''Already Famous'' ( zh, 一泡而红) is a 2011 Singaporean
comedy film
The comedy film is a film genre that emphasizes humor. These films are designed to amuse audiences and make them laugh. Films in this genre typically have a happy ending, with dark comedy being an exception to this rule. Comedy is one of the o ...
and the feature film
directorial debut
This is a list of film directorial debuts in chronological order. The films and dates referred to are a director's first commercial cinematic release. Many filmmakers have directed works which were not commercially released, for example early work ...
of
Michelle Chong
Michelle Chong (born 22 April 1977) is a Singaporean actress, comedian, host, filmmaker, digital content producer and businesswoman. She left Mediacorp in 2011 to set up the media agency Left Profile and production house Huat Films. To date, ...
, who also starred in the film alongside Taiwanese idol
Alien Huang
Alien Huang (28 November 1983 – 16 September 2020), also known as Xiao Gui (Little Ghost), was a Taiwanese singer, actor, television presenter, illustrator and fashion designer.
He was a member of Japanese TV Asahi's disbanded boy band HC ...
.
The movie was released on 1 December 2011 in
Singapore
Singapore, officially the Republic of Singapore, is an island country and city-state in Southeast Asia. The country's territory comprises one main island, 63 satellite islands and islets, and one outlying islet. It is about one degree ...
and was selected as the Singaporean entry for the
Best Foreign Language Oscar at the 85th Academy Awards 2013.
''Already Famous'' was well received in Singapore, where it grossed
S$1.04 million and viewer demand for the film grew so high that movie theaters had to double the number of screens showing the film.
Plot
Ah Kiao (
Michelle Chong
Michelle Chong (born 22 April 1977) is a Singaporean actress, comedian, host, filmmaker, digital content producer and businesswoman. She left Mediacorp in 2011 to set up the media agency Left Profile and production house Huat Films. To date, ...
) is a young village woman from
Yong Peng,
Malaysia
Malaysia is a country in Southeast Asia. Featuring the Tanjung Piai, southernmost point of continental Eurasia, it is a federation, federal constitutional monarchy consisting of States and federal territories of Malaysia, 13 states and thre ...
, who spends much of her time dreaming about becoming a famous actor like the ones she sees in her beloved
soap operas
A soap opera (also called a daytime drama or soap) is a genre of a long-running radio or television serial, frequently characterized by melodrama, ensemble casts, and sentimentality. The term ''soap opera'' originated from radio dramas original ...
, much to the chagrin of her family. Despite her family's disapproval, she travels to Singapore to chase her dream and ends up taking on a job as a
salesgirl to make ends meet while auditioning. During her stay, Ah Kiao meets a handsome coffee shop worker (
Alien Huang
Alien Huang (28 November 1983 – 16 September 2020), also known as Xiao Gui (Little Ghost), was a Taiwanese singer, actor, television presenter, illustrator and fashion designer.
He was a member of Japanese TV Asahi's disbanded boy band HC ...
), which threatens to distract her from her dream.
Cast
*
Michelle Chong
Michelle Chong (born 22 April 1977) is a Singaporean actress, comedian, host, filmmaker, digital content producer and businesswoman. She left Mediacorp in 2011 to set up the media agency Left Profile and production house Huat Films. To date, ...
as Ah Kiao
*
Alien Huang
Alien Huang (28 November 1983 – 16 September 2020), also known as Xiao Gui (Little Ghost), was a Taiwanese singer, actor, television presenter, illustrator and fashion designer.
He was a member of Japanese TV Asahi's disbanded boy band HC ...
as Christopher / Ah Seng
*
Chua Enlai as Vaness
* David Gan as Celebrity hair stylist
* Sherry Lim as Hair salon receptionist
*
Patricia Mok
Patricia Mok Siu Leng (born 17 October 1971) is a Singaporean comedian, host and actress, best known for her comedic roles on ''Comedy Night'' during her stint as a JTeam artist until 2012. She was a full-time Mediacorp
Mediacorp Pte. Ltd. ...
as Modeling agency booker
* Ernest Seah as Earness
* Hee Ker Ru as Little Ah Kiao
* Hao Jun Cai as Little Ah Kiao's Brother
* Wilson Ng as Ah Kiao Father
* Meng Chue Lok as Kiao's Grandmother
*
Irene Ang
Irene Ang (born 1 September 1968) is a Singaporean actress, comedian, host and entrepreneur, best known for portraying Rosie Phua on the Singaporean sitcom '' Phua Chu Kang Pte Ltd'', as well as on the Malaysian sequel sitcom '' Phua Chu Kang ...
Reception
''
The Hollywood Reporter
''The Hollywood Reporter'' (''THR'') is an American digital and print magazine which focuses on the Cinema of the United States, Hollywood film industry, film, television, and entertainment industries. It was founded in 1930 as a daily trade pap ...
'' gave ''Already Famous'' a mixed review, writing "This lightweight film drags on for two hours, when 90 minutes would have been just about right. Still, the likable cast and knowing touches keep us watching right up until the end credits, which feature the same kind of outrageous out-takes that end many American comedies." ''
Variety
Variety may refer to:
Arts and entertainment Entertainment formats
* Variety (radio)
* Variety show, in theater and television
Films
* ''Variety'' (1925 film), a German silent film directed by Ewald Andre Dupont
* ''Variety'' (1935 film), ...
'' was more positive in their review, where they called it "A cheery hoot that pokes fun at showbiz pomposity even as it affirms its protag's impervious optimism."
See also
*
*
List of Singaporean submissions for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film
References
External links
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Already Famous
2011 films
2011 comedy films
Chinese-language films
Singaporean comedy films
2011 directorial debut films