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Edmund Lee

48 HOURS: Let's start with the really important question: are you married to Andy Hui?
SAMMI CHENG:  Whoa, this question. [Switches to Putonghua] Let us discuss this in private … [Back to Cantonese] The truth is that we haven't officially registered our marriage yet. We haven't gone through our wedding ceremony and the other procedures yet.
When I was researching for this interview, I realised that none of the entertainment press seem to be sure if are married or not.
That's right.
Your upcoming film,  Temporary Family [which opens on August 21], is about finding a home. What are your thoughts on the story?
One of its most important messages is about how Hongkongers are all passionate about buying a flat. They equate having a flat to having a cosy family. But this story reminds us that it's the love among people that constitutes the essence of home. Don't let property overwhelm your life.
Tell us about the character you play?
She has an air of self-assurance about her — typified by her seven-inch high heel shoes — but she's actually quite empty inside. She's lost herself just to hold on to her husband. I guess there are many women in real life who are like this — falling hopelessly in love with someone who doesn't love them in return. But finally, it's a happy ending where she finds her true love.
And that true love is [lead actor] Nick Cheung. How different does it feel to partner with him instead of the usual suspects, such as Andy Lau or Louis Koo?
I don't really compare them because every project is a new beginning. With Cheung, I've discovered our possibilities outside comedy — there are many dramatic scenes in this film and we discovered that we could also work well together with a serious script. I really look forward to working with him on a serious project some day — and I hope he does, too.
You mentioned your character's shoes …
Her love for luxury shoes is common these days. It's not just about an interest in style, but also an inferiority that these women feel inside. They may think that they're short or unattractive. The seven-inch heel has its symbolic value here.
That's just the type of subject [Temporary Family writer-director] Cheuk Wan-chi likes to address.
Really?   Well, that's just my understanding of the character.
Did you see Cheuk's directorial debut?
You mean  Kick Ass Girls [2013]? No, I haven't watched it yet.
What do you think about her as a director now that you've worked together?
I think she's a very creative person. Her advantage as a director is that she can write her own script and she actually has messages to convey. As I told her on the day we wrapped, her deficiencies as a novice director may well become the areas in which she can show the greatest improvement.
How do you feel about the current balance between the film and music parts of your career?
I have no intention to shift my focus to one or the other. I do have to plan things ahead for my music — I'm going to have a concert series [bridging 2014 and 2015] and plan to release an album of new and old songs. But I don't plan my film jobs. I take up projects whenever I come across challenging ones that fit my schedule. I'd like to make improvement as an actress, but I wouldn't say I'm an ambitious one.
You have been quoted as saying that you wanted to win acting awards because you saw them as recognition of your ability.
That must have been many years ago.
I just thought that maybe you've become accustomed to receiving awards as a singer.
Having been nominated 10 times or so without ever winning, I give a very low priority to acting awards these days. I refuse to let them affect my confidence. I can now keep calm in my pursuit as an actress. I'm not going to talk about awards any more.   I feel silly that I said those words in the past.
 


The Inquisition: Sammi Cheng

Magazines

48 Hours

The Canto-pop superstar updates us on her relationship status, her new comedy film and her next career move


The Canto-pop superstar updates us on her relationship status, her new comedy film and her next career move.
