Dance of a Dream

Dance of a Dream

Year: 2001

Runtime: 94 mins

Language: Cantonese

Director: Andrew Lau

MusicComedyRomance

Namson Lau teaches ballroom dance, presenting himself onstage as a polished, suave gentleman. Beneath that genteel veneer he is cunning and greedy, treating dance solely as a means to amass wealth, caring little for the art itself or any higher purpose.

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Timeline – Dance of a Dream (2001)

Trace every key event in Dance of a Dream (2001) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Namson's double life on stage and off

Namson Lau appears as a refined ballroom dancing instructor on stage, but privately he is cunning and greedy. Dancing has become a means to fortune rather than a pursuit of art. He often neglects the deeper significance of teaching his students in pursuit of wealth.

Opening scene Ballroom stage
2

Kam's dull life, brightening with a dream

Kam leads a modest, toil-filled life with little excitement. She is optimistic and dreams of dancing gracefully when given a chance with Namson. Her decision to seek training marks the start of a life-changing journey.

City
3

Jimmy asks Namson to teach Tina

Jimmy, Tina's younger brother, asks Namson to teach Tina tango. The assignment pulls Namson into Tina's social circle and into the world of aristocratic balls. Kam witnesses Namson's involvement with Tina and becomes curious about the dance world.

early Tina Cheung's circle / studio
4

Kam enrolls and pays her dues

Kam signs up for Namson's classes and works multiple part-time jobs to cover tuition. She remains determined to improve and hopes to someday share a dance with him. Namson, meanwhile, harbors grand plans for his future.

early Namson's studio
5

Namson's dream: central studio and Blackpool

Namson reveals his ambition to buy his dream dance studio in Central and to compete at the Blackpool Dance Festival in England. This goal seems to justify his focus on money over teaching quality. The pursuit strains his relationship with his students.

mid-film Central / England
6

Priorities clash: money over art

To finance his dream, Namson keeps a hard eye on high tuition and profitable lessons. He uses his influence to lure Tina into expensive lessons, and his neglect of the students grows more evident. The balance between art and profit becomes a central tension.

mid-film Ballroom
7

Kam plans a party to lift Namson

Kam, sensing Namson's discontent, organizes a party with her fellow dance students to lift his spirits. The event rekindles a sense of community and reminds Namson why he fell in love with dance in the first place. Tina's mood shifts toward being more outgoing as a result.

mid-to-late Kam's party venue
8

The party's effect on Tina and Kam

Following the party, Tina becomes more extroverted and Kam gains a clearer sense of Namson's humanity. The dance world feels warmer and more collaborative than it did when Namson chased money. The bond between Kam and Namson begins to deepen emotionally.

following Party venue
9

Tina teaches Kam tango; studio gift announced

Tina teaches Kam the tango she learned from Namson, bridging teacher and student. In a surprising move, Tina purchases Namson's dream studio as a gift, providing him the means to realize his long-held ambition. The gesture changes the power dynamics in their circle.

later Namson's studio / sale venue
10

Namson falls for Kam

Namson realizes he has fallen in love with Kam, complicating his previously single-minded pursuit of wealth. The revelation forces him to confront what he truly values. He now faces a difficult choice between Tina, who could help fulfill his dream, and Kam, who has supported him.

later Various
11

Moral dilemma deepens: Tina or Kam

Namson weighs whether to pursue a relationship with Tina in order to secure his dream or to commit to Kam, who has supported him unconditionally. The choice pits ambition against love and tests what dance has become for him. The outcome remains unresolved in this summary.

climax
12

Open-ended conclusion

Namson faces a pivotal decision about his future as a dancer and a partner. The film leaves the outcome open, emphasizing the struggle between art, love, and ambition. The audience is left to wonder which path Namson will choose.

final

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 16:39

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Dance of a Dream Summary

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Dance of a Dream

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