Post-Screening Event of Opening Film "Afterpiece": Twists Beyond Expectations On and Off the Screen

On the evening of June 13, Afterpiece, directed and written by Keane T.K. Wong, produced by Derek Yee and starring Stephen Fung, Myolie Wu, Angela Yuen and Chrissie Chau, held its world premiere at the Grand Theatre as the opening film of the 28th Shanghai International Film Festival (SIFF). The entire creative team appeared after the screening to interact with over 1,000 audience members. Warm and enthusiastic applause and cheers from the crowd spoke volumes about their fondness for the film.

Beyond Traditional Narrative: Afterpiece Explores the Truth of Human Nature

As both director and screenwriter, the film was inspired by a profound question lingering in his mind as a filmmaker: For theatrical creators who are expected to pour genuine experiences and emotions into every work, is this truly sustainable? Rooted in a play-within-a-play structure that blends art and real life, the story of Afterpiece sets out to ponder this very question.

Stephen Fung plays Owen, a stage director stuck in a midlife crisis. Plagued by a creative block that has lasted over a decade, he falls into low spirits. His former lover Su Manling, portrayed by Myolie Wu, re-enters his life, while his wife Tracy, played by Chrissie Chau, teeters on the verge of crossing boundaries. To regain his dignity, Owen resolves to write, direct and star in a brand-new play. During the open audition for the female lead, however, he is deeply drawn to an amateur performer named Hannah (Angela Yuen). Gradually, he drifts into a perilous space where reality and his new play blur beyond distinction.

Classic theatrical works typically follow a three-act structure, yet this film delivers an unexpected final act that builds upon the first three and drives the story to its climax. As Keane T.K. Wong put it: “The afterpiece gives voice to their innermost selves.”

Passing the Torch: Keane T.K. Wong Makes His Directorial Debut, Derek Yee Beaming with Pride

Derek Yee was the most active figure at the post-screening event. In the short span of less than half an hour, he enthusiastically endorsed the film to the audience and the press, guided the event flow like a host and livened up the mood among the cast and crew. He even playfully acted as a matchmaker, putting out a lighthearted “dating ad” on Keane T.K. Wong’s behalf, urging everyone to pay attention to the new director — still single, he joked, because work got in the way. His witty remarks enlivened the atmosphere and sparked great interaction on site.

Though credited as the executive producer, Derek Yee focused largely on the behind-the-scenes support beyond creative work. Without his efforts, Afterpiece would never have come to fruition, let alone become the highly anticipated opening film of SIFF. He has been an indispensable driving force behind the project. Keane T.K. Wong first collaborated with Derek Yee back in 2013 on the production of I Am Somebody. He went on to take key roles across filming and post-production for titles including Sword Master and In Search of Lost Time. In 2020, the government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region launched the “Passing on the Torch” initiative, a scheme built on the mentor-mentee model to encourage veteran filmmakers to nurture emerging talent. It was under this programme that Derek Yee and Keane T.K. Wong officially paired up — and Afterpiece was born.

It was clear to see at the post-screening event that Derek Yee holds great admiration for his protégé Keane T.K. Wong’s creative flair and directorial skills. Beaming with pride, he shared: “This production was a real labour of passion. We wrapped the entire shoot in just 23 days, with a budget of merely over eight million.”

Stephen Fung and Myolie Wu Deliver Layered, Standout Performances

Driven by this enduring spirit of passing the torch, a stellar cast of filmmakers came together to work on Afterpiece. The lineup features household names, including Stephen Fung, Myolie Wu and Chrissie Chau, alongside rising talents such as Angela Yuen, who started out as a model. All of them have delivered performances that showcase brand-new sides of themselves.

Having directed over a dozen productions, Stephen Fung steps into the shoes of a stage director this time around. Speaking to enthusiastic fans in Shanghai, he shared an amusing behind-the-scenes secret. “Do you know who the director originally had in mind for this role?” he asked with a grin, glancing over at Derek Yee. As it turns out, Keane T.K. Wong’s first choice was none other than Derek Yee himself, playing a role tailor-made for him. The veteran director turned the offer down straight away, though.

“If I took the lead, all three female co-stars would have to be cast to match my age,” Derek Yee joked. “The whole film would turn into a love story for the elderly, and no one would want to watch it.”

That left the role of Owen to Stephen Fung, who also has ample experience behind the camera. Recalling his first impression of the script, Fung could not hide his excitement. “I knew right away this was something extraordinary. It has artistic depth, yet it moves at a brisk pace and delivers strong commercial appeal. It’s truly outstanding. I haven’t headlined a film in quite a while, so this is also a great challenge for me.”

Myolie Wu also felt honored to be part of the production. “For any actress, landing a role this rich, layered and fully realized is truly rare,” she shared. Right from the opening scene, she delivers an uncharacteristically brash performance—a far cry from her usual on-screen persona. “I’ve never played a character who flies off the handle like this. I came close to swearing outright in some moments.” She then joked to put the scene in context: “To tell you the truth, this is exactly how I sound at home when I’m scolding my three sons.”

Many audience at the post-screening event described the film as refreshing, full of surprises and packed with non-stop twists. This sense of delight runs through every part of the filmmaking process, ultimately striking a chord with everyone at the world premiere.