A Light Never Goes Out (2022) Movie Script
1
Bill, these machines are a scam
What's going on?
I've put in so much money
But I'm not getting any back
Treat it like you're making a wish
What do you mean?
They say there's a fountain in Rome
If you toss in a coin with your back facing it
Your wish will come true
Really? Why didn't you say so?
How do you toss it? I ran out of money
You're so anxious
Watch me toss it, just like this
Hey... stop fooling around
Not like this... how should I toss it?
To your right...
What was your wish?
It won't come true if I tell you
Give it a try
May our love last to eternity
(FUNERAL WHITE ENVELOPE)
(BILL'S NEON)
(BILL'S NEON)
Bill? Bill Yeung, is that you?
I told you not to cook so much
We can't finish it
Let's eat
Prism, did you know?
Your father's workshop hasn't closed down
It's still running
That's not possible
It's true, his equipment is still there
Why are you messing with dad's old stuff?
The work orders are all new
A customer just called him
But his phone ran out of battery
The workshop was shut down a decade ago
I thought so too,
but the neon tubes are still warm
You don't believe me?
Go up there and see for yourself
I should go to the doctors with you instead
- (HELLO? THIS IS 'BILL'S NEON', )
- Listen
(WANNA MAKE A WISH?)
(COME OVER TO MY WORKSHOP!)
Mom, this is an old recording
(HELLO? THIS IS 'BILL'S NEON',
WANNA MAKE A WISH?)
(COME OVER TO MY WORKSHOP!)
You're doing laundry in the middle of the night?
What about the sleeping pills?
Have you been taking them?
Did your father appear in your dreams?
Oh come on...
You didn't take your blood pressure meds
Burn some incense before you go to bed
Today's the 6th week after his passing
I think he's coming back
To tell you again
How is that possible?
You're right, he doesn't even talk to me
Why would he talk to you?
You didn't even shed a tear
And you forgot his last words
What last words?
He only said that he was in pain
Take your meds and go to bed
Prism, where did you put your father's stuff?
(WHAT? I SENT IT OFF FOR RECYCLING)
(I'M WORKING NOW, LET'S TALK LATER)
(INCOMING CALL FROM MOM)
Stop working for a bit and eat first
I'm not hungry
I got you your favourite roasted goose leg
Eat it while it's hot
Mom, I'm working
I threw away dad's stuff
(MISS YEUNG?)
(YOUR PROSPECTIVE MARRIAGE VISA IS APPROVED)
Can I apply for an extension?
(THE APPLICANT MUST GET MARRIED IN AUSTRALIA)
(WITHIN 9 MONTHS OF THE VISA APPROVAL)
(YOUR VISA WOULD BE FORFEITED AFTER THE DEADLINE)
(DO YOU HAVE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS?)
No, thank you
What is it?
We can apply for it at a later date
It's not the right timing
Hey, are you stealing?
No!
I misplaced my husband's clothes in there
Hand it over
I'm being environmentally friendly
So I'm taking his clothes down for recycling...
These are your husband's clothes?
These... I'm not stealing
I just misplaced them by accident, I...
I suspect you of stealing
No...
I'm just being environmentally friendly
I accidentally misplaced them
Sir, there seems to be a fight at the underpass
Perhaps you should check it out
Pack up your things
Otherwise I'm taking you in
Yes, sir
- Calling, 5374 Over
- Over there
Thank you
I've been waiting for so long, are you done yet?
I mixed a new colour
You're afraid no one will take care of you
when you're old
Right here
Where?
Here...
Stop moving around
Don't move
When we're both old
And our hair has gone white
I'll dye your hair, and you can dye mine
I'm not dying my hair
Why not?
Who are you?
Bill... is that you?
No!
Did you come back to tell me something?
No!
Bill, it's me
Bill Yeung
Have you already forgotten me?
- Bill Yeung?
- Yes
Who are you?
I'm my master's apprentice
Bill Yeung's apprentice
Do you know where he went?
He's disappeared for a month now
He didn't pay rent, and my salary too
What kind of master does that?
Can you pay his rent for him?
Look... he hasn't paid rent in a long time
I've never heard of an apprentice
It's been a while since he paid rent
The landlord is gonna kick us out
Take a look... we still owe...
Don't touch his stuff
Wait a second, we're really...
Get out of here
I don't know who you are
Stop messing with his stuff
I'm calling the police
Don't... let me prove it to you... see?
This is us...
Today is my first day learning to make neon tubes
I'm a bit nervous
I hope he doesn't hit me on the head with them
Steady hands
Bend it around like that
Woah
How did you do that?
Red coloured gas inside a green tube
That'll make it orange
So the colours aren't predetermined?
Nothing is predetermined
If you want something, you can make it happen
I told you so
It's finished...
What is it?
Can I see it again?
You can follow my Instagram account
Or just get master to show you how it's done
Now...
He's not coming back
He's gone
Where did he go?
He's dead
You should leave
My husband left this workshop to me
I'll take care of it
After tonight
You can rest in peace
Don't worry, master
If you are willing
Then I'll take care of the workshop
If you have any unfulfilled wishes
Tell me before you leave tonight
Mrs. Master
I remember master once told me
He wanted to make a sign
What sign?
I think he was making this before he passed
He was making it without a sketch
I asked him what he was making
Then he said
I hadn't been born yet
when they took down the sign
Where are you going?
Mrs. Master
What are you looking at?
There was once a beautiful sign right here
But it's been torn down
What are you looking at?
Just looking at what you're looking at
It's none of your business
(WHITE FLOWER OINTMENT)
You keep looking at my sign
I'm trying to find the flaws
You made this?
This is the first sign I made with my own hands
I didn't know anything back then
So it's a bit rough on the edges
I come back occasionally to tweak it
You're a sentimental man
It's just a sign
It's not just a sign
It can outlive both of us
Even when I'm dead
It can illuminate the lives of my grandchildren
Thank you
Wow, it's beautiful
This isn't the most beautiful
Come with me
You're all dressed up, were you at a party?
Don't start
It wasn't fun?
I've been preparing for this day
At my primary school graduation
I was supposed to dance on stage
But that very morning
The principal saw that my dress was torn
So he wouldn't let me perform
So I told myself then
When I've earned my own money
I'm getting myself the most beautiful outfit
So that everyone can watch me dance
Who knew, when I got there
The whole place went dark
It's fate
Nothing is predetermined
If you want something, you can make it happen
(WHI- FLO- OI-)
Your beautiful eyes shine with thousands of lights
Reflecting your soul
Arousing the memory of our first encounter
Leading us afar, following the dance steps
They're called neon lights
The fluorescent halo
Lights up the Pearl of the Orient
The home we built
Shining in the world
The rays of fluorescence
Drive away the darkness magically
Remind me your spirit
- In order to impress you back then
- Even being in the darkest
- I took down my very own sign
- Even being in the darkest
- Weren't you gonna rebuild it for me?
- Even being in the darkest
- Never give up with hope
- I wouldn't know how
- Never give up with hope
You can do it yourself
It's not the 'White Flower Ointment' sign
Why wouldn't it be?
They wanted to switch over to LED
Bill had a huge fight with the lady in charge
He wouldn't want to re-do this sign
You tell me then
Which sign does he wanna rebuild?
You're his wife, and you're clueless
How would I know?
I've never heard him talk about
Rebuilding an old neon sign
Master Wong, you've been friends
with my master for years
Are you just gonna ignore his dying wish?
It was 1973
Guinness world record for the biggest neon sign
That was the talk of the town
It's just big
There isn't much craftsmanship
Not much technique involved
No technique involved?
Kid, you can't even do 1/10 of it
- (NATIONAL)
- Back then, our whole crew
- (NATIONAL)
- We'd work for hours on end
Took us six months
If I was Bill
I'd definitely wanna rebuild that
That's not it
This sign is just red and white
Bill loved all sorts of colours
No?
Maybe this one
Super colourful, this must be it
- (BROADWAY LOUNGE)
- Of course not, naked women as his dying wish?
You speak for yourself
Kid,
- (WILD DEER BAR)
- let me see that sign
This sign...
They wanted to tear it down a few years ago
Let me see
The Buildings Department were already downstairs
- (WILD DEER BAR)
- But he went up, climbed on to the sign and yelled,
(IF YOU WANNA TEAR THIS DOWN,
YOU'RE TAKING ME DOWN WITH IT)
At the end, they didn't take it down
Damn it, Bill
He promised me he wouldn't climb on to those signs
He promised
Or was he coerced into making that promise?
That's between my husband and I
According to your request
I've mapped out all the signs
That were in the stack of drawings
Can you read it?
You're here right now
That's "Mi-do'
The radical of that character is flipped
It's 'Lee Kung Man', not 'Lee Wong Man'
You can't even write,
how can you make neon signs?
