Review of The Home Song Stories (2007) by Anna C — 14 Sep 2007

A beautifully told tale from the perspective of a child of his mother, an unstable character. The mother, played by Joan Chen, is a lounge singer who emigrates with her son and daughter to suburban Melbourne. The narrative is focussed on the early 1970s and the relationship between the boy's mother and a cook, from Hong Kong, who works in the local Chinese restaurant, played by Qi Yuwu(yummy!)Seen from the perspective of a young boy, it is quite dispassionate and the gaps in detail and understanding are a reflection of what is observed and understood by the young boy himself.Based on the upbringing of the director, Tony Ayres, "Home Song Stories" shows a raw suburban Australia at odds with a different culture at the height of the Vietnam War, the struggle of immigrants, illegal or otherwise in their diaspora, the power of connections and most importantly, the overwhelming need for staying connected to family, and the relationship between a mother and her two children.

Joan Chen plays a character who was unable to take on the role of a mother, who struggled to include motherhood into womanhood.A biographical film of sorts, it provides an early glimpse into the sexuality of the director, Tony Ayres - the boy in the movie, played by Joel Lock is in the role based on a young Tony Ayres. In one scene, a semi naked Qi Yuwu emerges from the shower and the young boy is seen eyeing Qi Yuwu, who plays a character who is in a relationship with the boy's mother. Qi Yuwu's character notices the young boy eyeing him, and winks conspiratorially, as if to say "OK, you like guys. Don't worry, it's OK".

This is a film that one cannot wholly enjoy, because of the often sad and tragic twists in the story. But it is a great film to watch.

See it.