‘Table for Six 2’ director Sunny Chan Wing-san on bringing love to the table with his latest Lunar New Year movie

This year, the acclaimed director is sharing the festivities from his memories with the entire city in his ensemble comedy movie, Table for Six 2, which is set to hit cinemas this Thursday on Lunar New Year’s Eve.

As a follow-up to Chan’s triumphant 2022 film, Table for Six – which was the second-highest-grossing Hong Kong movie in 2022 – the sequel delves further into the themes of family and self-discovery.

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Chan shared that his inspiration for writing this series came from the hit American sitcom, Friends, which follows the everyday lives of six friends in New York City.

“I am a fan of the show, and I wanted to challenge myself to write a story about a family of six,” he explained.

“In the first movie, I focused on a family reunion through five meals at home. And this time, the story revolves around three opulent wedding banquets.”

Crafting six distinct characters for the first film was challenging for Chan, though he noted that working on the sequel was a faster process, as it took him less than a year to write the script.

“In this film, I try to explore what love is and what makes a family,” the director said.

“‘Tying the knot’ is a common phrase used to congratulate a newly married couple [in Chinese culture], but I also wanted to apply it to the family relationship.”

The phrase refers to the lasting bonds between people who understand each other deeply.

“Throughout the movie, you will see that no matter which family member faces a challenge, my camera also turns to the other members. All their personal challenges are faced together as a whole,” Chan shared.

Lunar New Year films, known as hor sui pin (賀歲片) in Cantonese, have long been part of the city’s annual festive celebrations. Featuring star-studded casts, these typically follow a lighthearted script with auspicious themes such as wealth, love and family.

While Chan’s movie may seem like just another typical hor sui pin, the writer-director said he believed in the power of family in all of its forms.

“Family has always held a special place in my heart, and most of my writings revolve around it,” he shared.

“The make-up of a family can be complex. While the traditional Chinese belief is that family is limited to our blood relatives, I think it should be defined by ourselves,” Chan shared, adding that love was the key to bringing people together.

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“For example, my godparents, who are friends of my parents, genuinely love me. We gather during the Lunar New Year, and I invite them to my film screenings. So, if you ask if they’re my family members, of course they are.”

Aside from highlighting the importance of family, the director also noted how laughter is central to hor sui pin.

“In my memory, Hong Kong Lunar New Year movies are lively. People who buy tickets to the theatre are expecting to have fun, so laughter is one basic element of this type of production,” Chan explained.

With his experience scripting numerous films since the 2000s, the writer-director expressed his fondness for writing comedies.

“Producing a movie is tough, and you have to rewatch the scenes countless times. If my film dealt with heavy topics, I don’t think I could handle it,” he pointed out, adding that he relished bringing joy to his audience.

“When you hear hundreds of people laughing in the cinema because of a joke you wrote, it brings an immense sense of satisfaction as a creator. It makes me feel like I’m on cloud nine.”

“Especially in this era, if we can bring joy to people, I consider it a great accomplishment.”

Table for Six 2 begins with the statement: “Marriage is a dream; a wedding is war.” For the director, he sees this reflected in the production of a film: he enjoys writing and directing movies, but once they are released, it is an uphill battle to get audiences to watch in cinemas.

Though streaming is an easy entertainment option, Chan stressed the value of watching movies in cinemas: “Our production ... is tailored for the big screen. The level of detail is incomparable to watching on a small laptop.”

“With the cost, time and effort we have put in, I hope people can come to cinemas to support us,” he said, adding that he hoped the communal experience of watching a comedy together could entice audiences.

“Laughing with hundreds of people in the room is different from laughing alone at home.”

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Chan also pointed out that connecting with the public was key. For months, the crew has been organising events to promote the film, from creating movie gift packs and giving away lai see at cinemas, to even surprising a fan at their wedding ceremony.

Last week, the director and cast held an early screening at Sha Tin Town Hall, followed by music performances and a meet-and-greet. Chan was overjoyed, saying: “Assembling 1,000 people to enjoy a comedy film together is a ... precious experience in Hong Kong,”

The director hoped his movie could encourage people to love themselves: “Whether it is about trusting yourself or others, you need to first embrace your true self and your vulnerabilities to love the people around you.”

Chan added, “When they [the characters] are overwhelmed by how others might perceive them, they forget to take care of their true feelings. And in the end, they realise that they just need to care about those they love, rather than the outside world.”