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Actor Andy feels the heat in VCD fracas

Actor Lin Fu-chin, commonly referred to as Andy, talks to reporters in Taipei on Friday. Andy says he is a supporter of President Chen Shui-bian and that he has received threats since starring in the Special Report VCD series lampooning figures in the pan-blue camp. PHOTO: SEAN CHAO, TAIPEI TIMES

Fame is something every actor pursues, but being infamous can be just as desirable.

Lin Fu-chin (林富進), often referred to as Andy, plays a significant role in the controversial VCD series Special Report. That role has led to his involvement in a slander lawsuit and to massive, controversial publicity.

Lin has been in the entertainment business for about 20 years, performing on many Hoklo-language (commonly referred to as Taiwanese) television programs. His sense of humor and quick wit have been well-received by Hoklo-speaking audiences. However, because Taiwan's mainstream TV culture has long been dominated by Mandarin-language programs, the professional opportunities of Lin and many other Taiwanese actors have been limited. In the past, it was almost impossible to become a TV star if one was a Hoklo-speaking actor.

Since the transfer of power in 2000, Hoklo-language programs have gained ground.

In 2000, Lin performed in the TV series A-bian and A-chen (阿扁與阿珍), which was based on the true love story of Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) and Wu Shu-chen (吳淑珍). "I was labeled `pan-green' for taking part in that TV series," Lin said in a recent television interview.

Lin said he was criticized by a producer at a different TV network for his performance in A-bian and A-chen.

"The producer shouted out many vulgar Mandarin words at me just because I took part in the performance," Lin said.

Lin said being involved in a lawsuit was the last thing he expected when agreeing to do a performance.

"As an actor, I simply read the script I am given and come up with the necessary body language and facial expressions required by the director. That's exactly what a good actor should do," he said.

"We are no longer living in a society that is shrouded in White Terror. I don't understand why actors are still being terrorized," Lin said.

He said he had witnessed how the change in Taiwan's political climate had affected his craft.

"Before, Hoklo-speaking actors could not take part in prime time television drama series, as theses series were strictly Mandarin. Finally, things have changed. Unfortunately, we Hoklo-speaking actors still face much opposition to our acting." Lin said.

Chen Huei-er (陳慧娥), Lin's wife, described how they have been threatened.

"One morning while I was asleep, I received a phone call from a stranger asking for my address as if he was doing some sort of questionnaire. I was so sleepy that I didn't think twice before uttering out my address. Later that day, I was followed and started getting threatening phone calls from strangers," Chen said.

She said that for three days, her family of three did not dare step onto the doorstep and had to eat instant noodles.

Lin said Chen Shui-bian has never publicly criticized performances that mocked him.

"I have seen many television shows where performers constantly mock the president by imitating him. However, the president has never criticized anyone who participates in these shows," Lin said.

Chen Huei-er echoed her husband's view.

"How come actors performing in pan-blue shows are not accused of anything? For instance, pro-People First Party (PFP) actors can show up in public and take pride in their performances. Why then, can't other actors do the same?" she said.

Chen said she sees nothing wrong with having a political ideology.

"Despite the fact that I am an entertainer, I am also a citizen of Taiwan. As a citizen, I have my own political ideology as well. Therefore, I don't understand why being a supporter of A-bian is wrong," she said.

Chen Huei-er explained how she and her husband became loyal supporters of Chen Shui-bian.

"In several of President Chen's previous mayoral election campaigns, my close friend, Lin Yan-ru (林晏如), volunteered to sing at many of Chen's election rallies. Then, in 1998, her breast cancer relapsed and she was in critical condition. Yan-ru told me her last wish was to see A-bian," Chen Huei-er said.

At that time, although Chen Shui-bian had lost the Taipei mayoral election, he was busy preparing to run for the presidency.

"It was impossible to invite A-bian over to the hospital to visit Yan-ru as he was so busy with his presidential campaign," she said.

According to Chen Huei-er, President Chen found out about Lin Yan-ru's condition and last wish through acquaintances.

"One day, we received a phone call from A-bian's secretary, who asked us to arrange a confidential visit without the presence of any media personnel," Chen Huei-er said.

As Lin Yan-ru was gravely ill at the time, her body was emaciated, emitted an odor and she was unable to speak properly.

"A-bian stayed in the ward with Yan-ru for 40 minutes. He held her hand and sat very close to her. I was there in the room as well. I heard him telling Yan-ru to be strong and to get better, as he will wait for Yan-ru to be finally discharged from the hospital," Chen Huei-er said.

"It was unbelievable that such a successful man like A-bian could say such gentle words to a sick lady. If he can be such a soft-hearted man in real life, how can he not be a good president?" she said.

Lin said he and his wife have been loyal supporters of Chen Shui-bian since that day.

Lin Yan-ru passed away in 1999.

Lin Fu-chin said that despite the controversy over the VCDs, he did not want to claim outright that he is a supporter of Chen Shui-bian.

"A-bian said once before that to love me is not to hurt me. Honestly, what difference will I make by claiming to be a supporter?" Lin said.

Cheng Shih-lung (鄭士龍), a former entertainment reporter, felt the VCD dispute should not do too much harm to Lin's career.

"His acting career will definitely be affected for a short while; however, Taiwanese audiences are forgetful and they might forget about the VCD controversy later," Cheng said.

Cheng added that the huge publicity Lin is getting might even advance his career.

"Maybe in the future, Lin will even be offered scripts that are tailored to him," Cheng said.

However, Cheng said that actors should avoid choosing scripts that are too political.

"Actors should know in advance that by being cast in a politically oriented performance, they might consequently be harassed and receive negative publicity," Cheng said.

Cheng added that actors are somewhat responsible for what they said in a performance.

"It is true that an actor reads off a script. But since he is a performer, he is still held accountable for acting out his role," Cheng said.

Faced with all the charges against him, Lin said he feels helpless.

"Why can't I simply say in public that I admire A-bian, this individual, without any political attachment?" Lin asked.
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