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Celebratory movies have become a common sight during Lunar New Year This year, we have Hong Kong's renowned comedian Sandra Ng and Raymond Wong working together once again, in "All's Well Ends Well 2009". Although it has been a 12 years gap, since their last collaboration, the duo still portrays good chemistry in bringing laughter to the audiences through their act.
Q: Hello and Happy Lunar New Year in advance to all of you (Sandra, Raymond and Vincent Kok). You guys had just experienced the South-East Asia's culture of yusheng tossing, so is there something like that in Hong Kong too?
Sandra: Yes, it's catching on in some places in Hong Kong, and I'm very fond of the practice personally.
Q: You guys were pretty earnests in tossing the yusheng, are there other forms of similar celebrations in Hong Kong?
Raymond: Watching movies! Watching comedies!
Q: Be it yusheng tossing or watching your movies, I guess the whole idea is to catch on with the celebratory atmosphere.
The Trio: Right on.
Q: Director, this latest sequel makes the 3rd installment for "All's Well Ends Well", why is it that there's a gap of 12 years before this latest movie is made?
Vincent: You've asked the right man. "Boss" Raymond will answer your question.
Q: Indeed, it's been awhile, Raymond. So what have you been up to? Started your own business?
Sandra: Let me answer that for you, alright? He made a fortune out of the first installment, took him five years between 1992 to 1997 to spend all of it. Then in 1997, he made even more, so he took 12 years to spend all of it.
Q: So when will the next movie be?
Sandra: You will have to wait till 2046.
Q: So what has Raymond been up to all these years, seriously?
Raymond: I've been busy with film production. Recently there were action films including "Seven Swords", "Dragon Tiger Gate" and the most current "Ip Man".
Q: There's been quite a bit of change for everyone over these years; Raymond became a boss, and Sandra has become a mother. It's obvious how blessed Sandra is. So how old is the baby and how is she doing?
Sandra: She's fine. Turning three soon.
Q: The movie had me feeling sorry for you (Sandra), as it is obvious that you are a pretty woman, but to play the part in the movie; you had to "act like a clown".
Sandra: Being a comedian requires one to act like a clown. If I were to go for the league of beauties, I would starve to death very quickly.
VIncent: You would have been dead already.
Sandra: Yup, dead, as good as Sandra Ng (the actress) is no more.
Raymond: Every year, many beautiful ladies emerge from all sorts of competition. A female comedian however, is much harder to come by.
Sandra: That is why, since I was young, I had assessed and understood the tough competition and choose this path.
Vincent: It's quite strange actually; the Chinese society seems to see comedians as a lower class of actors. Hollywood however, is filled with award winners who wish to give comedy a try. They find that being able to make the audiences laugh is a great honor. And that's why I find Sandra to be an honorable comedian.
Sandra: Not a bit of regret, I earn so much! To be honest, it's really hard to be modest. I find being a comedian very enjoyable. There are no regrets because I find entertaining others to be a great service.
Q: What's the happiest thing that happened in recent years for you?
Sandra: Of course it's my baby! I think it's perfect now. One of the things women wish for since childhood is to have a family of their own, and I can safely say that I have that. I do hope that this will last, with my efforts.
Q: I guess we can look forward to more good works from you.
Sandra: I do hope so, as the comedy genre hasn't been doing too well in recent years. Hopefully, these bosses and directors (gesturing to Raymond and Vincent) could create the next peak in movie making for the genre.
Q: Raymond, will you support (financially), since you are the boss?
Sandra (jokingly): He would, he has already signed me up for more than ten movies. Production will last all the way until 2046.
Raymond (laughs): After being busy with action films and yielding results these years, it's time to go back to what I'm good at, that's comedy. Comedy is our forte; hopefully audiences will be able to enjoy our performances. Being happy makes you younger, look how young we are!
Sandra: It's a tough job to be a comedian or a director for comedy; you have to keep wondering if the idea is funny? Will people laugh? When and where will they laugh?
Vincent: It's at least half a year in advance that we started pondering if the materials would be funny; quite an intriguing affair.
Q: Both director and actors, really put in a lot to present such a good comedy. We also saw a lot of Mainland China artistes in the movie. Is the director trying to find an appropriate marketing position, with the balance of Mainland and Hong Kong artistes?
Vincent: This is the reality, as we want our film to be shown in Mainland, the collaboration has to include some quality Mainland artistes. But the artistes are chosen based on the roles. Taking the best from both Mainland and Hong Kong, we create a healthy competition. This also helps attract Chinese speaking audience to catch the movie.
"All's Well Ends Well 2009" is now in theatres.
