Philip Yung’s Papa: About time, Oblivion, and Memories《爸爸》
Press Release from Illume Films, With Notes from Fête Chinoise Editorial Team
Written & Directed by Philip Yung 翁子光
Starring: Sean Lau 劉青雲, Jo Koo 谷祖琳, Dylan So 蘇文濤
In Cinemas March 14
Philip Yung’s 翁子光 Papa《爸爸》arrives in North American cinemas on March 14. Inspired by a real 2010 case in Hong Kong, the film follows a father grappling with unimaginable loss after his son, who suffers from schizophrenia (精神分裂/思覺失調), kills his wife and daughter.
Unlike Port of Call《踏雪尋梅》, where Yung examined a crime through the eyes of a detective seeking answers, Papa is an intimate portrait of a father’s grief, guilt, and struggle for understanding. With his son as his only remaining family, he is forced to confront their fractured bond and the painful path forward.
Yung, who wrote the screenplay himself, spent extensive time interviewing the real father behind the case, gaining insight into his emotional turmoil. The film unfolds through a non-linear narrative, mirroring the father’s fractured state of mind as he revisits both painful and cherished memories.
In a recent conversation with Fête Chinoise, Yung shared, “Not every question has an answer, but life must go on.” Through Papa, he delves into themes of time, mercy, and resilience, prompting audiences to consider: How do we face the past? Where do we find compassion amid loss?
Sean Lau 劉青雲 delivers a career-defining performance, capturing the depths of a father’s sorrow and resilience. The film has earned 11 nominations at the 43rd Hong Kong Film Awards and recently won Best Director and Best Actor at the 31st Hong Kong Film Critics Society Awards.
Don't miss this hauntingly powerful story on the big screen.
SYNOPSIS
Café owner Nin’s mundane but contented life is shattered forever when his fifteen-year-old son Ming slashes his mother and younger sister to death one evening. Diagnosed with acute schizophrenia, Ming is remanded to a psychiatric prison indefinitely until full recovery. Aside from visiting his son twice a month, Nin continues to lead a pedestrian existence, while memories of his wife, daughter, and son keep flooding into his head. As time passes, Nin has given up on knowing the reason behind the misfortune. He only wishes that one fine day, Ming, his sole remaining family but also the murderer of his family, will come home again.
Starring: Sean Lau 劉青雲, Jo Koo 谷祖琳, Dylan So 蘇文濤, Lainey Hung 熊諾頤
Papa Official Trailer
In Cantonese, with English and Chinese Subtitles
Win a pair of tickets to watch Papa in Toronto
More from Fête Chiniose
Philip Yung’s 翁子光 Papa《爸爸》arrives in North American cinemas on March 14. Inspired by a real 2010 case in Hong Kong, the film follows a father grappling with unimaginable loss after his son, who suffers from schizophrenia, kills his wife and daughter. Sean Lau delivers a career-defining performance, capturing the depths of a father’s sorrow and resilience.