You may not expect it of a city known for its high property prices, soaring rental rates, and high-density living but Hong Kong has its fair share of pet owners and animal lovers. No need to take my word for it – just walk around and observe how many pet shops and animal clinics there are about the place. And if that’s not enough to convince you, then a viewing of This Darling Life surely will.

An 80-minute documentary by Angie Chen, This Darling Life is a film about dogs and those who love and care for them – often to extraordinary, some might even say extreme and eccentric, lengths. The film largely comprises interviews with a number of these domesticated animals’ best friends, including director Chen, her brother Michael, Paul Wong (composer, singer and lead guitarist of local rock legends Beyond), Sally Andersen (the founder of HK Dog Rescue) and May, a vet’s assistant and owner of a dog shelter, who cares pretty much single-handedly for some 100 dogs. This Darling Life also contains footage of a homeless man who is virtually inseparable from his canine companion and two Buddhist funeral ceremonies and cremation services for a couple of beloved furry pals.

Very obviously a labour of love on the part of Chen, this documentary is designed, in her own words, “to teach us how to respect and love life a bit more”. And while a lot of attention is paid to dogs in the film, interviews also frequently reflect on relations between humans – subjects’ family members, deceased and living – and humanity’s dealings with dogs in general.

As might be expected, Angie Chen and her brother Michael lead the way in baring their hearts with at times sad and painful stories about their lives and the beings, canine and human, who have had considerable psychological impact on them. But even more admirable is the willingness of other interviewees to offer personal revelations that could invite derision and ridicule along with thought-provoking ruminations.

A member of the Hong Kong New Wave that also included Ann Hui, Tsui Hark and Patrick Tam Kar Ming, Chen was the assistant director for Jackie Chan’s first directorial effort (Dragon Lord (1982)) and directed three movies in the 1980s – two of which starred Cherie Chung (Maybe It’s Love (1984), and Chaos By Design (1988)) and the other of which was My Name Ain’t Suzie (1985) – before turning her back on feature film making. Given how well made and infused with passion This Darling Life is, it seems a great pity that she hasn’t come up with a film for theatrical release in years, never mind decades.

Yvonne Teh