Local veteran actress Chen Meier is the producer, executive producer, and lead actress of the movie ‘The Key To Happiness’, which after enduring the impact of the pandemic, multiple re-edits, and post-production overhauls, has finally been officially released on the 11th of this month after taking 7 years. At the press conference on Thursday, she frankly admitted her feelings were mixed, excitedly saying: “These 7 years have not been easy. So much sweat and tears have been poured in. Now that the movie is finally released, I’m both excited and nervous.” She emphasized that although the experience was full of challenges, she felt a strong sense of warmth and humanity. “Box office results are beyond my control, so I won’t think about it. I just hope this effort shows my sincerity to the Malaysian entertainment industry.”
The film is directed by Lee Shite, starring Chen Meier, Lin Wenlong, and Lee Peiling, telling the story of Chen Meier, who plays a single mother. In order to protect her daughter (played by Lee Peiling) who was born with dark skin, she has had to bravely face the strange looks and prejudice from others for many years. Though life’s challenges and discrimination did not defeat them, they left deep emotional scars. Taking on the dual role of producer and lead actress for the first time, Chen Meier revealed that the film’s themes cover love, happiness, tears, and depression. She admitted to having experienced depression herself, and with the help of tranquilizers and the support of family and friends, she gradually emerged from her low point. Because of this, many emotionally charged scenes in the film stemmed from her real-life experiences and required no deliberate emotional preparation. She hopes the film can give strength to those facing psychological challenges.
3 Cast Members Deceased
Lee Peiling shared that when she took the movie role, she was participating in a singing competition and had successfully advanced, but ultimately chose to give up the competition and try acting instead. As it was her first acting role, she admitted to being under a lot of pressure and felt very nervous, but the patient guidance of the production team helped her grow step by step. Chen Meier praised her for “not only being able to sing but also act,” adding that every tear in the film was real, with no need for eye drops, calling her a “born actress.” In one scene where Chen Meier slaps Lee Peiling, to capture her genuine reaction, the director did not tell Lee Peiling beforehand that the slap would be real. Lee Peiling was slapped three times, resulting in her ear and face swelling, but she still gave her all to the role. She said: “I’m not a professional actress and had no idea what it would feel like to be slapped, so I just opened my eyes and gave an authentic reaction.” She recalled that she was completely immersed in the character’s emotions at the time, and only felt the pain after filming ended. Chen Meier also got too into character, banging her head and slapping the metal gate with her hand. It was only after filming that she realized her head was swollen and her hand was bleeding.
In addition, the cast list of ‘The Key To Happiness’ included three deceased actors: Zheng Jinchang, Zhuang Qunshi, and Malaysian diva Adibah Noor. Chen Meier stated that, out of respect for the deceased, the topic was not deliberately highlighted upon the film’s release, but her feelings of remembrance for them will always remain in her heart.