20-second short video: [Danzai’s Daily Life]
Series 1 - Episode 1: ‘Can’t Find It Anywhere’
Film Synopsis
Character: Xiao Yuan
Xiao Yuan searched all over the house for his keys, rummaging through the sofa, drawers and under the table; the more he searched, the more flustered he became, and he was soon covered in sweat. He muttered to himself, ‘They were definitely here just a moment ago… how could they have gone missing…’ Finally, he gave up and sighed, ‘Never mind, I’m not looking any more.’ He absent-mindedly scratched the top of his head, and there was the key in his hand. Suddenly, the key spoke: ‘You’ve been looking for me for so long… but I’ve been right here the whole time.’ Startled, Xiao Yuan flung the key away; it did a somersault in mid-air: ‘Why did you throw me away? You were holding me yourself.’
Closing quote: ‘The thing that’s hardest to find is always right there in your hands.’
Series 1 - Episode 2: ‘Even the Alarm Clock Says I’m Tired’
Film Synopsis
Character: Xiao Liu
The alarm went off. Xiao Liu switched it off and turned over to go back to sleep. The time jumped from 7:00 to 7:15, and he mumbled sleepily, ‘I don’t want to go to work… Let me sleep a bit longer…’ The alarm clock suddenly said in a weary voice, ‘Actually… I’m really tired too. I’ve been going off since two in the morning—five times now.’
‘You’re not tired… but I am.’ The alarm clock’s hands began to move backwards, turning the time back to 7:00. The alarm clock yawned: ‘Why don’t… we just lie here a bit longer…’ Xiao Liu smiled, hugged the alarm clock, and the two of them ‘fell asleep’ together.
Closing quote: ‘When even the alarm clock gives up, you know… today isn’t the day.’'Get up.'
Series 1 – Episode 3: ‘Typhoon: Working from Home’
Film Synopsis
Character: Xiao Yan
The news announced a No. 8 typhoon signal. Xiao Yan cheered with delight and leapt onto the sofa: ‘Long live typhoons! Long live working from home!’ He replied to the company group chat, then flopped down on the sofa. Suddenly, the television switched itself on and said in a gentle yet sinister voice: ‘Working from home? Fine. Since you’re working from home today… why not do some housework whilst you’re at it?’ A list of household chores appeared on the screen: washing up, doing the laundry, sweeping, mopping, cleaning the windows, folding the washing… all listed in order of priority. Xiao Yan’s joy turned to despair, and the television said with a laugh, “Take your time with it; I’ll be watching you. Good luck!”
Closing quote: ‘The truth about typhoons: working from home = doing housework at home.’
Series 1 – Episode 4: ‘Talk of Money, and I’m Instantly Alert’
Film Synopsis
Character: Xiao Jun
A colleague asked Xiao Jun, ‘You’re so busy at work—what do you usually do to relax and cheer yourself up?’ Xiao Jun thought for a couple of seconds, then replied calmly, ‘Getting paid.’ His colleague was taken aback. Xiaojun opened his banking app and, seeing that his salary had been credited to his account, his eyes immediately lit up. He said to his computer, ‘Thank you.’ The computer replied in the electronic voice of a cash machine: ‘You’re welcome. Remember to turn up for work on time next month.’ Xiaojun smiled and said, ‘I certainly will, I certainly will.’
Closing quote: ‘The most relaxing activity is called “looking at your payslip”.’
Series 1 – Episode 5: ‘Running Out of Food Again’
Film Synopsis
Character: Xiao Jian
At the start of the month, Xiao Jian treated his friend Xiao Wen to a lavish meal: ‘Order whatever you like! Don’t hold back!’ He paid with his mobile phone in a flash. Cut to the end of the month.
Xiao Jian opened the fridge to find just one packet of instant noodles left. He picked up the packet and said, ‘…It’s you again.’ The packet of noodles suddenly spoke up: ‘You treated people to sushi and steak at the start of the month, and now that you’re out of money, you’ve come looking for me. What do you take me for?’
