary, part unintended travelogue, this is 90 minutes of breathtaking views of Taiwan as seen though Chi Po-lin’s aerial filmography—which, surprisingly, no one has done before. From the sprawling city of Taipei, the team ventures to rural Taiwan, but it’s not purely glossy nature images; they also capture the lesser-noted damage done to the environment, to heart-stopping effect. Opens Jul 10.

blended(UsA) Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore return for their third rom-com together, in which they play single parents (well, actually, they just play Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore) who meet on a terrible blind date. It’s so bad, they each then separately book holidays with their kids to South Africa, ending up in the same suite. What single parent has money for South Africa??? Opens Jul 10.

Transformers: Age of Extinction PPPPP(UsA) Car robots vs. dinosaur robots. directed by Michael bay. starring Mark Wahlberg, stanley

tucci, Kelsey Grammer, Nicola peltz, jack reynor. Category IIA. 165 minutes. Opened jun 26.

This is one heck of a statement given that we’re referring to Michael Bay’s “Transformers” franchise: but the fourth installment of his shapeshifting robot series is the dumbest movie I’ve seen in a very long time. His reboot stars a bumped-up cast—Mark Wahlberg (“The Fighter”), Stanley Tucci (“The Hunger Games” trilogy) and Kelsey Grammer (TV’s “Frasier”)—features giant dinosaur robots and uses our fair, skyscrapered city as a battleground. But none of his shiny new toys can make up for an incoherent script and an ass-numbing three-hour run time.

The main plot is based around a fragile America—one still reeling from the destructive Battle of Chicago in “Dark of the Moon.” The government has decided that the world is not safe while Transformers, good and bad alike, remain on Earth. So instead, they’ve sent in a scary black-ops team to wipe them off the planet. But neither the hell-bent CIA black-ops man in charge (Grammer), nor the Transformer bounty hunter named Lockdown he’s working with, care about casualties in their quest to exterminate the roboaliens. Meanwhile geologists are digging up Transformer-like dinosaur remains in the desert. Don’t hold your breath for the Dinobots though, unless you can hold it for the two hours it takes for them to show up.

A badly injured Optimus Prime (voiced by Peter Cullen), leader of the good guy Autobots, has been forced to hide out in a shitty small town in Texas. But all is not lost. Buff, down-on-his-luck inventor and single dad Cade Yeager (Wahlberg) finds the dilapidated Autobot and fixes him up (you’ll buy Wahlberg as an inventor about as much as you’ll buy that he’s from Texas). Once he gets Optimus Prime on his feet, the government comes knocking and threatens to put a bullet in Cade’s underage, hot-pants-wearing daughter’s head (Nicola Peltz; “The Last Airbender”) if he doesn’t tell them where the boss-man Autobot is. Out of nowhere, an Irish racecar-driving stud muffin (Jack Reynor; “Delivery Man”) picks up Cade and his daughter and speeds them to safety. Turns out Irish is Hot Daughter’s boyfriend: cue the dad versus boyfriend-who’s-too-old-for-his-daughter and Americans-versus-Irish unfunny banter.

So that’s the first 30 or so minutes of the film. The rest is pretty forgettable, ridiculous, really boring and difficult to follow. The only shining moments are when Stanley Tucci comes on screen with that twinkle in his eye to deliver the only funny lines in the movie. As for Wahlberg, I’m massively disappointed. He’s been on a good run of dramatic and comedic roles lately, but his two-dimensional character could have done with a spark of that Boston-boy cheekiness.

“Age of Extinction” is all about manly men (robot and human alike) competing to be bigger men. “Are you going to bitch out on me?” Cade asks the annoyingly rude Irish guy. Women are only here to be damsels in distress, objectified and ready to smooch the big men when they do something heroic. Except the sassy Chinese girl (Li Bingbing; “1911”), because she knows kung fu, obviously.

If you came for the Hong Kong scenes, you’ll be frustrated with how long it takes for the movie to get there and with the continuity issues—battles in Graham Street market turn into Sham Shui Po before ending on the West Kowloon Waterfront. Some of the Hong Kong scenes were filmed in Detroit, showcasing a monorail system and a dangling yellow traffic light. Could Michael Bay not make a Hong Kong set look like Hong Kong? He should have been slapped in the face with an air-conditioning unit for this billion-dollar-making stupidity. Oh wait, he was. Katie Kenny

