The 2024 Taipei Film Festival screened the mysterious film “Rent-A-Family” last night (24th), starring Hong Kong Golden Award-winning actors Eric Tsang and Charmaine Sheh as a temporary family, depicting a touching story that received significant feedback from the audience. Director Wilson Lau attended a media gathering today, sharing anecdotes of his meeting with Eric Tsang and revealing the actor’s warm side behind the scenes.
During their first meeting to discuss the role, Eric Tsang closed his eyes for 15 minutes without a reaction, leading Wilson to suspect that he might have fallen asleep or was contemplating how to turn down the film. To Wilson’s surprise, Eric Tsang suddenly opened his eyes and said, “Okay, new director, I’ll help.” This paved the way for their collaboration, with Charmaine Sheh also confirmed for the project through a phone call from Eric Tsang, leaving Wilson deeply touched by their professionalism.
“Rent-A-Family” explores the concept of human relationships and the meaning of “home” through a company that offers rental family services.
Eric Tsang plays a temporary actor who loves performing, teaming up with Charmaine Sheh to deliver a humorous yet emotional portrayal of a “fake married couple.”
Wilson Lau revealed that both veteran actors were warm and approachable on set with no airs of stardom. Eric Tsang, who loves hotpot, often invited the crew to enjoy a meal together, and there was always an electric stove under the director’s monitor table for impromptu hotpot sessions.
Charmaine Sheh’s role as a caring and humorous landlady in the film mirrors her off-screen persona, resembling everyone’s mother by showing great care for the crew members. Wilson expressed, “We often ate hotpot while filming, just like a real family.”
Discussing the inspiration behind the creation, Wilson mentioned the scarcity of scenes in recent Hong Kong films showing people joyfully dining together. After discussions with friends, he found that the family atmosphere in Hong Kong has evolved over the years, prompting him to make a movie focusing on family relationships.
While researching for the script, he stumbled upon the existence of a real “Rent-A-Family” service in Japan, finding it fascinating. He also encountered individuals raised in single-parent households who longed for parental love or elderly individuals seeking the atmosphere of a full household, inspiring him to adopt this industry as the story’s central theme.
Wilson Lau expressed gratitude for the Taipei Film Festival’s invitation, allowing “Rent-A-Family” to debut before Taiwanese audiences. He hopes that after watching the film, viewers will cherish their important relationships, mend past regrets, and wishes for the film to be released in Taiwan in the future.
He also mentioned his fondness for Taiwanese romantic art films and expressed a desire to film in Taiwan someday. Additionally, he revealed his desire to collaborate with actors Chris Wang and Greg Hsu in the future, looking forward to the opportunity to work with both of them someday.