From right: Ben Lee, Josiah Chieng, Teng, Jonathan Voon, Jake Eng, Tosh Chan, Ashley Hua and Wilson Tin with the participants
The production team and the main cast of the local movie “Lee Chong Wei: Rise of the Legend” visited the Sungai Long Campus on 30 March 2018. They shared about the movie making and production process as well as their stories along the path of pursuing their dreams.
Present at the movie sharing session were Movie Director Teng Bee, Movie Producer Josiah Chieng and Ben Lee, Senior Actor Wilson Tin as well as the newcomers Tosh Chan, Jake Eng and Ashley Hua.
Teng (second from right) sharing the filmmaking process
Teng, who is best known for his hit films like Kepong Gangster and Kepong Gangster 2, said that it was difficult to find someone who could play badminton, let alone teach them the acting skills rather than the other way around. After the screening audition, the pivotal role went to Jake Eng from Selangor and Tosh Chan from Johor Bahru, who played the older and younger version of Lee respectively. “My first choice for young Lee was not Jake. I changed my mind after seeing more photos of Lee in teens. Lee was not skinny like how he’s now, and of course, Jake’s sincerity and determination are also one of the reasons,” explained Teng, adding that he did not want to overlook any potential actors.
From left: Tosh Chan, Jake Eng and Ashley Hua
On the other hand, Jake Eng said he was disappointed when he was given another role instead of the role he wanted—as the young Lee. “The other boy looked more like Lee compared to me,” said Jake Eng. However, he did his best to come to terms with his role, despite not playing his favourite character.
Another leading actor, Tosh Chan said he almost missed the chance during the audition because he was not confident in acting. His mother told him not to give up chasing his dream and he eventually got the role after going through the last audition session. “I still remember my registration number for the audition, 523,” he said.
Josiah Chieng
Meanwhile, Josiah Chieng explained that the movie featured advanced camera works where the audience will be able to experience the fast-paced game from the viewpoint of Lee. He also explained the budget was high because of the production cost and the use of a futuristic robotic arm to film the badminton sequences in order to make the on-screen matches more realistic.
When asked about the challenges of marketing the film to overseas, Teng answered, “It could be easier than other local films because Lee was widely known as one of the top badminton players in the world.” He added that negotiations are on-going to move the film out to another country like China.
The movie sharing session then ended with an interactive Q&A session and a souvenir presentation by UTAR Sungai Long Film Club Vice Chairperson Jonathan Voon Yeong Shyang to the movie crew.
Jonathan Voon (fifth from left) presenting a token of appreciation to the movie crew, while Department of Chancellery Head Lim Swea Jen (fifth from right) and Department of Student Affairs Sungai Long Campus Head Loh Nyuk Leung (fourth from right) look on
The movie crew with the organising committee
Jonathan Voon receiving sponsored biscuit from representatives of Hwa Tai Industries Berhad (second and third from left)
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