In Hong Kong, there is a Hong Kong spirit known as the McDull spirit. It encapsulates the essence of the Hong Kong people—simple, optimistic, and average in talent, yet harboring great dreams. McDull originated in Hong Kong, and for over a decade, this ordinary little pig character has deeply resonated with the public, allowing audiences to see reflections of themselves and those around them. It is a true portrayal of the grassroots class in Hong Kong and a representative of the Hong Kong spirit. Friends who have immigrated to Hong Kong or lived in Hong Kong will always have the impression that Hong Kong people are optimistic, practical, and hardworking, just like McDull in the McDull film series.
McDull is simple, optimistic, upright, and kind. He has many dreams, among which winning an Olympic gold medal and traveling to the Maldives are his greatest. However, he is helplessly average in talent, not very intelligent, and his family status is somewhat humble. His dreams cannot withstand the touch of reality and are mostly shattered. Mrs. Mak is a single mother who pins all her hopes on her son McDull, but this only leads to repeated disappointments.
This is a story of pain and joy.
From McDull's birth, kindergarten, and middle school, to growing up and becoming a person with negative assets, failures and disappointments follow one after another. Yet, McDull still relies on his upright and kind "foolish" spirit to create his own beautiful world... He still has dreams, a mother who loves him, and a group of quirky friends.
McDull wanted to be an Olympic champion but ended up learning the outdated, unique local skill of "Bun Scrambling." Although disappointed, he decided to learn it well because he loves his mother; McDull wanted to travel to the Maldives, but his mother used a trick to take him on a trip to a nearby hill in Hong Kong, and the oblivious McDull enjoyed it nonetheless; there is also the classic scene where McDull orders fish balls and flat noodles, or Mrs. Mak, in order to make money, seriously introducing the recipe for "chicken paper wrapped chicken wrapped chicken paper wrapped paper chicken wrapped chicken paper" on a food show... All these segments never fail to make us burst into laughter.
This is a story about the grassroots class in Hong Kong.
The first film in the McDull series, "My Life as McDull," was produced in 2001, and together with "McDull, Prince de la Bun" released in 2004 and "McDull Kung Fu Ding Ding Dong" released in 2009, they constitute the McDull film series.
"My Life as McDull" changed the bloody style of fighting and grievances prevalent in Hong Kong animation, focusing on depicting the ordinary life and dreams of a cute little pig from the grassroots of Hong Kong. In the McDull story, what appears is not the usual Hong Kong skyscrapers and neon night scenes seen in previous Hong Kong films, but rather the cramped residential buildings, noodle stalls, and tea restaurants in areas like Mong Kok and Tai Kok Tsui, which are places Hong Kong people visit daily; the food is also mostly fish balls, flat noodles, pineapple buns, and other daily foods of Hong Kong people. This authentic Hong Kong civic culture is an important part of modern Hong Kong culture.
Watching McDull on the screen eat his special Christmas turkey for half a year, watching the joy he gains from the ordinary, and watching him become a person with negative assets after growing up and working, just like many people today, the audience can no longer laugh. Many viewers sigh that what is on the screen is essentially themselves!
If you feel frustrated in life, take a look at McDull! Being a member of the "McDull Tribe" might not be bad: be eager to strive, do not wait, do not rely on others, do not ask for handouts, be positive and optimistic, want to own a home, work hard, and do not live off your parents. Although burdened with certain life pressures and psychological stress, never give up the belief in striving for happiness, and firmly believe that happiness will surely beckon to you.