Immigrant's Circus Dream Takes Flight in Heartwarming Film

In the upcoming film "High Wire," directed by Chong in her feature debut, audiences will be introduced to the story of Go-Wing, a Chinese immigrant whose days are filled with working at her father's takeaway and studying. Beneath her sense of duty, however, lies a crushing loneliness and the prospect of a life unfulfilled.

When an acrobatic circus comes to town, Go-Wing sees an opportunity to join them, thanks to a bit of accidental blackmail. This decision leads her to discover the promise of community, artistic release, and a fulfilling future on her own terms. The film, co-written by Chong and Jackie Lam, explores themes of duty, loneliness, and the pursuit of one's dreams as an immigrant.

Casting the lead role of a circus performer proved to be a challenge for Chong, who was looking for an actress with the right combination of bilingual ability, dance skills, and more. However, when she saw Isabella Wei's audition tape, she knew she had found the perfect fit. Wei, who was in Hong Kong at the time, was excited to bring the story of a Hong Kong-ethnic character in the UK to life.

The film's cinematographer, Matthew P. Scott, also faced technical challenges, particularly in capturing the final high-wire act, which required extensive visual effects work. Meanwhile, Wei found the scenes set in the Chinese takeaway to be the most demanding, as she had to convincingly portray the long-standing relationship between Go-Wing and her father.

"High Wire" is a heartwarming and inspiring story that explores the immigrant experience, the pursuit of dreams, and the transformative power of community and artistic expression.