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Writer's picturePeter K F Cheung SBS

Rumba La Vie

  1. FADE IN


  2. Act 1


  3. EXT. ESTATE PARK - 14:15


  4. Smart phone in one hand, PETER is practising Rumba steps.


  5. PETER (V.O.): I want to learn my steps properly this time.


  6. We hear from phone: ...leaders start with the left foot...


  7. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): That's basic but important.


  8. We hear: ...Leaders' footwork...put the weight on the right leg, rock forward with the left foot, replace to the right and step to the left...


  9. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): This Basic step is actually very demanding.


  10. We hear: Timing...rock 2, replace 3, step 4...


  11. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Hold at beat 1. To begin at beat 2 isn't easy.


  12. We then hear: Cucaracha...Side Step...Underarm Turn...New Yorker...Hand to hand...Aida...Cuban Rock...Natural Top...Opening Out...


  13. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): In the past, I focused on performance, gave some attention on techniques but didn't care about the step names.

  14. Act 2


  15. FLASHBACK


  16. INT. FLIGHT CABIN - DAY (JAN 13, 2023)


  17. Up in the air. Focusing on the screen in front of him, Peter selects the movie "Rumba La Vie" to play.


  18. PETER (V.O.): It's a French film. The genre is comedy. It must have some Rumba scenes.


  19. Later on screen, Peter sees some funny Rumba scenes.


  20. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): The old father and his partner dance Rumba pretty well.


  21. Pausing.


  22. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): The film tells the story of a desperate father wanting to learn Rumba so as to reconnect with his daughter who is a Latin dance instructor.


  23. INT. FLIGHT CABIN - DAY (JAN 17, 2023)


  24. Up in the air. Peter selects the movie "Yanagawa" to play.


  25. PETER (V.O.): It's a Chinese film. The genre is drama. I haven't been to Yanagawa.


  26. Later on screen, Peter sees some Rumba hip action scenes.


  27. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): The film tells the story of a reunion in Yanagawa between two former lovers who used to dance Rumba.


  28. EXT. FRONT GARDEN, A RELATIVE'S HOME - DAY (TWO DAYS AGO)


  29. Chinese New Year gathering. A NIECE greets Peter.


  30. PETER: Are you still a dance instructor?


  31. NIECE: Yes! I've got dance diplomas!


  32. Peter begins to dance the Rumba steps of Basic and Cucaracha.


  33. PETER: Please correct my posture of Rumba Basic and Cucaracha.


  34. NIECE: Ah, you can still remember the step names!


  35. PETER (V.O.): I've been re-learning the Rumba steps since my return from Seoul.


  36. NIECE: To dance Rumba well, you've to have strong leg and hip action. Watch me.


  37. Peter's niece begins to demonstrate her strong leg and hip action.


  38. PETER (V.O.): They really add to the styling of the sensual Rumba steps.

  39. Watching.


  40. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): My niece has professional physical control and the Rumba level of awesomeness!


  41. Watching.


  42. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): While I can only have a strong sense of rhythm and timing, I don't have much muscle control.


  43. Recalling.


  44. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I was already in my 50s when I first learned Rumba. My hip action was already non-distinctive, despite I had tried hard.


  45. Pausing.


  46. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): The other problem was that I didn't lead my partner well.


  47. Recalling.


  48. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): When I became a Department head, I stopped dancing. There wasn't any work-life balance.


  49. Recalling.


  50. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Upon retirement, I tried to dance again but realized that I had forgotten all the taught choreography, from Cha-cha-cha to Waltz.


  51. RETURN TO PRESENT


  52. Act 3


  53. EXT. ESTATE PARK - 17:45


  54. While watching Dai Gou, the family turtle pet, strolling on the ground, Peter practises Rumba steps.


  55. PETER (V.O.): Dai Gou should be okay. I just keep calm and dance Rumba.


  56. Practising.


  57. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I'm even learning the followers' steps so that I may lead well someday.


  58. Practising.


  59. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I still have Rumba ambitions. I feel Rumba La Vie!


  60. THE END


  61. FADE OUT











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