Yvonne Lim Was So Nervous About The Public Seeing Her Award-Winning Short Film, She Booked The Wrong Hotel Dates For Her Trip Back To Singapore

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It is minutes before the screening of Mediacorp actress Yvonne Lim’s directorial debut short film Hope and she is obviously nervous.

Even before we sat down for a chat, Yvonne had already shared with this writer that she hasn’t been eating well due to her nerves. She also questions if anyone at the screening would like the short film, saying that before today (Nov 21), only a handful of people have seen it.

In fact, the nerves got to the Taiwan-based actress so badly she booked the wrong dates for her hotel stay here, revealing that the mistake cost her about S$1,400.

“Instead of November, I keyed in the dates for January and only found out when I arrived in Singapore and had to rebook everything as I chose to be cheap and chose a ‘non-refundable option,” she sheepishly said.

We wonder why though? This is a woman who should have a cupboard filled with her Star Awards trophies by now.

Even after assuring her that there must be enough people to love Hope to win her a Best First Time Filmmaker Short Film Award at the Cannes World Film Festival, she reveals that winning seems to have only intensified the pressure she is currently feeling.

“Maybe if I didn’t win anything with this, I probably could have just moved on. But now, I think people will go into it with higher expectations and question, “Can this actress make it as a director?” she explains.

She also says that it is inevitable that some will question whether her win at the Cannes World Film Festival was a fluke and if she is able to replicate another for future projects. 

However, Yvonne says that she takes strength from her industry friends and credits them for constantly inspiring her.

“Staying in Taiwan for almost a decade, I am very lucky to have actress friends like Vivian Hsu and Ruby Lin who show me that it's possible to be successful as producers and actresses while holding the fort down as a mother,” says Yvonne.

Speaking of mothers, the 13-minute Hope, which stars local actress Adele Wong and child actress Natalie Mae Tan E-En is based on Yvonne’s own painful story.

At 13, her mum passed away a month after being diagnosed with stage four stomach cancer.

When we asked her whether it was tougher being a mum or directing Hope, we were met with a long almost 30-second pensive pause before she gathered herself with a reply.

“This short film was definitely harder because it traces back to my childhood. I always had this regret of not being able to do much for my mum,” she says.

We tried to lighten the mood and wondered aloud if it was possible that her winning at the Cannes World Film Festival was more stressful than the Star Awards.

She jumped slightly and laughed, before saying she was asking herself the exact question earlier in the morning.

“It is definitely easier to attend the Star Awards as all I need to do is turn up on time to do my make-up, look pretty in pictures and hope for my name to be called to go on stage, before heading home happy,” she says with relative ease.

8DAYS.SG: Your film's executive producer Molby Low said you were only satisfied after the 16th cut, which is the version we get to see. Which such high standards, do you see yourself as the next Wong Kar Wai?

Yvonne Lim: (Laughs) That is another level, and I don’t think my style can compare with such a legend.

Maybe if someone asks me to make another short film then I might have another answer for you.

I guess Hope had 16 variations because I was trying to downplay the dramatic elements and focus on storytelling instead. This short film allowed me to be creative with shots that a serial might not be able to accept.

Why did you keep being a director a secret?

I wanted to do it my way without too many outside voices. Being a typical Libra, I can be very indecisive and listening to too many ideas might jumble up my original vision for Hope.

Who was the first celeb friend you talked about being a director?

No one! Most of them found out about it from 8days.sg first!

Serious?

I am very fair. I didn’t even tell Hong Huifang who I am very close to. I even had Mark Lee calling me asking why I didn’t say a word. I told them that it was a secret because I didn’t want to feel any pressure while making the short film.

Does your husband think you are crazy for having so many things on your plate?

Definitely not! He knows me very well and that I always have many ideas in my head. Even in Taiwan, I am always finding projects to do, and I regularly share with him how passionate I am about my work and about the industry here in Singapore.

In fact, it was Alex who first had the idea, and together with a close friend, suggested that I make a short film out of it.

I only agreed to it after insisting I direct it myself.

Have your kids seen the short film?

Yes, and they got quite emotional when they knew that it was about my childhood! I tried to play it casual and said, “You see! Your mum can direct a film so well!”

But after the film, my son AJ said the most touching thing. He proudly told me, “You are now not just an actress but a director! I am so proud of you!”

You mentioned that you will be moving back to Singapore with the family soon?

Yes, we are in the process and looking at returning mid-2024.

AJ is turning nine next month and Vivian Hsu (who lives in Singapore now) has already been introducing tutors to me for him.

Tutors so soon?

Yes! I think Vivian is blending into the Singapore culture so well that she is teaching me how to survive here (laughs).

She even arranged a luncheon with one of the teachers and I remember both of us each taking a teacup, asking him to take my son as his student.

I am not kidding, this superstar mum [Vivian] has been asking me if I needed tutors for English, Chinese, chess and basketball (laughs).

Pictures: yvonnelim928/Instagram

Watch Hope here or in the video below: