Little Big Master is a 2015 Hong Kong drama film directed by Adrian Kwan and produced by Benny Chan. The film stars Miriam Yeung and Louis Koo. It is based on the true story of Luli Lui Lai-hung, a former headmistress of a prestigious kindergarten who took a significantly lower-paying position to save a rural school from closure.
Premise and Background The film follows Lui Wai-hung (played by Miriam Yeung), who retires from her position as a headmistress at an elite kindergarten due to disillusionment with the education system. After seeing a news report about a struggling kindergarten in Yuen Long—the Yuen Kong Kindergarten—that has only five students and is facing closure, she applies for the position of headmistress and sole teacher. Despite the meager monthly salary of HK$4,500, she commits to helping the five students complete their education.
Production and Real-Life Basis The screenplay was inspired by events that occurred in 2009 involving the real-life Luli Lui. The narrative focuses on the socioeconomic hardships faced by the students' families and the bureaucratic challenges of the Hong Kong education system. The film emphasizes themes of dedication, social responsibility, and the intrinsic value of education over commercial interests.
Release and Reception Little Big Master was released on March 19, 2015. It was a significant commercial success in Hong Kong, becoming one of the highest-grossing domestic films of that year. It received critical acclaim for its performances and emotional depth. At the 35th Hong Kong Film Awards, the film received five nominations, including Best Film, Best Director, and Best Actress.