‘A spare tyre?’ Xiao Jian was lost for words. His mobile rang: ‘Your wages have been paid into your account.’ His eyes lit up, but the instant noodles urged him: ‘Still reading? Hurry up and ask Xiao Wen out for a meal!’ Xiao Jian picked up his mobile, but suddenly paused, looking at Baomian. After a second’s silence, he said: ‘…I’d better save a bit of money.’ He put Baomian back in the fridge: ‘Tonight… I’ll add an extra egg for you.’ Baomian said contentedly:
‘Come on, then. This time… I’ll let you off.’
Closing quote: ‘Treat your friends to a nice meal at the start of the month, and eat instant noodles yourself at the end of the month. Your friends will remember you… and they’ll still remember you at the end of the month.’
Series 1 - Episode 1: ‘Breakfast Horror’
Film Synopsis
Character: Xiao Liu | Animal: Gecko | Duration: 16 seconds
Opening (0–2 seconds)
A seed falls from the sky, lands in the soil, sprouts and transforms into the ‘Sowing the Seed in the Heart’ logo, with the title *An Uninvited Guest at Breakfast* appearing.
Story summary (2–15 seconds)
It was morning. Xiao Liu picked up a sandwich and opened his mouth wide, ready to take a bite. The camera cut to a shot from inside the sandwich—between the lettuce and the cheese, a little gecko was lying comfortably, using the lettuce as a blanket, the cheese as a pillow, and clutching a slice of ham.
Xiao Liu’s mouth drew ever closer, and just as it was about to bite, the gecko was startled awake. Still half-asleep, it stretched its head forward and gave Xiao Liu a gentle kiss. Time stood still, and Xiao Liu’s eyes widened.
The gecko came to his senses: ‘Er… good morning. Have you brushed your teeth?’ Xiao Liu was beside herself: ‘You kissed me, and now you’re asking if I’ve brushed my teeth?’ The gecko wiped his mouth with his tail: ‘You’ve got bad breath.’ With that, the gecko slowly crawled out of the sandwich, hopped onto another slice of bread nearby, and added before falling asleep: ‘Next time before breakfast… remember to brush your teeth.’
Closing (15–16 seconds)
A quote pops up on screen: ‘An uninvited guest at breakfast… might despise you even more than you do.’ The scene then fades to the logo for the spin-off of *Sowing the Seeds of the Heart* to conclude.
Series 1 – Episode 2: ‘Wild Boars First’
Film Synopsis
Character: Xiao Jun | Animal: Wild boar | Duration: 16 seconds
Opening (0–2 seconds)
A seed falls from the sky, lands in the soil, sprouts, and transforms into the ‘Sowing the Heart’ logo, with the title *Waiting for the Wild Boar to Cross the Road* appearing.
Story summary (2–15 seconds)
It was evening. Xiao Jun was in a hurry to meet Xiao Wen when, as he turned a corner, he came across a mother wild boar slowly crossing the road with her piglets. Xiao Jun honked his horn and called out to her, but the mother wild boar showed no sign of hurrying.
Mum Wild Boar stopped and said, ‘We were on this path first.’ She pointed at the sign with her snout: ‘You Egg Family put up a sign saying “Wild Boars Ahead”, and the way I see it, that means “Wild Boars Have Right of Way”.’ Xiao Jun was left speechless.
Mum Wild Boar said to her little ones, ‘Take your time, there’s no need to rush.’ Xiao Jun was at his wits’ end. Before she left, the mother wild boar said, ‘Remember, next time you see a “Wild Boars Have Right of Way” sign, you’ll know just how long you’ll have to wait.’ Xiao Jun drove off, but as soon as he rounded a bend, there was another herd of wild boars ahead.
Closing (15–16 seconds)
A quote pops up on screen: ‘Xiao Jun, indigenous people aren’t necessarily egg boys.’ The scene then cuts to the logo for the spin-off of *Sowing the Seeds of the Heart* to conclude the sequence.
Series 1 – Episode 3: ‘Ma Liu Shan’
Film Synopsis
Character: Xiao Jian | Animal: Macaque | Duration: 16
Opening (0–2 seconds)
A seed falls from the sky, lands in the soil, sprouts, and transforms into the ‘Sowing the Seed in the Heart’ logo, with the title *Infernal Affairs: Ma Liu Shan* appearing.
