Local actress Oon Shu An takes on risque porn star role in sex comedy Rubbers
There were no graphic sex scenes or nudity involved, but it is still the most risque role she has taken on in her acting career since she debuted in the 2006 local film Becoming Royston.
Local TV and theatre actress Oon Shu An plays a Japanese porn star in upcoming local R21 film Rubbers.
The sex comedy required her to don a sexy cleavage-baring nurse outfit as well as lacy lingerie. It also features her simulating oral sex on her male co-stars Alaric Tay and Chua Enlai.
The 28-year-old, who made headlines for landing a supporting role as a concubine in US TV series Marco Polo and is currently starring in Channel 5 legal drama Code Of Law 3, told The New Paper over the phone: "I had my reservations about the role, I was so scared. I didn't know what my parents would think."
She added: "Singapore can be quite conservative, so I wasn't sure how people would take it. My mum did ask me why did I have to take on the role and I told her not to worry as it would be done in a tasteful manner."
Oon, who prepared for Rubbers by watching Japanese adult videos prior to filming, said: "I didn't want to make a joke out of my character, so I did proper research. It was quite interesting to see and to understand that culture."
She attended a preview screening of Rubbers and said it is "touching and funny, and that it portrayed sex in a beautiful way".
Rubbers is helmed by local writer-director Han Yew Kwang and comprises three segments about love, sex and condoms.
The movie, which also features Yeo Yann Yann, Julian Hee and Marcus Chin, opens here on April 30 and is rated R21 for sexual content.
In Oon's segment, Tay portrays an irresponsible playboy who does not like to wear a condom during sex.
ORAL SEX SCENE
In several scenes, Oon's character, Momoko, has to perform oral sex on him, which meant she had to place her face at Tay's crotch area during filming.
The production team even made a customised harness for her mouth to bite on so that the scene would appear more authentic.
When asked about it, Oon laughed and said: "Initially, it was kind of awkward. There were some positions we had to get into which were quite challenging and that made us laugh quite a bit."
Best known for his comedic role in popular Channel 5 skit show The Noose, Tay, 35, did not feel awkward but recalls trying hard not to laugh while filming those scenes.
"As an actor, I find myself in weird positions all the time. This was one of those days, it just happened that it was caught on camera," the Fly Entertainment artist said matter-of-factly.
"There was a scene where I was trying not to let the camera see the gap between Shu An's mouth and my pants as I wanted to make it as real and authentic as possible.
"I recall putting her head right in front of my crotch area while we were trying to walk down the stairs, and I almost burst out laughing."
Han, who previously wrote and directed romantic comedies When Hainan Meets Teochew (2010) and 18 Grams Of Love (2007), wanted to try a different genre of comedy with Rubbers.
The 39-year-old explained how he came up with the scenes for Tay and Oon's characters: "I wanted them to be trapped in a situation. In terms of comedic movements, the (oral sex) position is the funniest."
He added: "Not every actor wants to play this kind of playboy role, but Alaric carried it off well. As for Shu An, her character is the loudest in the film. She is the biggest surprise among the cast members."
Tay, who is married with a two-year-old son, said that his wife was fine with his controversial role.
He said: "She said the movie exceeded her expectations. She didn't make any other remarks but she did say I looked sexy (in it)."
Oon, who is in a three-year relationship with her photographer boyfriend, said he is "cool with such things".
"I am quite lucky. He understands that as an actor, there will be such scenes sometimes, so he has been very open about it," she said.
"He told me that the movie sounds very funny, and if I want to do it, just do it."
My mum did ask me why did I have to take on the role, and I told her not to worry as it would be done in a tasteful manner.
- Oon Shu An
I recall putting her head right in front of my crotch area while we were trying to walk down the stairs, and I almost burst out laughing.
- Co-star Alaric Tay, on his scenes with Oon
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