Need to KnowAMC Cinema, 2265-8933www.amccinemas.com.hk

broadway Circuit, 2388-3188www.cinema.com.hk

Golden Harvest Cinema, 2622-6688 www.goldenharvest.com

MCl Cinema, 3413-6688www.mclcinema.com

UA Cinema, 3516-8811www.uacinemas.com.hk

the Metroplex, 2620-2200www.metroplex.com.hk

the Grand Cinema, 2196-8170www.thegrandcinema.com.hk


HK PICKS

Chef(UsA) Just the thought of this movie is making me hungry. Jon Favreau plays chef Carl Casper, who quits his job at an LA eatery after deciding not to sacrifice his creativity for anyone’s orders. Moving home to Miami, he reencounters his ex-wife (Sofia Vergara), and together with his friend and his son, they start a food truck business that brings love and happiness to everyone around him. Watch out for the star-studded cast, including Robert Downey Jr., Scarlett Johansson and Dustin Hoffman, plus a whole lotta food porn. Opens Jul 10.

Goddess(Australia) The titular “Goddess” is Elsbeth Dickens (Laura Michelle Kelly), a long-suffering mother of a pair of twin boys. As she raises them alone while their father (Ronan Keating, who plays of all things a whale activist) is away, she amuses herself by uploading the songs she performs at the kitchen sink onto the web. She becomes a worldwide sensation, and soon finds herself having to choose between her family and her dreams. Pick dreams! Pick dreams! Opens Jul 10.

Hungry Ghost ritual(Hong Kong) Award-winning actor Nick Cheung’s directorial debut is a supernatural thriller about the Hungry Ghost Festival, which takes place in the seventh month of the lunar calendar. According to folk belief, ghosts supposedly roam the earth during this month, and Cheung’s film takes place in the creepiest place to be: behind the scenes of a Chinese Opera troupe who are preparing a show to appease the ghosts. Suddenly, things get chaotic and supernatural. Maybe the ghosts aren’t so fond of those long screechy notes after all. Opens Jul 10.

HK PICKS

Under the skin(UsA) This is one sexy thriller starring Scarlett Johansson as a short-haired brunette body-possessing alien who seduces and ensnares unsuspecting men. But after taking refuge in her borrowed body for too long—with British accent in tow—she becomes too entangled in what it means to be human. From the looks of it, this will be ScarJo’s most mesmerizing, cerebral, and, yes, nakedest, film to date. Opens Jul 10.

OpeningHow to train Your dragon 2(UsA) Set years after the scrawny viking Hiccup introduced the world of dragons as benevolent housepets to his hometown of Berk, this sequel sees a new fire-breathing force out to destroy the people of the humble town. With the help of what looks like Hiccup’s long lost dragon-taming mother, humans and dragons alike once again have to kick some evil scaly butt. Sure, it’s a kids’ movie—but don’t pretend you’re not excited about it. Opened Jul 3.

the Hundred-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out of the Window and disappeared(sweden) The title of this film may say it all, but it does nothing to prepare you for the madcap plot that follows. The film takes you by surprise after surprise, starting from Allan Karlsson’s escape from his nursing home on his 100th birthday. After climbing out of the window and shuffling off into the horizon, director Felix Herngren perfectly orchestrates a series of coincidences with excellent comedic timing; a chaotic chain reaction that sparks off one insane event after the other. Much like the energetic old man himself, the film never gets old or tiresome because you never know what to expect. The centenarian nonchalantly embarks on an adventure involving Swedish thugs, an ex-circus elephant, and a stolen suitcase full of drug money. But it’s not his first adventure. His past is told in parallel, starting from his childhood love of dynamite, to his role in wars across history, and accidental encounters with the most famous people in the world—changing history, one anecdote at a time. No wonder he’s so unfazed. It might sound like “Forrest Gump,” but there’s none of the Profound Storytelling and all of the pure, lighthearted fun. There’s a strange mix of subtlety and excitement in this comedy for all ages. Opened Jul 3. PPPP Evelyn lok

son of God(UsA) Jesus Christ comes in the form of Portuguese actor Diogo Morgado in this retelling of his life story, from his birth in a manger to his teachings, to his cruxifiction. It was also edited from a History Channel (hrm...) mini-series titled “The Bible.” You would have thought JC would teach against laziness. Spoiler alert: He dies and comes back to life. Opened Jul 3.

ContinuingA Million Ways to die in the West(UsA) Seth MacFarlane returns after “Ted” with a hankering to make a Western, and this “Family Guy”-esque gag-fest is the end product. It’s got one hell of a cast: Charlize Theron, Liam Neeson (playing an angry/wooden outlaw, obviously), Amanda Seyfried, Sarah Silverman, Neil Patrick Harris, and MacFarlane himself as a sheep farmer. PPP

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the Attorney(south Korea) This is an inspirational story based, apparently, on the life of a Korean president. Song Woo-seok is an easy-living tax law specialist in 80s Busan who finds himself caught up in the cause of an incarcerated student activist fighting against a dictatorial government. Wait, a Korean summer film without guns or explosions? Pah.

brick Mansions(UsA) The late Paul Walker is a detective on an undercover operation to take down Tremaine Alexander (RZA from the Wu Tang Clan), the leader of a dangerous gang hiding out in the derelict Brick Mansions building in Detroit. Along for the ride is Lino, played by parkour founder David Belle. Walker, Belle, and RZA: presumably there’s going to be ample car chases, crazy flips, and… sick rhymes?

