Death is a part of life, but it is rarely a subject taught in schools. Hong Kong directors Norris Wong Yee-lam and Wong Hoi felt the best way to handle grief in their new collaboration was not to dwell in sadness, but to create a fun, life-affirming film.
Good Trip tackles the difficult reality of a parent’s upcoming death in a playful and comedic road film. The story’s emotional core comes from Norris Wong’s own life. Following the death of her father during the shooting of her acclaimed film My Prince Edward, the director found she was using the camera to hold onto those she had lost.
“It seems I have suddenly reached the age when loved ones around me encounter sickness and death,” she reflected. “But we have never really learned how to handle these feelings at school.”
Her creative process quickly became a vital coping mechanism.
“The fragmented memories of my dad would just suddenly flash into my mind,” she said. “So I thought if I kept creating – if I kept writing and shooting movies – then my father would still be around. He would still be here.”
Father figure
Norris Wong translated her personal story to the screen through the character of Keung. Played by veteran actor Nick Cheung Ka-fai, Keung is a terminally ill patient. His daughter, Shan (Chung Suet-ying), is an art assistant who works hard on a film set.
When Shan is sent to retrieve a gigantic prop bowl from a faraway warehouse, Keung insists on sneaking out of the hospital to join her for a road trip. What begins as a simple night drive turns into an exciting, eventful adventure, as father and daughter finally bond.
The character of Keung is a mix of Norris Wong’s late father and the typical Hong Kong dad.
“[He is full of] dad jokes, [and is] someone who likes to gamble, hang around with their male friends, enjoys showing off and bragging a bit,” she said.
Bringing lightness to a heavy subject
Wong Hoi emphasised that they decided early on not to make a traditionally sad story.
“[The film] just makes you think how good it would be if you could have an enjoyable final trip with your loved one, to say all the things you want to say before saying goodbye,” Wong Hoi said.
The directors added nostalgic nods to Cantonese pop culture. Good Trip includes kung fu daydreams, classic gambling scenes in Macau and playful elements from Chinese vampire horror cinema.
Wong Hoi explained that the cultural touches and typical Cantonese humour keep the audience at ease even as the story builds towards a heavier final twist.
Finding your creative voice
The directors said artificial intelligence (AI) helped them bring ideas to life.
“But what is most important is the story. Such creation cannot come from AI alone, and it would not be as enjoyable or connect with audiences without human elements,” Wong Hoi said.
Norris Wong pointed to a philosophy widely attributed to American filmmaker Martin Scorsese: the most personal is the most creative.
“Your personal feelings are not something that can be replaced by AI. Continue to put your imagination into your work,” she said. “As long as you create, you can always feel close to someone who is no longer here with you; they can always be with you.”
