Ekin Cheng Yee- KinNews - March 2009 |
Ekin and Karena both arrived in Beijing to participate in a first showing of Claustrophobia promotional conference. The movie was to be shown in 3 theaters in the city and Ekin and Karena would appear at each to meet with movie enthusiasts. In the afternoon there was a meeting with the media and movie guest movie enthusiasts.
Host: Media friends and guests good afternoon. Welcome everyone to the first screening of Claustrophobia's conference. Very happy that we can have here a give and take, today's conference will be broadcast live on line by Sina.com To everyone I want to say thank you for paying this movie close attention. This movie's official release will be March 6, 2009. The movie is already nominated for 3 prizes the results of which we look forward to. let me especially introduce this movie's very special place. The news media certainly is very familiar with the name Ivy Ho, this person has often been the recipient of prizes for best screen plays, we must expect the same from her directorial debut with the movie Claustrophobia. Ivy Ho is exceptionally able to tell a story about people's emotions. Everyone liked her previous movies. In this conference we are pleased to welcome the movies lead male and female, Karena Lam and Ekin Cheng.
Karena: Hello Everyone!
Ekin: Hello Everyone!
Karena: We are very happy to be here to bring you this new work Claustrophobia
Ekin: We are happy to come to Beijing. This is the first promotion in Beijing.
Host: Claustrophobia has at numerous film festivals receive positive reviews. we today for the benefit of preparation, we will chat about the close office relationships. You have participated in which film festivals, what are your feelings?
Karena: There is the Beijing Film Festival, the Asian Film Festival, Hong Kong Film Festival, very many.
Host: You personally go?
Karena: Still have Berlin
Ekin: Go to Japan
Host: What is the reactions of the movie enthusiasts?
Ekin: Reactions are different. Claustrophobia is distinctive in this
Host: This kind of intimate feeling is in your heart and mind?
Ekin: Believe Claustrophobia is terrifying, ambiguous dark feelings seem as if nothing, to answer it is very scary. Everything is in a fixed space, that is frightening, also the director Ivy Ho;s way of looking at this kind of illicit love is quite pessimistic. Karena completely understands this way of thinking. I think the modern generation is rather lonesome. I think it is a lonely relationship.
Host: Why do you say this feeling is terrifying.
Karena: Many internet friends should have more intimate personal face to face contacts, they see originally like that inside. Why is claustrophobia not a good meaning, because others often think closeness is OK, indeed a person who is very open, actually it is loss because the director's explanation is you, just like our in the office frequently work late, the time there is very long, you see your colleagues more than your family, it is a narrow space you are inside, it is very easy to develop good feelings for another person, an illicit relationship, is that love? You don't know.
Host: So this movie has these kind of relationships?
Karena: Correct
Host: You have both seen this movie before
Ekin: Saw it in Japan the first time. it emphasizes the inner heart. You might think it is romantic, but in fact it is not.
The conference then saw some clips from the movie.
Host: Good, Now I have a question, Why does Ekin seldom speak, it is almost your soliloquy
Ekin: Because perform from innermost feelings, now you know the complete movie.
Host: The flavor is not too similar
Ekin The flavor is not the same, we feel this scene gives me an opportunity to unleash feelings, I have never played this kind of role before.
Host Four collaborations do you feel they are different? You are actually old friends, now you have this new collaboration, how do you think each other has changed?
Karena: I think Ekin is much more mature, I mean I know a person. Ekin will still bring a video game to play on a flight or when waiting on a set to amuse himself, but mostly he doesn't do this anymore. At the beginning I felt he wasn't serious and half hearted. Later I felt he didn't like me, now is the fourth time and I think he is a little changed.
Host: Now he brings books?
Karena: No, I merely feel he is more stable, after these experiences good or bad, then everyone chats later.
Host :I especially want to know what you think of this evaluation, you feel you ave become more mature?
Ekin: Previously she has too small a point of view, starts from her heart, surface appearance is an act, why do I commonly, when waiting on the set, play video games, it is a desire to keep relaxed, Now I discover I don't like it, no matter, I can change the method, to make me relaxed to go to do the scene.
Host: Ekin is relaxed and actually cares about the role, Ivy Ho previously just wrote screenplays, how is a screen writer as a director?
Karena: She very clearly knows with the characters point, sometimes when we get caught up in the words and subjectively know what we want to say, there is no way, but she also is the director so sometimes when talking about the scene I feel perhaps she overlooks feelings, an idea, a picture, I will share with the director, because after all we are like a family suffering the writing on the wall,. really scenes are interactive with the actors or music or lighting, also this is different state of affairs.