Master said that
I was really talented
I don't know why your master hired you
Let's go
You're really gonna go to
each location on this map
And see which signs are taken down
And which signs are still here?
The streets were once filled with neon signs
You wouldn't be afraid of the dark
Now it's all gone
There's a new law stating that
it's illegal construction
They take it down without notice
That's decades of history
Why are you walking so fast?
Bill Yeung, you have some nerve
You were late for our dinner reservation
I told you we couldn't go in if we're late
They'd dare not save me a seat?
I'm gonna ruin their sign!
How macho of you
This was my fault, don't be mad
There's a legend in our industry
Saying that neon lights have a life of their own
When you make a wish
And if it blinks
Then your wish will come true
I don't believe it
Give it a try
I want a raise
Take a look
- How could this be?
- I said it
Try this one
I made this one too
I hope my mom can live
A long and healthy life
Try this other one
I made that too
I want a good husband
(MYRIAD LIGHTS JEWELLERY)
How did you do that?
I know...
You knew when they'd be turning on and off
Happy birthday
I don't have an appetite
Can I be your good husband?
Bill, talk to me
Which sign do you wanna rebuild?
I wanted you to tell her on my behalf
Happy birthday to you...
Turn on the lights
I'm opening letters
Blow out the candle and make a wish
What wish?
Then open your present
I used dad's life insurance pay-out
And invested in an annuity policy
It will pay you a fixed amount every month
Take a look
I don't need it, cash it out
Use the money to pay your father's debt
Why is he in so much debt?
How would I know?
Ask your father
He didn't pay rent,
and he hasn't paid his apprentice
He has even told his apprentice that
he wanted to rebuild some kind of... sign
What apprentice?
Just shut down the business
if he's in so much debt
If the workshop closed down
Your father will turn over in his grave
How are you going to support yourself?
I'm counting on you
(NATIONAL NEON SIGN SETS GUINNESS WORLD RECORD)
Sorry, I'm late
I'll make up for it in overtime
I was looking for you last night
But you were walking so fast
I didn't know where you went
Hey
What's up?
The workshop is in a lot of debt
I can't pay your salary
Consider that your severance pay
Wait a second...
You're shutting down the workshop?
Master left this for you
He left me with nothing good
And a huge debt to pay
It's still clean
Mrs. Master, you have a daughter, right
- Your daughter...
- You like this one?
Take it as a souvenir
Put it down...
I have an idea...
We can crowdfund
What do you mean?
Basically, it's a bunch of people giving you money
Hello everyone
My husband is Bill Yeung,
people call him Uncle Bill
I'm Heung Kong, people call me Auntie Heung
We have a daughter named Prism
Originally, we had a son
But when I was pregnant
Bill was working all day on those neon lights
And hurt his leg
I was pregnant, but working a few jobs
I was too exhausted, so we lost the baby
But now, our workshop has found a...
Cut...
That's a very tragic story
But it has nothing to do with the workshop
So... what do I need to say?
If you can't get to the point
within the first minute
The audience won't know what you're talking about
Really?
Maybe you should just write it out for me
I'll give it a shot
I'm Leo
I'm an apprentice at this neon light workshop
I was never good at anything since I was a kid
Everyone said that I was a piece of trash
Only my master said I was talented
He said that after I've learned the craft
He was going to give me a graduation certificate
Unfortunately, I don't think I'm ever
Going to receive this certificate
I hope I can fulfil my master's dying wish
As a graduation project
So he can see me when he looks down from above
Master...
I quit
The landlord is kicking us out
because we haven't paid rent
You're not here
I've had experience with being kicked out
From school, my home, even at the fast food joint
I see this place as my home
I've been trying really really hard...
But this place didn't belong to us
in the first place
I'm leaving
Leo
Yes?
If crowdfunding can pay off the debt
You can own half of the workshop
I can't do that,
I haven't finished my apprenticeship
I'm bad with clients too
I'd be driving them away
Then you can learn
We can look for some old clients
Maybe they're willing to help
Maybe they know about master's dying wish
Alright
We need to get master's cell phone back
Cover me, I'm gonna open the lock
Cover you?
(USED CLOTHES RECYCLING)
Shit, I dropped it
What dropped?
The tool dropped
Where?
This'll do
Is this okay?
Yeah
Were you a thief before?
I looked it up online
Not this one
Is this it?
This should be the one
Like father, like daughter
I remember this bubble wrap
They've all been popped
What is it?
This is a limited edition
I've saved up for a long time for this
My mom said it got in the way, and threw it out
Master said he'd get me another one
Found it
- I've found it
- Right... let's go
It's the police
Shut the door
This way
He's on to us
Hurry up
Wait for me
He's not coming after us
Take a break, I'm gonna drop dead
I can't do this
Weren't you seeking death?
You just don't wanna die with me
I don't know what you're talking about
Hey
(BILL'S NEON)
Master made this sign
Give me your portable charger
Why the rush?
Does it work?
Yeah, wait a second
Why isn't it responding?
Give it to me
Is the charger even on?
It doesn't work
I think it's dead
What? That can't be
Hey
Stop hitting it
Sometimes it'll work if you hit it
Stop hitting it
It won't just start working if you hit it
Do things come back from the dead?
Your master didn't want me to
Rebuild that sign for him
Maybe master was afraid that you'd be lonely
He just wanted to play a game with you
He's messing with me
If you win so easily, you'd feel empty afterwards
Alright... I'll go back and take a look at it
I'll look it up online
Maybe it's just the humidity
Let's go!
Don't worry, I'll fix it for you
I solemnly swear in front of these signs
That I'm gonna fix master's sign and the phone
Wow, there are so many neon signs here
Check it out! I made it together with my master
(CHEUNG FAT PAWN SHOP)
You don't have to wait for a meteor shower anymore
This is for you to make wishes!
A genie lives inside the jar
He'll grant you your wishes
You can tell it everything you want
When you're studying abroad in the future
I won't be beside you
This will look after you on my behalf
(VICTORIA: I NEED HELP WITH REPAIRING A SIGN!)
(WILD DEER BAR)
I've been looking all over for you guys
Luckily I found 'Bill's Neon' on social media
Otherwise,
I wouldn't have known that Baby Bill was...
Did you hire someone else to fix it?
It looks horrible
Baby Bill once said
that a neon sign must never go out
It brings bad luck
But the letters 'IL' were broke
So he gave me another one
as a temporary replacement
After that, he never came back
And you guys never answered my calls
And I couldn't find him
Miss Sham
We're taking this down,
we can't postpone it again
It's these assholes again
They come here every day to take down my sign
Let me get rid of them
I'll come with you
No worries, leave this to the young people
We can watch the show from up here,
look at them
They're taking down all the signs in Hong Kong
- Can you see?
- I've warned you many times
I'm going up there this time
What do you wanna do?
Hold this for me
- What are you doing?
- Take it
What are you doing? Are you crazy...
Get down from there
You're taking it down?
Lady, that's very dangerous, get off the ledge
Dangerous?
It wouldn't be dangerous if you let us repair it
Calm down, take it easy
It's the law, I can't do anything about it
The law, the law
The law wasn't there
when my husband made this sign
And now it's illegal because of a new law?
I'm telling you, your new laws are illegal
My husband made this sign
He's gone now, but the sign still stands
If you wanna take it down,
you have to take me with it
She's gonna faint... Please don't...
We'll just take a few pictures and leave
They're leaving
- They wanna take a few pictures
- Get down from there
That was awesome, Baby Heung!
Alright that's enough, let's get inside
Here you go
That's too much...
We're just repairing it
That's too much, way too much
Don't you remember?
What is it?
My dad passed away during SARS
I remember that all the signs were broken
Baby Bill helped me fix all of them
Then business started picking up
I remember he told me that
His wife wouldn't allow him
to charge me any money
Otherwise she won't cook his dinner
Do you remember, Baby Heung?
I seem to recall something like that
Thank you
(IL)
(HELLO? THIS IS BILL'S NEON,
WANNA MAKE A WISH?)
(LET'S HAVE A CHAT AT MY WORKSHOP!)
Bill Yeung
Are you still mad at me?
You're back early
Yeah
No payment today?
Not yet
It's a tough time for everyone
They'll pay up later
Postponing it again?
Can we postpone the food for your family?
When SARS is gone
Everyone's business will go uphill again
But if business is still bad
Then they don't ever need to pay?
