Raintree Pictures

SYNOPSIS
Sam is a 24-year-old Singaporean from a well-to-do family working at a Hong Kong tabloid as a reporter/photographer. Filled with passion for journalism, he inspires to reflect realism of society in his work without compromising on ethics.

Jane is a 19-year-old Hong Kong girl who is disillusioned by life. Having come from a dysfunctional family, she does not believe that love can be unconditional. The impact of witnessing her mum commit suicide as a child also left lasting scars that she finds hard to erase.

The crossing of paths of these two young people sparks off an unusual love story where they learn to come to terms with their fears and rethink what is important in their lives. Sam meets Jane for the first time in a cinema. Fascinated by her, he involuntarily follows her and discovers her streetwise ways. Sam decides to make Jane the subject of his story.

What Sam uncovers is a lifestyle totally opposite of his proper upbringing. Being naïve and kind-hearted, Sam starts taking care of Jane while at the same time pursuing his story. Initially guarded, Jane begins to soften as she realises that Sam genuinely cares for her. Inspired by love, Jane starts to change her lifestyle and even finds a job for the first time in her life.

As Jane and Sam begin to live life together, a visit by Sam's parents cast a doubt in their relationship. Sam's mother immediately shows a dislike for Jane. When caught in between, Sam finds himself lying about Jane's background. Disappointed that Sam seems ashamed of her, Jane leaves and returns to her old haunts. When Sam realises his folly, he attempts to win Jane back and nearly loses his life for it.

This film is about the importance of being truthful in a relationship. It's about accepting realities in life and rising above adversaries to find one's true self. And no matter how much the truth may hurt, there is always hope for happiness. How you view life is a matter of perspective.

ABOUT THE PRODUCTION
THE TRUTH ABOUT JANE & SAM is a collaborative effort between Singapore's Raintree Pictures and Hong Kong's Film Unlimited.

Written and directed by award winning director Derek Yee of Hong Kong, THE TRUTH ABOUT JANE & SAM marks the big screen debut of 2 teen pop idols Fann Wong from Singapore and Peter Ho from Taiwan. Both actors have been handpicked by Derek Yee because of their fresh appeal.

The movie is shot entirely on 35mm reels with majority of the filming in Hong Kong and location shoots in China and Singapore. Principal photography lasted 2 months and ended in late December 1998.The film was recorded in Cantonese for Hong Kong's release and dubbed in Mandarin for Singapore and other territories including China and Taiwan. The post production was done in Hong Kong and completed in May 1999. The movie is in Dolby stereo.

To give Singaporean talents due exposure, a TCS assistant producer was attached to the production in Hong Kong throughout the filming period as 3rd assistant director cum continuity. During the shoot in Singapore, a team from TCS was used to support the production.

RAINTREE PICTURES is the subsidiary of Television Corporation of Singapore (the biggest network in Singapore) and Temasek Holdings (one of the major investment arms of the Singapore government). Incorporated in August 1998, Raintree Pictures is the first Singapore movie company that is completely committed to the business of movie-making. This involves the whole spectrum of activities from development to production to the marketing of movies. The company's vision is to 'produce new movies that will open new markets'. Raintree Pictures has since released a local blockbuster LIANG PO PO - THE MOVIE, that reaped S$3.03 million in the domestic box office takings. It is the highest grossing movie for 1999 as of 1 June. THE TRUTH ABOUT JANE & SAM is Raintree Pictures' first regional collaboration.

FILM UNLIMITED was set up in July 1992 by award winning director, Derek Yee. The company's maiden project THAT'S LIFE MY DARLING enjoyed a resounding box office and critical success when released in 1993. Subsequent projects like Andy Lau's FULL THROTTLE, Shu Qi's VIVA EROTICA and Anita Yuen's TIL DEATH DO US PART also had their share of nominations and victory in the Hong Kong Film Festival. VIVA EROTICA was a final selection at the 1996 Berlin Film Festival. The company is actively looking for collaboration with regional partners as well as to break into the China market.