Ekin: But the male and female points of view are different. When we began she was comparatively rigid, we might in acting a scene have a little point, she not allow, later she lifted the restrictions a little, because we see the script has different points of view. Men see things differently to women, I as much as possible kept my male perspective inside, When we began the director didn't like this, gradually she wants you to bring yourself to emerge, this is why males and females see a script differently. I believe that if already have a wife and a family then must sacrifice other feelings for them, I don't want to allow this type of illicit feelings to happen, so not give the other person the opportunity.
Host: Do actors always want revisions?
Karena: Not only is my impression very profound, even the first day in the factory scene, after I remember a time Ekin thinking how to do the scene, after do the scene the director say it won't do, she wants us to capture what she wrote. After Ekin also digests that it is director's first time result is I see him instantly open up, I think OK, the scene is behind, the scene's charm is very distinctive. I see him tense and nervous, I am very excited, I feel certainly what will emerge will be a pleasant surprise.
Host: During a scene when the director calls stop. What are your feelings?
Ekin: Tense, her and your ideas are different. I feel painful, you want to do your acting work well, conversely she is different, you slowly act in concert with her, also you desire to cooperate with her, perhaps even can let out your opinion. I think this is comparatively problematic, I feel this is troublesome.
Host Still afterwards you feel happy, Eric Tseng has also worked with both of you in previous collaborations
Karena: He is a guest actor, this is the first time I have seen him so serious, He is Ekin's older brother, he is very passionate, he arrives on the set seldom, he really knows the words. He grabbed me and said we are one take. He is very different, he commonly, because experienced, when he comes to the set he is very serious, he truly sees the script, when I saw him the first time I thought he was so diligent.
Host Want to ask many people say that in this film you succeed playing a mature man, what deep impression do you take from this movie?
Ekin: In the car, this film is also in the car. Half of the movie is filmed in the car, because in Hong Kong we are with family, in the car, at work, just three places. This is really very common, really an innermost sense. Hong Kong is comparatively busy, sit in the car, sit and think some things.
Host Karena you filmed a very cold scene in the rain, with Andy Hui as the taxi driver, The scene was very exhausting, do you have any lasting impression?
Karena: Ekin promised to visit that day, result a no show
Ekin: It was too cold. It was hong Kong's lowest temperature. The rain was artificial though.
Host . Did the economic crisis affect the making of the film..
Ekin As actors this did not affect us. However, a movie like Storm Warriors and Claustrophobia's remuneration is different. I want to see the script, I want to see the director, if I like both and wish to join the movie then the amount of money isn't the main consideration, the economic crisis is unrelated.
Both Karena and Ekin admitted that the time filming is a day long situation in which they are together, which is a completely normal phenomenon. however in an office relationships are different.
Host: This film has very many micro feelings, a secret undercurrent of the present economic crisis, gives both characters many small difficulties
Ekin: Since it describes the life in a white collar office, the economic situation is apparent, but the economic crisis is not mentioned. I have to lay off employees, need a plan to keep my mind at rest. I am take friends last., because every day together inside the company there is much suffering. I meet her everyday from morning to evening, don't have enough control over feelings. you see the possibility. Hong Kong is very strange because we work long hours, ordinary people see their colleagues more than their wives. it is Hong Kong's culture, many people know. This movie Claustrophobia besides being a love story explains Hong Kong's work environment. In our profession we work long hours, In Hong Kong offices it is the same. This also is Hong Kong;s culture.
Host: Thank you both for your insights, we look forward to seeing this movie.
From female playwright Ivy Ho's debut directorship comes a Hong Kong art and culture movie Claustrophobia which will premiere across China on March 6, 2009. The movie stars Ekin Cheng, Karena Lam, Andy Hui, and Eric Tseng. The movie narrates the illicit relationships that take place in a small office. On the afternoon of March 1, 2009 for the first showing in Beijing, the stars Ekin Cheng and Karena Lam participated in a televised promotional conference. After the conference Ekin granted an interview to Sina Entertainment.
Host: Welcome Ekin, first please greet our net friends
Ekin: Hello Everyone, I am Ekin
Ekin attempts an Art and Culture movie, The biggest difficulty is Ekin's point of view unlike that of the director.
Host: Currently this is the first time you filmed this type of movie, really why able, because before always filmed commercial movies, now have the chance to have this experience.
Ekin: Very happy, you see this type of movie. this is also the director's first time. She invited me to collaborate with Karena Lam, really this is very good, but it is also her first time, she just start to have a little pressure, but for me it is OK. I think, in the end, I have the opportunity in my own acting to become different.
Host:With the director using very many filming techniques seems very different from a commercial movie, did acting like this for the first time caused you any problems or unforgettable moments?