Story summary (2–15 seconds)
It was the weekend. Xiao Jian was hiking in the mountains when he opened his rucksack, which contained crisps, bananas and sushi. A monkey leapt down from a tree: ‘I saw you eating sushi just now.’ Xiao Jian was startled.
The monkey pointed at the notice board with its tail: ‘You’re not allowed to feed monkeys here. Eating in front of me is tantamount to tempting me. I could report you.’ The monkey threatened, ‘But look, if you hand over the crisps, I’ll pretend nothing happened.’ Xiao Jian reluctantly handed them over.
The monkey took the crisps, hopped back up the tree and began to eat them, looking down at Xiao Jian and saying, ‘Don’t let me catch you eating sushi again.’ Xiao Jian stood there dumbfounded, then silently packed up his rucksack and left.
Closing (15–16 seconds)
A caption appears on screen: ‘Xiao Jian, at Ma Liu Shan… you’re just a supporting character.’ The scene then cuts to the ‘Sowing the Seeds of the Heart’ spin-off logo to conclude.
Group 1 – Episode 4: ‘Kwai Fong Dance’
Film Synopsis
Character: Xiao Yan | Location: The streets of Kwai Fong | Duration: 16 seconds
Opening (0–2 seconds)
A seed falls from the sky, lands in the soil, sprouts, and transforms into the ‘Sowing in the Heart’ logo, revealing the title *A Kaleidoscope of Kwai Fong*.
Story summary (2–15 seconds)
It was night-time. As Xiao Yan was walking past Kwai Fong MTR Station, suddenly a whole row of streetlights began to flash frantically, flickering rapidly at a rate of three times per second. In an instant, the entire street was transformed into the scene of a massive nightclub.
Xiao Yan froze, staring at the flashing lights, then excitedly began bobbing her head to the beat and even started dancing, raising her hands high: ‘Wow! Is Kwai Fong this lively these days?’
The street lamp next to her suddenly said in a weary, electronic voice: ‘Do you think this is funny? We’ve been flashing for a whole hour…⋯. It’s really tiring.’ Xiao Yan was startled: ‘You… you can talk?’ The street lamp continued to flash: ‘We’re not just setting the mood… we’re broken. Hurry up and call someone to fix us; my eyes are so tired…’
Xiao Yan awkwardly stopped dancing, took out her mobile, but wasn’t sure who to ring. The street lamp sighed: ‘Ah… don’t bother ringing anyone. Just wait until dawn.’ Having said that, the street lamp continued to flash rapidly, though the frequency seemed to have slowed ever so slightly, like an employee who was utterly exhausted yet still having to keep going.
Xiao Yan looked at the flash, then at the camera: ‘So “Kwai Fong Night Spectacular” is just a faulty streetlight.’
Closing (15–16 seconds)
A quote pops up on screen: ‘The lights of Kwai Fong… just like the people of Hong Kong, working overtime until they’re completely exhausted.’ The screen then cuts to the logo for the spin-off of *Sowing the Seeds of the Heart* to conclude the scene.
Series 1 - Episode 5: ‘Even Robots Can’t Take It Anymore’
Film Synopsis
Character: Xiao Jun | Setting: Airport | Duration: 16 seconds
Opening (0–2 seconds)
A seed falls from the sky, lands in the soil, sprouts, and transforms into the ‘Sowing the Seed of the Mind’ logo, revealing the title *The Realisation of the Airport Robot*.
Story summary (2–15 seconds)
The airport. Xiao Jun was dragging his luggage up the stairs when he suddenly heard a loud bang behind him. He turned around to see an airport robot lying at the bottom of the stairs, its parts scattered across the floor, its wheels still spinning idly. Right next to it was a sign reading ‘Mind the steps’.
Xiao Jun ran over and helped the robot to its feet: ‘Are you all right? How did you end up falling over?’
The robot’s screen flickered twice, and in a choppy, electronic voice it said, ‘I… I did it on purpose.’ Xiao Jun was taken aback: ‘What? Why?’
