Thursday February 24, 2011
Trials and tribulations
By SETO KIT YAN
skyseto@thestar.com.my
Sibling rivalry sows the seeds of discontent.
NOT content with capturing audiences through exciting plots and tumultuous relationships, Ntv7’s latest Mandarin series The Seeds Of Life boasts of breathtaking cinematography of vast green fields and clear blue seas.
Set in rustic Sekinchan, which is well known as the “Village Of Fish And Rice” and the “Rice Bowl Of Selangor”, the 30-episode drama showcases verdant paddy fields and a thriving fishing industry.
‘I was lucky since my scenes were mostly shot indoors and I got to sit in an air-conditioned office,’ says Shaun Chen on filming in Sekinchan. The Seeds Of Life dwells on the simplicity of life in a small town where the townsfolk’s main source of income comes from paddy fields and the sea.
The series was shot in four months from last August and its cast comprises Malaysian actors Melvin Sia, Ken Tan, Mers Sheng, Angie Seow, Ng Yan Yee, Kay Siow Wai, Shaun Chen and Singaporean actress Eelyn Kok.
The story tells of two brothers whose father owns a rice mill. Luo Shi Chong and his younger brother Shi Jie are as different as can be. While Shi Chong is self-centred, Shi Jie is more concerned about the welfare of the villagers.
Shi Chong is spoilt by his mother but Shi Jie is favoured by his father. This creates some tension in the family with Shi Chong always trying to win his father’s affections. Unfortunately, he ends up getting into trouble and makes his friend Su Xiao Wen a scapegoat.
The Singapore-based Malaysian actor Chen, 33, portrays Shi Chong whose eagerness to outdo his brother gets him into one scrape after another.
“My character keeps trying to fight for projects hoping to win his father’s respect and trust.
“Filming in Sekinchan had been a wonderful experience and we had a beautiful backdrop and an enjoyable kampung feel. I was lucky since my scenes were mostly shot indoors and I got to sit in an air-conditioned office.
“Melvin, however, had it rough as he had to be in the field under the hot sun most of the time.
Stay focused: ‘They (young people) should realise that it does not pay to take shortcuts to achieve certain goals,’ says Angie Seow. “The Seeds Of Life is my third series filmed in Malaysia, after The Beginning and Fallen Angel, so I hope for more varied roles in the future,” said Chen.
The dashing actor, who received a best actor nomination at Singapore’s Star Awards this year for his portrayal of an abusive young man whose mother was convicted for killing his father in Your Hand In Mine, said he was happy with the recognition.
Based in Singapore since 2002, Chen tied the knot with fellow Mediacorp artiste Michelle Chia in 2009 after a six-year courtship.
The model-turned-actor from Pertang, Jelebu, in Negri Sembilan, also has his own eyewear business in Singapore.
KL-born Seow said she was initially not keen to play the scheming Su Xiao Wen as she was wary of being typecast in negative roles.
“My character keeps saying that she wants to leave for the bright lights of KL and that she hates Sekinchan for being a backward place. I’m worried viewers might not take kindly to that,” said Seow, 21, adding that she loves Sekinchan, especially for its delicious seafood.
“Although I’ve played other roles in series like Pasar and Goodnight DJ, people seem to remember me only in negative roles like the one in The Iron Lady in which I play the cunning and headstrong daughter of the title character.
“Fortunately, Xiao Wen eventually realises her folly. I hope that what she went through will be a lesson to young people who are seeking a glamorous life. They should realise that it does not pay to take shortcuts to achieve certain goals.”
The cast of The Seeds Of Life: (from left, front row) Angie Seow, Eelyn Kok, Kay Siow Wai, Ng Yan Yee, (back row) Mers Sheng, Melvin Sia, Ken Tan and Shaun Chen. Winner of 8TV’s I Wanna Be A Model (Season 2), the sweet college student is keen to major in accounting. Determined to focus on her examinations in June, Seow lamented that she is unable to accept any acting jobs for now.
The main characters
> Melvin Sia (plays Luo Shi Jie): A down-to-earth and responsible young man who helps with his family’s rice mill business and carries out agricultural research to boost the income of farmers in his village.
> Shaun Chen (Shi Chong): An arrogant and ambitious young man who is envious of his brother and constantly takes on challenges that he cannot handle.
> Eelyn Kok (Su Xiao Yu): A tomboyish girl who makes personal sacrifices so that her sister Xiao Wen can further her studies.
> Ng Yan Yee (Li Mei Fen): She is an independent and feisty young woman who is always at odds with her father.
> Ken Tan (Pan De Jun): An attention-seeking young man who loves to show off and often rubs people the wrong way.
> Mers Sheng (Xie Zheng Shun): A warm-hearted but unambitious young man who hopes to marry Xiao Yu and settle down to a quiet life.
> Angie Seow (Su Xiao Wen): A wilful and materialistic small-town lass who is drawn to the bright lights of the city and aspires to marry a rich man.
> Kay Siow Wai (Xie Yan Qi): A polio-stricken girl who maintains a bright outlook on life.
The Seeds Of Life premieres on Ntv7 today at 10pm. It airs every Monday to Thursday at 10pm. For details and updates, visit www.ntv7.com.my or tonton.com.my.
RSS
