Hong Kong film critic and director Philip Yung presents a shocking narrative in his newest feature film, where a quiet 15-year-old boy Ming (Dylan So) horrifically murders his mother and sibling without warning. Witnessed through the eyes of the boy's devastated father Yuen (Sean Lau), the film uniquely chronicles the struggle to understand the motivations behind the monstrous act, and the father's journey towards acceptance and healing.
Unlike Yung's 2015 movie, Port of Call, this film doesn't center around suspenseful mystery-solving; instead, it delves into understanding the "why" behind the crime and how to survive after such a catastrophe. It's a narrative of resilience amidst despair told through a shifting chronology and poignant visual impressions.
"Papa" is inspired by a real-life crime that occurred in 2010 in the Hong Kong suburb, Tsuen Wan. Yuen and his wife, Yin (Jo Koo), run an always bustling local family restaurant. The environment subtly hints at Ming's unusual behavior, from his extreme introverted tendencies to an apparent preoccupation with environmental issues.
Yuen's repeated pleas for the answer from Ming during prison visits meet with frustrating silence. This can be a challenging narrative for viewers seeking a clear resolution, but unfortunately, some terrifying crimes remain unexplained.
While Yuen can look stern and silent, flashbacks of his parenting moments present him as a supportive father who wanted only the best for his children. Fresh perspectives on their family life, both before and after the murder, emerge in the film through interconnected scenes signifying Yuen's anguish.
With sophisticated visual storytelling reminiscent of Wong Kar-wai's work, Yung focuses less on dramatic impact and more on intellectual curiosity. It's about how Yuen copes rather than how he emotionally processes his tragic circumstances. Lau's performance as Yuen brings to light a character who faces insurmountable hardship with unyielding stoicism, hinting at the fire of despair within.
"Papa" asks pressing questions about how such wildly contrasting worlds of everyday life and shocking crime can coexist, and if a once loving father can navigate this tumultuous terrain. The film offers a look at the enthralling complexities of human resilience in the face of unthinkable tragedy.
