Justin Cheung Ko-ming, eldest son of famous Hong Kong director Alfred Cheung Kin-ting, and six former fellow film students recently made a documentary movie about Hong Kong’s domestic workers, who make up one of the most vulnerable communities in the city.
Justin Cheung was quoted as saying in an Apple Daily report that he had planned this movie, titled Ya Ya, which means “caretaker” in Tagalog, for a long time as he wanted to make a tribute to his family’s Filipino maid, Tessie, who has faithfully served the family for 23 years.
Hong Kong’s domestic workers are hard-working but are not cared for or respected by the local people, he said. They also cannot stay with their own children but have to take care of other people’s kids, he said.
The 45-minute movie’s production cost was HK$150,000 (US$19,200), which Cheung raised through crowd-funding over the Internet.
Cheung graduated from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts last year, where he had spent four years studying film and television production.
He was praised by his father for having chosen the right topic, which could extend to Hong Kong’s economic changes and cultural development. Alfred Cheung also said the movie could be financially sustainable if some online broadcasters are interested in buying its copyrights.
GOD BLESS YOU for appreciating the hard work of a maid ,cause NOT all HK people know how to appreciate how’s the maid take care their kids and do house hold chores while they’re at work. You have a good heart men… how lucky your parents and your maid.
atleast my magbbgy tribute na sa atin bilng ofw dh dto sa hk..mgbbgy ito ng aral d lng sa mga amo pti tayo…mbuhy tau..
Thank you sir Justin for considering us, domestic helpers as one of your movie. We appreciate much. This would be one of the top movies 🙂 God bless you more and your family!
Thank you in advance for making this film possible… it is indeed a great joy to all of us as we exchange our life in serving here from our loved ones in the Philippnes.
Wow! The first movie about Filipino domestic helper before is titled "ILOILO"… that was in Singapore, and now "YAYA" which is here in hongkong… WE APPRECIATE SO MUCH!…
Hopefully my employer will watch this. Good luck sir! Thank you!
So wonderful to know how a good servant sacrificed a lot..great movie..
When will be the film showing? Good job Mr. Justin � And thank you for appreciating us. God bless.
He posses good heart this kind of gratitude very seldom to renember.proud to raise this young boy now a filmmaker
Wow thanks for your help to give a nice movie for the domestic helper. God bless you.
thanks Mr.Cheung..this must a tribute movie
Salute to all qunyang in the whole world and give honors and respect to those who appreciated the effort,hardships, dedication of being Yaya ,like Mr Cheung. Same my employer’s surname Mr.Cheung with a good heart and have repsect to all qunyang
Thanx to documentary the life of a helper here in hk..i just hope that employer will understand our situation here as a helper..
congratulations for making a film, it’s a good contribution to all filipino housemaid who sacrifice a lot by working abroad. being a housemaid is not easy but we are force to do it because we want to give a better life to our family in the philippines. we salute u sir, God bless u more and again THANK YOU!
Guess this would be a great tribute for all of us Filipinos here in HK and across the globe as well…and hoping it would also be an eye opener to some employers who are mistreating their helpers and come to realize we are also human beings and deserved to be respected and appreciated too. Kudos to you Mr. Cheung!
So touching. Not all wards is like him. Most we’re rude and no respect to their yaya He has a good heart.
god bless u more and ur family.
oh my…so touching..
thanks much for ur documentary film about yaya…for the world to see n read …HUMBLE Act of a Rich n Famous Ward …thank u.
Kabait na alaga God bless you yaya
Wow touch nmn ako