It was almost 13 years ago, in 2005’s Everlasting Regret that auteur Stanley Kwan last worked with superstar
Sammi Cheng and it seems most apt that they would choose to work together again
to mark what might be considered a triumphant comeback in 2018’s First Night Nerves. The connection and mutual
respect between them was already palpable in the many published interviews and events
leading up to their in person appearance at the film’s Southeast Asian Premiere
in the recent Singapore International Film Festival in December
2018.
While their presence certainly brought a significant amount
of star power to the local film festival, it was actually in their openness and
interviews that the public got a glimpse into a world beyond the silver screen.
In the movie, leading a cast of eight women, Sammi plays
Yuan Xiuling, a theatre star past her prime, who takes the opportunity for a return
to the spotlight following the death of her philandering husband. Behind the
scenes drama takes centre stage as the role of her co-lead is given to her biggest
rival, He Yuwen played by Gigi Leung. The film also stars Bai Baihe, Angie Chiu, Qi Xi,
Catherine Chau, Kiki Sheung and Kwok Leung Kam.
SINdie managed to capture a few precious moments with Sammi
both in her public appearance during an
In Conversation question and answer session, as well as in a more private
press interview where she began by expressing how honoured she was to be on
this important mission to be in Singapore to present First Night Nerves.
Sammi shared how she personally felt the movie journeyed with
the two rivals – how they overcome and release the past to finally find the
means to let go and forgive each other to be able to move forward.
Displaying complete mastery, Sammi answered a barrage of
questions with a mix of professionalism and approachableness that truly
demonstrated her years of experience in the entertainment industry. It was
almost easy to forget that here lies in the flesh a true superstar with
countless acting and singing accolades.
She shared with openness on her fight with depression, not
shying away from the topic at all – instead she gave it the appropriate relevance
before moving on revealing the motivation for her return and for being in the
industry for so long, which is passion. How she enjoys performing and exploring
on stage or in film, of working without setting any limits or boundaries.
It was like watching a performer grow as Sammi shared too
about how she felt a very big difference between acting in First Night Nerves as compared to when she worked on Everlasting Regret with Stanley. Looking
back, she felt that perhaps she approached her earlier role with an unstable
state of mind while for this new collaboration, she instead felt ready, healed
and confident to handle the role.
Tapping on the recent focus on strong female characters in
the news, she acknowledged how it was indeed rare to have films focused on
women in the first place hence grabbed at this opportunity and this script. She
even went so far as to joke that audiences have yet to throw eggs at her at
recent film festival screenings hence felt that the film must be doing ok – her
satisfaction being happy that there had been reviews that saw the character’s
many dimensions through her acting.
It was almost cathartic when Sammi revealed she felt her
biggest asset currently would be inner peace. Crediting her husband (HK singer
actor Andy Hui) as her pillar of strength, she now feels a better sense of work
live balance and can enjoy the happiness that stability and family life has
brought her.
In a flash the interview was over and her team indicated
that it was time for Sammi to move on to her next round of public engagements. As
even jaded journalists excitedly lined up for a quick picture with a very
obliging Sammi, one of her earlier answers come to mind - when she shared how
she liked the subtlety that her character portrays in relationships and
conflicts. In answering she remarked about its similarity to life where events
may not be obvious but yet can be felt in the air. How these moments touch then
go. Likewise it was my experience speaking to her, that I was just touched by a
superstar’s presence then gone.
Trailer - First Night Nerves by Stanley Kwan
Plans look to be in place for First Night Nerves to be on general public release in Singapore in April 2019
Interview by Ivan Choong (pictured with Sammi Cheng)