Papa (2024 film) explained

Director:Philip Yung
Producer:Amy Chin
Starring:Sean Lau
Jo Koo
Dylan So
Cinematography:Chin Ting Chang
Editing:Jojo Shek
Music:Ding Ke
Studio:The Book of a Play
Distributor:Golden Scene
Runtime:131 minutes
Country:Hong Kong
Language:Cantonese

Papa is a 2024 Hong Kong family drama[1] film directed and written by Philip Yung. Starring Sean Lau, Jo Koo, and Dylan So, the film is based on a real-life 2010 murder case and centers on the life of a father (Lau) after the rest of his family is murdered by his mentally unstable son (So).

The film had its world premiere in competition at the 37th Tokyo International Film Festival on 31 October 2024.

Premise

The story follows a café owner who experiences a family tragedy when his mentally unstable son murders his mother and sister, while the son is subsequently incarcerated in a psychiatric facility, leaving the father to navigate his life with the weight of survivor guilt.[2]

Cast

Also starring in the film are Jennifer Yu, Yeung Wai Lun, Helen Tam,, and Law Wing-cheung.[3] Edan Lui has a cameo appearance.[4]

Production

After producing the legal drama film The Sparring Partner (2022), Philip Yung found himself in debt and had to make a low-budget Chinese romance film, Penny Pinchers (2024), to repay it while on holiday in 2022.[5] He returned to Hong Kong to helm the project Papa right afterwards,[6] a film he described as a real "Hong Kong film", in contrast to his previous project, which he characterized as a "very mainland Chinese film". In June 2022, Papa was greenlit by the Hong Kong Film Development Council with a budget of HKD$7,246,400 through the Film Production Financing Scheme, with producing and Sean Lau and Jo Koo attaching as the lead cast.[7] Yung teased the production of the project in February 2023,[8] describing it as a "small-scale art-house film" and expressing uncertainty about whether it could be released in China. The story is based on the, where Kan Ka-leung, who murdered his mother and sister, was convicted in 2012.[9]

Principal photography began in March 2023, with Sean Lau reportedly filming on 17 March 2023 and Jennifer Yu also announced as part of the cast.[10] [11] The shoot continued through April.[12] Sean Lau took a hiatus to attend the 41st Hong Kong Film Awards on 16 April before returning to shoot the following day.[13] Filming wrapped up within the first half of the year, and the first cut was completed by September.[14] The film was presented by Screen International alongside 14 Asian films to festival directors in January 2024,[15] and a teaser poster was released on 25 September along with the announcement of its premiere at the Tokyo International Film Festival.[16]

Release

Papa had its world premiere in competition at the 37th Tokyo International Film Festival,[17] [18] on 31 October 2024,[19] and is set to be screened as the closing film of the 21st Hong Kong Asian Film Festival on 10 November 2024.[20] [21]