When your stocks lost money
Some regulars pre-paid their orders
I guess this is me returning the favour
If there's a sign, then there'll be business
For once, trust me
(IL) (B"IL"L'S NEON)
(B"IL"L'S NEON)
(BILL'S NEON)
Our elders once told us
Neon lights are
essentially writing calligraphy with light
My master handed down his workshop to me
He didn't hand it down to his son
I took over this brand
I have the responsibility to pass it on
to the next generation
Come on
That was quick
It wasn't, it took him the whole morning
Wong said that this
was your master's favourite font
It's very energetic, just like him
Are you sure this is the one?
If there's a sign, then there'll be business
This is it, let's get to work
Master taught me
When you're bending the glass tube
You need steady hands,
a precise eye, and quick reflexes
Bring it forward...
A little higher...
Right, turn it
And then... 123 flip it over
That's right
On to the flame... don't worry
123 flip it over again
Don't stay there, that's right
Can you manage?
Yeah
Wait a second
Be careful
It looks just like it
Alright, we're done
You're so young
How did you end up with those scars?
Master once said
I can graduate if I get a few more scars
You really wanna graduate?
Yeah, I never graduated school
SARS hit when I was graduating kindergarten
Swine Flu hit when I was graduating primary school
The high school that I went to wasn't very good
So no one attended the graduation
Leo
When I first met you
What were you doing?
I... was taking a selfie
Selfie?
That mask was horrifying
It really scared me
But the scariest thing was...
Are you insane?
You can't mess with this stuff
It's petroleum gas, we could both die
Luckily I came back
to pay respects to Bill that day
Your master's legacy is up to you
Put your heart into it
Come on, are you all rested up?
It's your turn
Alright!
Your beautiful eyes
shine with thousands of lights
Reflecting your soul
Arousing the memory of our first encounter
Leading us afar, following the dance steps
They're called neon lights
The fluorescent halo
Lights up the Pearl of the Orient
The home we built
There was one night
My dad took us all out to see the meteor shower
My exams were coming up,
so my mom wouldn't allow it
Then my dad made me this jar of stars
He said I can make wishes with it
I guess these stars are useless
Not a single wish came true
You remember when we went to Australia together?
You were so fixated on the shooting star
That you just let the tour bus leave without us
Do you remember?
I made a wish that day
That we could move to Australia
There's more creative freedom there
But then I realized
People said that each shooting star
Represents the death of a person
When we see the stars in the sky
They might already be dead
But their light
Still shines bright and illuminates our sky
Isn't that right?
Let's not rush things
We can wait until you and your mom are ready
I'm ready
Up until now
I've never seen you shed a tear
I'm okay, I don't need to cry
Is it required by law to cry when a relative dies?
(CHEUNG FAT PAWN SHOP)
I needed the lights on in order to fall asleep
Back then, your master
Turned on the lights every night
And turned them off after I fell asleep
He was smooth with the ladies... there we go
Impressive!
You can fix any light
Just a little bit
We can't finish all that food...
Great!
- Dinner time!
- It's been a while since we had a table of three
Hello Prism
Who is he?
He's your father's apprentice, Leo
Auntie
This gentleman is...
He's Roy
Roy... please join us
Here, grab a chair
Auntie
Yes
Prism found some pawn shop receipts
And you wanted to redeem his items
Please accept this as a gift for our first meeting
That's very kind of you
The pawn shop didn't have a key
So we couldn't open it
That's easy, leave that to me
Who says you can open my dad's stuff?
It's okay
Dad locked it so that it can't be opened
You always open other people's
stuff without asking
Let me ask your dad for permission tonight then
Let's have dinner
Auntie Heung
Thanks for inviting me to dinner
Prism, this one has extra plum sauce
Master said you were just like him
You liked roasted goose leg with extra sauce
Thank you
Hey... you...
- Be careful... what happened?
- I got it
I'm okay
Bending tubes for 1-2 hours
And you're already out of strength?
You've been bending tubes?
Don't worry, Auntie Heung was amazing!
She achieved a 90 degree bend on her first day
Take a look
Once I uploaded this
- (NEON SIGN FINAL WISH PROJECT)
- Our crowdfunding went from 0% to 80%
That's not bad
What?
- Delete it
- Click this link on Instagram
It's deleted
If you don't like it, I'll delete it
How long is this gonna take?
It should be done in a month
Thanks
Roy...
what do you do for a living?
We've actually met before
At the office
When you'd deliver food to Prism
I also work on building designs
An architect, not bad
How long have you two been together?
Three years
Three years?
Why didn't you invite him here sooner?
Your dad was worried that you're too busy working
That's not true
When we were making the sign
for the wedding gown shop
He told the boss that he'd miss his daughter
if she got married
His eyes teared up
Let's eat
Sorry, I should've visited uncle sooner
Prism and I are planning...
We're gonna get married
That's right, auntie
Where will you live after you're married?
It's so expensive to buy a flat these days
Why don't you live here?
I can take care of my grandchildren
We're going to Australia
About a year ago
I started applying for a visa for Prism
So she can come with me
We didn't know when it'd be approved...
The application was approved
We have to move there within nine months
How are you doing?
You guys carry on eating, take your time
I'll go check on her
Do you need to go as well?
This is what she always does
When I was going on
a foreign exchange in college
She would feel dizzy
I wanted to go on
a working holiday after graduation
She felt dizzy again
She doesn't want me to go anywhere
She just wants me to be with her forever
She just couldn't bear to see you leave
The visa has a deadline
If it were my father who felt unwell
Would you push me to leave within the deadline?
(TO: MISS MILLIE LAU)
Grandma, I'm here!
My grandma was buried at sea
I don't know where she went
So I just scatter them everywhere
My mom uses this...
(REMEMBERING THE DECEASED,
OFFERING OUR PRAYERS)
...to send her prayers as well
Is it just like your Instagram?
Even dead people have Instagram accounts
Yeah!
But I like coming here to see my grandma
Every major festival,
her birth date, and her death date
I'd come here to see my grandma
Your grandma must've loved you dearly
Yeah!
Grandma, you don't need to worry about me
I still haven't graduated
But I'm learning a craft, and found a job
Grandma, I wish you a happy death anniversary
Happy death anniversary
Happy death anniversary
Happy death anniversary
Happy death anniversary
Leo,
if you're here seeing your grandma in the future
Can you also say hello to your master, and myself?
The law, the law
The law wasn't there
when my husband made this sign
And now it's illegal
because of a new law?
Are you looking for Auntie Heung?
She's gone home
(THE LAW, THE LAW)
(THE LAW WASN'T THERE
WHEN MY HUSBAND MADE THIS SIGN)
(AND NOW IT'S ILLEGAL BECAUSE OF A NEW LAW?)
She's really impressive
After I uploaded the video
Crowdfunding numbers have increased
Do you want one?
She's out of her mind
And you're encouraging her
I didn't encourage her
You saw in that clip
I was scared shitless
She went out there herself
She was just concerned about master's sign
What about the 'Bill's Neon' sign?
How's it coming along?
We're still on preliminary stages
Take a look
We might have to do another hundred trials
Are you serious?
This is it?
Just stop making...
Wait a second
Let me see if I have...
I...
I was working on some other stuff
Let me get you a band-aid
Wait a minute
I originally thought...
If my dad had an apprentice
He'd be able to finish rebuilding the sign
And fulfil my mom's wishes
But you couldn't even handle basic safety
How do you expect me to trust you with my mom?
I'll make sure to beware of safety issues
Don't you ever come back
If I don't come back
Master's workshop will close down
- I have to...
- What can you do even if you're here?
Do you know how to submit
the drawings for wall signage?
Where would you install it?
Does the landlord agree to it?
What about the buildings ordinance?
Do you even have a license to conduct minor works?
You don't know anything
How can you take care of my dad's workshop?
Auntie Heung told me that...
You think you're helping her?
You're an extra burden for her
If you want a job, I can help you out
It's better than staying here without a future
This project is "complated
It's supposed to be "completed"
That's the wrong character
And there's a typo there
It's supposed to be the
character for "construction
Auntie Heung, what are you doing here?
I'm here to see how you're settling in
Stay sharp
My daughter is very demanding
Auntie Heung, sorry... I...
Where are you living now?
I'm renting a sub-divided flat
I shouldn't be squatting at the workshop
What do you mean?
Your master let you stay there
Rent is expensive out there
Even for sub-divided flats
You can live at the workshop if you want
If you have time... you can bend some tubes
Treat it as a freelance job
Auntie Heung, you're still bending tubes?
Excuse me
I made you something to eat
I've made you some soup
Auntie Heung, let's not talk here
Let's talk outside
The food in this area is expensive
I know...
It's not healthy to eat out
Let's eat here
Auntie Heung, that's not necessary
The company is treating the staff to a meal
Really? Remember to befriend your colleagues
I have something to tell you
Master appeared in my dream last night
He told us to stop working on the neon sign
He just thinks it's tough on me
He cared about this sign so much
He'd be happy if I finished rebuilding it
Face it
You're in over your head
What about submitting
the drawings to the government?