ABOUT THE CAST
FANN WONG (Jane) is one of the top ten artistes in Television Corporation of Singapore. She was already a top model when she started her TV career in 1994. She has since landed lead roles in more than 10 Chinese drama serials and 4 telemovies. Known for her natural acting flare, her first year as an actress saw her winning the Most Popular Newcomer award and Best Actress title in the 1995 Star Awards with her portrayal of a journalist-turned-businesswoman embroiled in a family feud in "Chronicle of Life". Fann has consistently been voted as one of the Top Ten Most Popular artistes in the TV station's annual popularity poll since 1995.

Gifted with a sweet face and matching voice, Fann was also the first TCS artiste to record and release a solo Mandarin album in 1996. Her singing career has since taken off and she has released 3 solo albums to date. Her second album achieved record sales of 200,000 copies when released in Taiwan in 1997. Fann's versatility and passion for what she does has made her TCS' fastest rising star.

This is her silver screen debut and she will also sing the title track from the film.

PETER HO (Sam) is a recording artiste from Taiwan. Born in California, raised in Taiwan and educated in Toronto, Peter speaks fluent English, Mandarin and Cantonese. Taiwan's largest drink manufacturer, Hey-Song broke sales records when Peter was engaged as their spokesperson. The success of this campaign led to Peter lending his voice and image to Honda and Hong Kong's Chartered Bank as well.

Peter shot to fame in Taiwan and China with his debut album "Miss Your Love" released in 1998. Voted "Most Potential Rookie Award" by China's multiple radio stations, Peter toured nine major cities including Shanghai and Nanking in China. Because of his endearing good looks and sincere personality, Taiwan's Municipal Government appointed him as the ambassador for the Green Environment.

ABOUT THE FILMMAKERS
DIRECTOR & SCRIPTWRITER DEREK YEE came from a family of moviemakers. His father was a producer and his mother an actress in the 1940's, his elder brother David Chiang won the Best Actor award in The 16th Asian Film Festival in 1970. His family and relatives are one way or another connected to the film industry.

Derek started his career as an actor back in 1975. Between 1975 and 1986, he has played the leading man role in more than 40 movies. He ventured into directing in 1986 with his first film THE LUNATICS which won 2 awards at the Hong Kong Film Festival. Derek has a track record of directing movies that are not only commercially successful but artistically acclaimed. Since his first movie, he has progressively established himself as one of the more prolific filmmaker in Hong Kong. THAT'S LIFE MY DARLING swept the Hong Kong Film awards in 1993, winning 6 major awards including Best Director, Best Screenplay and Best Actress. It is also one of the top grossers of 1993 in Hong Kong. His subsequent movies FULL THROTTLE with Andy Lau and VIVA EROTICA with Leslie Chung and Shu Qi have also been top grossers. VIVA EROTICA is a final selection at the Berlin Film Festival.

Interestingly, Derek has demonstrated an uncanny ability to make stars out of fresh faces, especially his female leads. He is credited with the meteoric rise to fame of Hong Kong actress Anita Yuen and Shu Qi, who have both won awards for roles in his movies. Derek has won recognition as a director in Asia and Europe and continues to create films with the highest standards.

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER DANIEL YUN is the Chief Executive Officer of Raintree Pictures. He spearheaded the set up of the company in 1998 as part of TCS' efforts to focus on content development and to expand its reach to the region and is the driving force to move the local film industry to new heights. He served as Executive Producer for Raintree Pictures' maiden project and local blockbuster LIANG PO PO - THE MOVIE which achieved S$3.03 million in box office. He was the guiding hand steering the production, creative and marketing team to his vision of a groundbreaking Singaporean movie. Daniel is also the Vice-President of TCS' Production 5 that produces award winning TV drama and sitcoms in English.

tEXECUTIVE PRODUCER SAMSON NG is the co-partner of Film Unlimited. He was the Executive Producer for the company's debut project THAT'S LIFE MY DARLING in 1993 which achieved HK$31.149 million in Hong Kong's box office, a top grosser for the year.

PRODUCER CATHERINE HUN is a veteran in the Hong Kong film scene. Since 1989, she has produced at least 17 different films including Derek Yee's VIVA EROTICA. She has also worked with acclaimed directors Ann Hui and Sylvia Chang.