Penang Director Ryon Lee Releases His First Chinese New Year Film

Horror film screenwriter-turned-director Ryon Lee returns to the local movie scene with his second film “My Papa Rich” after making a huge comeback in January.

After his first film of the year "The Dream Boyz," a coming-of-age teen movie, became a huge it upon its release on Jan. 12, the Penang-born director has released yet another box-office hit during the Chinese Lunar New Year.

"My Papa Rich" narrates the life of Yang, portrayed by Wang Lei, who was abandoned by his three children and wishes to reunite with them upon the onset of the Chinese New Year.

With the help of his generous wealthy friend Lin, played by Jack Neo, his wish came true. Lin makes Yang a millionaire for a month.

This news attracts Yang's children, who are portrayed by stars Rosa Chong, Teddy Chin and Mindee Ong, and makes them return to their father's home to probe on his sudden good fortune.

According to Lee, 90 percent of the film was shot in Penang, his hometown, to showcase over 30 magnificent locations that he is proud to have grown up in.

"I wanted to show everybody how picturesque Penang is by filming its most beautiful sites," he stated, adding that he also chose to add getai veteran Wang and Singapore hit-maker Neo to the project in order to lend more clout to the film.

Meanwhile, the actors lauded how Lee handled the shoot with Neo, even expressing his surprise at how good-natured the director was during the shoot.

"It is normal to hear raised voices when there is tension during a shoot, but that never happens with Lee. Also, I learnt how he manages to wrap a shoot with just one or two takes," he stated.

Wang also said that it was his dream to work with the horror film "Seventh" director and how he adored the location where they shot most of the movie.

"I fell in love with Penang. The people there speak Hokkien, too, although some terms can be different from those we are used to in Singapore so we end up making jokes half the time," he stated.