From The Shawshank Redemption to a Robin Williams classic, the 5 favourite films of Christina Dean, sustainable fashion advocate in Hong Kong

Christina Dean is the founder of Hong Kong-based non-profit organisation Redress and co-founder of upcycled clothes brand The R Collective, both ventures combining her two passions: sustainability and fashion. Sustainability is a critical issue when it comes to fashion, with the industry creating an estimated 92 million tonnes of textile waste annually. To help spread the message, Dean, a former journalist, was featured in the 2015 Andrew Morgan-directed documentary The True Cost, which exposed the environmental hazards of the fast-fashion industry. But when it comes to watching films, a hectic professional and personal schedule – British-born Dean is a single mum of four children aged from five to 20 – means little screen time for entertainment. “The only TV I get to watch is either on a flight or with my kids,” she says. Here she shares her top five films. 1 The Shawshank Redemption (1994) This American prison drama, directed by Frank Darabont and based on a novel by Stephen King, tells the story of banker Andy Dufresne (Tim Robbins), who was wrongly imprisoned in the 1940s for the murder of his wife and her lover. “I’ve watched this since I was a kid, and many times with my kids,” she says. “For me, it’s the ultimate film showing utter determination to prove one’s innocence and the power of deep and trusting friendships. “The main character shows such steely and sharp determination to free his name – and be free – and while doing this he also forms a deep friendship with a fellow inmate, Ellis Boyd “Red” Redding [Morgan Freeman]. “I love this film because it inspires us to dig deep, and through this we can, just possibly, change our own circumstances. “To have just one pound of Andy’s fleshy determination would make getting through life’s comparatively mundane trials and tribulations that much easier.” 2 Triangle of Sadness (2022) Directed by Swedish filmmaker Ruben Östlund, this satire follows celebrity model couple Carl (Harris Dickinson) and Yaya (Charlbi Dean) on a luxury cruise for the uber-rich helmed by a manic boat captain (Woody Harrelson). “I started watching this on a flight and it was so incredible that when the plane landed, and the film wasn’t over, I wished that I could have stayed on board,” says Dean of the 2½-hour movie that won the 2022 Palme d’Or at Cannes. “I rushed home to buy the film and gorged it until the end. I love the story. Two glamorous influencers aboard a luxury cruise with some of the uber-rich until a brutal storm changes everything. “The story flips power around, twisting the fates of the super-rich guests with the poor workers. Let’s just say that the head toilet cleaner [played by Filipino actress Dolly Earnshaw de Leon] gets her time to shine. “This film resonated with me because of the complex dynamics and attitudes towards domestic helpers in Hong Kong, who clean, scrub and toil with not enough recognition,” says Dean of the city’s estimated 340,000 helpers, most of whom hail from Indonesia and the Philippines. “This power struggle – between wealth and workers – is likely something to be reflected on in Hong Kong.” 3 Bridesmaids (2011) “This is a no-brainer for a heartwarming, hilarious and crude sofa giggle. The clue is in the name, as various women are brought together to be bridesmaids for a dear friend. But before the big day, there is a littering of girlie dramas, competitive friendships gone mad, various romances and general mishaps.” Directed by Paul Feig and co-written by comedian and actress Kristen Wiig, who plays the lead role of Annie, the girl-heavy cast also includes Maya Rudolph, Melissa McCarthy and Rose Byrne. “The uncontrollable diarrhoea scene during the dress fitting has me in pieces every time, which says a lot about my potty humour,” says Dean, adding it’s a go-to mum and daughter film. “Beneath the silly humour there is a lovely, heartwarming story about the power of female friendships.” “The older I get, the more I realise that it’s my girlfriends who I can always call upon, so this film really talks to the power of girls to stick together, come what may!” 4 Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron (2002) “I must have watched this more than 20 times when my boys were young,” says Dean, of the American animated western produced by DreamWorks. “It’s one of those films that is so inspiring that you don’t mind your kids slobbing around on the sofa watching it at any time of the day.” The story tracks the adventures of a wild mustang stallion as he journeys through untamed lands. “He encounters humans – who are not portrayed in a positive light – for the first time, so the stallion must overcome various challenges at the hands of evil men, fighting to be free from human captivity, before ultimately falling in love. “I love this film because it’s essentially about freedom, youth, courage and love. And we could all do with more of that, no matter how old we are.” 5 Mrs Doubtfire (1993) “This comedy/drama is lodged in my family culture as it’s the one film that has played repeatedly at Christmas every year for around 15 years for my 15 nieces and nephews,” says Dean. The story follows Daniel Hillard (Robin Williams), an actor who masquerades as an elderly Scottish nanny to get a job working for his ex-wife so that he can spend time with his children following the couple’s separation. “Humour aside, the film reveals the painful struggles some fathers face when failing to get access to their kids,” says Dean. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Christina Dean (@drchristinadean) “It does a great job in showing the unwavering love that many dads give their kids, elevating paternal love in a world that is too often more maternally focused.”