WHO would have guessed that in a cast of professional actors that included Adrian Pang, Alaric Tay and Andrea De Cruz, model-host Andrea Fonseka would shine the most?

At least that was the 'surprising' feedback Singaporean film-maker Michael Wang received about his debut full-length feature Carrot Cake Conversations.

The English-language, dialogue-driven film follows four lonely strangers who find companionship over a plate of fried carrot cake and a conversation at Newton Hawker Centre, two days before Christmas.

It opens in cinemas here on 6 Nov.

Andrea, 23, plays a prostitute who longs to be a blues singer. Filmed over 14 days last December and in January, Carrot Cake Conversations is the former Miss Malaysia Universe's first acting gig - it was shot before she appeared on the drama series En Bloc.

It was showcased at the international film market component of the Cannes Film Festival in May.

Writer-director Michael, 26, told The New Paper: 'At Cannes, the one person who impressed everyone with her acting was Andrea. People were unfamiliar with her, but she was the favourite character. I was quite surprised, but she has a great attitude and I'm completely happy with her performance.'

But he admitted it wasn't easy wringing it out of her initially.

Michael - who returned to Singapore from his New York base last September to make the movie - said: 'I would get her to do a take repeatedly until she got so tired, she won't remember she's Andrea Fonseka, but the character.

SURPRISED: Writer-director Michael (above) was surprised that Andrea "impressed everyone" at Cannes.

'Her problem was that she probably had reservations about people judging her for what she's doing, but I had to make her let go of the (celebrity part) of her.'

To prepare for her role, Michael and Andrea walked through red-light district Geylang. He also had her listen to music by Nina Simone, Fleetwood Mac and BB King.

In the film, Andrea croons a song written by Singapore Idol contestant Daphne Khoo; veteran music producer Martin Tang helped her with her vocals.

On the upcoming release of his independently-financed $350,000 project, Michael said: 'It's exciting since it's my first time, but it was conceptualised 31/2years ago and it's been very tiring for me.

'So honestly, I'm looking forward to it being over, so that I can move on with my life and on to my next thing.'

He added in a resigned tone: 'I try not to have expectations because I know local audiences are very difficult.

'I could've made a more commercial film... but I wanted to offer a different genre... so that people know Singapore film is not just Jack Neo and Eric Khoo.

'Anyway, I've been told that Carrot Cake Conversations is reminiscent of (Jim Jarmusch's) Coffee And Cigarettes, which made only $2,000 here.'

Michael - who graduated from Florida State Film Conservatory - said he is still working with a US agent and an Ecuadorian film-maker to secure international distribution. He will return to New York in December and decide if he wants to pursue a master's in creative writing or make another local film.

Stripped-down side

For now, he is putting the finishing touches on a video clip he directed that will air at The New Paper New Face 2008 finals on 10 Oct.

He was returning a favour for the event's show producer, Daniel Boey, who helped style the cast and acquire sponsors for Carrot Cake Conversations. The longtime friends have collaborated twice before on fashion shows.

Michael's six-minute, black-and-white silent clip was inspired by a commercial starring Hollywood actress Scarlett Johansson.

In his clip, this year's 20 New Face finalists showcase a gamut of expressions while sitting in front of the camera.

He said: 'The video showcases their stripped-down, girl-next-door sides that you won't see at the show itself - before all the glitz and glamour. It was a huge challenge for them, but they did an amazing job and it was fun finding out what makes them tick.'

This article was first published in The New Paper on Oct 6, 2008.