What about the license to conduct minor works?
Even if you were able to rebuild this sign
How long do you think the workshop will last?
Master couldn't even keep it afloat
He was in massive debt
How much longer can you keep it going for?
We can crowdfund...
We only have a few thousand left
after the debt is paid
Is that enough to pay the rent,
or to buy a new transformer?
You never believed that
We can keep the workshop running, did you?
I... I think you've tried your best
I think master would've been satisfied
I'm leaving this here,
you can either eat it
Or you can throw it out
No, Auntie Heung... I...
Keep working hard
I'm leaving
It's late, you're heading to the workshop?
I'm the only one left
If I don't do it, who would?
I've talked to the landlord
We can't erect a sign on the side of the building
That's why dad hadn't made one
Then it wouldn't be 'Bill's Neon'
I'll work on another one
How?
Both of you are completely clueless
He's an absolute mess
It's very dangerous, you know?
If he's messy, why did you hire him?
Even though he's a mess
He has the heart
To complete your dad's final wish
What about you?
Why don't you care at all?
You think I don't care?
Why did you think the workshop closed down?
Are there any subsidies for university tuition?
There are grant loans
What is it?
Are we applying for it?
Shall we give it a shot?
I've warned you before
We have to take out a loan for
our daughter's tuition?
Are you serious?
I'm just saying... we do own property
So the application might not go through
That's nothing to be proud of
We've mortgaged our home
It's all because you kept working for free
During the period of SARS
And you said LED's were painful on the eyes
Everyone prefers LED over Neon,
except you!
Have some vegetables
Luckily, I made plans for you
I had lunch with Fong today
She told me that her husband is now a taxi driver
The income is pretty good
He can introduce you
What?
Dad as a taxi driver?
What else could he do?
Go ahead and ask your dad
What else can he do
besides bending glass tubes?
Hello?
(IS THIS MRS. YEUNG?)
(YOUR PHONE IS FIXED, YOU CAN PICK IT UP)
(MISSED CALL: MILLIE LAU)
(HELLO, BILL?)
(I'M SO GLAD THAT YOU RETURNED MY CALL)
(THIS IS MILLIE)
This is his wife, Bill is dead
(I'M SORRY)
(TO: MISS MILLIE LAU)
(MISS MILLIE LAU)
(I'VE DONE COUNTLESS NEON SIGNS IN MY LIFETIME)
(ALTHOUGH A LOT OF THEM HAVE BEEN TAKEN DOWN)
(I STILL REMEMBER THE SIGN FOR MILLIE'S CENTRE)
(I'VE SPENT COUNTLESS HOURS WORKING ON IT)
(FOR YOU AND FOR YOUR FAMILY)
(IT IS ONE THAT I HOLD DEAR TO MY HEART)
(I'M LEAVING THE INDUSTRY TODAY)
(M"IL"LIE'S) (IL)
(I DON'T KNOW IF WE CAN KEEP THE WORKSHOP RUNNING)
(SOON, NOBODY WILL
REMEMBER THE SIGNS THAT I'VE MADE)
(I WONDER IF YOU'LL STILL REMEMBER ME)
(FROM, BILL)
Heung?
Ms. Lau, have a seat
You still remember Bill's favourite tea
Thank you
I wanted to reach out to Bill
To see if he can rebuild the sign
for Millie's Centre
That sign was taken down many years ago
Even the craftsman has passed away...
I hope you don't mind me asking
Is there a special reason as to
Why you'd like this sign rebuilt?
My husband has dementia
It's been a few years
He can't even recognize me anymore
How would he remember the sign
for Millie's Centre?
I don't know
But we met there
We took our wedding photos there
To see something from his past
Might help with his condition
Miss Lau
Would you happen to have...
A sketch of the sign for Millie's Centre?
Can I take a look?
(MILLIE'S)
This is too difficult
Too bad Bill's apprentice isn't here anymore
I'm sorry
It's okay
Perhaps some things
Are meant to be forgotten
Bill always held this dear to his heart
I'm sure he remembers you!
(TO: MISS MILLIE LAU)
(SOON, NOBODY WILL REMEMBER)
(THE SIGNS THAT I'VE MADE)
Auntie Heung
Are you working a side job,
just like your master?
What are you making?
Your master's final wish!
(MILLIE'S)
This one?
Be careful
Come on...
Wait a second
I'm always so careless
I'm okay
Auntie Heung, your hand...
I'm okay, it's nothing...
Your hands are full of blisters
Stop doing this
You don't need to do this anymore!
I said, you don't need to do this anymore
What? What are you doing?
It's all "FF"
What is "FF"?
You're crazy
FF means...
It's all a final fantasy!
I don't get it...
The final wish was all a lie, okay?
All this about "MILLIE'S
And 'BILL'S NEON'
Master never mentioned anything about a sign
What about the 'IL' letters?
(SINGING GR"IL"L RESTAURANT)
It's for another shop
I... was living here
And I was afraid that
I wouldn't have a place to stay
So I lied to you
You can't stop me
I have all the time in the world
Leave!
Have you seen my mom?
She took all of her own stuff and my dads
Now she's gone
Call me back when you see this
Bill, I've thought it through
We'll let Leo takeover the workshop
Then we can... go to Australia
Be with Prism... and her own family
They're so happy
They have a son and a daughter
(MYRIAD LIGHTS JEWELLERY)
(MYRIAD LIGHTS)
What are neon lights for?
There was once a legend
Saying that a genie lives inside the neon lights
If you make a wish
And the neon light blinks
Then it means your wish will come true
Is that true?
When your mom was pregnant with you
We went to the hospital because she was in pain
The doctor said you had no heartbeat
So she had to stay at the hospital
I was worried sick
So I was wandering around the hospital alone
And somehow ended up outside the door
I looked up and saw a neon sign on the wall
It was a massive neon sign
As beautiful as a rainbow
(MYRIAD LIGHTS JEWELLERY)
I made a wish immediately
Wishing for you and your mother to be safe
Just like a miracle,
you were born the next day
So people won't die
as long as there are neon lights?
It's all up to you now
I couldn't keep the neon lights glowing
But you must keep the home going
(MYRIAD LIGHTS JEWELLERY)
Hello everyone, I'm Heung Kong
My husband Bill Yeung was a neon sign craftsman
He dedicated his life to neon signs
He had a final wish
To rebuild one of his signs that were taken down
Unfortunately, he passed away
I hope I can... no,
I must fulfil his final wish
I hope you will all support me
This is one last thing I can do for him
Thank you all
(BILL'S NEON)
All these years,
I've used a computer to draw up designs
I haven't drawn designs by hand in a long time
We didn't have computers back then
Enlarged photocopying was expensive
So your father and I
Would go to the basketball field, rain or shine
And slowly sketched it square by square
I also helped out
Don't you remember?
Oh yes
According to proper procedures
We need to submit these documents
I know the procedures
But these measurements will not be approved
What should we do?
Didn't you plan this out?
I told all the crowd funders
that they can come for a picture
We're gonna go ahead
regardless of government approval
Keep going
Yes, madam
I'm ready
Alright, 321
(MILLIE'S)
You've graduated
Auntie Heung
Thank you
You built this?
Yeah
But it's gonna be torn down after tonight
The one I made was also torn down
But you rebuilt it for me
Auntie Heung, come here for a picture
Without me by your side
Can you take care of yourself?
Mom
Why don't you come with us
I'm not going
I don't speak English
I don't wanna be your maid
I don't need to cook for you
and your father every day
I have a lot of free time now
Take a seat
What are you doing?
Sit still
What is it? Are you doing my makeup?
I'm dyeing your hair
Why are you dyeing my hair all of a sudden?
I do have a lot of grey hair
Do you know what this comb is for?
First comb, to the end
Second comb, to turn grey together
Don't move
When we're old
And our hair has turned grey
I'll help you dye your hair, and you can dye mine
I'm not dyeing my hair
Why not?
There's an engraving
Turn gery together, hand in hand forever
Remember our glory days
When lights dazzled our path
My soul, embraved by the sun
Indomitable and full of dreams
Think back to our joyful times
Busy street corners filled with hope
Can I still hold your hand
And capture the smiles from yesterday?
Night goes on, the wind sings
An endless story of our lives
Love goes on, miss the way you looked
In memories that never fade
Can't let go of those splendid years
Or the moment we said goodbye
Still I search for someone from times past
Whose shadow stands beneath the waning lights
Night goes on, the wind sings
An endless story of our lives
Love goes on, miss the way you looked
In memories that never fade
Can't let go of those splendid years
Or the moment we said goodbye
Still I search for someone from times past
Whose shadow lingers beneath the waning lights
Whose shadow lingers beneath the waning lights
Bill, these machines are a scam
What's going on?
