Drag Queen Sammi Zhen’s Journey Inspires A Good Child Film

The local film *A Good Child*, which premiered recently, draws inspiration from the life of drag queen Sammi Zhen, whose real name is Christopher Lim. The film features Richie Koh in a leading role, earning him a nomination for Best Leading Actor at the prestigious Golden Horse Awards. Zhen’s emotional connection to the film was evident when he expressed his joy upon seeing Koh’s portrayal of him.

Zhen, who stands at 1.8 meters tall, has recently found himself in the spotlight, receiving recognition from those around him. He shared with 8days.sg that local hawker stallholders have approached him, excited about a film based on his life. One stallholder even confronted him with a newspaper clipping, exclaiming, “This person [in the article] looks like you ah.” To which Zhen responded with a laugh, “It is me!”

In *A Good Child*, Koh portrays a drag queen who returns home to care for his estranged mother, played by Hong Huifang, who suffers from dementia. The film’s journey began in 2019, when director Ong Kuo Sin decided to adapt Zhen’s life into a cinematic narrative. Zhen humorously remarked that his often fiery Facebook posts caught Ong’s attention, leading to their collaboration on the film.

Zhen first met Ong while working as a consultant on the film *Number 1*, which also featured a drag queen character. Koh’s casting as Zhen brought a sigh of relief to the drag queen. “I went ‘Thank God!’ when I saw [Richie Koh], because we all know how good he is in his craft and work, right?” Zhen stated.

Preparing for his role, Koh attended several of Zhen’s drag shows, demonstrating his commitment to authentically representing Zhen’s experiences. “A couple of times, he even sent me to locations A and B, staying back to watch my performances,” Zhen recalled.

Friends who viewed early screenings noted that Koh’s performance was so compelling that they forgot they were watching an actor. “He is no longer acting. He is playing me, but no, he is me. You see him, you see me. That is why it is so scary,” Zhen explained.

Reflecting on the film’s emotional impact, Zhen described an experience watching an early cut, where he found himself in tears. “Of course, a lot of it reminded me about the past. As we were watching it at Kuo Sin’s house, he just [took out] a piece of tissue [when he heard] me sniffing,” Zhen shared. In a light-hearted moment, he suggested to the film executives, “Do you want to give out tissue on the gala or not ah? I think it’s a good idea because if you [don’t], I will be giving out [and selling the] tissue (laughs). At least make some money, right?”

The premiere gala was also a poignant moment, particularly for Zhen’s mother, who was able to attend briefly due to her condition. “Everyone was teary-eyed when they saw her. Huifang held her hand the way someone would hold their mum’s,” Zhen noted. While his mother may not fully grasp the significance of the event, she enjoyed the outing and the chance to mingle.

As Zhen reflects on his journey and the film’s portrayal of his life, he contemplates what advice he would give to his younger self. After a moment of silence, he said, “There were so many times that you would want to give up. Love yourself more and endure a little. Because one day there will be a movie about you.”

Zhen’s story, now immortalized on the big screen, showcases not only his personal struggles but also the broader themes of love, acceptance, and resilience, resonating with audiences far beyond his immediate community.