A father's desperate scramble up the social ladder—one scholarship at a time.
After seeing a friend of his boss' son adopted over his promised promotion with connections, Shrimp's father, a minor white-collar worker Ng Kwun-sing, vows to get Shrimp a place in a prestigious school and a chance to make friends with the rich. However, Shrimpy is constantly bullied and discriminated against by his classmates. Ng has not the means to be a social climber and finally realises his mistake. He sends his son to a voluntary school so that he may grow up happily. This poignant father-son drama shows a parents' willingness to carve out a good future for their children by any means necessary.
Acting
Cheung Wood-Yau's crushing portrayal of desperate fatherhood.
Direction
Ng Wui's unflinching gaze at class cruelty.
Director
Ng Wui
Cheung Wood-Yau
Kwun-sing Ng, the father
Yung Siu-Yi
Lan-tin Ng, Shrimpy's aunt
Chow Chi-Sing
Ng's colleague
Lee Ching
lover of Tsi Law-lin/patron of Shrimpy's flower
Wong Man-Lei
Mrs Sek
Wong Cho-San
Uncle Chung
Gam Lau
Mrs Chung, landlady
Chow Chi-Sing
Old Lee/ Neighbour
Cho-Cho Lai
Head teacher at prestigious school
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Reflects post-war Hong Kong's rigid British colonial education system, where English-language elite schools determined entire life trajectories.
Director Ng Wui was known for 'wenyi' melodramas that let working-class audiences see their struggles dignified on screen.
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