Coming Home(China) Zhang Yimou’s (“The Flowers of War”) latest film might seem like it’s a big metaphor about reckoning with China’s past, but look closer and it’s a bittersweet story about love and family. It’s the 70s in China: Lu Yanshi (Chen Daoming) is jailed as an enemy of the state, and his wife Feng Wanyu (Gong Li) still awaits his return, so traumatized that she’s afflicted with a strange amnesia. Years later Yanshi comes home—only to find that his wife cannot recognize him. He becomes determined to reawaken his wife’s memory. PPPP

draft day(UsA) Does “football” make you think of a pig-skinned, oblong ball and messy armor-clad men instead of the World Cup? Then this might be your movie. Kevin Costner plays Sonny Weaver Jr., general manager of the Cleveland Browns, who gets first pick in the 2014 NFL Draft. Also on this weekend: the World Cup quarter-finals.

Edge of tomorrow(UsA) Tom Cruise and Emily Blunt star in this sci-fi epic set in the near future, where an alien race has taken over the world (it’s a Tom Cruise movie, what else is new?). Cruise is a soldier struggling to defeat the invaders, and finds himself caught in a time loop: killing and dying and waking up to kill again. Sure, sounds like “Groundhog Day,” but weapons and scary-ass alien enemies make it more “Gears of War” than anything. A fun ride for all (especially video game nerds). PPPP

Maleficent(UsA) For all fans of the “Wicked”-esque rehabilitation of misunderstood baddies... this is probably not your film. There’s no denying Angelina Jolie’s talent in playing a Disney villain OG, but the film is rife with problematic scenes and one-dimensional performances from the rest of the cast. PP

Marriage blue(south Korea) Like “Love Actually” meets “Bridezillas,” this Korean flick chronicles the journeys of four couples as they prepare for their weddings. The eight (including Taecyeon from boy band 2PM) are all connected in some capacity, and there are plenty of issues that rise up before the big day: fizzling romance, jealousy and... impotence. Hopefully not all at once.

HK PICKS

May We Chat(Hong Kong) Based on the famous 1982 juvenile-delinquent drama “Lonely Fifteen,” which sparked a wave of Hong Kong bad-girl movies, director Philip Yung (“Glamorous Youth”) and writer Lou Shiu-wa step in for an update to the cautionary tale. This time, the three pretty, foul-mouthed leads meet through WeChat (hence the title). They’ve got bags of teen rebellion and spunk, but they soon fall deep into the world of crime and prostitution. It’s violent, gritty, and a must-see for triad film lovers, but girls especially might want to watch through their fingers for this one. PPP

Mr. Morgan’s last love(UsA) Michael Caine is cynical Mr. Morgan, a recently widowed professor living in Paris who is still reeling from the loss of his love. He meets Pauline (Clemence Poesy, the “Harry Potter” series), a young dance instructor, and thus ensues a slow-moving drama about two lonely souls forming an unlikely friendship.

Omar(palestine) Hany Abu-Assad, director of the 2005 suicide-bomber drama “Paradise Now,” brings us another heart-stopper from the Israel-Palestine conflict. Young Palestine freedom fighter Omar (Adam Bakri) kills an Israeli soldier, and is captured and forced to work for the enemy as an informant. Who can he really trust, and has he really betrayed his people?

Overheard 3(Hong Kong) Directors Alan Mak and Felix Chong find one more way to overhear stuff in the third installment of the thriller series. This time, it’s about corruption in New Territories housing developments: Louis Koo and Daniel Wu are part of an undercover team trying to take down developer giants (a godfather-esque clan headed by Sean Lau) and corrupt government officials. Past lovers and family ties come into the mix, but the crucial storytelling is all about the money. Brush up on your knowledge of finance before you see it. PPP

film festivals

friuli-Venezia-Giulia film festivalFollowing on from the Far East Film Fest hosted in Italy, Broadway Cinema is hosting a series of screenings of movies from the Friuli-Venezia-Giulia region of northeastern Italy. Of the five films, look out for “The Special Need” (Jul 11), about an autistic 30-year-old’s search for sex with the help of his buddies; “Simple Terms” (Jul 13), a documentary about poet Pierluigi Cappello’s life; “Summer of Giacomo” (Jul 15), a bildungsroman story about an 18-year-old who’s been deaf since childhood. Arty? You betcha. Jul 11-16. www.cinema.com.hk