I've put in so much money
But I'm not getting any back
Treat it like you're making a wish
What do you mean?
They say there's a fountain in Rome
If you toss in a coin with your back facing it
Your wish will come true
Really? Why didn't you say so?
How do you toss it? I ran out of money
You're so anxious
Watch me toss it, just like this
Hey... stop fooling around
Not like this... how should I toss it?
To your right...
What was your wish?
It won't come true if I tell you
Give it a try
May our love last to eternity
(FUNERAL WHITE ENVELOPE)
(BILL'S NEON)
(BILL'S NEON)
Bill? Bill Yeung, is that you?
I told you not to cook so much
We can't finish it
Let's eat
Prism, did you know?
Your father's workshop hasn't closed down
It's still running
That's not possible
It's true, his equipment is still there
Why are you messing with dad's old stuff?
The work orders are all new
A customer just called him
But his phone ran out of battery
The workshop was shut down a decade ago
I thought so too,
but the neon tubes are still warm
You don't believe me?
Go up there and see for yourself
I should go to the doctors with you instead
- (HELLO? THIS IS 'BILL'S NEON', )
- Listen
(WANNA MAKE A WISH?)
(COME OVER TO MY WORKSHOP!)
Mom, this is an old recording
(HELLO? THIS IS 'BILL'S NEON',
WANNA MAKE A WISH?)
(COME OVER TO MY WORKSHOP!)
You're doing laundry in the middle of the night?
What about the sleeping pills?
Have you been taking them?
Did your father appear in your dreams?
Oh come on...
You didn't take your blood pressure meds
Burn some incense before you go to bed
Today's the 6th week after his passing
I think he's coming back
To tell you again
How is that possible?
You're right, he doesn't even talk to me
Why would he talk to you?
You didn't even shed a tear
And you forgot his last words
What last words?
He only said that he was in pain
Take your meds and go to bed
Prism, where did you put your father's stuff?
(WHAT? I SENT IT OFF FOR RECYCLING)
(I'M WORKING NOW, LET'S TALK LATER)
(INCOMING CALL FROM MOM)
Stop working for a bit and eat first
I'm not hungry
I got you your favourite roasted goose leg
Eat it while it's hot
Mom, I'm working
I threw away dad's stuff
(MISS YEUNG?)
(YOUR PROSPECTIVE MARRIAGE VISA IS APPROVED)
Can I apply for an extension?
(THE APPLICANT MUST GET MARRIED IN AUSTRALIA)
(WITHIN 9 MONTHS OF THE VISA APPROVAL)
(YOUR VISA WOULD BE FORFEITED AFTER THE DEADLINE)
(DO YOU HAVE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS?)
No, thank you
What is it?
We can apply for it at a later date
It's not the right timing
Hey, are you stealing?
No!
I misplaced my husband's clothes in there
Hand it over
I'm being environmentally friendly
So I'm taking his clothes down for recycling...
These are your husband's clothes?
These... I'm not stealing
I just misplaced them by accident, I...
I suspect you of stealing
No...
I'm just being environmentally friendly
I accidentally misplaced them
Sir, there seems to be a fight at the underpass
Perhaps you should check it out
Pack up your things
Otherwise I'm taking you in
Yes, sir
- Calling, 5374 Over
- Over there
Thank you
I've been waiting for so long, are you done yet?
I mixed a new colour
You're afraid no one will take care of you
when you're old
Right here
Where?
Here...
Stop moving around
Don't move
When we're both old
And our hair has gone white
I'll dye your hair, and you can dye mine
I'm not dying my hair
Why not?
Who are you?
Bill... is that you?
No!
Did you come back to tell me something?
No!
Bill, it's me
Bill Yeung
Have you already forgotten me?
- Bill Yeung?
- Yes
Who are you?
I'm my master's apprentice
Bill Yeung's apprentice
Do you know where he went?
He's disappeared for a month now
He didn't pay rent, and my salary too
What kind of master does that?
Can you pay his rent for him?
Look... he hasn't paid rent in a long time
I've never heard of an apprentice
It's been a while since he paid rent
The landlord is gonna kick us out
Take a look... we still owe...
Don't touch his stuff
Wait a second, we're really...
Get out of here
I don't know who you are
Stop messing with his stuff
I'm calling the police
Don't... let me prove it to you... see?
This is us...
Today is my first day learning to make neon tubes
I'm a bit nervous
I hope he doesn't hit me on the head with them
Steady hands
Bend it around like that
Woah
How did you do that?
Red coloured gas inside a green tube
That'll make it orange
So the colours aren't predetermined?
Nothing is predetermined
If you want something, you can make it happen
I told you so
It's finished...
What is it?
Can I see it again?
You can follow my Instagram account
Or just get master to show you how it's done
Now...
He's not coming back
He's gone
Where did he go?
He's dead
You should leave
My husband left this workshop to me
I'll take care of it
After tonight
You can rest in peace
Don't worry, master
If you are willing
Then I'll take care of the workshop
If you have any unfulfilled wishes
Tell me before you leave tonight
Mrs. Master
I remember master once told me
He wanted to make a sign
What sign?
I think he was making this before he passed
He was making it without a sketch
I asked him what he was making
Then he said
I hadn't been born yet
when they took down the sign
Where are you going?
Mrs. Master
What are you looking at?
There was once a beautiful sign right here
But it's been torn down
What are you looking at?
Just looking at what you're looking at
It's none of your business
(WHITE FLOWER OINTMENT)
You keep looking at my sign
I'm trying to find the flaws
You made this?
This is the first sign I made with my own hands
I didn't know anything back then
So it's a bit rough on the edges
I come back occasionally to tweak it
You're a sentimental man
It's just a sign
It's not just a sign
It can outlive both of us
Even when I'm dead
It can illuminate the lives of my grandchildren
Thank you
Wow, it's beautiful
This isn't the most beautiful
Come with me
You're all dressed up, were you at a party?
Don't start
It wasn't fun?
I've been preparing for this day
At my primary school graduation
I was supposed to dance on stage
But that very morning
The principal saw that my dress was torn
So he wouldn't let me perform
So I told myself then
When I've earned my own money
I'm getting myself the most beautiful outfit
So that everyone can watch me dance
Who knew, when I got there
The whole place went dark
It's fate
Nothing is predetermined
If you want something, you can make it happen
(WHI- FLO- OI-)
Your beautiful eyes shine with thousands of lights
Reflecting your soul
Arousing the memory of our first encounter
Leading us afar, following the dance steps
They're called neon lights
The fluorescent halo
Lights up the Pearl of the Orient
The home we built
Shining in the world
The rays of fluorescence
Drive away the darkness magically
Remind me your spirit
- In order to impress you back then
- Even being in the darkest
- I took down my very own sign
- Even being in the darkest
- Weren't you gonna rebuild it for me?
- Even being in the darkest
- Never give up with hope
- I wouldn't know how
- Never give up with hope
You can do it yourself
It's not the 'White Flower Ointment' sign
Why wouldn't it be?
They wanted to switch over to LED
Bill had a huge fight with the lady in charge
He wouldn't want to re-do this sign
You tell me then
Which sign does he wanna rebuild?
You're his wife, and you're clueless
How would I know?
I've never heard him talk about
Rebuilding an old neon sign
Master Wong, you've been friends
with my master for years
Are you just gonna ignore his dying wish?
It was 1973
Guinness world record for the biggest neon sign
That was the talk of the town
It's just big
There isn't much craftsmanship
Not much technique involved
No technique involved?
Kid, you can't even do 1/10 of it
- (NATIONAL)
- Back then, our whole crew
- (NATIONAL)
- We'd work for hours on end
Took us six months
If I was Bill
I'd definitely wanna rebuild that
That's not it
This sign is just red and white
Bill loved all sorts of colours
No?
Maybe this one
Super colourful, this must be it
- (BROADWAY LOUNGE)
- Of course not, naked women as his dying wish?
You speak for yourself
Kid,
- (WILD DEER BAR)
- let me see that sign
This sign...
They wanted to tear it down a few years ago
Let me see
The Buildings Department were already downstairs
- (WILD DEER BAR)
- But he went up, climbed on to the sign and yelled,
(IF YOU WANNA TEAR THIS DOWN,
YOU'RE TAKING ME DOWN WITH IT)
At the end, they didn't take it down
Damn it, Bill
He promised me he wouldn't climb on to those signs
He promised
Or was he coerced into making that promise?
That's between my husband and I
According to your request
I've mapped out all the signs
That were in the stack of drawings
Can you read it?
You're here right now
That's "Mi-do'
The radical of that character is flipped
It's 'Lee Kung Man', not 'Lee Wong Man'
You can't even write,
how can you make neon signs?
