In 1990 Liv Ullman visited Hong Kong, and on that occasion she condemned the deportation of Vietnamese boat people from Hong Kong. Ullman’s visit inspired Evans Chan to write imaginary letters to her about life in a politically insecure and confused Hong Kong.The feature film looks at the anxious atmosphere after the blood-bath in Tienanmen Square (4 June 1989), and which is also dictated by the prospect that Hong Kong will be takenover by China in 1997. Many inhabitants are looking for ways to leave the city in time; a complete migration would appear to be starting.Protagonists are Ruby, editor of a magazine, her boy-friend John, her brother Tony and Tony’s girl-friend, Teresa. Ruby writes the letters to Liv Ullman in To Liv(e). The encounters which she has in the film, mediating in the countless tense relationships, symbolise as many aspects of life in Hong Kong. With her boy-friend John she has heated discussions about whether or not to emigrate. Teresa, Tony’s girl-friend who is older that Tony (a taboo in Chinese society), is very insecure about their relationship and has a nervous breakdown. So Tony starts making preparations to emigrate to Australia, he hopes to find a more tolerant climate for their relationship there.To Liv(e) is, according to its maker, a film about survival; about a love which tries to survive in an intolerant society and about people she want to survive major political changes.