lars Von trier at bC sundaysGet steamy on Sundays with BC Sundays’ new showcase of director Lars Von Trier’s famously explicit works. His films might have just crossed every visually explicit line out there. Catch “Antichrist” (mutilated female genitalia), “Nymphomaniac I & II” (gratuitous nudity and sex scenes), and the relatively docile “Melancholia” (depressing meteor apocalypse). Jul 6-27, 11:30am. Broadway Cinematheque, Prosperous Garden, 3 Public Square St., Yau Ma Tei. $60. www.cinema.com.hk

studio Ghibli showcase at MClGet your fill of Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata films this summer at MCL Telford cinema. Alongside Ghibli’s latest, “The Tale of Princess Kaguya,” (pictured; Jul 12) you can also catch showings of lesser known films such as “From Up On Poppy Hill” (Jul 20), and “Arrietty” (Jul 13) and other Studio Ghibli favorites such as “Spirited Away” (Jul 1) and “My Neighbor Totoro” (Aug 24). Jul 1-Aug 31, 4pm. $75. www3.mclcinema.com.

National theatre: frankenstein.Benedict Cumberbatch and Johnny Lee Miller take to the stage as Victor Frankenstein and the Monster, in this smash hit production for National Theatre Live, directed by Danny Boyle (“127 Hours”, “Slumdog Millionaire”, “Trainspotting”). The stage/cinema combo brings the West End production of Frankenstein to Hong Kong theaters. Best of all, there are two versions: the stars swapped roles throughout the show’s original run, and you’ll be able to watch both at Palace IFC and The One Broadway Cinemas. May 17-Sep 13, 7:20pm. $190. www.cinema.com.hk.


Queen(India) When conservative Delhi girl Rani’s wedding is canceled by her fiancé at the last minute, she decides to go to Europe on her honeymoon anyway—all on her own. She’s easily befriended by the open-minded locals as she heals from her personal crisis, learning that she doesn’t need a man to dictate her life. PPP

renoir(france) French impressionist painter Pierre-Auguste Renoir is smitten with the red-haired beauty who will become his very last model. When his son Jean returns from the front during World War I, he too falls for the girl. With cinematographer Lee Ping-bin (“In The Mood For Love,” “Norwegian Wood”) on the team, expect lush visuals of the French Riviera to accompany the sliiightly creepy plot.

thermae romae 2(japan) In this sequel to the strange manga-based 2012 comedy, bathhouse architect Lucius (Hiroshi Abe) travels again from the “thermae” of ancient Rome to the bathhouses of modern-day Japan via magical-bath-time-travel. He brings the glories of the mixed onsen, waterslide, and bidet toilets back home. And in doing so, somehow saves all of Rome. Why not?

transformers: Age of Extinction(UsA) See review, p.34.

Walk of shame(UsA) Elizabeth Banks (the “Hunger Games” trilogy), is an aspiring news anchor who wakes up after a one-night-stand, stranded without a phone, car, or her purse—with just eight hours before a crucial job interview. When has this actually happened to anyone?

X-Men: days of future past(UsA) Fans have been waiting three years for this sequel to the X-Men franchise. This time round, the mutants have something bigger on their minds, as they send Wolverine (Hugh Jackman) back in time to save the future from being destroyed by robot Sentinels designed by Bolivar Trask (Peter Dinklage). The time twist gets a little hard to follow, but there’s no way this isn’t a fun ride. PPPP

Z storm(Hong Kong) A Hong Kong movie doing what local cinema does best: stories about corruption and financial fraud, yeah! When the prying, neglected wife of a police Superintendent (Dada Chan) reports his corruption, an intricate web of deceit starts to fall apart. As ICAC investigator William Luk (Louis Koo) digs deeper, he finds himself in more and more danger. And who better to fling into a web of lies and undercover work than Koo and Gordon Lam Ka-tung?