Robot: ‘I’ve been walking from dawn till dusk… I’ve walked dozens of kilometres… I’m so tired. I spotted those stairs and thought… I’d have a rest.” It let out a sigh, its voice growing fainter and fainter: “Rather than spending my whole life doing this… perhaps….”
Xiao Jun shook it nervously: ‘Hey! Don’t you dare die!’
The robot’s screen flickered one last time, displaying a smiley face, before it said in a faint voice, ‘Finally… I can call it a day…’
Xiao Jun stood frozen in place, gazing at the robot that had ‘died in the line of duty’, then looking into the camera. He remained silent for a few seconds: ‘...If even robots don’t want to go to work, what hope is there for Hong Kong’s working class...?’
Closing (15–16 seconds)
A caption pops up on screen: ‘Airport robot: I choose death. Hong Kong office worker: I choose to watch this and then go back to work.’ The scene then cuts to the logo for the spin-off of *Sowing Seeds in the Heart*, bringing the sequence to a close.
Series 2 – Episode 1: ‘A Different Kind of Pineapple Bun’
Film Synopsis
Character: Doctor | Setting: Hotel banquet hall
Key scenes:
1) The Doctor was at the Grand Hotel when a waiter lifted the silver lid—revealing a pineapple bun
2) The pineapple bun spoke up: ‘Doctor, you’ve taken us the wrong way. I’ve come to find my cousin, the walnut biscuit!’
3) Pineapple Bun: ‘Do I have to wear a suit?’ The butter popped out: ‘But if you’re wearing a suit, does that mean I have to wear an evening gown?’
4) The pineapple bun’s breakdown: ‘Leave me alone!’
Key fact: Pineapple buns do not actually contain pineapple; their name comes from their resemblance to a pineapple. The flaky pastry used in these buns is modelled on that of walnut shortbread, so they really are ‘related’.
Quotable line: ‘A pineapple bun without pineapple—you can’t even see your cousin.’
Series 2 – Episode 2: ‘The Egg Tart Aristocrats’
Film Synopsis
Character: Lulu
Setting: a Hong Kong-style café
Lulu was eating an egg tart in a Hong Kong-style café when the egg tart suddenly spoke up: ‘I used to be a dessert for the British Royal Family! Even Henry VIII used to eat me!’ Lulu was taken aback: ‘Wow! So how did you end up in a café?’ The egg tart sighed: ‘The chef in Guangzhou said butter was too expensive, so he replaced it with lard and added some Chinese-style steamed egg to the mix, turning me from a noble into a commoner.’ Lulu consoled him: “But you’re even more popular now than you used to be.” The egg tart fell silent for a moment: “That’s true… but could you take smaller bites? I’m quite crispy.”
Key fact: Egg tarts originated from the medieval English ‘cheese tart’; there are records of them appearing at the coronation banquet of King Henry IV of England in 1399. In the 1920s, chefs in Guangzhou recreated them using lard and eggs, transforming the egg tart from a delicacy for the aristocracy into a food enjoyed by the general public.
Quote: ‘Egg tarts – a Hong Kong favourite.’
Series 2 – Episode 3: ‘The Little Egg’
Film Synopsis
Character: Xiao Yuan
Setting: a Hong Kong-style café
Xiao Yuan: ‘Thank you, one tray of egg waffles, please.’
The doctor turned round and picked up a plate—on which were six whole eggs, arranged to look like egg waffles.
Xiao Yuan froze: ‘…I do want some egg waffles, you know.’
The Doctor replied confidently: ‘Egglet—that’s the offspring of an egg. The offspring of an egg is, of course, an egg. What’s your problem?’
Xiao Yuan was lost for words; she stared at the six eggs, unable to say a thing.
A real egg standing nearby couldn’t help but speak up: ‘Hey! He’s an egg, I’m an egg waffle! I’m made from flour! Don’t get it wrong!’
The doctor looked at him: ‘…In that case, you should be called “Flour Boy”.’
The egg waffle fell apart.
