A Business School filmmaker｜Oliver Chan (GBS 2009) presents Montages of Modern Motherhood, a film for men

Oliver Chan Siu-kuen (GBS 2009) returns with her latest film, Montages of Modern Motherhood, six years after winning the Best New Director award at the Hong Kong Film Awards for Still Human in 2019. This latest work explores the profound challenges of new motherhood. In an exclusive interview, Oliver shared that her new work is not only a heartfelt tribute to new mothers but also an effort to help men and families better understand the struggles women face postpartum — fostering greater empathy, support, and involvement.

Photo from Montages of a Modern Motherhood

The film draws inspiration from Oliver’s own experience of becoming a mother a few years ago. “I always thought having a baby was simple — that life would return to normal after the postpartum period. But after going through it myself, I realised how overwhelming the emotional highs and lows can be. I developed mastitis while breastfeeding, and caring for a newborn left me physically and mentally drained. The internet is replete with shared experiences of unsolicited criticism from strangers directed at mothers . Social expectations, like the belief that ‘mothers must be strong’, only add to the pressure and self-doubt. These struggles are something only mothers truly understand.”

Bringing the realities of new motherhood to the screen

This journey led Oliver to examine the deeper causes behind these challenges, prompting her to research news reports, medical studies, and online discussions, speak with new mothers, and even attend court hearings on infanticide cases. “I realised that these mothers are just ordinary people like you and me. Yet, society often responds to their experiences with sentimental praise for a mother’s selflessness, while rarely acknowledging the sacrifices and hardships behind it. Those who haven’t experienced it may never fully grasp the reality, and those who have often prefer not to relive it. That’s why I wrote this script — to challenge the romanticised notions of parenthood for couples considering having children, to help husbands better understand what their wives go through, and to raise family awareness about postpartum depression.”

A few years back, the birth of her child sparked Oliver(right)’s interest in exploring the unique challenges that new mothers are facing.

Montages of Modern Motherhood follows modern women navigating the challenges of motherhood and the weight of gender roles. Though the film tackles heavy themes, the set was often filled with laughter. One moment that stood out to Oliver was filming a scene where the lead actress struggled to calm a fussy baby. She recalled, “We needed a shot of the baby crying, but this little ‘angel’ was in such a great mood that all we got were endless smiles. It was both hilarious and frustrating! In the end, we couldn’t use the footage, but I told the parents they were truly lucky.”

In the film, the protagonist’s husband is largely absent from parenting. When asked if this was drawn from personal experience, Oliver laughed and said, “I’ve been getting this question a lot lately, so I have to set the record straight — my husband does his share! We weren’t exactly a dream team at first, but as we learned to understand each other, things gradually fell into place.”

From Business School to filmmaking

Oliver (second left) went on exchange programmes that were full of eye-opening experiences.

A top student in high school, Oliver was encouraged by her teachers to apply for the highly competitive Global Business Studies (GBS) programme at CUHK Business School. “Looking back, my three years at university were filled with great memories. I had the opportunity to go on exchange programmes in the United States and Denmark, which were truly eye-opening experiences and allowed me to build lasting friendships.” At the same time, she joined the drama society, taking on roles as both a scriptwriter and an actress — marking the first spark of her dream to become a director.

Oliver acknowledges that the training gained from CUHK Business School provided invaluable knowledge and skills for her role as a director.

“I remember our programme director at the time, Professor Gordon Cheung, took our career planning very seriously. He ‘strongly advised’ us to choose extracurricular activities that would be useful for our future job prospects. But I had my own plans — I secretly joined the drama society committee under a different name. Later, I won Best Scriptwriter in a drama competition, and to my surprise, it was Professor Cheung himself who presented the award. The moment we met on stage, we were both completely shocked!” Oliver burst into laughter and added, “I completely threw myself into the drama society, but I never let my studies slip — I even won an award in BA Paper!

Bringing acumen at work in filmmaking

After earning her degree, Oliver embarked on a career as a management trainee (MT) at a local bank. However, her passion for directing never waned. Determined to follow her true calling, she left her well-paid corporate job to study filmmaking. Transitioning from finance to film industry, she found that her business school training provided invaluable knowledge and skills for her role as a director.

“Directing isn’t as romantic as many imagine — it’s remarkably similar to running a business. Every day, I lead a team, oversee budgets and production schedules, manage administrative tasks, and draft proposals, all of which demand a strong foundation in business strategy. The public speaking and marketing expertise I cultivated through coursework and competitions have also been instrumental when pitching to investors.”

Oliver won winning the Best New Director award at the Hong Kong Film Awards for Still Human in 2019

When asked what advice she would give to aspiring dreamers at CUHK Business School, Oliver emphasised the importance of self-awareness and clarity in one’s goals. “Passion alone isn’t enough — you need mental resilience and a clear understanding of the sacrifices required along the way. If you’ve carefully weighed the trade-offs and are prepared for the inevitable highs and lows, then I would encourage you to take the leap and give it a try.”

To offer alumni an exclusive first look, the CUHK Business School Alumni Office is hosting an exclusive premiere screening of Montages of a Modern Motherhood and post-screening talk on 16 April, where Oliver will share insights into the creative process behind the film. This event is exclusively for CUHK Business School alumni, and seats are limited — to secure your spot!