What is the Gin Drinker’s Line?*

In all major bookstores now! Or order yours at: www.historicalhkhikes.com

Historical Hong Kong HikesA guide to 15 remarkable treks, detailing the rich history of the SAR’s peaks, valleys and urban neighborhoods

*Learn about this and other fascinating facts in

fREE WILL ASTROLOGYROB BREZSNY


CANCEr (june 21-july 22): The Venus de Milo is a famous Greek statue that’s over 2,100 years old. Bigger than life size, it depicts the goddess of love, beauty, and pleasure. Its current home is the Louvre Museum in Paris, but for hundreds of years it was lost—buried underground on the Greek island of Milos. In 1820, a farmer found it while he was out digging on his land. I foresee a comparable discovery by you in the coming weeks, Cancerian. You will uncover a source of beauty, love, or pleasure—or perhaps all three—that has been missing or forgotten for a long time.

lEO (july 23-Aug. 22): According to an ancient

Greek myth, Sisyphus keeps pushing a boulder

up a steep hill only to lose control of it just

before he reaches the top, watching in dismay

as it tumbles to the bottom. After each failure,

he lumbers back down to where he started and

makes another effort to roll it up again—only

to fail again. The myth says he continues his futile

attempts for all eternity. I’m happy to report, Leo,

that there is an important difference between your

story and that of Sisyphus. Whereas you have tried

and tried and tried again to complete a certain

uphill task, you will not be forever frustrated.

In fact, I believe a breakthrough will come soon,

and success will finally be yours. Will it be due

to your gutsy determination or your neurotic

compulsion or both? It doesn’t matter.

VIrGO (Aug. 23-sept. 22): Many of America’s

founding fathers believed slavery was immoral,

but they owned slaves themselves and ordained

the institution of slavery in the U.S. Constitution.

They didn’t invent hypocrisy, of course, but theirs

was an especially tragic version. In comparison,

the hypocrisy that you express is mild.

Nevertheless, working to minimize it is a worthy

task. And here’s the good news: You are now

in a position to become the zodiac’s leader

in minimizing your hypocrisy. Of all the signs,

you can come closest to walking your talk and

practicing what you preach. So do it! Aim

to be a master of translating your ideals into

practical action.

lIbrA (sept. 23-Oct. 22): In the last two

decades, seven Academy Award winners have

given thanks to God while accepting their

Oscars. By contrast, 30 winners have expressed

their gratitude to film studio executive Harvey

Weinstein. Who would you acknowledge as

essential to your success, Libra? What generous

souls, loving animals, departed helpers, and

spiritual beings have contributed to your ability

to thrive? Now is an excellent time to make a

big deal out of expressing your appreciation. For

mysterious reasons, doing so will enhance your

luck and increase your chances for future success.

sCOrpIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): You have

permission to compose an all-purpose excuse

note for yourself. If you’d like, you may also forge

my signature on it so you can tell everyone that

your astrologer sanctified it. This document will

be ironclad and inviolable. It will serve as a poetic

license that abolishes your guilt and remorse.

It will authorize you to slough off senseless duties,

evade deadening requirements, escape small-

minded influences, and expunge numbing habits.

Even better, your extra-strength excuse note will

free you to seek out adventures you have been

denying yourself for no good reason.

sAGIttArIUs (Nov. 22-dec. 21): In the Inuktitut

language spoken in northern Canada, the term

iminngernaveersaartunngortussaavunga means

“I should try not to become an alcoholic.”

I encourage you to have fun saying that a lot in the

coming days. Why? Now is an excellent time to be

playful and light-hearted as you wage war against

any addictive tendencies you might have. Whether

it’s booze or gambling or abusive relationships

or anything else that tempts you to act like an

obsessive self-saboteur, you have more power

than usual to break its hold on you—especially

if you don’t take yourself too seriously.

CAprICOrN (dec. 22-jan. 19): Percival Lowell

(1855-1916) was an influential astronomer

who launched the exploration that led to the

discovery of Pluto. He also made some big

mistakes. Here’s one: Gazing at Venus through

his telescope, he swore he saw spokes emanating

from a central hub on the planet’s surface.

But we now know that Venus is shrouded with

such thick cloud cover that no surface features

are visible. So what did Lowell see? Due to an

anomaly in his apparatus, the telescope projected

shadows from inside his eyes onto the image

of Venus. The “spokes” were actually the blood

vessels in his retinas. Let this example serve

as a cautionary tale for you in the coming weeks,

Capricorn. Don’t confuse what’s within you with

what’s outside you. If you can clearly discern

the difference, your closest relationships will

experience healing breakthroughs.

AQUArIUs (jan. 20-feb. 18): ”I believe in getting

into hot water; it keeps you clean.” So said

British writer G. K. Chesterton. Now I’m passing

his advice on to you just in time for the Purge

and Purify Phase of your astrological cycle. In the

coming weeks, you will generate good fortune

for yourself whenever you wash your own brain

and absolve your own heart and flush the shame

out of your healthy sexual feelings. As you proceed

with this work, it may expedite matters if you

make a conscious choice to undergo a trial

by fire.

pIsCEs (feb. 19-Mar. 20): ”I awake in a land

where the lovers have seized power,” writes

Danish poet Morten Sondergaard in his fanciful

poem “The Lovers.” “They have introduced laws

decreeing that orgasms need never come to an

end. Roses function as currency… The words ‘you’

and ‘I’ are now synonymous.” A world like the one

he describes is a fantasy, of course. It’s impossible.

