The Hong Kong film "Say I Do To Me Today" held a special screening this morning in Kuala Lumpur, with lead actors Yau Hok Su and Wu Zi Ho in attendance to share behind-the-scenes stories and character journeys with the media and audience. Directed by Adam Wong and starring Cecilia Choi, Yau Hok Su, and Wu Zi Ho, the movie focuses on deaf youth, authentically depicting how they overcome obstacles and search for self-identity, touching countless viewers.
Yau Hok Su plays the deaf youth "Zi Shun" in the film, earning him nominations for Best Actor at both the Golden Horse Awards and the Hong Kong Film Awards, receiving high praise for his acting. He revealed that he spent over a year practicing sign language to portray this character, learning from two deaf-mute teachers during the process. "For a Hong Kong movie, having a whole year to prepare for a role is a real blessing."
He confessed that "Say I Do To Me Today" was a significant turning point in his acting career. "Being nominated for both the Golden Horse and Hong Kong Film Awards with this work is a tremendous affirmation of me as an actor, and it's my biggest achievement so far." He also shared emotionally that the film was both a critical and commercial success in Hong Kong, allowing audiences to see him and, more importantly, making more people understand the situation and value of the deaf-mute community. "This is extremely rare and truly precious."
With the Hong Kong film industry experiencing a downturn, he admitted that acting opportunities have greatly decreased in recent years: "There was a period of 5 or 6 years when I had no roles to play. Our generation of Hong Kong actors don't have the privilege of choosing scripts. Sometimes, after finishing a film, it takes 2 or 3 years to be released, and I'm really afraid that audiences might forget about you." When asked if he would accept an acting offer from Malaysia, Yau Hok Su responded without hesitation, "Of course I'd love to come! Everyone, please reach out to me!"
Wu Zi Ho, who was participating in a film for the first time, lost his hearing at the age of two due to a genetic mutation and is currently pursuing a doctorate in law. His outstanding performance in this film earned him a nomination for Best New Performer at the Hong Kong Film Awards. He said, "The three deaf characters in the film come from different backgrounds and each chooses a different way to communicate, reflecting the diversity and complexity of deaf culture in reality. This movie isn't just for those who study sign language or are interested in deafness-related topics—it's a film every viewer who cares about communication and human relationships should see."
Yau Hok Su said that this movie is not just for deaf people or audiences interested in sign language, but centers around the universal theme of "communication," making it suitable for viewers everywhere, especially those in Malaysia. He pointed out that the three deaf characters in the film come from different backgrounds and all adopt their own preferred ways to communicate, with the director emphasizing respect for each individual's choice.
He also observed the linguistic and cultural diversity and inclusiveness of Malaysia: "People here can switch freely between Cantonese, Mandarin, and English, and even mix them together, yet still communicate with no barriers—it's really amazing." He feels that this cultural atmosphere perfectly echoes the film's core concept—respecting every way of expression—and is likely to resonate even more.