Ekin: Problem degree just start with the director issue, the entire script she is directing, because she wrote it. Much of the time I think it is from the female point of view, but my point of view is from a male angle, so have a difference of opinion, but later slowly feel can blend the two opinions together. Still have a very happy place, indeed we found a very good cinematographer. I have never before experienced in filming a photographer who doesn't have a voice, only is filming the entire process. In addition the boss gave us much space to perform. Really if you want to spend much vitality, in fact it is not the words, but the performance of your inner heart, before feeling have to ask yourself how to find these feelings. I think this is very good. Before filming you have your words, the director has much opportunity yo perform before with after slowly , always is not say enough, order is also developed for example once, twice is also possible.
The director's request are very high, personally and the role's temperaments are dissimilar
Host: In your performance could you reach her high requests?
Ekin: Of course I think when directors start their requests are high, but this is good, as an actor it is a very OK opportunity. She thinks if you differ with her is a problem and pressure, but when completed very happy, you can coordinate her requests together. Many people evaluate really with prior performances. This is a good chance.
Host: Which scene did you feel was the most problematic?
Ekin: The most difficult was the final scene and the first scene, because the story is not told in order. I first place the end, then place the beginning, three months before, a year before, 6 months before, finally just a moment ago have feelings for her in the first scene which is located last. I feel this scene is with my role's temperament is dissimilar, he is a little scared, very anxious about his work, his own life, his wife and family, and an economic problem, but with me not the same. I think he thinks to take care of themselves. I, on the other hand, like to do for myself.
Host: Is filming this type of film very different from previous work you have done?
Ekin: Of course everyone knows that and Arts film has box office pressure, I knew this when I joined the film.. Actually I think this film is representative of Hong Kong's culture, but many Hong Kong people don't like it because it is too long, doesn't have many words, only is see the feelings. people in Hong Kong are very busy, When they work they want to work very well. Don't waste time. They don't have a large space to think and feel.
Claustrophobia is about love and life becoming too complicated.
Host: In the movie it is said that the love feeling is concealed, how do you respond to this kind of sentiment?
Ekin: In the entire movie, this love is not too real, because you feel you know many things, because you have a family, you have a wife, at the company you meet your assistant. Originally you have no feelings, now you have, this is a terrifying feeling, the love actually painful . With myself, however, I want things more simple.
Host: In fact the director sees this obscure love from a female point of view, as a male might you have some different point of view, Do you you feel your view of this illicit love is the same as the directors?
Ekin: Actually is the same, in this film things happen that are very beautiful, but also very painful, very complicated, I think my opinion is the same as the director. Of course I feel that life can get too complicated, but powerless, work relationships, beautiful behind someone's back become painful. If love starts the feelings are very unfamiliar, really interesting, but more and more unable to control, the final result is suffering.
Males and females delay break ups differently, modern era's love is different from in the past.
Host:Actually when have some specific response, allow you to feel probably are like this, but the director feels are not different?
Ekin: There is, we have talked about the outcome, after the movie is finished , male and female have what things, I think a male will certainly try to find her, but the director says unlikely, certainly improbable, they already separated. I feel a difference of opinion with her. Men will certainly try to take care of a lover. In what company does she work?, what is her situation?. Want to carefully from afar take care of her.This is the male point of view. The director disagrees, they have parted, then parted, it is over.
Host: Why is the director not convinced of the male point of view?
Ekin: Because when she wrote the the female role and the male role she wanted to open this company, has a split up idea, but from a male point of view the break up also is a beginning, I feel myself that men very easily show consideration to women. This is a friend, he breaks up with, but he also watches from a distant place, how is she? Possibly he doesn't approach her, but from a distance he hopes she will find a relationship, then she can finally finish the feelings.
Host: For example in Hong Kong do you feel men and women have these kind of feelings, how do you think they treat delaying these feelings?
Ekin: Want to see who? This is very complicated inside, such as family, but now I think young people have communication, their feelings are very simple things. For example because with partner 3 months then break up. I think it is completely different from in the past. Love is very quick, it quickly starts, very quickly ends. Before finding a partner was very clear, do I like her? We want to try this out is clear, but now no need. I like her then start, not suitable, then goodbye.
Delay of marriage, there are many things unable to control
Host: In the movie you play the part of a man who is already married. What is your own attitude toward marriage?
Ekin: This decade i think marriage connections in the past were more possible, now there are so many things you can't control. For instance in the movie I get married, set up a family, spend some time at work, earn much money to return home, hope she is not too exhausting, but it is too complicated. We are able to believe we are very happy, but it is possible to bump into very many complications, so I think currently marriage may need to change. There are many reasons people get married, we are also the same, it is very difficult.
Host: Do you feel powerless to handle the start of this kind of illicit feelings, How do you handle them?
Ekin: Not deal with, take these feelings as another point of view. Foreigners really like marriage, we get married simply for love, this is how we commemorate it. My opinion is different, in the past marriage to Chinese is rigid and strict, want to find a high standard, but I think world wide for example is comparatively simple, use a different point of view to watch.
