‘Music is not used to defeat others, but to inspire them’
Interview and commentary by Ginnie Liang
The premiere of “Dreaming Girls”, a local film set against the backdrop of Macau’s culture, will take place today at 7:30 p.m. at Emperor Cinemas in the Lisboeta Macau in Cotai
“Music is not used to defeat others, but to inspire them”, the “Dreaming Girls” crew told The Macau Post Daily in a recent interview about the story behind the film, highlighting the message that the film wants to convey to the audience.
The film produced by Adam Tam Chi-wai, directed by Oliver Fa Tin Leong and starring Julio Acconci, is a 90-minute movie in the Cantonese language. Julio and his twin brother Dino, born in Macau in 1972, formed the Hong Kong-based rock duo “Soler”, and made their Hong Kong debut in 2005.
In “Dreaming Girls,” Julio Acconci plays the leading role Mr Zhou, a struggling music teacher who seeks the meaning of life through music education. Both in the film and in real life, Julio has experienced ups and downs. He described in the interview how his life once left him feeling “complacent, losing himself, and then slapped him hard on his face”.
Similarly, Mr Zhou realises that being a teacher means shifting from a self-centred attitude to helping others and discovering new values. He humbly acknowledges, “I don’t think I am the protagonist; I am just a teacher with problems. I am helping these students, but in the end, they also help me.”
Interestingly, the film’s inspiration did not initially revolve around Julio. Director Oliver Fa recalled in the interview that he found one of the characters he developed in the script aligned perfectly with Julio, who simultaneously developed an interest in acting at that time. “The magical thing is that it seems like there was already a magnetic field connecting us while I was writing,” Fa shared.
Acting in the true colours
Julio pointed out in the interview that he enjoys playing traditional Chinese musical instruments and acting as a teacher in the movie, “The most important aspect of my role as a music teacher is to defeat my opponents not only physically but also mentally, as taught in The Art of War by Sun Tzu [the ancient Chinese military treatise].” Over time, Julio’s character in the film evolves from using music to defeat people to using music to touch people’s hearts. “I prefer to hear people say that my music has accompanied them during their darkest times and given them hope, rather than simply praising my skills.”
Julio’s perspective on music closely mirrors his personal experiences.
With a career spanning almost two decades in the film and television industry, he has collaborated with renowned actors, including Chow Yun-fat. However, Julio said he believed that comedy suits him best, as it requires less emotional investment. In “Dreaming Girls,” his character’s life trajectory shares similarities with his own, resonating deeply within him.
In real life, Julio also teaches music, “I find joy in witnessing their growth and the spark in their eyes when they achieve what they couldn’t before. I feel happier when everyone improves together rather than achieving success alone.”
In the interview, Julio reflected on his past belief that he always prioritised others, but upon deeper self-reflection, “I realised that I did many things when I was young solely for myself.” He said he believed that finding the meaning behind an endeavour is crucial. If the initial meaning is misguided and the situation doesn’t develop in the desired direction, one can lose one’s enthusiasm for everything, Julio stressed, adding he hopes that people of his age can relate to his journey when reflecting on their own life paths.
Resonance beneath the vast sky and sea
In recent years, a lot of TV shows that are heavily focused on winning and losing have gained popularity due to their entertaining nature and the opportunity they provide for aspiring artists to showcase their talents, gain exposure and pursue their dreams.
However, critics argue that these competitions often prioritise marketability and commercial success over artistic expression and creativity. The focus on competition can lead to a narrow definition of talent and discourage unique or unconventional forms of artistry. Additionally, the pressure to win can create a hyper-competitive environment that may not foster a supportive and collaborative artistic atmosphere.
Line producer Fernando Lourenço, representative of the Chong Chin Association of Macau said in the interview, “To change your life within just two hours, this is our hope for this film.” While a film may not necessarily change society, it can plant a seed that makes everyone start thinking: although there are standards in competition, art cannot be directly compared. Focusing only on winning and losing will increasingly deviate from the true meaning of art.”
In the film’s closing scene, Julio returns to his “old profession” and performs with a piano, singing the ending song, “Under the Vast Sky and Sea (天空海闊)”. Every member of the film crew present was attracted to the music – the “infectiousness” is what Julio demands of himself. “In the past, when shooting music videos, I always strove for genuine playing and singing. I think if I can affect the people who are present then I can truly capture it and bring it to the audience through the screen.”
This inspirational song, with lyrics by Jimmy Jim and composed by Julio’s brother Dino, is an inspirational song that also pays tribute to Koma Wong Ka Kui of Beyond, a Hong Kong rock band formed in 1983 (a famous song by Beyond is called “The Boundless Sea and Sky(海闊天空)”). “The Koma I understand is someone who loves to interact with others and is always welcoming new people into his band room. He doesn’t ignore others but asks them what instrument they play, inviting them to jam together. During the process, he remains silent, but after you finish playing, you know what your level is.”
“So, is he defeating others? No, he is inspiring them. Inspiring people through music, and then when he steps onto the stage, his music and lyrics can touch people’s hearts,” Julio said, pointing out that a good artist can inspire others by simply being themselves, without necessarily having to defeat others to achieve this.
The film will also be shown on Sunday at 2:30 p.m. and next Wednesday at 7:45 p.m. at Emperor Cinemas. Tickets are priced at 115 patacas.
The film still shows local actor-cum-singer Julio Acconci in “Dreaming Girls” which will premiere tonight at Emperor Cinemas in Lisboeta Macau. Stills courtesy of the film’s crew.
