We met him at the recent Malaysia International Ip Man Wing Chun Festival and World Wing Chun Championship held at 1 Utama Shopping Centre. Also present were casts of the upcoming Ip Man prequel – The Legend is Born: Ip Man.

Newcomer Dennis To Yu-hang, Rose Chan, Fan Siu-Wong, Bernice Liu, Louis Cheung and Yuen Biao also thrilled the thousand-strong crowd at the meet-and-greet session at the main concourse of the mall.

But back to filming risks. “It’s either you hit somebody accidentally or are hit, accidentally, by another cast member. The risk is always there when you’re making an actioner,” Yuen Biao says.

“I agree with Biao, it’s a risky profession,” interjected Dennis, who bears a close resemblance to action superstar Donnie Yen. “I’ve been hit numerous times during filming. The first was during my fight scene with Biao. He accidentally hit me on my mouth, causing it to bleed. But that’s quite common.”

Scheduled for tentative release on June 24, The Legend is Born – Ip Man depicts the early life of Ip Man — the great grandmaster of Wing Chun. Also making his appearance in the movie is Ip Chun, the eldest son of Ip Man.

Ip Chun will playing the role of Leong Pik, the second master of Ip Man, and will be showing off some of his skills, which will surely thrill Ip Man fans.

A well-known local MYFM DJ, Jack could not conceal his excitement when met with reporters at the recent Kidnapper press conference held at the Redbox Karaoke outlet at Plaza Low Yat. “I needed to maintain that creepy, sadistic look all the time when the camera started rolling. My co-star Phyllis Quek said that I scared her so bad,  especially my lack of emotion during one of our scenes together by the poolside,” continued Jack.

Also present at the press conference was Singapore-based actor, Christopher Lee. Chris, who sported a dark-rimmed glasses and a short goatee, was all smiles and happy to meet with reporters after rushing from another event in Ipoh earlier that day. He immediately went on to share his experiences working with both Jack and Singapore film director, Kelvin Tong.

“I agreed instantly when director Kelvin Tong approached me for the role. I was even more game when I knew that Jack also had agreed to be part of the team,” said Chris. The director who stumbled upon Jack’s role in Ah Long Pte Ltd as a gang leader said he was very impressed with the portrayal and contacted him straightaway. “I asked Kelvin to send me the draft, and after reading it, I knew from that moment that this is the right choice for me,” said Jack and then burst out laughing. “Most of the shots you see in the film depend very much on onscreen chemistry and it also relies heavily on emotions as well,” added Chris.

All the hard work and sacrifices seemed to pay off, when reporters who attended the screening earlier gave many positive comments. “It was all worth it, when my fake scar almost became my permanent scar. In the movie, I bore a deep-tissue scar on my left cheek. I could not talk loudly or having any sudden twitch or else the scar would “split” and the make-up artist would need to re-do it again. By the time I got to my seventh “scar,” the skin around it got too tense and even lacerated a little,” related Jack.

_____________________________________________________________

About Kidnapper

Kidnapper, starring Christopher Lee as Lim, a man who struggle to make ends meet as a taxi driver, faces failure after failure in his life. While his wife left him years ago, his only son Wei Siang (Jerald Tan) is frequently neglected. Mistaken for a rich man’s son, Wei Siang is kidnapped and held for an enormous ransom for a struggling taxi driver. In the process, he gives up everything in his life to bring home his son back, but when his plan fails Lim descends into madness as grief and doubt overshadow him. His own conscience threatens him as he is on the verge of surrendering to the dark side in a desperate attempt to bring his son back – only this time, it’s for real.

Genre: Action/Thriller

General Release Date: 13 May 2010

Running Time: 1 Hour 39 Minutes

Cast: Christopher Lee, Jack Lim, Jerald Tan, Phyllis Quek

Directed by: Kelvin Tong

Classification: PG 13

Distributed by: RAM Entertainment

(L-R) Angela Chan (not in picture), Yi Jet Qi, Gary Chaw, Angelica Lee Sinje, Ah Niu, Victor Wong, Fish Leong and Eric Moo

Showing in 57 cinemas nationwide from tomorrow, fans of  Ice Kacang Puppy Love, a local production, will be able to get to see the movie easily as most likely it will be playing in a cinema near them, rather than wait for the DVD release – if there is any. “That number signifies the support and confidence from fans towards our local movie. Without such high expectations, we wouldn’t be playing in so many cinemas,” said Taiwan-based Malaysian Ah Niu, who also makes his directorial debut in Ice Kacang Puppy Love.

