Funeral Parlor-Set ‘The Last Dance’ Breaks Hong Kong’s Single Day Box Office Record

As a seasoned moviegoer who’s witnessed the ebb and flow of the Hong Kong cinema industry over the past few decades, I must say that “The Last Dance” has left me utterly captivated. The film’s unique blend of humor, drama, and philosophical introspection is a testament to the directorial prowess of Anselm Chan.


In natural and easy-to-read language: “Anselm Chan’s dramatic film titled ‘The Last Dance,’ set in a funeral home, has shattered the record for highest single-day box office sales in Hong Kong.

The tale unfolds around a once-wedding planner who shifts professions to run a funeral home. Joining forces with a skeptical Taoist priest, they embark on an unusual journey together, using funerals as a platform for exploring profound themes of life and mortality.

The movie premiered in local cinemas on November 9, but surpassed its opening-day box office record a week later, on November 16. On that day, it earned approximately HK$9.18 million in Hong Kong and Macau, as reported by the Hong Kong Box Office Co., Ltd. (The majority of this revenue, around HK$8.61 million, was from Hong Kong.) The previous single-day record was held by “Cold War 2,” which made HK$7.56 million in 2016.

According to the report from the data company, the movie has earned approximately HK$58.0 million in Hong Kong and Macau within nine days of its release, and it’s projected to hit a record-breaking box office total.

As a movie enthusiast, I found myself drawn into a touching narrative that revolves around an unusual duo in the funeral industry. This heartfelt film, marking its third appearance on the big screen, is a profound exploration of discovering purpose in life through the poignant goodbyes to our cherished ones and the traditional rituals surrounding their departures.

The film industry in Hong Kong has faced challenges in overcoming the impact of COVID, a period when the region’s cinemas either shut down or operated under strict government guidelines. As a result, the industry has increasingly relied on box office successes to thrive.

During the first half of this year, total box office earnings decreased by 17% compared to the same period in 2023, amounting to HK$640 million ($82 million), as opposed to HK$772 million ($99 million) in the first half of 2023. However, both 2024 and 2024 have witnessed local films setting new box office records.

This past year saw “A Guilty Conscience” as the top courtroom drama. However, this year, Soi Cheang’s high-energy martial arts action movie “Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In” has been the most impressive. By the end of June, it had earned over HK$105 million ($13.5 million), as reported by Hong Kong Box Office Ltd. The film was later chosen to represent Hong Kong in the category for best international feature film at the Oscars.

As a movie enthusiast, I had the pleasure of watching “The Last Dance,” featuring Dayo Wong, who recently captivated audiences in “A Guilty Conscience” and “Table for Six.” Notably, this film also stars Michael Hui, a legendary actor and comedian whose early career in the 1970s was synonymous with Hong Kong cinema’s Golden Age.

The movie titled ‘The Last Dance’ debuted at the Hawaii International Film Festival on October 11th. Subsequently, it opened the Hong Kong Asian Film Festival and was featured in the World Focus segment of the recent Tokyo International Film Festival.

Read More

2024-11-18 12:16