Reception

Richard Kuipers of Variety praised Papa for being "played in a low key that produces high emotional impact", emphasizing its "great depth and complexity", while highlighting Sean Lau's "terrific performance" and Philip Yung's skillful direction in crafting an emotionally resonant narrative.[22] Jordan Mintzer of The Hollywood Reporter described the film as "well-crafted and intriguing", exploring the aftermath of a horrific crime through themes of guilt and regret while ultimately providing a compelling perspective on the possibility of redemption for a shattered family, despite moments of dramatic frustration.[23]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: New filmmaker voices are rising in Hong Kong, but challenges remain . 11 March 2024 . . Wong . Silva . 28 September 2024.
  2. Web site: 劉青雲挑戰沉重角色 新片劇本靈感來自「荃灣享和街弒母殺妹案」 . 27 September 2024 . . 28 September 2024 . zh . 28 September 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240928055853/https://eastweek.stheadline.com/focus/7385/%E5%8A%89%E9%9D%92%E9%9B%B2%E6%8C%91%E6%88%B0%E6%B2%89%E9%87%8D%E8%A7%92%E8%89%B2-%E6%96%B0%E7%89%87%E5%8A%87%E6%9C%AC%E9%9D%88%E6%84%9F%E4%BE%86%E8%87%AA%E8%8D%83%E7%81%A3%E4%BA%AB%E5%92%8C%E8%A1%97%E5%BC%92%E6%AF%8D%E6%AE%BA%E5%A6%B9%E6%A1%88 . live .
  3. Web site: 港產片殺入東京國際電影節 實力派演員演活社會小人物 . 26 September 2024 . . 28 September 2024 . zh . 28 September 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240928055900/https://today.line.me/hk/v2/article/nXMrpPg . live .
  4. Web site: 叱咤｜Edan客串劉青雲新戲《爸爸》　姜濤隨手寫惹無工開疑雲 . 4 November 2024 . . 鄺鈺瑩 . 5 November 2024 . zh.
  5. Web site: 風再起時｜翁子光無愧於心 千字文呼籲入場支持香港電影 . 17 February 2023 . . 28 September 2024 . zh.
  6. Web site: 《風再起時》翁子光專訪：在這個年代，態度與深度，哪個更重要？ . 25 February 2023 . . 紅眼 . 28 September 2024 . zh.
  7. Web site: 香港電影發展局 資助計劃 . . 28 September 2024 . zh . 14 August 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240814035448/https://www.fdc.gov.hk/tc/approved.php?categories%5B%5D=5 . live .
  8. Web site: 【專訪】《風再起時》導演翁子光：我把小時候夢想的東西給了你 . 11 February 2023 . . 蔣雨楠 . 28 September 2024 . zh.
  9. Web site: 劉青雲《爸爸》改編荃灣享和街弒母殺妹案 代香港出戰東京電影節 . 25 September 2024 . . 許育民 . 28 September 2024 . zh . 26 September 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240926155159/https://www.hk01.com/%E9%9B%BB%E5%BD%B1/1060558/%E5%8A%89%E9%9D%92%E9%9B%B2-%E7%88%B8%E7%88%B8-%E6%94%B9%E7%B7%A8%E8%8D%83%E7%81%A3%E4%BA%AB%E5%92%8C%E8%A1%97%E5%BC%92%E6%AF%8D%E6%AE%BA%E5%A6%B9%E6%A1%88-%E4%BB%A3%E9%A6%99%E6%B8%AF%E5%87%BA%E6%88%B0%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%9B%BB%E5%BD%B1%E7%AF%80 . live .
  10. Web site: 電影導演會頒獎禮｜劉青雲膺最佳男主角 爆老婆郭藹明已冇戲癮 . 17 March 2023 . . 28 September 2024 . zh . 24 September 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230924150053/https://ol.mingpao.com/ldy/showbiz/latest/20230317/1679028230856/%E9%9B%BB%E5%BD%B1%E5%B0%8E%E6%BC%94%E6%9C%83%E9%A0%92%E7%8D%8E%E7%A6%AE-%E5%8A%89%E9%9D%92%E9%9B%B2%E8%86%BA%E6%9C%80%E4%BD%B3%E7%94%B7%E4%B8%BB%E8%A7%92-%E7%88%86%E8%80%81%E5%A9%86%E9%83%AD%E8%97%B9%E6%98%8E%E5%B7%B2%E5%86%87%E6%88%B2%E7%99%AE . live .
  11. Web site: 劉青雲奪「最佳男主角」大獎 張繼聰寫情歌冧謝安琪 . 16 March 2023 . . 28 September 2024 . zh . 14 August 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240814035441/https://hk.on.cc/hk/bkn/cnt/entertainment/20230316/bkn-20230316220154249-0316_00862_001.html . live .
