[2026.05.21] DIRECTOR LEUNG WAH HUNG DENIES NEW FILM BASED ON MANILA HOSTAGE CASE IS MAKING MONEY OFF THE DEAD

Leung Wah Hung stresses that BEYOND THE HOSTAGE CRISIS wants to bring out the message of bravely facing trauma

Chris Tong plays the character based on Yik Siu Ling, while Fish Liew plays a reporter
courtesy of mingpao.com

The Hong Kong Film Awards Best Actress Fish Liew Chi Yu, Malaysian actor Chris Tong Bingyu starred film BEYOND THE HOSTAGE CRISIS (JAU CHOOK YUN JI SI GEI) wrapped up production in 2022 and would open in Hong Kong in June. The film was based on the 2010 Hong Kong tour group hostage incident in Manila, which left 8 dead and 7 injured. In the film Tong Bingyu played Siu Ling, a character based on the survivor of the "Manila hostage incident" Yik Siu Ling. Liew Chi Yu played a reporter. Yik Siu Ling was the consultant to BEYOND THE HOSTAGE CRISIS, telling her own experience. The film release has been controversial, some condemned that bringing up the past again was a secondary trauma, getting rich off the dead and even stated that they would boycott the film.

BEYOND THE HOSTAGE CRISIS producer and director, former artist Leung Hung Wah said that the film being talked about was a good thing. Different people have different points of view and understanding. He revealed that the decided to make this movie due to fate over a decade ago. At the time he was running a performing art training class for a charitable organization. He had a disobedient student who he once wanted to transfer out. He learned that the student grew up in Canada and had difficulties with writing Chinese. This person was Yi Siu Ling's son. "Hence I met Yik Siu Ling and learned about her tragic experience. She as very brave, risking her life with over 30 operations. I sensed her admirable pursuit of life and perseverance, and felt that her story was worth making into a movie, so I began to plan and look for investors."

As for accusations of getting rich off the dead, Leung Hung Wah said, "I feel this is very funny. I made BEYOND THE HOSTAGE CRISIS in 2021, the film market of the novel coronavirus was very blurry. The commercial angle of making the movie at this time wasn't smart choice. I insisted on making it because I felt it would be meaningful. If I wanted to get rich there are many ways, not to make this movie with all its hardships." He said that the movie only used the hostage case as a background. Even the Philippines weren't mentioned, only that it happened in a certain country in the world. All of the characters on the tour bus were fictional as well, and the story came from the screenwriters. "The film mainly talks about Yik Siu Ling's life, how she fought for justice, how she faced life amid pain and walked out of the darkness. This is the original intention of the movie, I open the audience would feel that."

Leung Hung Wah said that life had different experiences and difficulties, and the post traumatic stress disorder had to be faced. BEYOND THE HOSTAGE CRISIS would have some charity screenings, after the cinema expenses the proceeds would be donated to the Blessvision Foundation to help people in need. "When running into something unpleasant, not facing it or running away is no way to handle it. Despite not wanting to remember it, the matter would still exist in the mind. Why not bravely face it and march forward."