Quotation: ‘Egg waffles aren’t the offspring of eggs… they are the “incarnation” of eggs.’
Series 2 – Episode 4: ‘The Fish Ball Turnaround’
Film Synopsis
Character: Xiao Liu
Setting: A luxury banquet hall in a five-star hotel
In the hotel banquet hall, Xiao Liu, dressed in her evening gown, sat at a sumptuous dining table.
The waitress (played by Xiao Wen) brought over a silver platter bearing a string of delicate fish balls—strung on bamboo skewers—with a side of curry sauce.
Xiao Liu looked at the knife and fork on the plate, then at the skewer of fish balls, looking thoroughly puzzled: ‘Why do the fish balls have to be on a bamboo skewer? Can’t I just eat them as they are?’
Fishball suddenly spoke up, sounding extremely annoyed: ‘Hey! What are you doing with that knife and fork?’
Xiao Liu was taken aback: ‘Eh? How are we supposed to eat this?’
Fish Ball declared boldly: ‘Of course you eat them by ‘poking’ them with a bamboo skewer! That’s my pride and joy! Back in the 1950s, street vendors sold us from handcarts. To make it convenient for customers to eat straight away whilst standing by the roadside, they’d skewer us on bamboo sticks—that’s the very soul of Hong Kong’s street food!”
Xiao Liu: ‘But it’s a hotel…’
Fish balls: ‘What’s with the hotel? I’m a Hong Kong street snack! No bamboo skewers? I’d rather you didn’t eat me!’
Xiao Liu, feeling a bit exasperated, picked up a bamboo skewer and began ‘poking’ the fish balls one by one to eat them. The fish ball nodded contentedly: ‘That’s just right! When you’re eating fish balls, you’ve got to “poke” them—that’s what gives it that sense of ceremony, after all.’
Quotable line: ‘Even though Fishball has gone to the hotel, she’s still getting “hit on”.’
Key points:
Fish balls are sold on bamboo skewers, a practice that originated in the 1950s when itinerant street vendors sold them from handcarts. To make it convenient for customers to buy and eat them straight away whilst standing on the kerb, the fish balls were threaded onto bamboo skewers. Hong Kong people therefore refer to eating fish balls as ‘dúk yú dàn’ — ‘dúk’ refers to the action of piercing the fish balls with a bamboo skewer. Hong Kong people consume approximately 3.75 million fish balls every day.
Series 2 – Episode 5: ‘A Love Story of Steamed Rice Cakes’
Film Synopsis
Character: Xiao Shan | Setting: Snack shop in Central Market
Xiao Shan and Xiao Wen were walking through the Central Market when Xiao Wen pointed to a pot cake and said, ‘I’ll buy you one to try—it’s nice and chewy, isn’t it, Y?’ Xiao Shan smiled sweetly: ‘When did you learn to be so romantic?’ Xiao Wen replied with complete confidence: ‘I saw it online.’
The pot cake suddenly spoke up: ‘Oi, have you two had enough? I’m just a pot cake, you know—don’t use me to declare your love.’ Xiao Wen and Xiao Shan were startled. The pot cake sighed: ‘I’ve got red beans—they symbolise longing. People used to use me to woo girls; now you lot just pick up a few lines online and think you’re being romantic?” Xiao Wen and Xiao Shan were left speechless. The rice cake said, “Your love… is it as ‘chewy’ as mine?”
Key point: Due to its ‘chewy’ texture, ‘pó zai gāo’ has come to be used as a term of endearment. Red bean pó zai gāo is known as ‘red bean cake of longing’, which has established a connection with love.
Quote: ‘Is your love resilient enough for me?’
Series 2 – Episode 1: ‘A Heavy Blow to the Purse’
Film Synopsis
Characters: Xiao Jian, Mum (The Egg Family)
Setting: A bookshop
Story synopsis:
Characters: Xiao Jian, Mum
Setting: A bookshop
Story synopsis:
On the eve of the new term, Mum took Xiao Jian to buy stationery. Xiao Jian was absolutely delighted; he picked up a school bag featuring the Friendly Eggie characters and said, ‘Mum! I want this school bag – it’s got Friendly Eggie on it!’ He then picked up a box of Friendly Eggie-branded coloured pens: ‘And this too! The pencil case – Flie’s from the Friendly Eggie family as well!’ He then pointed to the Friendly Eggie (Xiao Jian) keyring hanging from his schoolbag: ‘Mummy! The keyring’s from the Friendly Eggie family too!’