But I predict that in the coming weeks you could

create conditions that have resemblances to that

utopia. So be audacious in your quest for amorous

bliss and convivial romance. Dare to put love at the

top of your priority list. And be inventive!

ArIEs (Mar. 21-Apr. 19): Would you like your

savings account to grow? Then deposit money

into in it on a consistent basis. Would you like to

feel good and have a lot of physical energy? Eat

healthy food, sleep as much as you need to, and

exercise regularly. Do you want people to see the

best in you and give you the benefit of the doubt?

See the best in them and give them the benefit

of the doubt. Would you love to accomplish your

most important goal? Decide what you want more

than anything else and focus on it with relaxed

intensity. Yes, Aries, life really is that simple—or at

least it is right now. If you want to attain interesting

success, be a master of the obvious.

tAUrUs (Apr. 21-May. 20): Your urge to merge

is heating up. Your curiosity about combinations

is intensifying. I think it’s time to conduct jaunty

experiments in mixing and blending. Here’s what

I propose: Let your imagination run half-wild.

Be unpredictable as you play around with medleys

and hodgepodges and sweet unions. But don’t be

attached to the outcomes. Some of your research

may lead to permanent arrangements, and some

won’t. Either result is fine. Your task is to enjoy the

amusing bustle, and learn all you can from it.

GEMINI (May 21-june 20): The American painter

Ivan Albright (1897-1983) was a meticulous creator.

He spent as much time as necessary to get every

detail right. An entire day might go by as he

worked to perfect one square inch of a painting,

and some of his pieces took years to finish. When

the task at hand demanded intricate precision,

he used a brush composed of a single hair. That’s

the kind of attention to minutia I recommend for

you—not forever, but for the next few weeks.

Be careful and conscientious as you build the

foundation that will allow you maximum freedom

of movement later this year.

HoMeWork: picasso said, “I am always doing that which I cannot do in order that I may learn how to do it.” Your comment? Write [email protected].

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I am a single woman, 31, in lA, and on OkCupid. (We all are.) I’ve gotten a number of unicorn requests. (Maybe because I mention being a subscriber to the savage lovecast magnum version in my profile?) I’ve never responded—until the other day. One unicorn request stood out. I wrote back. they seem like cool, smart, interesting people (a 40-year-old liberal married couple). their profile is funny, and they’re quite attractive! And here I am, not doing anything else or anyone else… and I’m thinking… this could be cool. It could be an awesome experience. Why not play around while everything is still slim and perky? but! I have some concerns! 1. Uh… what now? I gave them my number, but I can’t say that I’m definitely a YEs on this. I’m also not a NO. What happens now? We meet for drinks? then what? 2. I’ve never even had a one-night stand. I’ve pretty much always had boyfriends. I don’t know what my question is here, it’s just something I’ve been turning over in my head. I just don’t want to feel like a hooker! (Not that there’s anything wrong with being a sex worker!) 3. I’m not bi. I don’t say that I’m bi on my OkCupid profile. I cannot imagine a scenario in which I would want to put my face in someone’s twat. (I know you understand the feeling.) but I don’t think I have any issue with being on the receiving end. (Maybe? I’ve never been a unicorn!) I’ve done the college playing-around-with-girls thing—topless make-outs for a boyfriend’s viewing pleasure—but nothing crazy. I think, if I meet them, and if it goes well, I should ask them what their thoughts are about this, if they’ve done it before, what their boundaries are, etc. I would confirm that if anyone feels uncomfortable, everyone involved has the green light to call a stop to the whole thing. I’d also lay out my limitation in regards to the wife. but… should I go for it? What should I do or say? – future Unicorn Nervously Guessing At logistics

1. Meet, have drinks, and talk, FUNGAL—and be sure to tell that nice, funny, attractive couple everything you’ve told us. And then do what any sane person would do: Fuck ’em if it feels right, don’t if it doesn’t.

2. Refuse to accept money in exchange for sex—don’t let the nice couple pay you—and you won’t be a sex worker. (Not that there’s anything wrong with being a sex worker.) And if you’ve only ever had sex in the context of a relationship, and if you want it to stay that way, then make that clear to the nice couple. Developing a relationship with you is a requirement before you can all jump into bed together. And they’ll probably be up for it, FUNGAL, as most couples who are out there looking for unicorns—which is hard work—are seeking a regular, reliable third, i.e., someone they see again and again, someone they can get to know better and come to trust and rely on. A couple with a regular third that they’re emotionally invested in may not be what comes to mind when people hear the word “relationship,” but it is a relationship, and it can be a fun and rewarding one.

