Hong Kong Picks "The Last Dance" for Oscar Race

Hong Kong has selected local blockbuster hit “The Last Dance” as its candidate for the best international feature film category at the 98th Academy Awards.

Directed, produced and co-written by Anselm Chan, the film stars Cantonese comedy icons Dayo Wong and Michael Hui, alongside Michelle Wai and Chu Pak Hong.

“The Last Dance” follows a wedding planner who pivots to the funeral business during the pandemic and partners with a Taoist ritual master, setting off a story about family estrangement, tradition and reconciliation.

The movie is Hong Kong’s highest-grossing local Chinese-language release and earned 18 nominations at the Hong Kong Film Awards, tying the record for most nods in a single year.

Hong Kong has submitted films for the international feature category since 1959 but has yet to win.

The region has secured nominations thrice – in 1991 for Zhang Yimou’s “Raise the Red Lantern,” in 1993 for Chen Kaige’s “Farewell My Concubine” and in 2020 for Derek Tsang’s “Better Days.” Wong Kar-wai’s “The Grandmaster” made the shortlist in 2013.

The Oscar international feature shortlist will be announced on December 16 and the final five nominees will be announced on January 22.