First-time director, Ah Niu

Employing a lot of conceptual shots, Ice Kacang Puppy Love is based on Ah Niu’s own experience growing up in a small town in Penang. It’s a love at first sight for the shy little Botak, when Fighting Fish moves to his forsaken village and goes through primary and secondary schooling with him. While Fighting Fish is a tomboy who fights off bullies, Botak  is a timid fellow who can’t even make a cup of coffee at his father’s shop.

Lee Sinje in red gloves

During a recent press conference held at Hotel Millennium in  Jalan Bukit Bintang, the cast – Angela Chan, Yi Jet Qi, Gary Chaw, Angelica Lee Sinje, Ah Niu, Victor Wong, Fish Leong and Eric Moo – talked about their excitement of being in a 100% locally-made movie and shared their stories on working with Ah Niu.

“As actors, we need to be professional and accept roles even if it means I have to act without any make-up on,” said Angela Chan, who was looking dazzling in a red dress. Lee Sinje also loooked stunning  in a low-cut dress  that matched her  bright red gloves. Retro and feminine, the actress who first caught the attention of cinema audiences  in Pang Brothers’ The Eye said, “In Ice Kacang Puppy Love, I play a girl who is very tough and very tomboy-ish. My character always goes around beating up guys and bullies. But on the inside, she is very much a softie.”

Fans of the movie can catch a glimpse of their favourite actors and actresses today as the cast will make a special appearance at the Red Carpet Gala Premiere held at the Pavillion Kuala Lumpur at 6.30pm. Also making their appearances are local artistes including Andrew Tan, Will Quah, radio deejays and television personalities.

(Top L-R) Lee Sinje, Angela Chan and Fish Leong (Bottom) Yi Jet Qi, Gary Chaw, Ah Niu, Eric Moo and Victor Wong

Also present was Malaysian actress Yeo Yann Yann and Singapore’s Michelle Tay. “I still remember our final scene, where Mark and I had to kiss. I think I was too excited and  we bumped each other’s noses, causing Mark’s nose to bleed,” said Yann Yann, who was rather embarrassed by the incident. “But it was all good fun,” added Yann Yann.

While the stars were kept occupied answering questions, many wondered about the famous director. Throughout the entire press conference and interview, he was nowhere to be seen. “Oh well, I guess you and I both know why he (Neo) is not here with us today. There’s no need to ask why lah. It’s obvious,” stated Mark. In a recent emotional-filled press conference held in Singapore, Neo admitted to a two-year affair with a freelance model less than half his age after the young woman exposed it by showing up at his Pasir Ris home. For fans of Neo, you can still catch the man in action when he joins the promo activities with the cast some time later this month in Kuala Lumpur and Penang.

Being Human stars Mark Lee, Yeo Yann Yann, television host Jeremy Chan, Taiwanese television host NoNo and up-and-coming artiste Mei Xin. Being Human touches on everyday issues such as unethical practices of the slimming industry, which leads to misfortune after misfortune. Distributed by Primeworks Studio, Being Human opens in cinemas nationwide on April 8.

See also: Being Human movie review

Photos by: Cinema Online and Loong Wai Ting

The stars of Hong Kong’s “All’s Well, End’s Well” were in town yesterday to promote their new movie and of course, to meet their fans. The stars – Raymond Wong, Sandra Ng, Louis Koo and Ronald Cheng when met during the press conference at Sunway Resort Hotel & Spa said that due to the overwhelming response from the audiences last year, that this year’s “All’s Well, End’s Well Too 2010” will be more interesting. “Audiences can expect to see something different as compared to last year’s version. This year, we decided to include some of the modern elements like the internet and social-networking into our story,” said Director Raymond Wong who also co-starred in the movie.

(L-R) Raymond Wong, Louis Koo, Sandra Ng and Ronald Cheng

Later in the night, members of the public were literally over-the-moon, when the stars made their surprise public appearances at the Centre Court of Pavilion at Kuala Lumpur. Right after the meeting, the stars were spotted letting their hair down at the Dragonfly Kuala Lumpur, located at Jalan Kia Peng at 10.30pm.

