What does it mean you're truly dead? 

When even the last person has forgotten you…

So please

let me be with you as close as possible 

before you are completely forgotten

The water has been dripping over time 

drip by drip 

Now

I can only look 

but I can’t do anything 

until you’ve totally disappeared 

We’re drowning in water 

drip by drip…

dripp…

drip

…

.

"ngo5 dei6 hou2 CLOSE" (「我哋好 CLOSE」literally Cantonese meaning ‘we are so close’) combines live movement and Chinese calligraphy to explore the intimacy that her body has with her mother tongue CANTONESE and how a language is embodied in a moving body. Meanwhile, to reflect the fact that CANTONESE in Hong Kong has been gradually disappearing as replaced by Mandarin bit by bit after returning to China since 1997.

The elimination of a language is the first step to the eradication of a culture. CANTONESE is not only a language for HongKongers, but also a crucial part of their cultural assets, history and social life. More importantly, the cultural identity of HongKongers.

✴︎ 25 min

Performance and creation: Amy Kiu-Yan Cheng | Mentored by Femke Gyselinck | Dramaturgical assistance: Peter Kiu-Sing Cheng, Wai-Ying Ho, Melodie Lai, Hoi-Yan Fung | Technical support from Letícia Ferreira

Credits