''Already Famous'' (Chinese:''一泡而红'': ''Yi Pao Er Hong'') is a 2011 Singaporean
comedy film
A comedy film is a category of film which emphasizes humor. These films are designed to make the audience laugh through amusement. Films in this style traditionally have a happy ending ( black comedy being an exception). 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 film makers have directed works which were not commercially released, for example early work ...
of
Michelle Chong, who also starred in the film alongside Taiwanese idol
Alien Huang
Alien Huang (; 28 November 1983 – 15 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 ...
.
The movie was released on 1 December 2011 in
Singapore
Singapore (), officially the Republic of Singapore, is a sovereign island country and city-state in maritime Southeast Asia. It lies about one degree of latitude () north of the equator, off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, borde ...
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) is a young village woman from
Yong Peng,
Malaysia
Malaysia ( ; ) is a country in Southeast Asia. The federation, federal constitutional monarchy consists of States and federal territories of Malaysia, thirteen states and three federal territories, separated by the South China Sea into two r ...
, 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, or ''soap'' for short, is a typically long-running radio or television serial, frequently characterized by melodrama, ensemble casts, and sentimentality. The term "soap opera" originated from radio dramas originally being sponsored ...
, 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
Sales are activities related to selling or the number of goods sold in a given targeted time period. The delivery of a service for a cost is also considered a sale.
The seller, or the provider of the goods or services, completes a sale in r ...
to make ends meet while auditioning. During her stay, Ah Kiao meets a handsome coffee shop worker (
Alien Huang
Alien Huang (; 28 November 1983 – 15 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 ...
), which threatens to distract her from her dream.
Cast
*
Michelle Chong as Ah Kiao
*
Alien Huang
Alien Huang (; 28 November 1983 – 15 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 ...
as Christopher / Ah Seng
*
Chua En Lai
Chua En Lai (born 25 November 1979) is a Singaporean actor, comedian and host, best known for his work on the Mediacorp Channel 5 sitcom '' The Noose''. He left Mediacorp due to his contract expiry.
Early life
Chua was born in Singapore and ...
as Vaness
* David Gan as Celebrity hair stylist
* Sherry Lim as Hair salon receptionist
*
Patricia Mok 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
Reception
''
The Hollywood Reporter
''The Hollywood Reporter'' (''THR'') is an American digital and print magazine which focuses on the Hollywood film, television, and entertainment industries. It was founded in 1930 as a daily trade paper, and in 2010 switched to a weekly large ...
'' 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'' 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 submissions to the 85th Academy Awards for Best Foreign Language Film
*
References
External links
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Already Famous
2011 films
2011 comedy films
Chinese-language films
Singaporean comedy films