In a separate conference room later this writer had the opportunity to talk to the director in person. Below are some of the excerpts from yesterday’s conversation with the long time director, Raymond Wong.

Voize: Hello, Raymond. So, was it hard to get all three (Louis Koo, Sandra Ng and Ronald Cheng) of them together again to make “All’s Well, End’s Well 2010?”

Raymond Wong (RW): Well, after our successful “All’s Well, End’s Well 2009” it is indeed very hard to get all three of them to act in the same movie again. But, as Sandra (Ng) said in order to play a good game of Mahjong, we need four people, thus all three of them agreed almost immediately to do this one.

Voize: Tell us about the writing process of “All’s Well, End’s Well”

RW: My writer, who is also my son Edmond Wong was writing “Ip Man 2” and “All’s Well, End’s Well” at one sitting. The 2009 version, we took almost four months to make, but the 2010 version we took less than a month to complete.

Voize: What about your filming location? Mind sharing it with our readers?

RW: The film was shot entirely at Hengdian and Hangzhou.

Raymond Wong

Voize: What about ideas?How did the writing process came about especially when you’re writing for funny movies?

RW: Since the 80s until now, everyone is quite familiar that I make at least one movie especially for Chinese New Year release. And most of them broke the box office record for being the most successful film during that period. But only recently, that I decided to switch between comedy and action thriller like “Dragon Tiger Gate” and “Seven Swords.” When making a comedy movie, I always tell myself that the whole idea must be funny and suitable for everyone, doesn’t matter if your three or 80 years old.

Voize: All right. What about preference? Do you like making a modern-setting movie or a classical one?

RW: I love making both. I don’t have a specific preference, really, which is also why you see a modern version of “All’s Well, End’s Well” last year and now you see the classical version.

Voize: What about pressure? There are a lot of movies releasing the same time as “All’s Well, End’s Well” here in Malaysia.

RW: Honestly, I don’t have any pressure at all. I have confident in my movies, that this will be better than last year.

For more information about the movie, click here

Hishiko and Andie Chen, at the press conference. Pic courtesy of ntv7

1. Tell us more about the character you play and how did you prepare for it.

I play an autistic girl. The character is quite different and challenging for me. There’s a place, a day school for autistic children, where I learnt to communicate with them and to mimic their characters. Their emotions are not expressed similar to ours. I was sad when I had to leave the place. On the last day I couldn’t bear to leave. I’m afraid to go back now, because the children can get emotionally attached to you and its hard when you leave.

2. You were a finalist of a reality talent show. How did this boost your career?

It’s a stepping stone. People know me from it, and immediately after that I received a hosting job. It helped with the pace of my career. I learnt a lot of skills and techniques in the industry, and met many valuable friends.

3. What’s your daily routine as an artiste and do you also sing?

If I’m a singer, I’d want to be a rock star. During production, I was shooting continuously the whole day. Sometimes I get some hosting gigs in between. I am someone who enjoys life. Work hard, play hard.

4. Your name is very unique, what does it mean?

(Laughs) Its not a real Japanese name. I used to like Japanese culture very much as a child, it was part of my growing process. I liked the guitarist from Glay named Hisashi. I also like Visual Kei.

5. Will you try Visual kei as a singer?

(Laughs) If the company can stand my voice! I like dancing, I might want to be a rapper.

6. What’s your next project?

I’m shooting Age of Glory Season 2 now. The storyline is completely different from Season 1. Its a big budget blockbuster series, with over 40 episodes, about the origins of the Chinese in Malaysia. I like my character in this a lot. She’s been sold into a brothel as a prostitute.

Read the interview with Andie Chen.

Andie Chen Bang Jun (Pic courtesy of ntv7)

1. Tell us more about the character you play, and how did you prepare for it.
I play Jeff, he is a lifeguard and an orphan. He seems like a bum, but is actually ambitious. He is afraid to take the first step as he is afraid to fail. Even his parents did not want him, so his self esteem really hit rock bottom.

He cares a lot for the character played by Tracy Lee. I took a crash course with lifeguards on how to dive and how to pull people out, as well as a bit of workouts as I am wearing singlets most of the time in the drama series. I tried to live the life of this person. I’m more of a film and TV person, although I’ve dabbled in theatre for 1 or 2 small scale productions.