3. Again, tell this couple everything you’ve told us. The only reason you hesitate, FUNGAL, is that you fear rejection. Your fear is thoroughly common, completely understandable, and totally irrational. I mean, think about it: The reason you’re hesitating to tell them that you’re not bisexual—that you have no interest in putting your face in a twat (but you’re up for having her face in yours if she’s cool with no-recip oral)—is that

you worry you’ll be rejected. What if you’re not what they want? But if they have their hearts set on a unicorn that wants to go facedown in twat, then you’re the wrong unicorn for them. More importantly, FUNGAL, they’re the wrong couple for you. Better to have a nice, clean, honest rejection over cocktails—a mutual recognition that you’re not a match—than to find yourself in bed being pressured to do something you don’t wanna do.

straight couples looking for a bi female third—someone both partners can share and enjoy—call that person a “unicorn,” a mythical beast, because bi females open to playing with straight/bi couples are so damn rare. What do gay couples looking for a third call the beasts they seek? – frustrated longtime Unicorn seekers taking Early retirement

We gays don’t have a special term for a guy open to sleeping with a male couple. But if we were going to give that guy an affectionate nickname, FLUSTER, I would go with “horse.” Because a horse, while a magnificent and majestic beast in its own right, is a whole lot easier to come by—and in and on and over—than one of those nearly-impossible-to-find bi female unicorns.

I’m a producer with a Chicago-based production company started by a handful of former Oprah show producers. We specialize in developing unscripted/reality show concepts. We are thinking of producing a show about unicorns, those bisexual women who wish to be “thirds,” and I thought you could possibly help us find women who identify as unicorns and could be potential characters. I look forward to hearing from you! – Hoping Unicorns Not television Averse

You have two hurdles to clear, HUNTA, as you’re not just looking for unicorns, which are hard enough to find, but unicorns who wanna go on television and talk about being unicorns. (And you’ll probably want telegenic unicorns, too, which would be hurdle number three.) But I’m here to help: On the off chance that there are any telegenic unicorns out there reading this who want to be on TV—or any women who want to be on TV so bad that they’ll pretend to be unicorns—send me an e-mail with “TV Unicorn” in the subject line, and I will forward your e-mail on to the unicorn HUNTA.

DEAR READERS: There was a little miscommunication during the production of last week’s column—and the fault was entirely mine. Elder-sex expert Joan Price advised Old But Alive, a reader hoping to arrange a threesome with a female cousin, to hang out in lesbian bars to find a third. I advised OBA to ignore that aspect of Price’s otherwise excellent advice, since there’s nothing lesbians hate more than opposite-sex couples trolling dyke bars. But here’s the thing: Price didn’t think she was advising an opposite-sex couple to hang out in lesbian bars. She thought OBA and the cousin were both women. I knew that OBA was a man because I saw OBA’s e-mail address and his name. I don’t pass along names and e-mail addresses when I share questions with guest experts, so Price didn’t have that information in front of her. I should’ve made it clear to Price that OBA was a man—at the very least, I should’ve checked in with Price before rapping her knuckles for appearing to advise an opposite-sex couple to cruise a lesbian bar. My apologies to Price!

On the Lovecast, Dan “Asks Amy” for a Second Opinion: savagelovecast.com.

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Zentro / Zentro Garden Bar & Restaurant in Central / Tung Chung

1. Senior Chef / Junior Chef• Min 3-4 yrs relevant experience2. Supervisor• 3 yrs relevant experience3. Bartender• Min 2 yrs relevant experience4. Cashier• Min 2 yrs relevant experience• Restaurant or Bar experience is preferable5. Waiter / Waitress• Min 2 yrs relevant experience6. Cleaner / Dishwasher• Min 1 yrs relevant experienceShift is requiredBoarding house is provided in Tung Chung.Living near Tung Chung is preferable Please contact at 2899-2221 or fax to 2546-8377 or email: [email protected] data collected will be used for recruitment purpose only.

Hair Studio38 Wyndham St., Central, Hong Kong

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The Restaurant by Lof10 / Lazy Hog/ CentralWe are now seeking FUN & ENERGETIC individuals to join our team of LAZY HOG.1. Junior Chef (14k + Daily Incentive Plan)

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dragon‐i brings to Hong Kong the ultimate experience of a glitterati lifestyle, stylish

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dragon-i, Tazmania Ballroom and ten feet tall brings to Hong Kong the ultimate in entertainment, dining and wellness in Asia. We are looking for enthusiastic and outgoing candidates

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Louis and co Boutique Hairstylists is looking for a fulltime stylist to join our team at our salon based in central Hong Kong.

