Hong Kong actors Joel Chan, Oscar Leung, Bob Lam and Christine Ng were in Malaysia recently to promote their Chinese New Year film Mama, Not Again!.
On Feb 9, the four stars – joined by local actor Daniel Fong and director Teddy Chin – drew a sizeable crowd at their fan meet at Pavilion Kuala Lumpur.
Earlier that day, all six were at Dadi Cinema for a press conference, sharing behind-the-scenes stories and their hopes for the film – shot in various locations across Malaysia.
Despite the gruelling schedule and modest budget, Chan, 49, found the project to be very memorable.
“It was such a happy shoot,” he said, before continuing, “We were laughing almost every day... That was probably the most meaningful part of making this movie.”
Fully committing to the role, the 46-year-old comedian went all out in drag, wearing a series of bold outfits and adopting larger-than-life personas – each more exaggerated than the last.
“My main role on set was to bring the vibes,” he said with a grin.
To this, Leung, 46, quipped: “His performance really is Best Actor-worthy!”
Non-stop laughter
Helmed by Chin, 40, Mama, Not Again! follows three brothers who are sent away by their mother Mei Hua (Ng) after their father dies.
Years later, the two older brothers Zhi Yong (Chan) and Wei Hao (Lam) reunite as adults, while their youngest brother remains missing after being placed in foster care.
A chance encounter introduces them to Bao Zai (Leung), a gangster who becomes their unofficial “brother”.
For Ng, 56, the biggest challenge wasn’t playing a woman in love with a younger man but portraying the on-screen mother of Chan and Lam.
“They’re both around the same age as me, so it’s hilarious.
“With their exaggerated looks in the film, it was so hard for me to keep a straight face.
“Even when I had my lines memorised perfectly, I’d burst out laughing the moment I saw them on set,” she said, adding that this was the most entertaining film she has made in recent years.
As for Fong, who joined showbiz in 2017, delivering his lines in Cantonese for his big screen debut proved the toughest challenge.
Although the 32-year-old initially doubted his acting abilities, the support from his co-stars and the production team gradually helped him gain confidence.
“I feel very honoured to work alongside many established Hong Kong actors. I learned a lot from them,” he said.
The movie also marks a milestone for Leung, who makes his debut as a screenwriter after 27 years in the industry.
The former TVB star said he went all in on the project, believing it to be a genuinely meaningful story for the festive season.
“It may not be a big budget production, but we made it with sincerity... We hope audiences will feel our genuine efforts through this story,” he said.
When asked about his expectations for the film, Chan – who even invested part of his own salary into the project – admitted he felt both pressure and nerves.
“A CNY movie is a big deal in Malaysia. We really put our hearts into this film and included many local Malaysian elements, so I hope audiences will enjoy it,” he said.
Meanwhile, Lam emphasised that the team isn’t focused on box office rankings, but on creating a film that leaves viewers satisfied.
“This production was completed on a very tight budget... Even reaching the top three is good.
“Over the past few days of promotions, I’ve received many comments from audiences saying they laughed a lot watching the film,” he said.
While he isn’t overly concerned about box office earnings, Lam joked that if the film becomes a hit, he would don the bunny girl costume from the movie and run laps around Pavilion KL as a thank-you.
“I will even drag Joel and Oscar along for this!” he exclaimed, drawing laughter from the crowd.
Mama, Not Again! is showing at cinemas nationwide.
