In the beginning of the video, everyone is wearing the same thing and performing the same action every day.I was raised in a very good environment, and I’ve always felt very comfortable being myself. As a kid, I was very loud and a little bit crazy and “out there”. I wasn’t afraid to be myself, and was always open to trying new things, no matter how crazy they were.
I remember watching my dad shave his face every morning when I was little and wanting to try it myself. One day, I did and … let’s just say it didn’t go so well. I ended up bleeding a lot from my left eyebrow, and that freaked my mum out.
Although this was a really stupid idea, it was an example of how I wasn’t afraid to try anything, even if it was as silly and dangerous as shaving my left eyebrow off.
You have the power to change your life - stop being passive, and start being proactive
But this changed when I began secondary school and started to mature emotionally. I became less adventurous and less outgoing – in fact, I became very quiet and reserved. I started to let fear control me until it was like I was a completely different person.
I no longer wanted to be myself, I just wanted to blend in with everyone as much as I could, so I wouldn’t be seen as different. This was a dark and difficult time for me.
Going through that time inspired me to make my video for the Unicef HK Make A Video competition.
Anxiety, insecurity, loneliness, society's expectations, and not letting it get to you
I wanted to show my audience that trying to be like everyone else around you is just you pretending to be something that you’re not, and that won’t make you happy.
The video, Forbidden Colour, is about how we should all strive to be ourselves, even when that means being different. The main character acts the same as everyone else. Everyone does the same thing every day, and they also wear the same thing every day.
The main character then leaves the room to escape and be herself. Her friends notice her leaving, and chase after her. They soon realise that they don’t have to be the same as everyone else, and they leave the system to be themselves, too.
Unicef HK’s Make A Video competition gives young people a chance to express themselves. The project is co-organised by the Hong Kong Arts Centre’s IFVA, with support from Hang Seng Bank and Young Post. Check out the videos here. Email your feedback to [email protected]
The Make A Video Contest 2018 is now open for applications. This year, the theme is “The value we embrace”, which aims to encourage young people to embrace their values as they grow up. Details can be found here.
Edited by Nicole Moraleda