Mum took the price tag and her expression darkened: ‘…Why are the Egg Family’s products so expensive?’
The wallet suddenly spoke, its voice weak: ‘…I can’t hold on any longer. Call Dad.’
Xiao Jian looked at his wallet, then at the Egg Family collectable in his hand, reluctant to part with it.
Quote: ‘On the first day of term, it’s the one footing the bill who suffers the most.’
Implantable products
Featuring designs from the Egg Family range, including stationery, water bottles, key rings, school bags…
Series 2 - Episode 2: ‘A Flash Summer’
Film Synopsis
Character: Xiao Liu
Setting: Bedroom
Story synopsis:
On the morning of the first day of term, the alarm clock kept going off. Xiao Liu reached out to switch it off, then hugged his pillow and went back to sleep. The alarm clock couldn’t help but call out: ‘Hey! It’s the first day of term today! Are you still asleep?’ Xiao Liu glanced at the calendar in a daze, then at his mobile: ‘What?! It was only the 1st of July yesterday – why is it already the 1st of September today?’ He rolled back into bed and hugged his pillow: ‘I only just started my summer holidays yesterday… why is school starting today?’
The alarm clock said resignedly, ‘You were just having a dream! Get up now!’
Xiao Liu immediately stood up and looked at his desk—the ‘100 Things to Do This Summer’ list he’d written before the holidays, with not a single item ticked off. He froze: ‘I haven’t even had enough time to play my games…’ Then he quickly put on his school
I’m wearing my school uniform, but it’s getting a bit tight….
Key points for production:
1) When the alarm goes off, the entire alarm ‘vibrates’, emphasising the noisy effect
2) A ‘ZZZ’ visual effect is added whilst Xiao Liu is asleep, blurring the image to resemble a dream
3) The calendar quickly jumps from 1 July to 1 September, emphasising the ‘flash’ effect
4) A close-up of the ‘100 Things to Do During the Summer Holidays’ list, with none of the items ticked off, to create a sense of relatability
5) When Xiao Liu wears his school uniform, the ‘tight’ feel of the uniform is depicted using a 3D elongation effect
Series 2 – Episode 3: ‘A Mountain of Summer Holidays’
Film Synopsis
Characters: Xiao Yuan, Xiao Shan, Xiao Liu, Xiao Yan, Xiao Jun
Setting: Classroom
Story synopsis:
Story Outline
On the first day of term, Xiao Shan asked Xiao Yuan, ‘Have you finished your summer holidays homework?’ Xiao Yuan opened his schoolbag, and the homework inside burst out with a ‘thud’, piled one on top of the other like a mountain—there was an absurd amount of it. He picked up a brand-new workbook; not a single word had been written in it.
The homework suddenly spoke in unison: ‘Not a single one done? How heartless of you!’
The other members of the Egg Family all turned to look at Xiao Yuan, and the air seemed to stand still.
A bead of sweat trickled down her round forehead; her eyes darted from side to side, and she looked extremely embarrassed.
At that moment, the teacher shouted from off-camera: ‘Xiao Yuan! Where’s your homework?’
Xiao Yuan jumped up in fright; an exclamation mark appeared above her head, and she instantly turned pale. She quickly stuffed her homework back into her schoolbag, sat up straight, gave a blank stare, and pretended nothing had happened: ‘…I’ve done it.’
Quote: ‘There’s a mountain of summer homework… and you haven’t done a single one.’
A moment of recognition: the embarrassment of having not done any of your summer homework and being found out by your classmates and teachers
Notes
• Inspired by the classic reactions of characters in *Chibi Maruko-chan* when they feel embarrassed or shocked
• The effect should be dramatic yet simple; it mustn’t be overly complicated.
