A lifelong pursuit

Last year, Water Wild Month’s video series If I Were and Ordinary People Vs Filmmakers gained immense popularity. The latter, which presents and contrasts the same situation as a real-life scenario and then from an emotionally freighted, deadpan cinematic point of view, catapulted Water Wild Month’s view count to some 3.5 million.

Funny and down-to-earth in a way that’s uniquely Hong Kong, these skits on Instagram have expanded Fung’s fanbase tremendously. He explains, “Our Instagram content is more about having fun. Ultimately, we want more people to know about us.” That’s led to advertisers jumping onto the channel, allowing him to focus solely on filmmaking.

While Instagram serves as a promotional platform, Water Wild Month’s YouTube channel is where Fung hones his cinematographic techniques. These short films allow him to experiment with various film styles, from the use of cameras and lighting to the delivery of the script. His emotional monologues have become a signature, showcasing a more sentimental side of his personality that’s normally hidden behind a comedic façade.

Water Wild Month’s videos have both Chinese and English subtitles, and Fung has a lofty goal: to transcend language barriers and reach a wider audience outside Hong Kong. It’s an impressive ask for humour that’s so distinctive to the city. But Fung’s dream remains the same. “I want to produce artistic, youthful works,” he says. Behind his dedication lies a simple fact: “Filmmaking is all I know.”