Hong Kong Confidential

Film director, Joanna Bowers shares her experiences making impactful films that shine a light on social issues, in particular the potential of women. She began working in film in the USA. In 2011, Joanna moved to Hong Kong where she is now based. Since relocating to Asia, projects have seen her filming throughout mainland China, Nepal Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines and the United States. Having told several successful female-driven short-form stories, in 2015 she was inspired to explore the issues facing migrant workers in Hong Kong. The film ‘The Helper’, Joanna’s feature directorial debut, chronicles the diverse stories from Hong Kong’s migrant domestic ‘helpers’, exploring the immense contribution they make to society in the face of heart-breaking separation from their loved ones. Joanna explains how the domestic workers are the heroes and to see them feeling empowered through their work on the film was wonderful and it allowed them to become leaders and role model