"The Private Eyes" (1976) - The Significance of Work in Hong Kong
In Hong Kong, the value of work is paramount, and it has been ingrained in our culture for decades. It's as if Hongkongers believe making money is the only purpose in life. As the lyrics of a song aptly put it: 「我哋呢班打工仔，通街走糴直頭系壞腸胃，搵個些少到月底點夠駛(奀過鬼)，確係認真濕滯…」"We, the working class, walk the streets with troubled stomachs, struggling to make ends meet before month-end. It's a genuine struggle…"
The year was 1976, and the concept of work had already occupied a significant place in the lives of Hong Kongers. "The Private Eyes" is a classic comedy film from that year, the third installment in the Hui Brothers comedy series. It tells the story of a detective agency owner whose harsh treatment of his employees eventually leads to his own downfall.
Right from the opening theme song, which humorously emphasizes the importance of "wearing high heels" and "eating whitebait fish," the film underscores the notion that "clothes make the man." Money had already become a critical factor in Hong Kong life during the 1970s. As the story unfolds, we see the relentless progression of events, with the agency owner, played by Michael Hui, relentlessly berating his employees, portrayed by his brothers Sam Hui and Ricky Hui. In an interesting twist, the perspective flips, and the boss ends up experiencing the misfortunes he subjected his staff to.
One of the most memorable scenes involves the boss, in disguise, discovering that the toothpaste is running out. To get the last bit, he resorts to stomping on the tube—a relatable portrayal of how Hong Kongers have always been thrifty, even for the tiniest bit of toothpaste, emphasizing the importance of saving.
Returning to the theme of work, the film ingeniously uses the detective agency as a backdrop to explore various subplots—factory work, robbery, extramarital affairs, and more. Work is, without a doubt, a core value in Hong Kong, as seen during the recent anti-extradition protests, where some believed, "The government may be wrong, but don't disrupt my work," and considered violence unacceptable.
However, when we look at the bigger picture—the encouragement of talent to migrate north, new immigrants moving south, the lack of border controls during the pandemic, the erosion of free speech, political interference with the legal system, and the disregard for the separation of powers—it seems like a deliberate weakening of Hong Kong's competitiveness. With a legislature predominantly composed of pro-establishment members, almost any proposed bills pass with ease, including the controversial Lantau Tomorrow Vision project.
So, while you toil endlessly to afford your own home, remember that you're also working diligently to support the real estate dreams of many others in the bustling city of Hong Kong. Some may say, "If you don't work in Hong Kong, you'll just become a second-rate citizen overseas." But have you ever considered that you might have been a second-rate citizen in Hong Kong all along?
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