Master said that
I was really talented
I don't know why your master hired you
Let's go
You're really gonna go to
each location on this map
And see which signs are taken down
And which signs are still here?
The streets were once filled with neon signs
You wouldn't be afraid of the dark
Now it's all gone
There's a new law stating that
it's illegal construction
They take it down without notice
That's decades of history
Why are you walking so fast?
Bill Yeung, you have some nerve
You were late for our dinner reservation
I told you we couldn't go in if we're late
They'd dare not save me a seat?
I'm gonna ruin their sign!
How macho of you
This was my fault, don't be mad
There's a legend in our industry
Saying that neon lights have a life of their own
When you make a wish
And if it blinks
Then your wish will come true
I don't believe it
Give it a try
I want a raise
Take a look
- How could this be?
- I said it
Try this one
I made this one too
I hope my mom can live
A long and healthy life
Try this other one
I made that too
I want a good husband
(MYRIAD LIGHTS JEWELLERY)
How did you do that?
I know...
You knew when they'd be turning on and off
Happy birthday
I don't have an appetite
Can I be your good husband?
Bill, talk to me
Which sign do you wanna rebuild?
I wanted you to tell her on my behalf
Happy birthday to you...
Turn on the lights
I'm opening letters
Blow out the candle and make a wish
What wish?
Then open your present
I used dad's life insurance pay-out
And invested in an annuity policy
It will pay you a fixed amount every month
Take a look
I don't need it, cash it out
Use the money to pay your father's debt
Why is he in so much debt?
How would I know?
Ask your father
He didn't pay rent,
and he hasn't paid his apprentice
He has even told his apprentice that
he wanted to rebuild some kind of... sign
What apprentice?
Just shut down the business
if he's in so much debt
If the workshop closed down
Your father will turn over in his grave
How are you going to support yourself?
I'm counting on you
(NATIONAL NEON SIGN SETS GUINNESS WORLD RECORD)
Sorry, I'm late
I'll make up for it in overtime
I was looking for you last night
But you were walking so fast
I didn't know where you went
Hey
What's up?
The workshop is in a lot of debt
I can't pay your salary
Consider that your severance pay
Wait a second...
You're shutting down the workshop?
Master left this for you
He left me with nothing good
And a huge debt to pay
It's still clean
Mrs. Master, you have a daughter, right
- Your daughter...
- You like this one?
Take it as a souvenir
Put it down...
I have an idea...
We can crowdfund
What do you mean?
Basically, it's a bunch of people giving you money
Hello everyone
My husband is Bill Yeung,
people call him Uncle Bill
I'm Heung Kong, people call me Auntie Heung
We have a daughter named Prism
Originally, we had a son
But when I was pregnant
Bill was working all day on those neon lights
And hurt his leg
I was pregnant, but working a few jobs
I was too exhausted, so we lost the baby
But now, our workshop has found a...
Cut...
That's a very tragic story
But it has nothing to do with the workshop
So... what do I need to say?
If you can't get to the point
within the first minute
The audience won't know what you're talking about
Really?
Maybe you should just write it out for me
I'll give it a shot
I'm Leo
I'm an apprentice at this neon light workshop
I was never good at anything since I was a kid
Everyone said that I was a piece of trash
Only my master said I was talented
He said that after I've learned the craft
He was going to give me a graduation certificate
Unfortunately, I don't think I'm ever
Going to receive this certificate
I hope I can fulfil my master's dying wish
As a graduation project
So he can see me when he looks down from above
Master...
I quit
The landlord is kicking us out
because we haven't paid rent
You're not here
I've had experience with being kicked out
From school, my home, even at the fast food joint
I see this place as my home
I've been trying really really hard...
But this place didn't belong to us
in the first place
I'm leaving
Leo
Yes?
If crowdfunding can pay off the debt
You can own half of the workshop
I can't do that,
I haven't finished my apprenticeship
I'm bad with clients too
I'd be driving them away
Then you can learn
We can look for some old clients
Maybe they're willing to help
Maybe they know about master's dying wish
Alright
We need to get master's cell phone back
Cover me, I'm gonna open the lock
Cover you?
(USED CLOTHES RECYCLING)
Shit, I dropped it
What dropped?
The tool dropped
Where?
This'll do
Is this okay?
Yeah
Were you a thief before?
I looked it up online
Not this one
Is this it?
This should be the one
Like father, like daughter
I remember this bubble wrap
They've all been popped
What is it?
This is a limited edition
I've saved up for a long time for this
My mom said it got in the way, and threw it out
Master said he'd get me another one
Found it
- I've found it
- Right... let's go
It's the police
Shut the door
This way
He's on to us
Hurry up
Wait for me
He's not coming after us
Take a break, I'm gonna drop dead
I can't do this
Weren't you seeking death?
You just don't wanna die with me
I don't know what you're talking about
Hey
(BILL'S NEON)
Master made this sign
Give me your portable charger
Why the rush?
Does it work?
Yeah, wait a second
Why isn't it responding?
Give it to me
Is the charger even on?
It doesn't work
I think it's dead
What? That can't be
Hey
Stop hitting it
Sometimes it'll work if you hit it
Stop hitting it
It won't just start working if you hit it
Do things come back from the dead?
Your master didn't want me to
Rebuild that sign for him
Maybe master was afraid that you'd be lonely
He just wanted to play a game with you
He's messing with me
If you win so easily, you'd feel empty afterwards
Alright... I'll go back and take a look at it
I'll look it up online
Maybe it's just the humidity
Let's go!
Don't worry, I'll fix it for you
I solemnly swear in front of these signs
That I'm gonna fix master's sign and the phone
Wow, there are so many neon signs here
Check it out! I made it together with my master
(CHEUNG FAT PAWN SHOP)
You don't have to wait for a meteor shower anymore
This is for you to make wishes!
A genie lives inside the jar
He'll grant you your wishes
You can tell it everything you want
When you're studying abroad in the future
I won't be beside you
This will look after you on my behalf
(VICTORIA: I NEED HELP WITH REPAIRING A SIGN!)
(WILD DEER BAR)
I've been looking all over for you guys
Luckily I found 'Bill's Neon' on social media
Otherwise,
I wouldn't have known that Baby Bill was...
Did you hire someone else to fix it?
It looks horrible
Baby Bill once said
that a neon sign must never go out
It brings bad luck
But the letters 'IL' were broke
So he gave me another one
as a temporary replacement
After that, he never came back
And you guys never answered my calls
And I couldn't find him
Miss Sham
We're taking this down,
we can't postpone it again
It's these assholes again
They come here every day to take down my sign
Let me get rid of them
I'll come with you
No worries, leave this to the young people
We can watch the show from up here,
look at them
They're taking down all the signs in Hong Kong
- Can you see?
- I've warned you many times
I'm going up there this time
What do you wanna do?
Hold this for me
- What are you doing?
- Take it
What are you doing? Are you crazy...
Get down from there
You're taking it down?
Lady, that's very dangerous, get off the ledge
Dangerous?
It wouldn't be dangerous if you let us repair it
Calm down, take it easy
It's the law, I can't do anything about it
The law, the law
The law wasn't there
when my husband made this sign
And now it's illegal because of a new law?
I'm telling you, your new laws are illegal
My husband made this sign
He's gone now, but the sign still stands
If you wanna take it down,
you have to take me with it
She's gonna faint... Please don't...
We'll just take a few pictures and leave
They're leaving
- They wanna take a few pictures
- Get down from there
That was awesome, Baby Heung!
Alright that's enough, let's get inside
Here you go
That's too much...
We're just repairing it
That's too much, way too much
Don't you remember?
What is it?
My dad passed away during SARS
I remember that all the signs were broken
Baby Bill helped me fix all of them
Then business started picking up
I remember he told me that
His wife wouldn't allow him
to charge me any money
Otherwise she won't cook his dinner
Do you remember, Baby Heung?
I seem to recall something like that
Thank you
(IL)
(HELLO? THIS IS BILL'S NEON,
WANNA MAKE A WISH?)
(LET'S HAVE A CHAT AT MY WORKSHOP!)
Bill Yeung
Are you still mad at me?
You're back early
Yeah
No payment today?
Not yet
It's a tough time for everyone
They'll pay up later
Postponing it again?
Can we postpone the food for your family?
When SARS is gone
Everyone's business will go uphill again
But if business is still bad
Then they don't ever need to pay?
When your stocks lost money
Some regulars pre-paid their orders
I guess this is me returning the favour
If there's a sign, then there'll be business
For once, trust me
(IL) (B"IL"L'S NEON)
(B"IL"L'S NEON)
(BILL'S NEON)
Our elders once told us
Neon lights are
essentially writing calligraphy with light
My master handed down his workshop to me
He didn't hand it down to his son
I took over this brand
I have the responsibility to pass it on
to the next generation
Come on
That was quick
It wasn't, it took him the whole morning
Wong said that this
was your master's favourite font
It's very energetic, just like him
Are you sure this is the one?
