For great films, chemistry crucial, says Anthony Wong
HONG KONG: Still Human looks destined to be named movie of the year in Hong Kong, although it’s still two weeks to go before its official release.
Award-winning actor Anthony Wong, who is of English-Chinese parentage, figures it’s going to be a box office hit. He’s so certain of it that he had even worked on it for free.
But a down-to-earth Anthony reckons that total chemistry with all involved in the project is vital for its success.
Argued Anthony: “You can’t just read a script and know that it’s going to be good., What if the script is good but the director isn’t? What is the director is great but the editing is horrible? Even if you have a great editor, you will come across strong obstacles. You have both a wandering Mars and a wandering Pluto flying towards you. You’re going to die!”
Still Human, the debut feature of Oliver Chan, narrates the story of two very different individuals who help each other navigate through different stages of life. Anthony plays Leung Cheongwing, a paralysed man facing a mid-life crisis, while Crisel Consunji portrays Evelyn, his Filipino domestic worker who has to put her dream on hold to earn a living. Consunji is a Filipino actress. Even before its screening, the movie has won several prestigious awards, including Best New Director for Oliver Chan at the 13th Asian Film Awards, Best New Artiste for Crisel Consunji at the Hong Kong Film Directors’ Guild, and Best Actor for Anthony Wong.
Many critics and viewers who managed to catch the premiere in Hong Kong said the film moved them to tears, but Anthony said it was the story’s relatability and rationality that moved him to accept the role.
Added Anthony: “More importantly, it was their decision to cast a Filipino actress as the lead actress. A story like this should’ve been made into a movie a long time ago, but it wasn’t done until now. This director has great insight.”
Still Human was produced on a tiny budget of HK$3 million (RM1.56 million), not nearly enough to hire a two-time award winning movie star like Anthony. To ensure that the making of the film went ahead, Anthony decided to forgo a salary.
He’ll only make a bonus if the movie makes a profit.
On why the director chose him, Anthony said: “I really want to compliment Oliver. She wanted me for the role because she said I had melancholy eyes. She’s quite observant. Because of that, I’ve come to realise that I do share many similarities with my role.”
Anthony’s character became paralysed waist-down after a construction accident. He related to that because his career in mainland China has hit a long pause because of his proindependence views.
Said Anthony with a sigh: “We all know that the main market is no longer in Hong Kong, and that market wants no business with you. I consider myself halfretired.”
One particular scene in Still Human still resonates in Anthony’s mind. In it, he rants: “You talk about dreams. What dreams do I have? I am worthless.”
Commenting on it, Anthony said, “It’s true. The character is paralysed in the open, while my paralysis is hidden. I can relate to his words very much.”
For the upcoming Hong Kong Film Awards, Anthony will be contending for Best Actor, Crisel Consunji for Best Actress and Oliver Chan for Best Director.
Still Human begins screening on Apr 11.
You can’t just read a script and know that it’s going to be good. What if the script is good but the director isn’t? What is the director is great but the editing is horrible?
Anthony Wong, award-winning actor