Hong Kong Festival 2010 Presents: At the End of Daybreak

Chinese name:心魔. After a young man's sexual relationship with an under-age teen whom he met on the internet is exposed, a storm of controversy is followed by murderous consequences. Malaysian filmmaker Ho Yuhang seeks to go beyond the surface of this type of incident, which happens in every city, and to explore the core of the problem, including failing filial values, a rigid education system and tabloid journalism. After the success of Rain Dogs (2006) at Venice, Toronto, Nantes, and other festivals, Ho will once again team up with producer Lorna Tee for At the End of Daybreak, a chilling social tragedy near the point of explosion.

Tuck Chai, a man in his 20s, meets Ying, a high school girl, through the internet. Their sexual relationship, however, is soon discovered by the under-aged girl's parents who threaten to press charges against the man. According to the law, sex with a minor constitutes rape. The man's mother negotiates with the girl's parents, however, and reaches a monetary settlement instead. Yet, after the mother has successfully raised the cash, the girl's parents still insist on suing him. The man, fearing an impending jail sentence, secretly asks the girl out to try to convince her. By this time, though, only fear, frustration, anger, hatred, and distrust exist between them. Matters begin to spiral down to a tragic denouement.

For more information visit: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1483799/

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Event listed by Bevan Chuang

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