If you have followed the earlier Macao original videos screening, you probably remember a short video titled “It Does Matter”. It was made by Henry Lei, a third-year UM student from the Department of Communication. Still a university student, Henry has already received several video awards, including a first prize for the Macao region and a first national prize for his work Ten Years, at a DV competition held in 2010, when he was still a secondary school student, as well as two prizes in 2012 for his two videos Seek.Sea and Pay It Forward.

The film industry is often referred to as the “Dream Factory”, perhaps because those who are in it are mostly pursuers of dreams, and Henry is no exception.

Passion Opens the Road Ahead

Compared to his peers, Henry discovered his passion for film at a relative early age. To him, film-making is not only wonderfully challenging, but also requires that a number of chance factors line up right in one’s favour. “I would always anticipate how I was going to do it, but when the filming actually took place, there were always unexpected things,” says Henry. “There is no one formula for filming. Before the actual filming, everything is subject to change, and how to deal with the variables is a challenge I enjoy.”

When we talk about “the cultural and creative industry”—which has become a hot topic in Macao in recent years—we are really talking about “people”, because the thriving of this industry depends on old-timers to pass on their knowledge, skills and experience as well as the younger generation to devote themselves to it and to constantly innovate, which would not be possible without a burning passion. Henry is passionate about anything that’s to do with filming. He believes every filming experience teaches him something new, and that’s why he is always looking for filming opportunities on and off campus, and in the process he has met a group of like-minded friends, who have reinforced his determination to pursue his dream. He hopes to make use of his university time to assemble a team he could continue to work with even after graduation.

Persistence Sustains the Journey

Compared to other regions, Macao’s film industry is still in its embryonic stage. Has Henry ever worried about the bumpy journey ahead? “People keep saying that Macao is small and there aren’t enough audiences, but I still want to give my dream a go. Whatever I do, I’ve only got one life to live, so I figured I might as well start doing what I love while I’m still young,” says Henry. Apart from film, Henry is also interested in theatre. “I’ve always wanted to find a cross between film and stage play,” says Henry. “Of course I’m still learning, and I hope in the future I could have a chance to make this happen. I also hope to contribute in my small way to the development of stage play in Macao.”

At the moment Henry is busy making a film to celebrate the tenth anniversary of UM’s Peer Support Programme, or PSP. “They have gained joy and love from this programme and now they hope to spread their love and laughter,” says Henry, the newly-appointed director. “I firmly believe that film is a powerful way to convey a message, and I hope this film can help more people know the spirit of ‘Pay It Forward’.” Wait, what is PSP? And what is “Pay It Forward”? Why not find out in Henry’s film, which is due to be screened at UM’s Cultural Centre on 2 April and 3 April?

Reporter’s Note

During my interview with Henry, I could easily feel his humility, determination, perseverance, and most importantly, his passion about film. Robert Wise once said, “My three Ps: passion, patience, perseverance. You have to do this if you’ve got to be a filmmaker.” Well, luckily for Henry, he seems to have got all the three Ps. Let’s wish him success in the pursuit of his dream.