[2024.11.02] TWILIGHT OF THE WARRIORS: WALLED IN PREMIERES IN TOKYO

Philip Ng
courtesy of on.cc

Action director Kenji Tanigaki and Philip Ng share their TWILIGHT OF THE WARRIORS: WALLED IN production experience at the Tokyo International Film Festival
courtesy of mingpao.com

Sammo Hung sends a message to young filmmakers to create hard and not give up The 37th Tokyo International Film Festival is being held in Japan. The Hong Kong Film Development Council and the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CACIDA) established the "Hong Kong Pavilion" for the first time at the Tokyo International Film Festival and even held the "Hong Kong Night". The Hong Kong Film Development Council chair Dr. Wilfred Wong Ying Wai and the Assistant Head for Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency Gary Mak Sing Hei led a delegation of industry leaders, including directors Sammo Hung Kam Bo, Stanley Kwan Kam Peng, actors Michael Hui Koon Man, Dayo Wong Tze Wah, Siuyea Lo Chun-yip, Hedwig Tam Sin Yin, Michelle Wai Sze Nga, Jo Koo (Kuk Cho Lam), Philip Ng Won Lung and George Au Chun Ho, etc., to promote Hong Kong and expand overseas cooperation. The lineup is strong, and they jointly showed the strength of Hong Kong films to the international film industry. This year, there are 5 Hong Kong films PAPA (BABA), THE LAST DANCE (POR. DEI YUK), MONTAGES OF A MODERN MOTHERHOOD (FU DUK BUT), VALLEY IN THE SHADOW OF DEATH (BUT SHEH JI JUI), and TWILIGHT OF THE WARRIORS: WALLED IN (GAU LUNG SING JAI JI WAI SING) competing for awards.

The Hong Kong Film Development Council and the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency held the "Hong Kong Night" on the evening of October 31st, which was packed with stars. Sammo Hung Kam Bo was delighted to be invited to attend the Tokyo International Film Festival seminar and said, "Thank you for your support for Hong Kong films. Only with your support are we motivated to continue to create Hong Kong films." Hung Kam Bo sent a message to future generations to work hard, put in an effort, inherit the Hong Kong film spirit of not give up; famous Japanese actor Yasuaki Kurata was grateful for the Hong Kong movies. "Without Hong Kong, there would be no me today."

The Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency and the Hong Kong Film Development Council have also funded the Hong Kong Trade Development Council to set up the Hong Kong Pavilion for the first time in the Tokyo Film Festival's Films and TV Programs Showcase, to promote a number of outstanding Hong Kong films and promote Hong Kong as a filming venue for international films.

THE LAST DANCE (POR. DEI YUK) was selected for the "World Focus" section, and director Anselm Chan Mou Yin and actors Michael Hui Koon Man, Dayo Wong Tze Wah and Michelle Wai Sze Nga attended the Film Festival; Hui Koon Man and Wong Tze Wah both were participating in the Tokyo Film Festival for the first time. Hui Koon Man said that he was very excited. "I would like to thank Chan Mou Yin for creating this unique script, especially Wong Tsze wah, Wai Sze Nga, Chu Pak Hong and all the cast and the crew for their combined effort, so that this Hong Kong film can be brought to Japan and shared with audiences around the world." Wong Tze Wah joked, "It's an honor to be able to come and experience the big event once." Wai Sze Nga was also proud of the team. "Being recognized at such an important film festival is the greatest reward for our efforts." Director Chan Mou Yin expressed his gratitude for the recognition: "THE LAST DANCE is a work with rich Hong Kong local flair. Being recognized on such an internationally influential stage, it is a great affirmation for our entire production team."

Director Philip Yung Tsz Kwong was delighted that Papa has been chosen for the "Main Competition" and competes for the top prize, and was encouraged by the recognition of Hong Kong films at the International Film Festival. "I am very honored, because Hong Kong has not participated in the competition of the Tokyo International Film Festival for six years. I hope that more Hong Kong films will be noticed on the international stage." Actors Jo Koo (Kuk Cho Lam) and Dylan So Man To also felt very lucky and grateful.

MONTAGES OF A MODERN MOTHERHOOD (FU DUK BUT) was selected for the "Women's Empowerment" section, director Oliver Chan Siu Kuen said that she felt a great deal of recognition. "Audiences in different places will have different resonances depending on the local culture and social situation, but I also believe that the core emotion of MONTAGES OF A MODER MOTHERHOOD is the same, because after all, we are all born from mothers." Hedwig Tam Sin Yin said that she was particularly looking forward to this screening. "This selection for the 'Women's Empowerment' section, which focuses on women's rights, has injected more strength into the film, and I look forward to seeing the audience who will see the film because of this subject." Siuyea Lo Chun Yip said, "I believe that the plight of a new mother in the film can easily relate to Asian audiences due to the lack of support. At the same time, there are slight differences in family structure and gender division of labor in different regions, so I hope to have a great exchange with the audience and learn about the specific situation of starting a family and raising children in Tokyo this time."