2. You were a winner of a reality talent show. How did this help your career?
I dabbled in arts before the talent contest, as a student and in the army. Small parts. After the contests, I was contracted to Media Corp and got bigger roles. It is difficult for artistes to step into the industry hoping to get a major part. Because of the 6 month long contest, I had a lot of exposure to the industry.

3. And one of your mentors was the comedian Hossan Leong?
Yes, when I was in the army (Singapore Armed Forces), I was in the Music and Drama Company, and he conducted a series of workshops.

4. Will you be doing comedy then?
I’ve done slapstick and light hearted variety shows. Not that much experience in comedy yet. Although I would, I’m doing mostly serious dramas now, and dramas can be depressing sometimes.

5. So, as the theme of ‘Friends Forever’ is about lifelong friends, what do you think about Facebook friends? Do you think friendship through Facebook is sustainable? Does the drama mention this issue?
Obviously there is a difference. To keep in touch, its a good stepping stone. You and your friends can go online, read each other’s comments, even exchange emails. It’s a good icebreaker when meeting someone new. I would know what to say to someone when I met them personally. The drama doesn’t feature this issue though.

6. Might such a friendship degenerate though? You might start off as keeping in touch but later it becomes superficial…
It might degenerate. Unless someone is really a friend. For instance, how many Facebook friends would stop to lend you money if you’ve been stranded in a taxi?

7. Who are some of the actors that inspire you?

My inspirations are not the usual pretty faces – they’re a bit dark and morbid and mysterious. They are film actors Edward Norton, Johnny Depp, and Tim Roth.

8. What is your next project?
We’re now shooting Season 2 of Fighting Spiders. Its been well received in Singapore. I don’t think it showed in Malaysia but you can view it on the Facebook page for Fighting Spiders.

Next: Interview with Hishiko, who plays an autistic girl on the same series.

VIP ACCESS: AVATAR PREMIERES EXCLUSIVELY ON STAR MOVIES (ASTRO CHANNEL 413) ON SUNDAY, DEC 20 AT 9.30PM.

STAR MOVIES presents VIP Access, the ultimate backstage pass to AVATAR, the ambitious digital 3-D sci-fi epic from Academy Award-winning director James Cameron (Titanic). A paraplegic ex-marine war veteran, Jake Sully (Sam Worthington), is unwillingly sent to establish a human settlement on the distant planet of Pandora, only to find himself battling humankind alongside the planet’s indigenous Na’vi race.

ABOUT AVATAR

Local release: 17^th December, 2009

Director: James Cameron

Written by: James Cameron

Producers: James Cameron, Jon Landau

Cast: Sam Worthington, Zoë Saldana, Michelle Rodriguez, and Sigourney Weaver

Genre: Epic Adventure

Official Site: http://www.avatarmovie.com/

MOVIE SYNOPSIS

AVATAR takes us to a spectacular world beyond imagination, where a reluctant hero embarks on an epic adventure, ultimately fighting to save the alien world he has learned to call home.   James Cameron, the Oscar-winning director of “Titanic,” first conceived the film 15 years ago, when the means to realize his vision did not yet exist. Now, after four years of production, AVATAR, a live action film with a new generation of special effects, delivers a fully immersive cinematic experience of a new kind, where the revolutionary technology invented to make the film disappears into the emotion of the characters and the sweep of the story.

ABOUT VIP ACCESS

• VIP Access is the ultimate backstage pass to the upcoming blockbusters from Hollywood.
• Every episode features exclusive movie footage, behind-the-scenes action and celebrity interviews.
• VIP Access provides coverage from the premieres in Asia and US and reviews of new releases.
• Viewers can keep up to date with movie news 24/7 by logging on to http://www.startv.com/VIPAccess

VIP ACCESS MOVIES IN 2009

• Confession of a Shopaholic
• Fast & Furious 4
• G.I. Joe
• X Men Origins: Wolverine
• Transformers 2
• Night at the Museum 2
• Ice Age 3: Dawn of the Dinosaurs

UPCOMING VIP ACCESS MOVIES IN 2010

• The Lovely Bones
• Percy Jackson & The Lightning Thief
• Alice in Wonderland
• Clash of the Titans
• Iron Man 2

STAR MOVIES HIGHLIGHTS & UPCOMING STUNTS

1. DECEMBER – SUPER DUPER HOLIDAY SPECTACULAR

Every Sunday Night at 10pm

• Beverly Hills Chihuahua
• Pink Panther 2
• Nim’s Island
• Bedtime Stories

2. HOLIDAY MARATHON (SATURDAY, 26 DEC)

• Jingle All The Way (12pm)
• Alvin & The Chipmunks
• Mad Money
• Hero Wanted
• Twilight
• Jumper
• The X Men

