Sean Lau says his perspective on fatherhood changed after starring in 'Papa'
Directed by Philip Yung, the movie – which premiered at the 37th Tokyo International Film Festival in October 2024 – is based on a 2010 murder case in Tsuen Wan, where a mentally unstable teenager stabbed his mother and younger sister before turning himself in.
But unlike the typical murder drama, Papa – now screening at cinemas nationwide – doesn't dwell on the horrific crime.
'It focuses more on the emotional wreckage left behind rather than the crime itself.
'It's not a murder tale but a story about emotional survival,' the 46-year-old told StarLifestyle in a recent roundtable interview alongside Lau on Zoom.
Having previously directed Port Of Call (2015), another movie based on a real-life murder, Yung was careful to avoid sensationalism.
Instead, he spent over 10 years developing the script and even met with the real father at the centre of the case to understand the emotional layers behind the tragedy.
'He has now moved on from the case. I don't know if he watched the movie.
'I learned about his emotions, his late wife and daughter, as well as his mentally ill son.
'Sadness doesn't have to be loud... The father cares for his son but he keeps his grief internal and his emotions well-hidden – that's what makes it more heartbreaking,' he said.
A role that demands heart
In Papa , Lau plays Nin – a humble cafe owner wrestling with intense survivor's guilt after his son Ming (Dylan So) murders his own mother (Jo Koo) and sister Grace (Lainey Hung).
After being diagnosed with schizophrenia, Ming is sentenced to indefinite psychiatric care. Still, Nin continues to visit him twice a month, carrying his grief silently.
In the film, Lau (right) plays Nin, a father struggling with survivor's guilt after his son murders his mother and his sister. For Lau, 61, the role marked a turn from the stoic personas he's often portrayed, pushing him to delve into a more emotionally raw and vulnerable territory.
To embody Nin, he immersed himself fully in the character's quiet turmoil.
'I believe no man is born knowing how to be a father.
'You learn through life experiences – getting married, having kids and growing with them.
'I carried that mindset while filming and learned how to be a father along the way,' he said.
That approach paid off as Lau's performance struck a chord with both audiences and critics, earning him his fourth Best Actor win at the 43rd Hong Kong Film Awards earlier in April.
Lau was named Best Actor at the 43rd Hong Kong Film Awards on April 27, 2025, for his performance in 'Papa' . Photo: AP He had previously taken home the honour for Detective Vs Sleuths (2022), Overheard 3 (2014) and My Name Is Fame (2006).
'It's rare for my movies to have such a strong emotional impact on others.
'I was shocked because it wasn't impactful to just movie- goers – even friends who watched the film connected deeply with it.
'It made me realise my profession carries more weight than expected,' added the actor, who's married to former Miss Hong Kong winner Amy Kwok.
Shifting perspective
Yung praised Lau's performance, revealing that the latter had always been his first choice for the role of Nin.
'Kids feel close to him. I wanted the father in Papa to be loving, wise and grounded... Sean brought that out with great realism,' he said.
Lau shared that prior to filming Papa , his understanding of fatherhood was fairly simple as he didn't share a close bond with his father and has no children of his own. However, his perspective has since shifted.
'It feels like I've gained some insight on fatherhood after filming, but at the same time, I feel like I haven't fully understood it.
'It's strange how something so simple carries so much weight,' he said.
As for whether he had ever considered reaching out to the real father behind the case once more to personally thank him, Lau replied that he didn't want to disturb the man or risk reopening old wounds.
'I don't think we should pry too much into the father's life. I'm grateful for his tolerance. It was his patience that allowed us to complete this story.'
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