If there's a sign, then there'll be business
This is it, let's get to work
Master taught me
When you're bending the glass tube
You need steady hands,
a precise eye, and quick reflexes
Bring it forward...
A little higher...
Right, turn it
And then... 123 flip it over
That's right
On to the flame... don't worry
123 flip it over again
Don't stay there, that's right
Can you manage?
Yeah
Wait a second
Be careful
It looks just like it
Alright, we're done
You're so young
How did you end up with those scars?
Master once said
I can graduate if I get a few more scars
You really wanna graduate?
Yeah, I never graduated school
SARS hit when I was graduating kindergarten
Swine Flu hit when I was graduating primary school
The high school that I went to wasn't very good
So no one attended the graduation
Leo
When I first met you
What were you doing?
I... was taking a selfie
Selfie?
That mask was horrifying
It really scared me
But the scariest thing was...
Are you insane?
You can't mess with this stuff
It's petroleum gas, we could both die
Luckily I came back
to pay respects to Bill that day
Your master's legacy is up to you
Put your heart into it
Come on, are you all rested up?
It's your turn
Alright!
Your beautiful eyes
shine with thousands of lights
Reflecting your soul
Arousing the memory of our first encounter
Leading us afar, following the dance steps
They're called neon lights
The fluorescent halo
Lights up the Pearl of the Orient
The home we built
There was one night
My dad took us all out to see the meteor shower
My exams were coming up,
so my mom wouldn't allow it
Then my dad made me this jar of stars
He said I can make wishes with it
I guess these stars are useless
Not a single wish came true
You remember when we went to Australia together?
You were so fixated on the shooting star
That you just let the tour bus leave without us
Do you remember?
I made a wish that day
That we could move to Australia
There's more creative freedom there
But then I realized
People said that each shooting star
Represents the death of a person
When we see the stars in the sky
They might already be dead
But their light
Still shines bright and illuminates our sky
Isn't that right?
Let's not rush things
We can wait until you and your mom are ready
I'm ready
Up until now
I've never seen you shed a tear
I'm okay, I don't need to cry
Is it required by law to cry when a relative dies?
(CHEUNG FAT PAWN SHOP)
I needed the lights on in order to fall asleep
Back then, your master
Turned on the lights every night
And turned them off after I fell asleep
He was smooth with the ladies... there we go
Impressive!
You can fix any light
Just a little bit
We can't finish all that food...
Great!
- Dinner time!
- It's been a while since we had a table of three
Hello Prism
Who is he?
He's your father's apprentice, Leo
Auntie
This gentleman is...
He's Roy
Roy... please join us
Here, grab a chair
Auntie
Yes
Prism found some pawn shop receipts
And you wanted to redeem his items
Please accept this as a gift for our first meeting
That's very kind of you
The pawn shop didn't have a key
So we couldn't open it
That's easy, leave that to me
Who says you can open my dad's stuff?
It's okay
Dad locked it so that it can't be opened
You always open other people's
stuff without asking
Let me ask your dad for permission tonight then
Let's have dinner
Auntie Heung
Thanks for inviting me to dinner
Prism, this one has extra plum sauce
Master said you were just like him
You liked roasted goose leg with extra sauce
Thank you
Hey... you...
- Be careful... what happened?
- I got it
I'm okay
Bending tubes for 1-2 hours
And you're already out of strength?
You've been bending tubes?
Don't worry, Auntie Heung was amazing!
She achieved a 90 degree bend on her first day
Take a look
Once I uploaded this
- (NEON SIGN FINAL WISH PROJECT)
- Our crowdfunding went from 0% to 80%
That's not bad
What?
- Delete it
- Click this link on Instagram
It's deleted
If you don't like it, I'll delete it
How long is this gonna take?
It should be done in a month
Thanks
Roy...
what do you do for a living?
We've actually met before
At the office
When you'd deliver food to Prism
I also work on building designs
An architect, not bad
How long have you two been together?
Three years
Three years?
Why didn't you invite him here sooner?
Your dad was worried that you're too busy working
That's not true
When we were making the sign
for the wedding gown shop
He told the boss that he'd miss his daughter
if she got married
His eyes teared up
Let's eat
Sorry, I should've visited uncle sooner
Prism and I are planning...
We're gonna get married
That's right, auntie
Where will you live after you're married?
It's so expensive to buy a flat these days
Why don't you live here?
I can take care of my grandchildren
We're going to Australia
About a year ago
I started applying for a visa for Prism
So she can come with me
We didn't know when it'd be approved...
The application was approved
We have to move there within nine months
How are you doing?
You guys carry on eating, take your time
I'll go check on her
Do you need to go as well?
This is what she always does
When I was going on
a foreign exchange in college
She would feel dizzy
I wanted to go on
a working holiday after graduation
She felt dizzy again
She doesn't want me to go anywhere
She just wants me to be with her forever
She just couldn't bear to see you leave
The visa has a deadline
If it were my father who felt unwell
Would you push me to leave within the deadline?
(TO: MISS MILLIE LAU)
Grandma, I'm here!
My grandma was buried at sea
I don't know where she went
So I just scatter them everywhere
My mom uses this...
(REMEMBERING THE DECEASED,
OFFERING OUR PRAYERS)
...to send her prayers as well
Is it just like your Instagram?
Even dead people have Instagram accounts
Yeah!
But I like coming here to see my grandma
Every major festival,
her birth date, and her death date
I'd come here to see my grandma
Your grandma must've loved you dearly
Yeah!
Grandma, you don't need to worry about me
I still haven't graduated
But I'm learning a craft, and found a job
Grandma, I wish you a happy death anniversary
Happy death anniversary
Happy death anniversary
Happy death anniversary
Happy death anniversary
Leo,
if you're here seeing your grandma in the future
Can you also say hello to your master, and myself?
The law, the law
The law wasn't there
when my husband made this sign
And now it's illegal
because of a new law?
Are you looking for Auntie Heung?
She's gone home
(THE LAW, THE LAW)
(THE LAW WASN'T THERE
WHEN MY HUSBAND MADE THIS SIGN)
(AND NOW IT'S ILLEGAL BECAUSE OF A NEW LAW?)
She's really impressive
After I uploaded the video
Crowdfunding numbers have increased
Do you want one?
She's out of her mind
And you're encouraging her
I didn't encourage her
You saw in that clip
I was scared shitless
She went out there herself
She was just concerned about master's sign
What about the 'Bill's Neon' sign?
How's it coming along?
We're still on preliminary stages
Take a look
We might have to do another hundred trials
Are you serious?
This is it?
Just stop making...
Wait a second
Let me see if I have...
I...
I was working on some other stuff
Let me get you a band-aid
Wait a minute
I originally thought...
If my dad had an apprentice
He'd be able to finish rebuilding the sign
And fulfil my mom's wishes
But you couldn't even handle basic safety
How do you expect me to trust you with my mom?
I'll make sure to beware of safety issues
Don't you ever come back
If I don't come back
Master's workshop will close down
- I have to...
- What can you do even if you're here?
Do you know how to submit
the drawings for wall signage?
Where would you install it?
Does the landlord agree to it?
What about the buildings ordinance?
Do you even have a license to conduct minor works?
You don't know anything
How can you take care of my dad's workshop?
Auntie Heung told me that...
You think you're helping her?
You're an extra burden for her
If you want a job, I can help you out
It's better than staying here without a future
This project is "complated
It's supposed to be "completed"
That's the wrong character
And there's a typo there
It's supposed to be the
character for "construction
Auntie Heung, what are you doing here?
I'm here to see how you're settling in
Stay sharp
My daughter is very demanding
Auntie Heung, sorry... I...
Where are you living now?
I'm renting a sub-divided flat
I shouldn't be squatting at the workshop
What do you mean?
Your master let you stay there
Rent is expensive out there
Even for sub-divided flats
You can live at the workshop if you want
If you have time... you can bend some tubes
Treat it as a freelance job
Auntie Heung, you're still bending tubes?
Excuse me
I made you something to eat
I've made you some soup
Auntie Heung, let's not talk here
Let's talk outside
The food in this area is expensive
I know...
It's not healthy to eat out
Let's eat here
Auntie Heung, that's not necessary
The company is treating the staff to a meal
Really? Remember to befriend your colleagues
I have something to tell you
Master appeared in my dream last night
He told us to stop working on the neon sign
He just thinks it's tough on me
He cared about this sign so much
He'd be happy if I finished rebuilding it
Face it
You're in over your head
What about submitting
the drawings to the government?
