The movie True Love, for Once in My Life has been showcased in multiple film festivals, and its producer Ms Sabrina Tse had completed three distance-learning Bachelor's degrees and Master's degrees in HKMU from 1997 to 2004. Her idea to make this film originated from the desire to seize and preserve the memory of an unforgettable relationship. Retiring from a law clerk to a filmmaker beginner, Sabrina enrolled in PPCFILM Professional Certificate in Screenwriting for Film by HKMU LiPACE in 2016. After graduation, she then wrote a novel and put scriptwriting as well as filmmaking into practice to finish the film in 2024. She emphasised, “Enrolling the course is truly my milestone and a starting point for making this film.”
From concept to implementation, Sabrina confessed the course took her eight years with tough process but she was grateful for what the journey brought her. She was inspired by HKMU Alumni Association's events, and she reached her alma mater for film screening. “Thanks to the University's support in organising the film screening attended by the President, I truly felt the support that HKMU offers its alumni.”
It was 2015 when Sabrina's ex-husband passed away. Despite the cracks in their marriage, he was still the one. As a movie fancier, Sabrina was committed to a film to engrave this relationship. Equipping with knowledge from the screenwriting course, she later interned at her lecturer Mr Frankie Tam's studio. In 2018, she finished a 60,000-word novel as the story baseline. With careful deliberation with her children, Sabrina decided to sell her flat for the film. “This is not for the box office success but a wish, and a promise. I had to do this.” She then invited her guest lecturer Ms Lou Shiu-wa as the screenwriter while Sabrina as co-screenwriter.
As the plot protagonist, Sabrina insisted on keeping the backbone while modestly enhancing the story with the crew, and adding appropriate frictional elements. For instance, the husband of leading actress disappeared in the hospital, and she found him on the streets. Leading to a reunion where the couple shared a “Twin Popsicle” on a tram ride. She said, “I am fine for slight commercial elements but not overly done. I learned how to enrich the film, and a good screenplay comes from modifications.” She mentioned the biggest advantage of the course is having industrial elites as lecturers, which broadened her network to identify professionals for her movie production and distribution.
Writing the story of her own , Sabrina admits “the way was tough.” Not only did she pick up every bit in the strange screenwriting realm, she also needed to revisit the ups and downs in the relationship. “To write that screenplay, I must undergo that again. I had to conquer that myself.” She longingly spilled the anecdotes from “cheating” together in primary school, to listening to Love of Snow from her then husband to tie two hearts. “I cling to this love. Some say I could let that go after the movie. But why? My ex-husband has a crucial place in my heart. Perhaps things could be let go, but love goes on.” “As the movie title goes, true love, for once in my life. “
Sabrina never had the intention to preach but to let audiences draw their own conclusions. Post distribution, she learned a lot from audiences' feedback: some felt relieved, some were inspired, some realised love and forgiveness. She recalls vividly an audience gave her a resonating hug, “I am grateful for their support towards my sharing, but I am surprised they thanked me for making this film.”
Sabrina summed up the eight-year journey from studying screenwriting course, writing screenplay, to making the film for distribution, “it's wonderful to have my own film. I am blessed to be receiving many helping hands.” She reshaped her perspective smoothing her edges. “I learned how to communicate with people, especially with my children! They are in full support, and this movie becomes the power to bring us together.”
The film authentically captures scenes shot on campus, evoking vivid memories of her student days. She spoke out of joy as she told her story like it was yesterday, “the management knowledge learned from studying improved my work efficiency. I like learning and I enjoy the sense of accomplishment when dashing through exams.” Embracing lifelong learning, her learning paths include guitar, drama, singing, and over seven years of dubbing, she gained lots of skills to be used anytime. “The director thoughtfully reserved some lines for me to dub.”
Looking back at this film journey, she smiled, “Everything I learned from courses and internship went into the script. It's been invaluable.” The title《淺淺歲月》True Love, for Once in My Life was suggested by the production team in echoing what the female leading role went through. She shared, “I used the film to record the tiny moments with my ex-husband, subtle yet deeply felt. I feel like I went on a relationship with him again and this film is our third child.” The simple and subtle days, with profound and deep affections, were conveyed and continued through the lens.
