She is now regarded as one of the best cultural journalists in Hong Kong. Her bylines can be seen in big name media outlets such as BBC, Variety, Quartz and the South China Morning Post (SCMP).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The humble journalist, Vivienne Chow recalls she was not an outstanding student when studying journalism at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. She never thought of becoming a journalist. \u201cI always wanted to be a film director, so initially I chose film school,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Like most typical Hong Kong parents, her mother worried about her future career. She signed up for CUHK journalism school which also offered television production and film studies courses instead of majoring in film.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yet Chow has never forgotten her dream to pursue a career in the film industry. Her passion for film has inspired her to become a cultural journalist. \u201cI have always been interested in arts throughout my teenage years. I love performing. I love cinema. I love painting. I used to paint,\u201d she says. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/varsity.com.cuhk.edu.hk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/Speaker-at-Re-publica-Berlin-2016-1024x768.jpg\")
(Photo courtesy of Vivienne Chow)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
Writing stories about film and entertainment is a perfect job for her. She was an intern at the Hong Kong Standard during her final year in college. She started her career as a junior writer at SCMP after graduation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
During her 15 years at the SCMP, she went to countless film screenings and interviewed famous artists and filmmakers including Tony Leung Chiu-wai and Wong Kar-wai. She enjoys meeting interesting people when covering stories.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When most people think culture is quite distant to the daily life of ordinary citizens, Chow argues: \u201cActually it\u2019s not. It\u2019s something that everybody can enjoy. It appeals to not only a small group of people but also the general public.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She believes her job is more than just a journalist. She tries to bring her stories alive and conveys the message of arts to her readers with the hope that these creative minds can inspire others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Chow\u2019s job takes her to explore different parts of the world such as Europe and South America where she gets to see and experience different kinds of art forms and cultures. \u201cArts and culture are international languages and they always bring you a different dimension,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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(Photo courtesy of Vivienne Chow)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
When asked about the most memorable interview she has done so far, she cites the one with Wong Kar-wai. \u201cHe is a mystery. He always wears his sunglasses so you can\u2019t see his eyes. You don\u2019t know what he is thinking\u2026 He is also a great storyteller who is eloquent and knows how to market himself.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Famous for her cultural perspectives, Chow explains that there are two aspects of culture in Hong Kong. She points out culture is not only about arts, it is also related to politics and public policy such as urban development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How can the government\u2019s expenses benefit cultural development? How do certain projects affect the environment? How can these projects reach children? How can culture policies engage the general public? These are the questions Chow thinks about when reporting about culture and public policy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Chow is also an advocate of preserving Hong Kong culture and heritage. She offered suggestions in the preservation of paintings by the King of Kowloon on doors and electricity facilities which otherwise would be demolished. The paintings are now conserved in the M+ collection. \u201cI am preserving something that I think is important,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“I am preserving something that I think is important.”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Her passion for Hong Kong is overwhelming. Hong Kong\u2019s soft power and the importance of Hong Kong culture as an international institution are the two issues she cares the most. \u201cThe world will know Hong Kong through exhibitions,\u201d she says. She also points out it is important to maintain Hong Kong\u2019s cultural identity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Looking ahead to the future of cultural journalism in Hong Kong, she believes we need to find and build an audience. \u201cWe need a younger audience to become more interested in these topics. Young people are not interested in long pieces. So maybe we have to come up with different types of storytelling. Maybe I can do more videos. We have to rely on social media much more.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/varsity.com.cuhk.edu.hk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/IMG_0310-1024x710.jpg\")