Tang Wei’s Golden Era

Actress Tang Wei recently portrayed Chinese writer Xiao Hong, in the movie The Golden Era directed by Ann Hui.  The remarkable life of Xiao Hong, a strong and fascinating character who lived in the tumultuous world of early 20th century China, is beautifully told in this dramatic period piece, reflecting on the struggles of a young woman, with a determined and independent spirit.  Director Ann Hui will be a guest at this year’s The Script Road and the movie will be screened as part of the Festival programme.  

CLOSER speaks exclusively with Tang Wei about taking on this challenging role.

 

 

 

Tang Wei: First it was all because of the character Xiao Hong. I always like to play characters that are authentic and have numerous stories. Before having the chance to act as Xiao Hong, I was thinking that if I ever had to act a character like this it would really touch me. So I just grabbed the opportunity when I saw the chance. 

 

The screenplay of The Golden Era is also very special indeed. It tends to focus on the screenwriter and director’s perspective, so it is not easy for the actors and actresses to interpret. I really liked the screenplay after reading it so I didn’t want to miss this chance to give it a try. 

 

And of course it is also because of the director, Ann Hui. I adore her films very much and I am so familiar with her works such as The Way We Are, A Simple Life etc. In her films, the very experienced actors and actress can really express their talent and shine, which to me is really awesome! Who don’t want to have an opportunity and learn from a director like Ann Hui at least once? Especially for a young actress like me.

 

 

Xiao Hong’s work left a deep impression on me. Reading is my preferred way to prepare and get to know a character, and in this case, slowly through her words, I really got dragged into that particular era, rather than the writer herself. As she described the living environment of her era, I would research documentaries, paintings, films, books and other information from that time. 

Reading is also a way to train for acting. I am used to this method as I was trained to do this by Ang Lee in my first film. For me, doing a lot of reading is important especially when the character herself is a writer. In Xiao Hong’s era, what she experienced and the way she lived, simply embraced all the obstacles and challenges that one could experience in a life time as a woman. Nonetheless, her thinking was so pure, unsophisticated and simple. She was really legendary.

 

 

I feel like I did not really understand her from head to toe. It was a flourishing period for writers in Xiao Hong’s time. From her words and thoughts you can tell she was a maverick person. She had her own thoughts since she was young and did not go along with the mainstream. Xiao Hong left her home because she wanted to study at the age of 16. All the paths that seemed to be normal, or the paths that a woman with social ethics would choose, Xiao Hong refused to follow. She always carried something that common people at that time could not understand or could not accept. It was inevitable that she would have to choose a lonely path in life.

 

 

Once when Ann Hui and I were discussing the film, someone mentioned this term “very lonely”. At that point I felt like someone had stabbed my heart with a knife, the feeling was so real because no one had ever mentioned this point. At the moment when I felt the stabbing, suddenly I could sense the feelings of Ann. Of course she would not admit it (laughs), but she shares some similar characteristics with Xiao Hong I think. I pay my highest respects to Ann. She has very solid principals in art and will not make any alterations or be persuaded by others, if the changes are not related to art itself. She is very persistent in her work, and this trait, this dedication, is very similar to Xiao Hong’s. So they both have the same kind of loneliness I believe.

 

 

The character of Xiao Hong may be one of the best characters that an actress could interpret in recent years. Because of this character, I am thankful that I was born in this current era, the golden era of Chinese film production. One thing that nearly held me back when I first considered this movie, is that Xiao Hong is a northern girl from Harbin’s Hulan, but I am a typical southern girl from Hangzhou. I was so hesitant because of my typical southern accent.

 

I wish I could become as tough as Xiao Hong, but I just couldn’t. When I was filming this movie, I even got frostbite on my back. I was thinking ‘Xiao Hong could tolerate this coldness’ and as a result I got myself frostbite (laughs). But I appreciated the experience because at least it could make me feel that for a moment I was living there with Xiao Hong. 

 

 

She really knows about the female view. Her knowledge is based on the intense feelings from her heart. In my eyes, the most standout characteristic of her directing is that she can see and choose things accurately. But the challenge is whether you can give her what she wants. Young actors and actresses like us often lack experience, so sometimes I really loath myself for not being able to give what the director wants. I think it would be amazing if I could collaborate with Ann Hui again in ten years time, when I have had more experience and could really give her what she wants. 

 

 

I have been to Macau twice, once for a film festival when I won an award for best actress in a leading role. But it was always for work and I always being transported from one place to another so I didn’t really get to see Macau.  But I have seen some movies, and have an old friend from Macau who has shown me his very typical Guandong style family photos. And sometimes I receive screenplays for movies which are set in Macau, so all these things have led me to have an interesting and colourful image of the place in my mind. 

 

 

Go slowly, step by step. This is a process from quantity, transitioning to quality. I’m not in a hurry, so I will just take my time.