Hong Kong director Calif Chong, best known for her acclaimed 2019 short Underneath, delivers something different with High Wire.

High Wire speaks to something human and widely felt: the way immigration reshapes people, their hopes, their fears, and their relationships with the next generation. For many immigrant parents, the act of starting over comes with pride and pain. The sacrifices made in pursuit of stability often turn into expectations that their children will achieve what they could not. These unfulfilled dreams, born of love and hardship, become an inheritance, one that weighs heavily on the young, who must find their own balance between gratitude and independence. Calif Chong captures this with empathy, showing how the longing to belong can span generations, often wordless yet ever-present.

Set in a modest English town, High Wire follows Go-wing, a British-Chinese takeaway girl whose life changes when a travelling circus arrives. At first, the strange new world sparks her curiosity, but it soon becomes a journey of self-discovery. As Go-wing is drawn to the colour, chaos, and freedom of circus life, she must balance the tension between her father’s expectations and her own dreams.

Through her journey, the film pays homage to the first and second generations of Chinese immigrants, those who built their lives in Britain – and probably elsewhere too – while carrying the weight of another homeland, often confronting systemic racism and alienation.

Chong directs with unshowy confidence, allowing emotion to build naturally. Every shot is thoughtful and full of empathy, never overly sappy. Matthew P. Scott’s cinematography beautifully captures the contrasts of Go-wing’s world, with the muted tones of her everyday routine set against the vivid spectacle of the circus. The handheld camera work adds a human closeness, making us feel as though we’re walking beside her. Nathan Summerfield’s editing is thoughtful and steady, capturing the balance Go-wing must maintain between duty and desire.

Isabella Wei delivers a stunning performance as Go-wing, carrying the film with feeling and strength. After her breakout in Netflix’s 1899, she proves herself to be an intuitive actress, beautifully capturing the inner conflict of a young woman torn between two cultures and finding her own voice.

Opposite her, Ka-Wah Lam gives one of his most heartfelt performances to date as Go-wing’s father. Known for Jue Ming Fa Guan and Zhi Fa Zhe Men, Lam brings gravitas to a man shaped by disappointment but guided by love. His portrayal avoids cliché, showing pride and vulnerability as he tries to protect his daughter from a world that rarely understands people like them. The scenes between Wei and Lam are among High-Wire’s most affecting moments.

The supporting cast, including Elizabeth Tan, Jose Palma, and Nino Fernandez, provides texture and realism, while the inclusion of top performers from Circus Extreme lends authenticity to the film’s circus sequences. Even with all its spectacle, High Wire stays emotionally centered. It’s a story about daring to follow your own path. Following your dreams is like walking on a high wire: you might fall, but you can also rise and reach the top.

For anyone who has ever lived between cultures, High Wire feels achingly real. It’s a story of inheritance and the courage it takes to step into the light. With exquisite performances and direction, Calif Chong delivers a confident and compelling feature debut.

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Written by Maggie Gogler

Featured image courtesy of Silent D Pictures

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