Stanley Reveals Ko Chen-tung's Playful Side in New Comedy Film
SingTao · 1 SOURCESabout 2 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
Comedy film I Didn't Make a Wish Before Blowing Out the Candles, based on a true story, features an ensemble cast including Ko Chen-tung, Stanley Kwan, and veteran actress Kim Bee-lan. The movie follows a young girl named JoJo who discovers casino chips worth millions, with everyone around her attempting to exchange them for a better life. The film has been selected for multiple international festivals including the Italian Far East Film Festival, New York Asian Film Festival, and Taipei Film Festival's International New Directors Competition .
Key Points
- Stanley plays a calculating teacher who deceives student JoJo out of hundreds of thousands in casino chips, while Kim Bee-lan praises the young cast for having no acting pretensions and delivering character-driven performances .
- Ko Chen-tung gained 20 pounds specifically for the role and flew to Hong Kong two to three weeks before filming began to bond with the cast over meals, with Stanley describing him as initially introverted but secretly a very playful person .
- Child actress Mei Jingyan, making her debut alongside the stars, receives high praise from Kim Bee-lan for her talent and maturity, and even helps correct Ko Chen-tung's Cantonese pronunciation on set .
- The film was shot on location in Macau, with the story adapted from real events where a girl found million-dollar casino chips and sparked a chaotic pursuit of happiness by those around her .
- Stanley, who only visited a casino once years ago and lost about 100 to 200 Hong Kong dollars playing Sic Bo, shares he only knows how to play mahjong and jokingly invites Kim Bee-lan to be his mahjong partner .
Why It Matters
Hong Kong actors are increasingly collaborating with talent across the Greater China region, as evidenced by Stanley's dynamic with Taiwanese star Ko Chen-tung and veteran Hong Kong actress Kim Bee-lan working together on a film that has already garnered international recognition . The success of such cross-regional productions highlights the growing sophistication of Hong Kong cinema in telling nuanced, character-driven stories that resonate with audiences at prestigious global festivals .
Hong Kong actors are increasingly collaborating with talent across the Greater China region, as evidenced by Stanley's dynamic with Taiwanese star Ko Chen-tung and veteran Hong Kong actress Kim Bee-lan working together on a film that has already garnered international recognition . The success of such cross-regional productions highlights the growing sophistication of Hong Kong cinema in telling nuanced, character-driven stories that resonate with audiences at prestigious global festivals .