The first English short film produced by New Century Films, “Ms. Not So Right,” premiered on Gan Jing World on the evening of Chinese Valentine’s Day, Aug. 10. Its unique humorous style received praise from viewers, who found it refreshingly original.
In the story, the main character, Sean, has grown up in a single-parent home and is eager to find his true love. However, he gets caught up in a series of unexpected and amusing situations.
Lead actor Scott Xu said: “My artistic journey began with dance, which for over five years allowed me to express myself through movement. Over time, I also started exploring other art forms. … Through participating in various film projects, I began to explore [a] new artistic domain—film, a unique and powerful medium for expressing emotions and telling stories. Being part of this film made me realize that I still have much to learn; the process of shaping a character has led me to think about how subtle changes can convey the nuances of human interaction and emotion.”
Through this film, he hopes to convey to the audience that “in today’s society, it’s not just about finding your other half. In reality, it’s also challenging to find people with the kind of upright character depicted in the film. I hope viewers will reflect on these challenges and be inspired to become better individuals in their interactions with others.”
The film has several new talents who have garnered attention for their performances. Some audience members commented: “The male lead was very handsome,” “I really like the British actress, her performance was spot-on,” and “The English short film was fantastic; the actors did a great job, and it ended too soon—I wanted more.”
Another lead actress, Grace Mo, has been playing violin since she was young. She frequently participated in musical theater performances during her school years, which sparked her early interest in acting.
“I believe acting is an effective medium for evoking emotions. My music training has been helpful, though emotional expression in instrumental music can be more subtle, while acting is more direct and outward. However, my background in music gave me a good foundation in the rhythm and dynamics of performance. In portraying Chloe, a materialistic woman in the film, I found myself trying to put myself in every character’s shoes and trying to really feel their emotions as if they were real people. After all, archetypes are based on real life,” she said.
Mo also found inspiration through this experience and believes the film can positively influence young people’s views on love. “When finding a partner, everyone has different ideals which they’re looking for, but I want people to remember that, while these ideals hold significance, to not forget that at the end of the day, the person’s character is most important because this is the person you’re choosing to spend time with for, hopefully, the rest of your life,” she said.
Lin Sirui, who plays Brooke in the film, shared how much she benefited from the acting process and was moved by the filming atmosphere. “The character I portray reflects a certain group of people in society. In relationships and marriage, it’s not uncommon to encounter individuals who overly pursue material wealth. The film conveys a simple yet profound message: the importance of kindness. The value of kindness is not only what the male lead seeks in the story but also what society needs,” she said.
This sentiment was also echoed by many viewers who found valuable insights in the film. The film’s fresh and humorous style, while reflecting reality, resonated with the audience. One viewer said: “Such an interesting short film! Unreliable girls are a dime a dozen in real life, but the third girl is truly a rare gem in today’s society. I hope we see more of such girls.”
Another viewer said: “The film is cleverly conceived, with excellent performances and deep meaning despite its brevity. It’s another great work from New Century Films. Thank you! We hope to see more exceptional works that explore and inspire the goodness in people’s hearts.”
‘Ms. Not So Right’ can be viewed at GangjinWorld.com
By Nia Yan