Parent Cheering Team
Director：SH KOT, Yu-fang HUANG
While most local parents are keen on other popular sports, a group of parents in Hong Kong devoted into baseball with their kids. Baseball is more than a game with the concept of “Home Coming” and “Guarding Home”. In baseball, as in life, all the important things happen at home. Everything starts from a hit at the home, the journey of the life as a runner is full of obstacles in the field, while teammates support with hits for the runner to move-on, and await the success of score at home. When defending, the team works as a whole to protect the home from losing score.
Baseball is a metaphor of home of two families. Jay’s parents fully support him to pursue dream of baseball, though the future of sports development is dim in Hong Kong. Fanny and her son, Bosco, protect home as a defending team with cautious communication.About the Director
Born in Hong Kong, SH KOT graduated from Faulty of Arts, Hong Kong University (majored in American Studies and Psychology), and completed her Master's Degree of Social Sciences in Youth Counselling in Hong Kong Baptist University. She grew interests in documentary during the American Studies program. In 2004, she served as boom operator in the documentary Election by director Tammy CHEUNG. As a recipient of CNEX grant, she co-directed her first documentary Parent Cheering Team.
Born in 1984 in Taiwan, Yu-fang HUANG finished her undergraduate studies in Department of Radio & Television, National Chengchi University, and graduate studies in Institute of Anthropology, National Tsing Hua University. Her academic training in radio and television inspired her interests in documentary, while anthropology studies ignited her enthusiasm in field research. Her works mostly focus on aboriginals in Taiwan and on baseball-related issues. Education in Hong Kong prioritizes academic performance; parents do not take sports seriously, and regard it as academic obstacles. Baseball is not popular in Hong Kong, but a group of parents are willing to support their children in baseball, amid busy schedules. They inspire me to record this phenomenon. I hope to present what they pursue in and out of field. Baseball is a sport that plays on the idea of "returning" and "safeguarding" home. I am grateful to the two families in the documentary that offered an opportunity for me to reflect on my family relationship. (by SH KOT)
Development of modern sports portrays varying social value systems. While people in Taiwan are used to viewing baseball as a national sports, it's a rare scenario in Hong Kong. However, a group of parents are still passionate about baseball along with their children, and as a communication channel for families. In a highly competitive society as Hong Kong, they are still committed to baseball without questions. (by Yu-fang HUANG)