With his film debut VALLEY IN THE SHADOW OF DEATH (BUT SHEH JI JUI) selected for the "Future of Asia" competition, George Au Chun Ho and other actors Sheena Chan Shu Yan and Summer Chan Chi Huen attended the "Hong Kong Night". Au Chun Ho said, "It is a honor to be a part of the event, because I could have the opportunity to observe foreign works then gradually learn and improve from them." Chan Shu Yan said, "This Film Festival has made me more deeply aware of the power of film, and has made me more motivated to continue on the journey of filmmaking." Chan Chi Huen also cherished her trip very much. "The Film Festival enabled me to see excellent works from all over the world, and I am able to interact with many talented filmmakers and explore different storytelling styles and creative methods."

Selected for the "Gala Selection", TWILIGHT OF THE WARRIORS: WALLED IN (GAU LUNG SING JAI JI WAI SING)'s actor Philip Ng Won Lung said that he was very honored to be a part of such a popular kung fu movie. "Speaking of the Walled City, it is a place people fantasized about and pictured. In addition it is a place that belongs to Hong Kong, which I believe can arouse the curiosity of the audience. I very much look forward to seeing the reaction of the Japanese audience."

In addition, the Hong Kong Film Development Council and the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency also held two seminars, including "The Past and Present of Martial Arts Films: Exploring Tradition and Looking to the Future", in which three renowned action directors and actors Sammo Hung Kam Bo, Yasuaki Kurata and Kenji Tanigaki, discussed the evolution and innovation of martial arts films and looked to the future; Hung Kam Bo said, "The martial arts spirit of Hong Kong films is the best in the world; only because every martial artist and every action director work hard to create and dedicate their lives to contribute would there be Hong Kong action movies. Young people should not give up, the most important thing is to work hard, to inherit the spirit of Hong Kong films: 'Anything can be done!'" Yasuaki Kurata shared his experience of developing in Hong Kong and said, "Without Hong Kong, there would be no me today." Kenji Tanigaki also pointed out, "As long as you work hard, the effort is not in vain, for the younger folks the most important thing is to work hard, to charge ahead."

In addition, the production teams of the two prize-winning films under the Hong Kong-Asian Film Collaboration Funding Scheme of the Hong Kong Film Development Fund, namely ALL THE THINGS WE HAVE DONE WRONG THAT LED US TO THIS and "38.83", were invited to discuss the challenges and strategies in the joint filming between the two places. They included ALL's Producer Stanley Kwan Kam Peng, Director Daiji Matsunaga and screenwriter Jun Li Jun Shek, and "38.83"'s Executive Producer Shunsuke Koga and Director and Screenwriter Cheuk Wan Chi. Kwan said, "Unlike the previous New Wave period, it is difficult for young people to find funding now. Fortunately, Create Hong Kong (now known as the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency) has provided a lot of funding for young people to make films, but it is important to remember that filmmaking should start from the script, not collaboration for the sake of collaboration." Hitting it off with Daiji Matsunaga at the first meeting, Li Jun Shek said that the film revolves around the love story of a Hong Kong and Japanese man and woman, and is still trying to raise funds. When asked why the film was filmed in Japan, Cheuk said, "The subject of the film is my life with my maternal grandmother, who is a fisherman and has a lot of contact with Japanese people. I was a teenager when my family traveled to Japan, only then I found out that my grandmother could speak Japanese. In addition I often took my grandmother to Japan for vacation, so filming in Japan was the best choice."

TWILIGHT OF THE WARRIORS: WALLED IN (GAU LUNG SING JAI JI WAI SING) was screened at the 37th Tokyo International Film Festival yesterday. Playing "Wong Gau" in the film, Philip Ng Won Lung, action director Kenji Tanigaki and producer Angus Chan appeared at the post-screening sharing session. Tanigaki also acted as Angus's translator.

Ng Won Lung said that when he received the script of TWILIGHT OF THE WARRIORS: WALLED IN, he did not know what he would play at all. When Director Cheang Pou Soi told him to laugh, he smiled but the director did not accept the take. It took him 3 laughs before he finished, then he understood what he needed to play. He also re-enacted the classic movements and expressions of "Wong Gau" from the film on the spot, which caused the audience to burst into laughter. Kenji Tanigaki praised Ng Won Lung's acting skills and kung fu, and felt that he had a kind of superpower. Ng Won Lung said that Tanigaki's action instructions were very clear, "I original thought that I had to perform in the style of action movies in the eighties and nineties, but it turned out to be modern."

Angus Chan revealed that the Kowloon Walled City was demolished in 1994, and the cost and risk of recreating the walled city in the film were very high. Millions of dollars were spent. He also revealed that a lot of the information collected came from Japan, and he appreciated the help there. Kenji Tanigaki said that the movie was shot during the new coronavirus pandemic. Everyday the cast and the crew commuted between the set and the hotel, and have become a family. He believed that because of this, the movie was made well.

Speaking of legacy, one of the themes in the film, Ng Won Lung encouraged the new generation who want to devote themselves to action movies to put their videos on YouTube. Perhaps someone will see them and invite them to film; Ng Won Lung said that when he was a child, he rented a video tape in Chinatown in the United States to watch action movies. He was determined to become an action actor in the future.