[2024.11.19] MICHAEL HUI URGES SCREENWRITESR TO CREATE MORE DARINGLY

Michelle Wai's acting has "Papa" Michael Hui's approval, which she says is better than tens of thousands of words.
courtesy of singtao.com

Michael Hui praises boss Albert Yeung for his unique vision, having the guts to invest in a movie about the funeral business.

Michael Hui and Albert Yeung present a birthday cake to Michelle Wai to celebrate her 40th birthday in advance. The birthday girl smiles happily.
courtesy of singtao.com

THE LAST DANCE posters and stills exhibition has a paper car offering on display

Michelle Wai says a word of praise from "Papa" Michael Hui is better than tens of thousands of words.

Well knwon English film critic gives THE LAST DANCE a positive review
courtesy of singtao.com

THE LAST DANCE (POR. DEI YUK) held a poster and stills exhibition media experience day yesterday. The exhibition will be on display for free for one month. Actors Michael Hui Koon Man, Michelle Wai Sze Nga, Elly, Polly Lau Yeuk Po and director Anselm Chan Mou Yin attended. The Emperor Group chair Dr. Albert Yeung Sau Sing even came to support the show and congratulate the film on exceeding HK$ 60 million at the box office in the first 10 days. The 24th of this month would be Wai Sze Nga's 40th birthday. The event presented a cake to her to celebrate with. When she blew out the candles, she laughed and said that this was her last birthday in the thirties and as "Ms. Wai".

Hui Koon Man was happy that the movie had good box office and good mouth of word. He pointed out that on the first day, he said that the film was a comedy. The audience after watching it would cry, then feel that the world has become more beautiful and that they have liberated themselves. He laughed and said, "Maybe only because of the good box office I would say this; I really want to congratulate the boss for his unique vision, because it is really not easy to invest. When I first read the script, I already wanted to cry. The director has his own way, insisting against adding comedic elements in some possibly funny scenes." Michael also pointed out that during the performance, he also forgot about Wai Sze Nga was an actress in a few scenes and treated her as her own daughter. He really wanted to congratulate her, and hoped the film will not only 'break hell' but also break records. "The film environment in Hong Kong is still rather difficult. I hope it will lead to even higher box office records for Hong Kong films in the future."

The boss Yeung Sau Sing was more than pleased with the film's box office exceeding HK$ 60 million and said that he did not dare to believe it. Now he would be laughing even while dreaming. He considered himself a businessman and did not have any great or noble idea. He only wanted to make money. The film now is already making money. "It's really like a dream to be able to find (Dayo Wong) Tze Wah and Michael to partner up. My friends said to me: Brother Sau, do you have a lot of money to make the coffin shop movie? Hiring two comedians to make such a serious film, do you think you have money to burn? Anyone who isn't making a comedy movie (with them) is crazy! When I got yelled at I panicked a little, but since I already promised to make it I would have to tough it out." Would an extended version be released? Dr. Yeung said that it would be the director's decision, and joked that the director has become his boss. "When artists first start I am their boss, after they become famous they are my boss. When I see (Nicholas Tse) Ting Fung and Joey (Yung Cho Yee) my legs would shake. So whether I would make a comedy for Tze Wah and Hui Koon Man, it would be the director's decision. (Tze Wah suggested making 'Villain Hitting'?) We have to shoot under the Bowrington Bridge, otherwise there would be a riot! However I am confident that THE LAST DANCE would break Hong Kong box office records." Director Chan said that he would wait until THE LAST DANCE's performance to get a little better before making the decisions. The extended version would only run ten or so minutes more, as he would return the deleted actors' scenes as soon as possible. Was he confident about become the third HK$ 100 million box office director? He said that he would try his best and leave it up to the ancestors. Speaking of a raise for the director, Dr. Yeung joked that a raise would put him in bankruptcy. The producer suggested a gradual increase.

Hui Koon Man stated that he has been very excited lately, because for decades he kept racking his brain to make Hong Kong people laugh, get out of the doldrums and let go a little. The director was very strong. "I recently went out, and someone said that they have laughed with me for decades, and now they are crying with me. I have never tried it before. This movie is really magical; all of the audience in Hong Kong after shedding tears were relieved. Let go of the situation in Hong Kong a little, start over after breaking through hell. Hong Kong people will definitely be fine. Although they don't know the way forward yet, Hong Kong people are very smart and knowledgeable. I hope to continue to make more good movies, let’s have more fun together and encourage each other."

He was still filled with emotions after seeing good results? Michael frankly said that the Hong Kong film market was in bad shape; in fact, Hong Kong as a whole was also in bad shape. Some people complained that the government have not been much help, but actually all walks of life must do a good job in their own industry. "So I come back to work as an actor, support good scripts and characters, and hope to continue the momentum of Hong Kong films. The audience now is very talented and has increased in level. Movie productions around this caliber isn't too much for them; they want to see good movies and new elements. To make good movies for everyone, young directors and screenwriters are very important. We must encourage screenwriters to create even more daringly, like this time they led the audience to laugh together and cry together. They don't necessarily have to force out some jokes. THE LAST DANCE has inspired me, I don't have to deliberately 'tickle people to make them laugh'. The future comedy would also go this route." In order to thank the audience, Michael would attend two audience appreciation shows. He would invite alumni from his alma mater to support the show. He joked that he would not be nervous in front of alumni, like when he participated in an university lecture a few days ago and met professors and vice-presidents. They were all his students, but they looked older than him. Referring to Tze Wah's suggestion that his appearance has not changed in thirty years and should be studied, Michael said, "As long as you tell more jokes and listen to more jokes, you will naturally get sick less and age a little slower. So joy and happiness are the most important."

Wai Sze Nga received praise for her acting skills from her on screen father Hui Koon Man. She smiled sweetly and said with excitement, "One word of praise from Papa is better tens of thousands of words." Michael smiled and wondered why she said it was her last year to cut the cake with the last name Wai? Wai Sze Nga laughed and said, "I'm getting married next year, I sent the invitation to you Papa, and you even agreed to come." She also said that she has been too busy with work recently. She probably would not have time to celebrate with her parents on her birthday, which is really a fly in the ointment.

In addition, the Hong Kong Box Office Co. Ltd. yesterday announced that LAST's Saturday single day Hong Kong and Macao box office reached HK$ 9,179,401 (HK$ 8,613,824 in Hong Kong), setting a new Hong Kong Chinese language film single day box office record as it broke the COLD WAR 2 (HONG JIN 2) set single day box office record of HK$ 7,557,526in 2016. Reportedly THE LAST DANCE also performed well with its UK opening. Its release in Malaysia also passed 3 million MYR and firmly sat atop the box office there.