2.5/5 stars
The eccentric behaviour of an excessively passionate Hong Kong film geek serves as the inspiration behind Remember What I Forgot, a sentimental comedy-drama set on the fringes of the city’s fabled entertainment industry.
Shot in 2017 but shelved until now, this directorial debut from Keian Chui Tze-yiu – whose second film, Showbiz Spy, was released in 2021 – gently amuses with its observations on some rarely considered aspects of Hong Kong cinema, only to fumble the plot whenever it shifts its focus onto the personal life of its fictionalised protagonist.
Veteran actor Philip Keung Ho-man, in what at one point was meant to be his first film-leading role – before his acclaimed part in the 2018 transgender drama Tracey – plays Kim, a mystery man who regularly shows up at film sets and promotional events even if he has no business whatsoever taking part.
Kim’s exploits catch the attention of TV producer Ginger (Fish Liew Chi-yu), who, together with her cameraman Fat Sausage (Eric Tsui Ho-cheong), decide to make him their reality show’s latest subject and “expose” him as a notorious internet critic known for extorting advertising money with the threat of negative reviews – despite the fact they have no proof it is him.