[2024.06.21] DAYO WONG GAINS KNOWLEDGE FROM MAKING THE LAST DANCE

In order to focus on her role, Michelle Wai misses a lot of opportunities to learn
courtesy of on.cc

Michael Hui and Dayo Wong work together again after 32 years
courtesy of singtao.com

In the film Dayo Wong is thinking by the offering oven

Michael Hui performs the Hell Breaking ceremony in the mourning hall
courtesy of mingpao.com

The Emperor Motion Picture THE LAST DANCE (POR. DEI YUK) starred Dayo Wong Tze Wah and Michael Hui Koon Man 32 years since THE MAGIC TOUCH (SUN SUEN). The Anselm Chan Mou Yin directed and written film that also starred Michelle Wai Sze Nga, Chu Pak Hong, Catherine Chau Ka Yee, Paul Chun Pui, Elaine Jin (Kam Yin Ling), Rosa Velasco (Wai Law Sha), Rachel Leung Yung Ting, Michael Ning (Bak Ji) and Chung Suet Ying has confirmed its release on November 14th this year. Its teaser, poster and first round of stills were released yesterday.

In the tease, Hui Koon Man is performing the Hell Breaking ceremony at the mourning hall while Wong Tze Wah is thinking by the offering oven as he says, "Hong Kong's funeral is an artistic and action combination , the 'arts' is the street march, and the 'action' is the chanting ......" As the camera turned, Tze Wah and Hui Koon Man sit opposite each other. Hui Koon Man says in a deep voice, "The most important thing is to be able to live with yourself and others!" In the poster, the two stand against the door in front of a mausoleum, the atmosphere is solemn and has a strong sense of story. THE LAST DANCE talks about life and death through the funeral industry.

In Wong Tze Wah's eyes, Hell Breaking is a unique form of culture and performance in Hong Kong, which deserves to be appreciated and valued. He said, "In my life, I have seen Hell Breaking a few times with my own eyes; I have seen the master spitting fire and waving the sword up close, and I can't imagine seeing such a special farewell ceremony anywhere else! The film not only presents the hell-breaking ceremony, but also explores this biggest event in life through the Hong Kong funeral industry." He also said that he learned from the film, such as applying makeup for the deceased. It is not a matter of brushing a stroke or two casually, there is a lot of knowledge in it. He is very fortunate to participate in a film that has done a lot of research and is so realistic.

Michael said that the part of the script that involved life and death deeply moved him. ""First of all, whether there is an afterlife is another matter; let's first say that I went to the funeral home to say goodbye to a friend. From the Taoist standpoint, he (she) left but I have to face the rest of my life. How do we deal with that? Therefore, each departure from the funeral home would bring some kind of revelation for the deceased and the living. The deceased already left the mortal world to find another life, so we should give them blessing; for the living, we should experience life anew, grasp a new direction. This way is advantageous to both the deceased and the living."

Wai Sze Nga admitted that being able to work with her elders Wong Tze Wah and Hui Koon Man felt like two extremes, both joyful and painful. "Of course I am very honored to work with them. The script is also very good, and the filming is very enjoyable! However, because of the experience of the role, I had to isolate myself and concentrate on preparing for the performance. Despite great opportunities right in my face, I still couldn't always learn from my seniors. It was quite a struggle inside!" Because of this film she had new understanding of life and death and hoped that the audience would be able to relate.