• Black vertical line, beads of sweat, exclamation mark, greyed-out text, deadpan expression
• The key is to amplify that feeling of ‘awkwardness’ to the extreme, so that the audience laughs the moment they see it
• Avoid being too realistic; stick to black and white colours
Series 2 – Episode 4: ‘On Call 24/7’
Film Synopsis
Role: Dan Zai’s Mum
Setting: At home
Story synopsis:
After dropping Xiao Jian off at school, Danzai’s mum finally returned home. She thought she could have a bit of a rest and was just about to sit down on the sofa when the washing machine suddenly made a noise:
‘Hey! I still haven’t washed that pile of clothes I took off yesterday!’
Egg Boy’s mum was taken aback; before she’d even had a chance to recover, the vacuum cleaner went on to say, ‘There’s still loads of dust on the floor—why have you sat down?’ Egg Boy’s mum: ‘I’ve only just dropped my son off at school…’ The vacuum cleaner: ‘You’re not thinking of having a rest, are you?’
Danzai’s mum got up with a sigh and went into the kitchen to get a glass of water, when the fridge spoke up again: ‘What are you buying for dinner tonight? Your son needs to eat!’ Danzai’s mum glanced at the time; it was already 11 o’clock. She’d been going non-stop since 7 o’clock that morning. She sighed into the camera: ‘…This job has no finishing time.’
Quote: ‘For a full-time mum, the end of the working day… is when there is no end to the working day.’
A moment of recognition: I thought I could have a rest after dropping the children off at school, but it turned out there were even more things to do at home.
Key points
• All household appliances (washing machines, vacuum cleaners, fridges) use ‘vibration and flashing lights’ to communicate
• The wallet finally pops up to add a final remark, linking ‘open every day’ and ‘a heavy blow to the wallet’ back to the first episode
Egg Boy’s mum’s journey from ‘thinking she could rest after dropping her son off’ to ‘having more and more to do’ needs to be clearly delineated
• Effects: When Eggy’s mum breaks down, you can apply the ‘black line’ or ‘grey out’ effects
Series 2 – Episode 5: ‘The Vanishing Self’
Film Synopsis
Role: Dan Zai’s Mum
Setting: Home / Bedroom
Story synopsis:
In the evening, having finally finished all the housework, Dan Zai’s mum stood in front of the mirror, looking at herself. She realised it had been a long time since she’d worn make-up or bought any new clothes. She opened her mobile and looked at old photos of herself with her friends.
Back then, I had a smile on my face and a life to live.
She said to the mirror, ‘I used to… I don’t think I was like this.’ The mirror suddenly spoke up: ‘What were you like before? I don’t remember you being like this.’ Dan Zai’s mum was taken aback. The mirror continued, ‘You used to meet up with friends, buy lovely clothes and laugh. And now? All you can think about is what time your son finishes school and what vegetables to buy.”
Danzai’s mum fell silent, staring at her mobile; she wanted to ring a friend, but was afraid of disturbing them.
Just then, the doorbell rang; Xiao Jian came home and rushed in to hug Danzai’s mum: ‘Mum! I’m back!’ Danzai’s mum paused for a moment, then finally broke into her first smile of the day.
Danzai’s mum looked at Xiao Jian, then at the camera: ‘…So I’m still here, after all.’
Quote: ‘The thing a full-time mum is most likely to lose… is herself.’
Point of resonance: Full-time mums lose their sense of self, and their lives revolve solely around the family
Key points
• The lighting at the start is rather dim, emphasising Eggy’s mother’s loneliness and sense of loss
• The talking mirror is a source of humour, but it also strikes a chord with the idea that ‘even the mirror doesn’t recognise you’
• Effect: When Eggy’s mum is hesitating over whether to ring a friend, a black solid-line background and a blank stare with ‘x x’ are added to emphasise her confusion at ‘not knowing who she is’
• After Xiao Jian entered the house, the lighting turned warmer, symbolising ‘hope’ and ‘rediscovering oneself’
• Egg Boy’s mum goes from confusion → silence → being moved → a smile; the shift in her emotions must be clearly defined