Mediacorpsingapore.com

Caldecott Queen Zoe Tay is finally going to act in a movie! Find out what the No.1 actress in Singapore has to say about her views and aspirations in her upcoming venture.

By Linda Lee

<Eastciti.com, July 22>I was taken by surprise when I answered a call from my mobile phone after lunch one lazy afternoon. The person on the line spoke slowly in a slightly husky tone and introduced herself as "Zoe…Tay from MediaCorp Studios".

What a shocker! At last, after almost a week of consistent liaising (with her artiste management personnel), constant waiting and hopes of keeping my fingers crossed, I finally received her reply again, despite her first failed attempt to contact me 2 days ago (she kindly left a voicemail message on my handphone when she could not get hold of me).

Of course, it's no secret that star has a packed schedule. Zoe plunged straight into the rehearsals for the NKF Charity Concert immediately after returning from her 'trip' to France. Now that the event is over, the busy artiste is preparing to shoot her upcoming drama serial, Shi Ji Gong Lue, with Chen Liping and Zheng Geping in August, before embarking on her movie debut, Child.Tree.

Precious few details are known about the Mandarin film, produced by Raintree Pictures, but Eastciti understands that Hongkong drama actor Wu Zhen Yu (Francis Ng) will play the male lead. Even Zoe couldn't reveal the plot to us, but says she will start shooting end of the year.

When asked about what she thinks of this opportunity to extend her acting career to a larger (read: regional) audience, she said: " I'm not expecting any extraordinary developments that may follow from the movie. I just hope to be able to face up to new challenges and get the opportunity to act with a good director or script. I'm not particularly craving for international stardom.

"Breaking into the international market is not that easy and you have to brave many difficulties and obstacles. In fact, it can be harsh and unforgiving. For instance, although Jackie Chan is quite popular in the West, he has been mercilessly criticised before for acting like a clown who prances and jumps about stupidly."

"Besides Chow Yun Fatt or Michelle Yeoh, not many Chinese stars can command the same amount and degree of respect in the West. And, we are proud of them. I would let things take its natural course. Of course, nothing is impossible and if the chance knocks at my door, I hope I'll be able to live up to it," adds the actress.

Do you think Zoe can make it as a regional actress?

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See Zoe's pictures in Celebs Bios