What about the license to conduct minor works?
Even if you were able to rebuild this sign
How long do you think the workshop will last?
Master couldn't even keep it afloat
He was in massive debt
How much longer can you keep it going for?
We can crowdfund...
We only have a few thousand left
after the debt is paid
Is that enough to pay the rent,
or to buy a new transformer?
You never believed that
We can keep the workshop running, did you?
I... I think you've tried your best
I think master would've been satisfied
I'm leaving this here,
you can either eat it
Or you can throw it out
No, Auntie Heung... I...
Keep working hard
I'm leaving
It's late, you're heading to the workshop?
I'm the only one left
If I don't do it, who would?
I've talked to the landlord
We can't erect a sign on the side of the building
That's why dad hadn't made one
Then it wouldn't be 'Bill's Neon'
I'll work on another one
How?
Both of you are completely clueless
He's an absolute mess
It's very dangerous, you know?
If he's messy, why did you hire him?
Even though he's a mess
He has the heart
To complete your dad's final wish
What about you?
Why don't you care at all?
You think I don't care?
Why did you think the workshop closed down?
Are there any subsidies for university tuition?
There are grant loans
What is it?
Are we applying for it?
Shall we give it a shot?
I've warned you before
We have to take out a loan for
our daughter's tuition?
Are you serious?
I'm just saying... we do own property
So the application might not go through
That's nothing to be proud of
We've mortgaged our home
It's all because you kept working for free
During the period of SARS
And you said LED's were painful on the eyes
Everyone prefers LED over Neon,
except you!
Have some vegetables
Luckily, I made plans for you
I had lunch with Fong today
She told me that her husband is now a taxi driver
The income is pretty good
He can introduce you
What?
Dad as a taxi driver?
What else could he do?
Go ahead and ask your dad
What else can he do
besides bending glass tubes?
Hello?
(IS THIS MRS. YEUNG?)
(YOUR PHONE IS FIXED, YOU CAN PICK IT UP)
(MISSED CALL: MILLIE LAU)
(HELLO, BILL?)
(I'M SO GLAD THAT YOU RETURNED MY CALL)
(THIS IS MILLIE)
This is his wife, Bill is dead
(I'M SORRY)
(TO: MISS MILLIE LAU)
(MISS MILLIE LAU)
(I'VE DONE COUNTLESS NEON SIGNS IN MY LIFETIME)
(ALTHOUGH A LOT OF THEM HAVE BEEN TAKEN DOWN)
(I STILL REMEMBER THE SIGN FOR MILLIE'S CENTRE)
(I'VE SPENT COUNTLESS HOURS WORKING ON IT)
(FOR YOU AND FOR YOUR FAMILY)
(IT IS ONE THAT I HOLD DEAR TO MY HEART)
(I'M LEAVING THE INDUSTRY TODAY)
(M"IL"LIE'S) (IL)
(I DON'T KNOW IF WE CAN KEEP THE WORKSHOP RUNNING)
(SOON, NOBODY WILL
REMEMBER THE SIGNS THAT I'VE MADE)
(I WONDER IF YOU'LL STILL REMEMBER ME)
(FROM, BILL)
Heung?
Ms. Lau, have a seat
You still remember Bill's favourite tea
Thank you
I wanted to reach out to Bill
To see if he can rebuild the sign
for Millie's Centre
That sign was taken down many years ago
Even the craftsman has passed away...
I hope you don't mind me asking
Is there a special reason as to
Why you'd like this sign rebuilt?
My husband has dementia
It's been a few years
He can't even recognize me anymore
How would he remember the sign
for Millie's Centre?
I don't know
But we met there
We took our wedding photos there
To see something from his past
Might help with his condition
Miss Lau
Would you happen to have...
A sketch of the sign for Millie's Centre?
Can I take a look?
(MILLIE'S)
This is too difficult
Too bad Bill's apprentice isn't here anymore
I'm sorry
It's okay
Perhaps some things
Are meant to be forgotten
Bill always held this dear to his heart
I'm sure he remembers you!
(TO: MISS MILLIE LAU)
(SOON, NOBODY WILL REMEMBER)
(THE SIGNS THAT I'VE MADE)
Auntie Heung
Are you working a side job,
just like your master?
What are you making?
Your master's final wish!
(MILLIE'S)
This one?
Be careful
Come on...
Wait a second
I'm always so careless
I'm okay
Auntie Heung, your hand...
I'm okay, it's nothing...
Your hands are full of blisters
Stop doing this
You don't need to do this anymore!
I said, you don't need to do this anymore
What? What are you doing?
It's all "FF"
What is "FF"?
You're crazy
FF means...
It's all a final fantasy!
I don't get it...
The final wish was all a lie, okay?
All this about "MILLIE'S
And 'BILL'S NEON'
Master never mentioned anything about a sign
What about the 'IL' letters?
(SINGING GR"IL"L RESTAURANT)
It's for another shop
I... was living here
And I was afraid that
I wouldn't have a place to stay
So I lied to you
You can't stop me
I have all the time in the world
Leave!
Have you seen my mom?
She took all of her own stuff and my dads
Now she's gone
Call me back when you see this
Bill, I've thought it through
We'll let Leo takeover the workshop
Then we can... go to Australia
Be with Prism... and her own family
They're so happy
They have a son and a daughter
(MYRIAD LIGHTS JEWELLERY)
(MYRIAD LIGHTS)
What are neon lights for?
There was once a legend
Saying that a genie lives inside the neon lights
If you make a wish
And the neon light blinks
Then it means your wish will come true
Is that true?
When your mom was pregnant with you
We went to the hospital because she was in pain
The doctor said you had no heartbeat
So she had to stay at the hospital
I was worried sick
So I was wandering around the hospital alone
And somehow ended up outside the door
I looked up and saw a neon sign on the wall
It was a massive neon sign
As beautiful as a rainbow
(MYRIAD LIGHTS JEWELLERY)
I made a wish immediately
Wishing for you and your mother to be safe
Just like a miracle,
you were born the next day
So people won't die
as long as there are neon lights?
It's all up to you now
I couldn't keep the neon lights glowing
But you must keep the home going
(MYRIAD LIGHTS JEWELLERY)
Hello everyone, I'm Heung Kong
My husband Bill Yeung was a neon sign craftsman
He dedicated his life to neon signs
He had a final wish
To rebuild one of his signs that were taken down
Unfortunately, he passed away
I hope I can... no,
I must fulfil his final wish
I hope you will all support me
This is one last thing I can do for him
Thank you all
(BILL'S NEON)
All these years,
I've used a computer to draw up designs
I haven't drawn designs by hand in a long time
We didn't have computers back then
Enlarged photocopying was expensive
So your father and I
Would go to the basketball field, rain or shine
And slowly sketched it square by square
I also helped out
Don't you remember?
Oh yes
According to proper procedures
We need to submit these documents
I know the procedures
But these measurements will not be approved
What should we do?
Didn't you plan this out?
I told all the crowd funders
that they can come for a picture
We're gonna go ahead
regardless of government approval
Keep going
Yes, madam
I'm ready
Alright, 321
(MILLIE'S)
You've graduated
Auntie Heung
Thank you
You built this?
Yeah
But it's gonna be torn down after tonight
The one I made was also torn down
But you rebuilt it for me
Auntie Heung, come here for a picture
Without me by your side
Can you take care of yourself?
Mom
Why don't you come with us
I'm not going
I don't speak English
I don't wanna be your maid
I don't need to cook for you
and your father every day
I have a lot of free time now
Take a seat
What are you doing?
Sit still
What is it? Are you doing my makeup?
I'm dyeing your hair
Why are you dyeing my hair all of a sudden?
I do have a lot of grey hair
Do you know what this comb is for?
First comb, to the end
Second comb, to turn grey together
Don't move
When we're old
And our hair has turned grey
I'll help you dye your hair, and you can dye mine
I'm not dyeing my hair
Why not?
There's an engraving
Turn gery together, hand in hand forever
Remember our glory days
When lights dazzled our path
My soul, embraved by the sun
Indomitable and full of dreams
Think back to our joyful times
Busy street corners filled with hope
Can I still hold your hand
And capture the smiles from yesterday?
Night goes on, the wind sings
An endless story of our lives
Love goes on, miss the way you looked
In memories that never fade
Can't let go of those splendid years
Or the moment we said goodbye
Still I search for someone from times past
Whose shadow stands beneath the waning lights
Night goes on, the wind sings
An endless story of our lives
Love goes on, miss the way you looked
In memories that never fade
Can't let go of those splendid years
Or the moment we said goodbye
Still I search for someone from times past
Whose shadow lingers beneath the waning lights
Whose shadow lingers beneath the waning lights