Host: Finally recommend to our net friends your new Art and Culture movie
Ekin: This is my first Art and Culture movie, to me it is a good opportunity, but I don't know if you like to watch or not. If you have the time you can try it and see. Our Hong Kong culture, besides being familiar with Young and Dangerous, also includes this movie as a further observation of Hong Kong love.
Host: Thank you Ekin
During the afternoon conference both Ekin and Karena were asked to comment on the differences between their previous collaborations and this one. Karena laughed and said that now she liked Ekin.
Ekin confessed that the movie dealt with the male- female relationships that were life in Hong Kong office.He went on to say that this movie really was Hong Kong's story, because ordinary people work from early in the morning until late at night. The work pressure is tremendous, especially now, with the current financial crisis. Also the time people spend with colleagues is comparatively greater than with their families.Bea cause the time is so long it is very easy to get caught up in feelings for a colleague. The director wants to explore whether the claustrophobic atmosphere in an office is a bad thing. He felt that slowly feelings would grow. In the movie he plays a married man and Karens's boss, but he has no choice even though the feelings take a long time to grow.
This movie is considered to be Ekin's first truly Art and Culture movie.The movie is completely dissimilar to his previous heroic and triad image. Ekin however, acknowledged that from different roles there can emerge the same appearance, it allows the director to see that he has many sides. Ekin admitted that he really would like to perform science fiction, similar to Storm Warriors comparatively stimulating. Art and Culture movies by contrast look mostly at life, but don't dare to actually display any real feelings. Ekin also expressed that one of his biggest desires was to sing China Hero and Stormriders on stage once more.
Ekin and Karena also attended the first screening of Claustrophobia in the evening at 7:45 pm in Shanghai.
This afternoon Ivy Ho joined Ekin and Karena to publicize Claustrophobia's global release next week. Ekin and Karena have already collaborated 4 times and their relationship is also very close. Karena said she had admired Ivy Ho's screen writing a long time and so there was no question about doing this movie, as the movie probes into close relationships.Ivy Ho also wrote Divergence., She is extremely adept at capturing the subtle relationships between people. Claustrophobia is a very ordinary type of movie filled with the desire to talk about the relationship but also conceal it, the feelings therefore get out of control. Ivy Ho said that she was writing about the relationships that take place on the edge inside the office environment. Both of the characters are portrayed as good people. The boss doesn't want to hurt his subordinate, but because of circumstances ends up doing just that.
This is the first time Ekin has played the part of a middle aged married white collar manager. A role very different from his more usual hero image. this role portrays an ordinary slice of life. Ekin approached it with a certain amount of trepidation as he had never filmed this kind of movie before, he explained that the pressure was tremendous, but that he did the movie because both Karena and Ivy Ho wanted him to.
Talking about his own take on illicit feelings in the work place, Ekin said that he would not let them start, the first thing is Don't let it happen I filmed this movie with a tinge of emotion. We humans easily evoke feelings, once this kind of feeling begins it is very difficult to stop and such feelings can quickly get out of control, so obviously it is much better never to let it start. Despite this, he said he had enjoyed making this movie. Although he had had a difference viewpoint originally, to Ivy Ho , they had gradually worked it out and so that she didn't continually stop filming . He said he was, eventually, given enough space to allow him to truly enter the role. He feels happy because doing this movie has allowed him to further develop his career.
Yesterday Ekin attended an Ocean Witness Campaign activity. Students created an ocean dioramas and Ekin awarded prizes to the winning students. Ekin has always promoted environmental protection of the oceans around Hong Kong. He revealed that he has an idea to release an Ocean Protection Business Directory of opportunities, however currently he is still collecting data. He hopes he can soon complete this, but he doesn't know if it can be released this year. Asked if his girlfriend would help him with this, he said that she had other work , and in fact would be going to Cambodia to visit. He believes that the most important thing is to solve the unemployment problem. He said that besides paying close attention to environmental protection he is also mindful of the current economic crisis.
Reporters wanted to talk about the fact that many losses's had been reported in the entertainment industry. Ekin said that of course every actor and private citizen will pay attention, so the most important aspect is to do good work, guard your job. Reporters asked him if he had ever been lured into taking drugs. He said that he hadn't . He went on to say that he normally lives very simply. These things are not limited to actors it is overall society, it is a different generation, people's viewpoints are different, transparency allows everyone to see more. Seems like the government is the same, however such a policy of openness has both advantages and disadvantages.
Ekin has separately collaborated with both Gillian and Cecilia before in movies. Regarding the fact that they are receiving a negative reaction , Ekin said that working with them and doing good work is the limit of his responsibility, anything further than greeting them if the opportunity arose is not reasonable. If a person receives bad press then pressure grows. Reporters asked if it was a problem of ability. Ekin said he really didn't know, when he works it is only work, he doesn't know other's private things.
