Adolescents at the age of 17 and 18 like Pamela and Hester, two young ladies living in Hong Kong, are in the prime of their youth. What dreams do they have for the future? To most people, our city values material gain and recognition above all else, and is a place where the stress of living can swallow a person whole. Despite this, they still hope to live out their dreams here.
Pamela is an academically capable Form Five student at a traditional prestigious secondary school. For her, gaining entry into even the most difficult degree programmes at the most esteemed universities is a piece of cake. In the eyes of others, the ticket to a successful life is right in the palm of her hand. Nonetheless, she dreams of becoming a singer. She knows full well that becoming a singer will not be easy, and that making a living as one in Hong Kong is even more difficult. Which of these completely different paths will she choose?
Meanwhile, 18-year-old Hester transferred to a non-traditional secondary school two years ago to enrol into an art diploma programme. The move has broadened her horizons and redefined her interpretation of the word “dream”. She does not believe that dreams have to be equated with one’s profession. All she wishes for is to make her favourite thing – words – a permanent part of her life. It may sound vague and abstract, but freedom from reality and the courage to create one’s own world are the most precious things about dreams, are they not?
