Henry Thia doesn't like Chinese New Year: 'I'm not the only one to feel this way, right?'
The local actor and comedian shared his candid thoughts on the festive season, as well as his latest film's acclaim
His latest film, Money No Enough 3, may have dropped in time for Chinese New Year, but veteran actor Henry Thia harbours no fondness for the festival. Speaking to The Straits Times, the 71-year-old said he finds the month-long preparations leading to the occasion "stressful and tiring".
"We have to spring-clean our home, queue for new notes, pack hongbao, plan what to eat… All that for three days of gatherings," he said. "I'm not the only one to feel this way, right?"
Thia said he plans to spend Chinese New Year’s Eve having steamboat at home with his family, including his wife, Mary Yeo, a 67-year-old childcare centre cook. The couple has three daughters in their 40s and six grandchildren ranging from Primary 1 to Secondary 2.
Is this Henry Thia's lucky year?
As he is born in the year of the Dragon, Thia also told the national broadsheet that he identifies with the Dragon trait of being lucky.
Perhaps, his lucky star is shining this year, because Thia has turned in an award-winning performance in Money No Enough 3 - according to director Jack Neo. Neo previously told Lianhe Zaobao that Thia “might really win the Golden Horse Award for Best Supporting Actor”.
"Don’t look at Henry and think he can’t act because he’s a comedian. Strangely, whatever he does in the movie, it’s very comedic. His comedic element is very strong and powerful," Neo said.
Despite the abundance of praise on his performance, Thia is not thinking about snagging a nomination. During an interview with local media on 31 January, Thia told Yahoo Southeast Asia, “I don’t think about it that much.”
He also pointed out that he was not thinking about his nomination at the 2009 Asia-Pacific Film Festival when he won for his role in Money No Enough 2.
In Money No Enough 3, veteran comedians Neo, Mark Lee, and Thia reunite to play three long-time friends whose relationship is threatened when Lee's character, Ah Hua, becomes blinded by money. The film also stars Xiang Yun, Tang Miaoling, Regina Lim, Ivan Lo, Braven Yeo, Denise Fong, and Kelly Wong.
Money No Enough 3 is out in cinemas.
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