Stand Up Story 說笑之人 is a movie title that works on several levels. First of all, one of the two central characters, Manfred Chim (Ng Siu Hin) is a standup comedian in Hong Kong. Secondly, his mother stood up his mentally challenged father Ka-Wah (Ben Yuen). She did this by walking out of the family home when Manfred was just a boy.
Thirdly, Stand Up Story 說笑之人 raises questions about when a smart son should stand up for his disbled father. And when should he allow his dad to make his own decisions? That’s to say nothing of filial piety and a son’s obligations in the family.
LNY Splash and the VIFF Centre will present Cheuk Man Au’s tender and, at times, bittersweet tale of a father-son relationship at 5 p.m. on Saturday. It’s one of a series of five films from Asia revolving around family dynamics, which are being shown this weekend to welcome the Lunar New Year.
There are many things to like about Stand Up Story 說笑之人. The two stars shine in their roles. Ng performs his role as the exasperated son with aplomb. His character, Manfred, soldiers on in the face of his father’s bungling naivete, which leaves him vulnerable to exploitation. And Yuen, as the dad, is convincing as a thoroughly decent and hardworking man whose brain just isn’t up to the modern world. His intelligence was impaired by childhood hydrocephalus, resulting in him tilting his head in odd ways and having difficulty finding the right words.
Stand up philosophy
Manfred’s girlfriend and aspiring comedian, May (Ng Wing Sze) helps frame the story with wise words about how the best comedy springs from hardship. But perhaps because May doesn’t have much hardship in her life, her jokes fall flat.
But because Manfred is coping with enormous stress, he thrives in the world of comedy, making wisecracks about himself and his roommate to shed his emotional pain.
The cinematography is good. It moves at a quick pace. And for anyone who’s missing Hong Kong, there are glorious views of the city.
Stand Up Story 說笑之人 isn’t going to win a bucket of Oscars. But it will offer a wonderfully warm-hearted comedic break on cool winter day in the Lunar New Year.
Watch the trailer for Stand Up Story 說笑之人.
LNY Splash and the VIFF Centre will present Stand Up Story 說笑之人 at 5 p.m. on Saturday (February 8). For tickets and more information, visit the VIFF Centre website. Follow Pancouver on X @PancouverMedia, Bluesky @pancouver.bsky.social, and Instagram @PancouverMedia. Also follow Charlie Smith on Bluesky @charliesmithvcr.bsky.social.
