Floating Life

This thoughtful Australian-produced drama centers upon the experiences of the Chans, a Hong Kong family who emigrates to Sydney Australia one year before Mainland China is to take over the island city. Ma and Pa Chan choose to move to Australia with their two adolescent sons because that is where Bing, their second daughter lives with her husband.

Their eldest daughter Yen lives in Munich with her German husband. Their eldest son, Gar Min (the family playboy) must remain in Hong Kong until his immigration papers clear. The Chan's arrive at Bing's home and find it cold, ultra-safe and utterly uninviting.

Bing wants to fit in to Aussie society quickly and insists that her younger brothers speak English only. She also makes very sure her parents understand how different and dangerous Australia, with it's deadly spiders and vicious dogs, can be. Though the boys quickly find friends and a place in school, Ma and Pa Chan seem disoriented.

Things do not improve when Yen and then Gar Min come visiting with all of their many problems. The story is filmed in Cantonese with English subtitles.