INSPIRATION
After visiting an exhibition of African photographs called “Marvellous Realism” at Fotografiska in Shanghai, I was inspired to delve deeper into the challenges and opportunities of global diaspora mobility for individuals and the communities they belong to around the themes of migration and emigration.Frequent trips to Hong Kong brought to my attention the particular marginalized group of Filipino maids. They are foreign domestic helpers working in Hong Kong, more than half of whom are from the Philippines. As an itinerant population, their historical migration patterns from Southeast Asia to Hong Kong, their intergenerational trauma, and the process of integration into society are what I want to express through my work.
RESEARCH
Foreign domestic helpers comprise 3% of the population in Hong Kong, and they are primarily women. In 2019, there were 399,320 helpers, 55% from the Philippines and 43% from Indonesia. They must live with employers and handle household tasks. From October 2022, the minimum wage is $4,730, with employers providing free meals or a $1,196 monthly allowance.
CAST
Teresa OstanSTAFF
Zhao Ying: Director/ EditorZhen YuLang: Producer
Hong JiaYing: Director of Photographer
Wang TengXiao: Assistant Camera
Hu XInYi: Assistant Director