| Subject: New Waif Action Queen -- (Star 5/9/02) |
Author:
小影 （大马赵薇后援会）
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Date Posted: 00:11:39 09/10/02 Tue
After soaring to stardom as a royal brat too smart for her own good in [My Fair Princess], mainland China star Zhao Wei touts Girl Power again in the crossover actioner, [So Close]. Adrian Seet finds out what makes The Little Swallow tick - and kick.
Zhao Wei is as vivacious in real life as her alter ego on the small screen in [My Fair Princess], minus the raging adrenalin that made her act like a jumping bean leaping from one scene to the next in the prime time series.
The waif-like beauty with the warm, brown eyes has packed plenty of living into her short career: from instant stardom to the tempest that followed her posing in a dress designed as a Japanese wartime flag; five hit TV series, four albums and endorsements for Marie France and Red Earth, and career hiccups.
Q : How did you get started in the movie business?
A : I began my acting career after my film studies in China. But things really took off when we released [My Fair Princess].
Q : What was the film that you personally think gave you the recognition as an artist/actor?
A : [Green Tea]. Not a lot of people took note of that film but it challenged me as an actor and after doing that film, I said yes - this is what I want to do: act.
Q : What was the film that you have enjoyed doing the most and why?
A : [My Fair Princess]. The series was created by the distinguished Taiwanese writer Zhong Yau. It was as if it was written for me! It gave me a chance to demonstrate all the skills I'd picked up in acting school, and to show the development of a character. It was also a great opportunity to act with seasoned actresses.
Q : Tell us about your beginnings - childhood stories, maybe, that inspired you to become an actor.
A : Nothing too exciting really!! (Laughs), I grew up in China and became very interested in films because they give you a chance to live another person's life for just one moment in time. The it's back to reality when shooting is over, I guess.
Q : Is Hollywood your next step? Is [So Close] going to take you there?
A : Hollywood!?! I think I have other films here in Asia that I love to get involved in. I leave the rest to fate. I'd like to polish up on my English, though. Besides, [Shaolin Soccer] has been distributed worldwide and I have a good feeling about it.
Q : Having worked with Karen Mok in [Shaolin Soccer] how was the experience different this time round in [So Close]?
A : That was the first time I had worked so closely with Karen Mok. I was elated at the opportunity! I personally think that she is one sexy superstar! Fans and media have been comparing the two of us. Karen is a very serious, committed person when it comes to her job. But she is a lot of fun, and rather playful inbetween filming. I enjoyed working with Karen.
Q : Let's discuss your partnership with Karen and Shu Qi (who is known as one of the sexiest women around) in [So Close]. Should the media make comparisons? Who'd be voted the most popular?
A : What do you mean 'should the media' - aren't they already doing it? (Laughs) Both the girls are great actors and really serious about the job. We can be very good friends: we shared a lot while on the set. Personally, Shu Qi is very cute - she has anecdotes for almost everything and she smiles a lot - very sweet; Karen as I said has a playful personality - very different from the role for this movie - so I think the 'partnership' was brilliant.
Q : Was there competition and comparison (of the acting strengths of the girls) during filming?
A: Not at all; I think you have been reading too much about us in the other papers. If there was - I was not too bothered about it at all - it was probably perception. For me, the comparison would be: did I do a better job for this film then in my last? This was on my mind during filming - certainly not comparisons with Karen or Shu.
Q : So how did you fare?
A : Well, this film will be the benchmark for my previous movie and the next role. I made a lot of notes during filming and it was a huge, huge learning curve for me.
Q : And then there is Seong-Heon Song - the hottest Korean actor - everyone's talking about him.
A : I did not have many scenes in the movie with him. He doesn't speak Mandarin, I don't speak Korean, so we just kept smiling to each other. I guess a smile is indeed an international language.
Q : The action scenes in [So Close]: was there a lot more to do compared with [My Fair Princess]?
A : In [Princess], there was an emphasis on character development.
In [So Close], I had to actually do the fighting, use weapons. I had a month's training in Hong Kong with a wushu master before shooting began. It was a daily routine of action sequences - boxing, kicking, stretching. Gosh it was challenging! I hope the scenes appeal to movie-goers. We worked so hard on them.
Q : What would you like to improve on? What about having to make this film appeal to Westerners?
A : I am happy with the film. Movies are normally about two hours long; that's short, but that's all the time you have to communicate the whole story to the audience. This is where it challenges you to use all modes of communication in acting and that's why I love doing this. Language? You know, back in the old days, movies did not even have sound! The best Western comedies - the black and white ones - were understood by the audience. Actors just depended on their non-verbal acting skills. People will understand [So Close] by following our expressions.
Q : You have been signed up as Marie France spokesperson. Was there a difference for you, in terms of your diet, before and after MF?
A : It was a very personal transition. The change is not only external. I went through emotional and mental growth because you become so aware of yourself.
Q : So what are your other beauty secrets - what do you use on your hair and what is your skin care regime?
A : I keep it simple really. I get regular hair treatments at the salon because I use a lot of hair products. I think it is important to keep it healthy. I also go through variations of hair styles, short and long. My skin care: lots of sleep, lots of plain water and yes, I do go for facials and stuff, but nothing out of the ordinary.
Q : Are you seriously dating anyone right now?
A : Am I? (Laughs) Well, no. I am focusing all my concentration on my work. As an actor, I just do not have the time for a relationship. Besides I don't think I'm ready for one.
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