A Good Child 's director Ong Kuo Sin of and Golden Horse Award-nominated lead actor Richie Koh appeared at the cinema to interact with audiences. They shared creative inspirations and filming experiences, while elaborating on the true story behind the character Ah Zhen.
The film portrays a young drag queen Jia Hao navigating social prejudice and inner turmoil while caring for his mother with dementia. Weaving together family ethics, social commentary and performing arts, the film tenderly yet poignantly depicts the caregiver's compassion and solitude through humour and sincerity.
The director revealed the film was inspired by a real-life encounter. By chance, he befriended drag queen Ah Zhen, and was profoundly moved by her resilience and kindness. Ah Zhen once said, 'Perhaps someone like me is best suited to care for a mother like this.' This paved the creative journey of the director.
During the two-year preparation and filming process, the director not only immersed himself in Ah Zhen's life as a friend but also engaged in extensive discussions and rehearsals with actor Richie Koh.
Richie Koh, who portrays Jia Hao, shared that to embody the role, he specifically observed drag queens' daily performances and even personally 'accompanied' Ah Zhen on three stage performances, solely to capture that authentic vitality. He remarked, 'The body gesture, tone, and psychological state all need to be adjusted to perfection. It's not merely about imitation, but absorption – allowing the character to naturally integrate into oneself through bodily and psychological details, becoming a part of oneself.'
Reflecting on collaborating with veteran actress Hong Hui Fang, who plays his mother, Koh described it as a 'magic moment'. 'Some scenes we shot after just one rehearsal because the authenticity felt too precious to risk losing by retaking it.’
Audience responded enthusiastically to Joh's performance, with many praising his nuanced body language and emotional control. Koh noted, 'you must first move yourself before you can move the audience. If I feel nothing myself, I keep questioning and seeking details. Those details are the very starting point of the questioning.' The director responded that the key to character development lies in 'working from the inside out.' Once an actor understands the character's intent, there's no need for forced effort, instead, body language and expressions flow naturally, making the performance more authentic.
Audience members specifically highlighted the 'live-stream bullet comments' sequence, which interweaves reality and virtuality to depict the entanglement of social media and emotional isolation. The director responded, ‘the online world is an inseparable part of reality. These live-stream segments represent another form of connection I wished to portray – even in virtual spaces, genuine kindness can still be offered.' The film's message is straightforward: if you have a choice, choose kindness.
Some audience members inquired about the use of stand-up comedy elements. The director explained that many scenes drew from Ah Zhen's real stage experiences – using humour to cloak pain and muster courage. In the final scene, he, as a friend, hopes Ah Zhen no longer needs to perform through self-deprecation, but instead moves towards self-understanding and reconciliation.
At the end, the director summarised that A Good Child is a film about understanding, love, tenderness, kindness, and courage. He hopes it conveys that the creative team stands with all friends. 'We see you, and hope you see that we see you.’
