Beyond the Names in Beyond the Dream（幻愛）
A closer look into the naming of the characters
Coming up with iconic and representative character names is never easy for a screenwriter. Not only does a good name “fit” a character’s personality, but it also leaves an imprint on the audience’s minds.
Naming characters in films and stories contribute to the identity of the character, while also bolstering the film’s themes. In Beyond the Dream, Chow names his characters cleverly. He carefully chooses which Chinese characters to associate the names with.
李志樂 Lee Chi Lok
This is how he introduces himself. For those who don’t speak or understand Chinese, it is important to note that since Chinese characters consist of numerous homophones, Chinese people tend to explain how their names are written by associating each character with another word that has the same calligraphy. Many tend to develop the habit of introducing themselves this way for the rest of their lives.
1. Lack of Happiness
Why doesn’t he associate (his name, Lok) to the “Lok” (樂) in “Happiness” (快樂)? Normally, “Lok” would have been linked to “Happiness”… Maybe it’s something he doesn’t acquire?
2. Duality — Fantasy vs Reality
「置」and 「志」have the same pronunciation. Could this be a hint to the notion of duality?
In the film, Chow invites the audience to experience seizures and episodes of Lok’s relapses. Just like Lok, the audience might question whether what is being shown is real. But here is the bigger question: WHAT EXACTLY IS REALITY? Are those that we can see and hear the only things that are real? Is love (or feelings) real? Is something you believe in a type of reality? If so, do people with different beliefs have different realms of reality?
3. Challenging the view of “Reality”
- Would you know the place 「置樂」if you don’t live in Tuen Mun?
- For those who do know, Chi Lok (置樂) is real, whereas those who don’t live in Tuen Mun would mistake this for an imaginary place or a made-up word.
[Back to the question — What is real?]
欣欣 Yan Yan — The Fantasy
1. Meaning
In Chinese, the character 「欣」means happiness and admiration. Perhaps “Happiness” is not only what Lok lacks, but also what he desires.
2. Interpretation
- Simple Epizeuxis = Simple Minded
- No surname was ever mentioned = Not conformed to “normality” from the beginning
葉嵐 Yip Nam — The Reality
1. Meaning
In Chinese, the word 「葉」= Leaf; 「嵐」= Mist
2. Interpretation
- Nature = Human Nature? It is only natural that all human beings are born with flaws.
- Leaves = Chinese tradition: leaves of the Cosmic Tree represent all of the beings in the universe
- Mist = uncertainty, obscuring reality, intangible — This fits Nam’s personality perfectly in the film
Dr. Simon and Dr. Fung
As Dr.Fung treats Nam as her daughter, Dr. Simon takes advantage of her sexually. As the given name is used to address Dr. Simon, this suggests an informal and unusual relationship between the two. “Fung” (馮) is a common Chinese surname. The fact that no full name is mentioned in the film may represent that anyone could replace the role of being the mother of Nam.
Further Analysis, Discussion, and Thoughts
1. Dilemma: The movie is not real too… Or is it? (The movie is perhaps false/ fictitious /imaginary, but is it a reflection of reality? could it be a product that resembles Schizophrenia?) [Eg. Some names of the production team members appeared on Yip Nam’s patient name list]
2. Strong symbols: Chow has implemented a myriad of cinematic effects to reinforce the symbolic meanings. In fact, he instructed the cinematographer to focus on making the scenes to be obscure, but visible (睇到同睇唔到之間) — like illusions, but also just like love (Real, but cannot be seen). What are strong symbols in the film and what do they represent? (eg. Doors — “Door to reality”? Both Nam and Lok invited each other to leave their homes = Return to reality? ; Glass Windows and Doors — Light Rail, Appear A LOT in the university scenes ; Distance — Living opposite, entering the centre after each other（「前後腳」）; Recordings — “Seeing is believing”? Are illusions real?)
3. What role does characterization play in the film? (Eg. Dr. Fung vs Dr.Simon; Dr.Simon vs Uncle Wong － Is Nam living under the shadow of her own past? Does disobeying Dr. Fung symbolize her breaking free from the past?)
4. What other romance films would you compare this film with? (Eg. It’s OK to Not be OK) What other (recent HK) films does this remind you of? (Eg. 一念無明 Mad World)
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Photo Source: Beyond the Dream. Chow Kiwi. Golden Scene Co. Ltd., 2019. Film.
Disclaimer: Any views and opinions expressed are personal and solely belong to the authors. They are not intended to malign any religion, ethnic group, club organisation, company, individual or anyone or anything.