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Mes Amis Group have been operating bars & restaurants in Hong Kong for over 14 years. We are currently seeking suitable candidates to join our team:

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Ruth’s Chris Steak House, the largestupscale, American steakhouse restaurantconcept with over 45 years of tradition,is seeking individuals who value being partof a fine team.

Server ($15K+)* Experience preferably in Western style restaurant, basic knowledge in wine & beverage.* Fluent in spoken English and Cantonese are required.

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Cook / Junior CookKowloon - contact Mr Leung / Mr Li at 2366 6000

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first PersonbACKUp

XKCDRANDALL MUNROE

Restaurateur Yenn Wong made her start a decade ago by launching Jia, Hong Kong’s first boutique hotel. She’s gone on to open 208 Duecento Otto, 22 Ships, Ham and Sherry, Duddell’s, Chachawan, and her most recent project, Aberdeen Street Social. She tells Andrea Lo about her partnership with chef Jason Atherton and reflects on her achievements.

I grew up in Singapore. I went to Australia for college. I came to Hong Kong about 10 years ago.

It wasn’t like, “When I grow up, I want to run hotels and restaurants.” I was pretty clueless. I did the typical business administration degree.

I wanted to be a gymnast. I thought it would be cool.

My family bought a building. My dad said, “Come to Hong Kong. Figure it out.” That was when Jia was established.

I didn’t know what I was doing half the time. I made a lot of mistakes along the way. But I did better than I would have thought.

I met jason Atherton years ago at a friend’s dinner in Singapore. He wanted to come to Hong Kong. I asked if he was interested in talking to us, and that’s how it all started.

Aberdeen street social was always the plan. We wanted to open something more substantial. We introduced him to the market first with 22 Ships and Ham and Sherry.

Chachawan is one of the projects that I feel close to. It was a collaboration between the chef and the staff. We didn’t hire a designer—we got it up and running in three months.

there are hipsters, the office crowd, and old people who think it’s hip to eat there. You don’t have to dress up or anything: just go and have fun.

I met Alan [Lo, husband and founder of The Press Room Group] as we were both strapped into being judges—a friend of both our mothers

owned a jewelry shop and ran a competition for youth in Hong Kong.

No, it was not love at first sight. We were friends for a long time.

Oh, we talk shop all the time. We own Duddell’s together. We’re still married, so it’s been OK so far!

Alan is a creative and impatient person. I’m a bit more on the business side. I guess we make quite a good partnership.

the best part of running a restaurant group is seeing the satisfaction of your customers.

You have to really understand your market and sincerely give the customer the best you can.

don’t do it just because you think it’s going to be fun. There are easier ways to make money.

the worst part is people management. As much as you try to keep the standard consistent, people are erratic. Maybe they’re in a bad mood, or something has happened in the family. It affects them, whether you like it or not.

Hong Kong is unlike Europe, or in the US, where people view it as a career. They’re not far-sighted enough to see that “If I work here long enough, I will be able to create something really great.”

As much as it is excruciating, I look at OpenRice reviews. We have meetings about them. You have to judge if it is legitimate— some people just want free stuff out of it.

I do feel like people judge us to a higher standard. Sometimes, I’m like, “It’s so unfair! Why do you have to do that?” But it is what it is.

When we first opened 208 [in Sheung Wan], my staff said, “Are you sure? There’s no one around here.”

We took risks, because we couldn’t afford the rent.

We must have done something right. People were moving outwards. Everyone was looking for a neighborhood joint.

I just had a baby four months ago. It’s a complete nightmare trying to lose the weight.

Of course, I have taken time off. But I’m not an obsessive mom. Balancing it out is not rocket science.

I started working for the family before I was 21. They were my toughest years: figuring out what I wanted to do.

failures are important, for someone to be able to grow.

Ideas don’t just drop from the sky. It’s from experience, from talking to people. Once you stop, that’s the end of your career.

My favorite thing about Hong Kong is the buzz. But it can feel claustrophobic after a while, with too much on at the same time.

It’s ironic: the buzz and how overwhelming it is, are basically the same thing.

When I first moved here, I really hated it. But it grows on you. It offers what other cities don’t have.

I’ve learned not to get too emotional about the business. Selling Jia was quite a big step. But at the same time, that’s business. You have to move on.

Check out new restaurant Aberdeen street social at G/f, pMQ, 35 Aberdeen st., Central, 2866-0300.

don’t do it just because you think it’s going to be fun.

there are easier ways to make money.

It’s free!

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