Tang Wei goes for gold

The Chinese-Hong Kong film is a biopic of legendary Chinese writer Xiao (real name Zhang Naiying), who lived through a period of political turmoil in modern Chinese history from 1911 to 1942. Though the writer died at the young age of 32, she published many short stories and essays including “The Bridge” in 1933 and “Tales of Hulan River” in 1944. 

 “I realised I share many similarities with Xiao Hong,” says the actress during Friday’s press conference. “I am a very direct and straightforward person. Also, I did a lot of things that I wanted to do while I was growing up.”

Tang said that like Xiao, she was also influenced by her painter father and her grandfather but added that she was, unlike Xiao, “very fortunate to be born in a very peaceful period”.

The actress was joined at the press conference by director Hui and Kim Ji-seok, executive programmer of the festival who selected the film to be screened in the “Gala Presentation” section, which covers new films or masterpieces by renowned directors.

The 178-minute film closed the recent edition of Venice Film Festival in September and is also representing Hong Kong at the upcoming Oscar’s race in the category of best foreign language film. 

“I didn’t have much pressure making a film about Xiao Hong,” the director said. “Every director makes films with different perspectives. I did want to capture her as a writer, but more so as a person, and the film focuses on her life as an individual from beginning to end.”

The film also sheds light on her love life, said Hui, who based the film on Xiao’s personal writings and her letters to friends.

 “I also wanted to give the audience a chance to view Xiao Hong from different perspectives, by having her friends share their experiences with the writer and express their personal feelings, in an interview-like manner.”

The director added that she specifically chose Tang for the role because of her style of acting and great facial expressions. 

Tang, in her first public appearance in Korea after tying the knot with Korean director Kim Tae-yong in August, says she is very grateful for her life and considers herself lucky to be an actress. 

 “Movies are my dream, my religion,” the actress said. “I can say this is my ‘golden era’ as I am able to express myself through films and have this chance to play Xiao Hong.”