"I think those doubts are normal because it's my first time after all."
As the first judge from Hong Kong, China in this year's Magnolia Awards Overseas Drama Category, Myolie Wu faced sharp questions from the media about "different fields are like different worlds" after the Magnolia Awards judges meeting.
Magnolia Awards judge Myolie Wu. Photo by Thepaper.cn reporter Li Sijie
But she would also respond to this question with her 25 years of experience as an actor, "I entered the industry in 1999 and started filming TV series in 2000, so this year marks 25 years. I found that I can now evaluate these TV series not only from the perspective of an audience, but also from the perspective of a film and TV practitioner who has been filming for more than 20 years."
At the same time, she is also very grateful, "along the way, we have not only received praise, but also controversial voices. This is how we can go far."
In 2011, Myolie Wu won several awards including the Best Actress at the TVB Anniversary Awards for her roles in "Undercover" and "The King of Phoenixes". She is also the first TVB actress to win three awards at the same time. Her representative works include "The Wedding of Fat Field", "My Sassy Granny" and "Triumph in the Skies". In recent years, she has also starred in many domestic dramas, such as "A Good Life", "Nothing Gold Can Stay" and "The Flower of Life".
On December 5, 2011, Myolie Wu won the Best Actress Award at the TVB Anniversary Awards for her role in "King of Phoenixes".
Talking about her role as Qiu Lisu in the hit TV series "A Good Life" this year, Myolie Wu said: "I never define a character as a good person, a bad person, or an unlikable person, because I think every character is a life. As long as you give her the cause and effect behind everything she does, she is a living person."
Therefore, she is not afraid to play a so-called "bad guy". "People may not like the character you play, but it doesn't matter to me. The most important thing is whether this person is real or not. I think this is also the most important thing for the audience."
Magnolia Awards judge Myolie Wu. Photo by Thepaper.cn reporter Li Sijie
【dialogue】
Don't think you understand, be humble
Q : As a judge of the Magnolia Awards, what are your criteria for selecting a play?
Myolie Wu : For example, the difficulty of shooting this scene or this TV series, because when we were shooting, we knew that a one-minute scene on TV might take us two or three hours to shoot. For example, are there group actors, some actions, and some scenes that are difficult to control. Of course, after yesterday, Director Henk (a judge of the overseas drama unit and a German screenwriter) would see more than me. He would look at the style of the entire TV series, or the artistic content. I didn't know how to do this before, and I would also look at the use of the camera, which is what I learned (from him).
I think that young practitioners should never think that they understand everything. This is applicable to any industry, because if you think you know everything, you will stop learning. I also tell my children that you must be humble and think that you don’t know anything. You can make more use of the seniors around you, learn more, and communicate more. This is the best and fastest way to learn good things.
Q : You are the only judge from Hong Kong in the Magnolia Awards for Overseas Dramas this time, which has sparked a lot of discussion. Some people think that your participation will bring some new perspectives and is worth looking forward to; others think that as an actor, you are a bit out of touch with the world. What do you think of such comments?
Myolie Wu : As an actor, I feel a bit like “every field is different from another”, what does this mean?
Q : Maybe it refers to your first time serving as a judge in this role.
Myolie Wu : It’s just that… it’s not okay, is it? Hahahaha.
Q : There may be some small doubts in this. What do you think about this?
Myolie Wu : Of course, I think everyone has their first time doing something, and I dare not say that I am definitely good at it. After all, this is really my first time (serving as a judge for the Magnolia Awards). But yesterday we had a conversation with Director Henk and Teacher Chen Baoguo. I really came here with a learning attitude, and I really learned a lot from them.
To be honest, apart from my work, I usually have no time to watch TV series, because I am busy with work and my family is also busy. This time I can watch TV series for work reasons, and I am very happy and enjoying it.
With the guidance and help of two masters in the fields of screenwriting and acting, we successfully selected a short play and a long play.
I think it is normal to have those doubts, because after all, it is my first time. I entered the industry in 1999 and started filming TV series in 2000, so this year marks my 25th year. I found that I can now evaluate these TV series not only from the perspective of an audience, but also from the perspective of a film and TV practitioner who has been filming for more than 20 years.
Just like we discussed yesterday, I think whether a TV series is good or not, and what makes it good, each one has its own characteristics. Yesterday we also gave an example, for example, an apple and an orange, do you prefer apples or oranges? They are very different, with many advantages and some disadvantages. I also expressed the difficulties in this regard, and then the chairman also said that most people choose according to their own preferences. Of course, in the midst of liking, we also need to see if there is a deeper revelation or message behind this TV series. I completed this very important task with a learning attitude. This is a very memorable and honorable opportunity.
Maybe if I can get a nomination for (“A Good Life”) or win an award next year, that would be much more effective.
