4 Mar – With more than a dozen movies under his belt, veteran Singaporean writer-filmmaker Jack Neo releases new comedy "Being Human Being" in Singapore today. Starring in the lead is 41-year-old comedian Mark Lee who, known for his ah beng roles, interestingly strips away his stereotypical onscreen image by playing an unscrupulous slimming centre owner, dressed in a business attire with hair coolly slicked back. "I used so much gel that if a fly few in, it would not be able to get out!" he joked during a press conference held recently. After nearly two decades of working together, Neo wanted Lee to step out of his comfort zone and progress to something different, abandoning his usual brand of comedy. "We just didn't want to do 'ah beng drama' anymore," said Neo.
This Mandarin-language comedy also casts television host Jeremy Chan, Taiwanese TV host NoNo, Tay Ying Ying, Ng Hui and features an appearance by up-and-coming artiste Mei Xin. Neo has also reassured that this film isn't a breakaway from his usual humour approach. "It's not a solemn or serious movie. It's a relaxed comedy. I will be equally uncomfortable if my movie isn't presented this way. The most important thing is if my movies are entertaining," he promised. "Being Human Being" which is now playing in Singapore, touches on the unethical practices of the slimming industry. Lee plays a slimming centre owner whose dishonest business methods lead to a chain of consequences, notably the fact that he and his wife (played by Yeo Yann Yann) are unable to conceive a child. Distributed by Grand Brilliance, the film is set to screen in Malaysia on 8 April 2010.