[2002.10.18] CATHERINE CHAU, GLADYS LI SAY THE DIRECTOR IS A MONSTER AT HEART

Gladys Li and Catherine Chau remember that the set is always full of cheer
courtesy of singtao.com

When nine women get together, you could imagine how "cheerful" it would be. Catherine Chau Ka Yi and Gladys Li Ching Kwan earlier worked together on the new film LIFE MUST GO ON (SUM SIU SIM BEI KAU). They said that in the film the 9 actresses had a lot of fun on the set, but Ekin was very afraid to see them on the set. Chau Ka Yi said that once everyone saw Ekin and screamed "very handsome" an octave higher, scaring him into turning around and running.

The new director Ying Chi Wan written and directed film LIFE MUST GO ON asked Dior Cheng Yi Kin and Catherine Chau Ka Yi to lead 8 young actors Gladys Li Ching Kwan, Isabella Chan Hoi Ning, Chung Suet Ying, Cloud Wan Ho Ying, Feanna Wong Suk Man, Viann Li Yu Tsun, Ocean Wong Yee and Sany Song Ka Yi to create a hot blooded warm comedy. Chau Ka Yi and Li Ching Kwan earlier said that the joyous atmosphere during the shoot with a group of girls was unforgettable, even Ekin was afraid of them. Li Ching Kwan joked that as soon as everyone saw Ekin they would all praised how handsome he was. Ka Yi said, "I could chime in, once Ekin wore a white tennis shirt and really looked great. Originally everyone's response on screen was neglect, but they all screamed octaves higher as soon as they saw him. Ekin was so scared he turned down and ran!" Working with Ekin for the first time, Li Ching Kwan had nothing but praise for him. She admitted that she had a bias against handsome guys, thinking that they certainly would have idol baggage and be troublesome. However Ekin did not at all. "He was friendly, had his feet firmly on the ground and humbly. During the shoot if I wasn't in the shot, I would inevitably slack off a little. However Ekin would still act fully, which reminded me to do even better myself."

Speaking of the film's subject of dodge ball, one of the team members in the film Li Ching Kwan revealed that before the shoot she accepted a month of hellish training. "We practiced three times a week, really practiced until both arms were all bruised. Luckily in the film we didn't play very well. Although it was very tiring, the more we played the more determined we became. The best was that we had free training from the Hong Kong team. When everyone finally were able to very neatly step, spin, back and kneel, and I was able to catch the ball, the feeling was truly happy and satisfying." She also mentioned that the second match in the film was the most memorable. The only one remaining was Wong Yee who played So Sad. The other team cheated to attach her. Everyone's emotions were completely deep into the character. "Wong Yee was like the character, the one that everyone protected the most. The director was such a jerk, really wanted to force her to cry. He actually uncovered her scar in front of everyone and told something that no one knew before. It made her cry very hard. As soon as the cameras were cut we all rushed up, hug her and cried together!" Ka Yi pointed out that the director hence had the nickname of the "human face monster heart Ying Chi Wan". Playing the social worker, Ka Yi although did not get to play saw the girls from being completely ignorant about dodgeball to witness them being able to neatly step, spin, back and kneel. She was deeply touched and sighed that they finally succeeded. "No camera caught me in that scene, I only watched from the side. However when I saw them able to do it, I really was very moved. The film itself is a real story. At the time I really felt that social worker's emotions, led a group of young people who knew nothing about dodgeball, slowly trained them so they would positive face it. It truly was very meaningful."