Stills from "A Good Life"
I am not afraid of playing a bad guy, the most important thing is whether this person is real
Q : A few months ago, the drama "A Good Life" starring you and (Sun) Lijie was broadcast on CCTV. Your role in the drama is a little bit unlikable, but everyone is very positive about your acting skills. How do you understand and interpret the complexity and multifaceted nature of such unlikable roles?
Myolie Wu : In fact, I never define a character as a good person, a bad person, or someone who is unlikable, because I think every character is a life. As long as you give her the causes and consequences behind everything she does, she is a living person.
So I am not afraid to say that you are playing a bad guy and people may not like your character. This is not important to me. The most important thing is whether this person is real. I think this is also the most important thing for the audience.
Q : What do you think about the current situation of integration and development between the Hong Kong and Mainland film and television industries?
Myolie Wu : I am now seeing more and more TV series co-produced by the mainland and Hong Kong are becoming more and more successful, and I am very happy and relieved. There are many excellent actors, screenwriters, and directors in Hong Kong, but it is a pity that this market is getting smaller and smaller. However, in recent years, people may have returned to watching Hong Kong dramas, which I think is a very happy thing.
Last year, I also worked with Mr. Nick Cheung to film "The Blood of a Straw Dog", which is also a Hong Kong drama performed in Cantonese. I hope that in the future, as a member of the Hong Kong drama industry, I can also contribute to make this industry more prosperous.
Stills from "Blood of Straw Dogs"
Q : What do you think about the changing expectations of audiences for female roles? Should the way actors express emotions also keep pace with the times?
Myolie Wu : I think most of the female roles are similar. To be honest, because people have high expectations for women in society, I think the only change is the performance of the actors. Every actor's performance is definitely different, and every director's performance will be different, which is also the loveliness of drama.
As for expressing emotions, we should also keep up with the times. Does it mean that we should cry in the way that is popular recently? This is a very profound question. I think the audience has always been very good at watching. The audience is becoming more and more mature, but I think the basis is still authenticity. You must be authentic to move the audience, rather than saying how I want to express it now. Of course, some actors may have great skills, but I think the most basic thing is to return to authenticity.
Q : When presenting a work in a different language environment, will there be different ways of adjusting your acting?
Myolie Wu : It's very difficult. Actually, Cantonese is my mother tongue, and I think Mandarin is slowly getting closer to my Cantonese. Of course, when acting, you add emotions and some more tongue-twisting dialogues, which is definitely difficult, but when you talk about technique, I think it's still centered on truth.
Q : Extending to English works, is it possible to shoot more international works in the future?
Myolie Wu : I don’t mind going to castings at all. I also went for auditions because I hope to get a project one day that uses English or other languages. That would be a challenge for me. Auditions are also a challenge and a practice. Before, the audition companies would say, “I’m sorry to ask you to audition.” I told them not to think that way because I am very open. I think it is a challenge and a lesson for me. I hope that one day I can have this work for everyone to see.
When it comes to choosing a script, I don't set limits for myself. I think as long as it's suitable, I won't resist.
Q : Have you looked forward to next year’s Magnolia?
Myolie Wu : I haven’t thought about it too much, I just said that. Of course, being nominated is a good thing.
I think every time I shoot a work, I don't think too much. At the moment, you will interpret the role with your most sincere feelings, and then I feel that it is complete. Of course, because I just came to the Magnolia Award, which is a very important award in our mainland, I am really flattered. I never thought that I could be one of the judges of overseas TV series. Of course, it may also be because I have studied abroad, and I may have an advantage in language, so they chose me. What do you say about the future? In fact, for an actor, I definitely hope to have some recognition, but I will wait and see.
Stills from "A Good Life"
Q : What do you think of the city of Shanghai?
Myolie Wu : Shanghai is one of my favorite cities. I remember the first time I came here, I was at the Bund and was a bit amazed. I was still young at that time, in my 20s, and I would eat your Xiaolongbao and Shengjianbao every time I came. Eating is still the most important thing to me, and I always like to walk around the Bund. I think Shanghai is a great city.
Q : Is there any type of role you are looking forward to?
Myolie Wu : I want to try all the roles I haven't played before, and some of the roles that may be crazy. I think I have the energy to play such roles. Work hard, believe in yourself, practice Mandarin well, and don't give up.
There may be some controversial voices, but it is also a good opportunity for you to examine yourself. I am also very fortunate that along the way, I have not only received praise. We should also listen to controversial voices, so that we can go far.
In fact, I didn't say that I had to push myself or constantly challenge myself. It's just that the opportunity came at a timely moment, and I needed to constantly challenge myself. Of course, when we were selecting scripts, we also hoped to avoid repetition, so we formed a situation of constant challenges. When you have new challenges, it's more interesting for the audience and for yourself.
