This year’s Teddy Award winner is an empathetic study of family bonds fraying in the aftermath of tragedy and of the found families that put us back together again.

Out and embraced by their community and relatives, sixtysomethings Angie and Pat have built a comfortable, beautiful life over several decades together. Pat’s family is especially close to the couple, even though her older brother shows signs of envy at his more successful sister’s accomplishments. But when Pat dies unexpectedly, Angie stands to lose everything: Pat didn’t leave a will, Hong Kong law does not recognise their union and, with cost-of-living pressures pushing everyone to the wall, her once-beloved family’s support is fracturing around her.

Inspired by real-life stories, All Shall Be Well finds director and screenwriter Ray Yeung revisiting some of the themes – and cast – of his film Suk Suk (MIFF 2020). Tender and gentle, it is nevertheless a palpable indictment of the cruelty inherent in laws that don’t recognise LGBTQIA+ unions as well as the detrimental implications of capitalism in freefall. Fine performances, savvy editing (supervised by long-time Wong Kar-wai collaborator William Chang) and warm cinematography underpin a film of stunningly nuanced emotional depth and insight.

“A masterly study of complex family relationships … with remarkable ensemble performances.” – Filmuforia