Hong Kong witer-director Ray Yeung’s latest feature, All Shall Be Well (從今以後), continues the filmmaker’s streak of gentle dramas with a reminder that the global fight for the recognition of queer relationships and marriage equality is not over.
All Shall Be Well begins by immersing us in the day-to-day life of lesbian couple Angie (a magnificent Patra Au Ga Man) and Pat (Maggie Li Lin Lin), who have been together for more than 30 years. Generous and gregarious, Pat especially refuses to slow down despite both being in their 60s. When Pat unexpectedly passes away, Angie is left trying to get to grips with the details of their life that Pat had previously taken charge of. With no legal recognition of their relationship, and no will stating Pat’s wishes, Angie is left to the mercy of Pat’s brother Shing (Tai Bo, star of Yeung’s previous feature Twilight’s Kiss/Suk Suk (available on demand via Queer Screen Film Fest September 2nd-8th) and his controlling wife Mei (Hui So Ying).
The quietly optimistic title of the film reassures as the Yeung starts to grind Angie down with a series of microaggressions that constantly demean her relationship with Pat. As Shing and Mei take charge of Pat’s funeral arrangements, Angie is reduced to being Pat’s “best friend”. As Angie takes a backseat for the sake of family unity, it becomes increasingly clear that Shing and Mei see this as a chance for their family to get ahead in life, justifying their mistreatment.
As viewers of Yeung’s previous films know, these things rarely happen dramatically or suddenly. Mei is at first a welcome presence, helping Angie in a moment of grief and taking on the workload while she is overwhelmed. Shing and Mei are not the ones pushing Angie back at the funeral, instead it is the columbarium staff who are sticking to strict protocol in order to ensure Pat has a smooth afterlife. It is only when Shing is made executor of Pat’s estate, and the question of what to do with Pat and Angie’s home is raised, that the spectre of greed starts to encroach on their previously harmonious relationship. Thankfully Angie has the support of her friends and chosen family who act as sounding boards and advisors as she starts to find her own voice and stand up for her relationship and her own life.
Yeung has constructed a tale with no villains, only a series of people all making choices and trying to do the best for their families. Each character is sympathetic in their approach which makes each slight more painful to watch. Leung Ming-kai’s cinematography may soften the edges, but also focuses us in on Angie’s pain and moments of isolation.
It is a sobering reminder that blood runs thicker than water for most, and even the tightest of bonds can be broken when money is involved. The journey may be emotionally rocky, but as the title tells us, the destination is definitely worth it.
By Chad Armstrong
All Will Be Well screens at the 11th Queer Screen Film Fest in Sydney, Australia on August 31st, 2024. For more details and to purchase tickets head to queerscreen.org.au.
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