3. SUNDAY MEGA MOVIES (JAN – MAY 2010)

Every Sunday Night at 10pm

• The Day The Earth Stood Still
• Transporter 3
• Quantum of Solace
• Slumdog Millionaire
• Australia
• Confession of a Shopaholic
• Bride Wars
• Hannah Montana The Movie

Interview by Rachel Chan

Note: Parts of the interview are bilingual (English and Malay).

Hi Liyana!

Hi.

How does it feel to be selected as the Maybelline ambassador?

Saya rasa bersyukur, to be a part of the Maybelline team. It’s a big honour for me to be a part of Maybelline, sebab as you can see, to be a part of Maybelline memang best because I love make-up dari kecik, and I think dengan Maybelline dan juga karier singing saya yang baru, dapat membantu karier saya dengan lebih baik, pada masa yang akan datang.

Will you get to go to New York as well for the Fashion Week?

(Gushes) I hope so! I’ll ask Elena to bring me to New York. I’m not sure yet, hopefully yes, we’ll have to ask Maybelline for that.

And you’ve been acting for how many years? Since you were a kid?

Since I was nine, but I started on movies when I was sixteen. My breakout movie was Castello.

With Rosyam Nor, right?

Ah, you know.

When did you start singing?

I started recording my album – mini album last year. End of last year. And also the beginning of the year. So I think it took about four months.

What’s the genre?

Its pop rock. Its called Teen Pop Rock. Not like just Pop Rock, its focusing more on teenagers, yeah. More like Miley Cyrus and Avril Lavigne.

Ahh, so those are your idols?

Yes (smiles)

In the local music scene, do you have any idols?

Ahm…my friends, AG from Hujan, and all the members, Meet Uncle Hussain, most are indie bands. Because I started off with KAMI, so when I started off with KAMI, I kawan, I get to know them, and that’s how I decided to pursue my singing career. Cos I tengok how they actually make it, then I kawan-kawan, I jumpa orang, I’ve seen them and how they write songs, make music, yeah.

In KAMI you play a music reviewer, right?

Yesss.

Ah, so how did you get to ‘become’ the character, and all that? Did you listen to a lot of music?

No, actually (laughs), it’s a movie. So….err, tak. I tak dengar. Tapi along the way, along masa shooting, along the journey, I got to know all the music, cos the director macam suruh I dengar jugak. What band, dari tahun mana datang, what gig…Sebab before KAMI I don’t know anything about gigs, I seriously didn’t know about indie bands. Tapi bila I start berlakon KAMI the series, I started to ‘jatuh cinta lah’ with all these music.
So, did KLue really ask you to write any reviews for them? (Liyana plays a character called Lynn who writes review for KLue magazine in KAMI The Movie)

No (laughs), it’s a movie…

As the Maybelline ambassador, what are some of your duties?

Currently there is nothing yet, so I’ll just wait for launchings of new stuff from Maybelline. I think its gonna be in October, after Raya.

So you’ll be in the ads, right?

Yes.

Zan Azlee, Super Duper Chief Inspector of Fat Bidin Media and local filmmaker, who also teaches Communication at HELP University College, previewed the screening of his film I’M MUSLIM TOO! Heading to the Border last Monday. According to Zan, he is “a Malay Muslim documentary filmmaker in KL who is a lazy cook, thus often heading to Tom Yam Kung stalls”.

Hearing about the South Thailand insurgency in Patani, and claims that it was supported by funding from Tom Yam Kung stalls based in Malaysia, he decided to investigate the inner workings of his usual dinner place, by heading all the way to the site itself. Here Zan “flirts with the local women at the hectic Patani market, prays at the 500-year-old Krue Se Mosque which saw a bloody massacre in 2004, visits a village where more than half the population has left for Malaysia, attends a pre-marriage course, and also drops by several ‘sekolah pondoks’”. He discovers the true sentiments of the Patani people and their attitudes toward all that is happening around them. Rachel Chan asks Zan a few questions.

I’M MUSLIM TOO! Heading to the Border will be released on ntv7 in September.
Visit www.fatbidin.com for more info.