  12. Web site: 楊受成呻《神探大戰》內地審批困難重重 劉青雲奪金像影帝 老婆無獎勵 . 29 April 2023 . . 陳釗 . 28 September 2024 . zh . 30 April 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230430030605/http://www.mingpaocanada.com/Tor/htm/News/20230429/HK-maa1_r.htm . live .
  13. Web site: 金像獎2023｜鄭秀文台上漏多謝許志安 青雲笑言拍「右眼見到鬼」 . 17 April 2023 . . 莫匡堯 . 28 September 2024 . zh . 28 September 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240928055852/https://www.hk01.com/%E9%9B%BB%E5%BD%B1/888495/%E9%87%91%E5%83%8F%E7%8D%8E2023-%E9%84%AD%E7%A7%80%E6%96%87%E5%8F%B0%E4%B8%8A%E6%BC%8F%E5%A4%9A%E8%AC%9D%E8%A8%B1%E5%BF%97%E5%AE%89-%E9%9D%92%E9%9B%B2%E7%AC%91%E8%A8%80%E6%8B%8D-%E5%8F%B3%E7%9C%BC%E8%A6%8B%E5%88%B0%E9%AC%BC . live .
  14. Web site: Philip Yung interview: "Wong Jing said, 'It seems too arty!'" . 26 September 2023 . EasternKicks.com . Heskins . Andrew . 28 September 2024 . 28 September 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240928055936/https://www.easternkicks.com/features/philip-yung-interview/ . live .
  15. Web site: 14 Asian films to tempt festival directors in 2024 . 19 January 2024 . . Wong . Silvia . Noh . Jean . Rosser . Michael . 28 September 2024 . 21 September 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240921041312/https://www.screendaily.com/features/14-asian-films-to-tempt-festival-directors-in-2024/5189559.article . live .
  16. Web site: 劉青雲主演翁子光新作《爸爸》 時隔6年再有港片入圍角逐「櫻花大獎」 劇本改編自「荃灣享和街弒母殺妹案」 . 25 September 2024 . . 28 September 2024 . zh.
  17. Web site: Tokyo Film Festival Unveils Competition Line-up; 'My Favourite Cake' To Screen In Women's Empowerment Section . 25 September 2024 . . Shackleton . Liz . 28 September 2024 . 26 September 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240926032652/https://deadline.com/2024/09/tokyo-film-festival-competition-my-favourite-cake-1236098794/ . live .
  18. Web site: Tokyo International Film Festival Unveils Lineup . 25 September 2024 . . Brzeski . Patrick . 28 September 2024 . 26 September 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240926205626/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/tokyo-international-film-festival-2024-lineup-1236011495/ . live .
  19. Web site: Papa . . 28 September 2024.
  20. Web site: 21st Hong Kong Asian Film Festival 2024 . 9 October 2024 . . Cheung . Catharina . 11 October 2024.
  21. Web site: 第21屆香港亞洲電影節丨日本紅星池松壯亮來港 首設「香港製造」單元力撐港產片 . 27 September 2024 . . 28 September 2024 . 28 September 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240928055853/https://std.stheadline.com/realtime/article/2026156/%E5%8D%B3%E6%99%82-%E5%A8%9B%E6%A8%82-%E7%AC%AC21%E5%B1%86%E9%A6%99%E6%B8%AF%E4%BA%9E%E6%B4%B2%E9%9B%BB%E5%BD%B1%E7%AF%80%E4%B8%A8%E6%97%A5%E6%9C%AC%E7%B4%85%E6%98%9F%E6%B1%A0%E6%9D%BE%E5%A3%AF%E4%BA%AE%E4%BE%86%E6%B8%AF-%E9%A6%96%E8%A8%AD-%E9%A6%99%E6%B8%AF%E8%A3%BD%E9%80%A0-%E5%96%AE%E5%85%83%E5%8A%9B%E6%92%90%E6%B8%AF%E7%94%A2%E7%89%87 . live .
  22. Web site: ‘Papa’ Review: A Moving Study in Grief and Redemption Based on a Shocking Hong Kong Crime Case . 2 November 2024 . . Kuipers . Richard . 5 November 2024.
  23. Web site: ‘Papa’ Review: An Unspeakable Crime Tears a Family Apart in an Impressionistic Hong Kong Drama . 31 October 2024 . . Mintzer . Jordan . 5 November 2024.

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