By Mayo Martin

RBKD: Rui En steps into the shoes of pioneer artist Georgette Chen for her first documentary-drama, The Worlds Of Georgette Chen, a three-part docudrama collaboration between Channenewsasia and National Gallery Singapore.

This role is one which few identify with the actress — art. While filming in Paris, a self-portrait of a certain Vincent van Gogh changed her view of art. “It’s so different when you see it in person because the thing that stood out were his eyes. I could actually feel that he was a tortured soul. It just basically changed everything for me — all my opinions about art being hifalutin, about being intimidated by art, just flew out the window because it was just a human connection,” Rui En told TODAY.

Rui En hoped that with her role as Georgette Chen, she could help spread an appreciation of art to people who wouldn’t necessarily be inclined towards it. “I felt, beyond the glamour, beyond all the Star Awards and the trappings of celebrity, there are certain things that you could do to make a positive change to society or individuals,” she said. “I felt this was one of those — to bring heartlanders and younger children to just take some tentative baby steps to not be intimidated by art.”

One of the challenges of doing this docu-drama was dealing with issues of accuracy and Rui En felt “a little bit of pressure” in playing this historical figure as there was not much footage to base her performance on.

The Worlds of Georgette Chen debuts 29 April 2015 on CNA, 8pm.

Source: TODAY

Categorised in EN, The Worlds Of Georgette Chen, TODAY.