Brian, the founder of Handsome Factory Barbershop, recounts what it was like growing up in Hong Kong and skating through the city back in the days when the skateboarding scene first emerged. Closely behind him, the Director of Photography and gaffer of this short film, Safran Lecuivre, tails Brian swiftly with his camera through the alleyways and markets of the neighborhood. The viewer in turn gets a glimpse of Brian’s world. The different facets of Brian’s life are sewed together in the steadily paced video editing, presenting a full depiction of urban culture and its commonalities.

Yuet Tung China Works, opened since 1928, is one of the last remaining handmade porcelain manufacturers in town. Joseph Tso, the thirdgeneration owner, proudly chats away sharing about his proudest commissions, his esteemed patrons, and his reasons on using certain colors and designs.

Cinematographer Etienne Leung captures all the intricacies of the beautiful art form, as she had studied ink painting herself prior to becoming a filmmaker. The viewer falls into a dream-like state as they experience the visual movement and sound design, and they find themselves lost in a maze where porcelain pieces, stacked high on shelves, fill every corner of the space.

For nearly 70 years, Kung Lee, an herbal tea shop in the historical Central district, has been an important institution within the community as a gathering place for both personal and business affairs. It’s still open today, and the sixties-style decor is still intact, with its tea stand, mosaic tiles, and plaques all within the walls of the pre-war tong lau structure. While still honoring traditional brewing methods, fourth-generation owner Eric Chui tests out new products and embraces new business partnerships.

The brainchild of three music connoisseurs founded in 2004 in Hong Kong, White Noise Records is an independent record store located in Hong Kong’s Sham Shui Po district. The founders seek to offer a unique selection of records, not out of any disdain for the homogenous pop genre that dominates the city’s commercial record stores but to advocate for the independent scene and serve fans with an eclectic taste who are hungry for the abundance of music that is out there. White Noise is a treasure chest waiting for those fans to dig up.

The 360-square-feet shop run by owner Benky Chan doubles as a hair salon by day and jazz salon by night. In a restless metropolis like Hong Kong, it is rare to come across a cultural sanctuary like Visage One. Before night falls, creativity already occurs quietly as Chan cuts hair for his clients. Come Saturday evening, renowned musicians and like-minded guests come to gather to enjoy spellbinding performances.

Tucked away in Hong Kong’s Jordan district, we find Biu Kee, a shop where artisans have handmade the 42-tile game set for nearly 50 years. Master Cheung Shun-king chisels away skillfully before dressing the tiles in traditional colors. Machine-made Mahjong products flood the markets today, but customers who value Cheung’s personal touch still flock to him for a one of a kind set.