Checkmate

"Checkmate" is Willy Yong's final year project at NAFA (Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts) in the Year 2014. He wrote and directed the ten-minute film about a disillusioned man going through counselling in prison for the murder of his wife. The dialogue is long and pompous and cleverly spiced with metaphors of chess to illustrate the many trappings of a failed marriage.

Originally, Willy intended the counsellor to be a man, but I suggested to him to change it to a lady character for added intrigue. Dr Lee, played by Amy Yan, represents the conscience of the disillusioned man, complete with prim, proper and polished English.

The script and cast were confirmed only a few days before the shoot. There was no time for rehearsals as the project had to be completed before their course officially ends. I also happened to have several other shoots during that period and only had time to memorise the dialogue on set. It was hard as they were not lines one hears everyday, but of those depicting the harsh reality of a failed marriage with the cynicism and ego of a badly dejected mind.

Here is the film proper...

For other NAFA films I have acted in, click here.