A reluctant star still shines, at 48

I GAPED. Incredulity reigned. But can anyone blame me? Here was Josephine Siao Fong-fong nonchalantly telling me that she had just turned down a role opposite Johnny Depp in a coming film, Shanghai. Yes, he of the Kate Moss and hotel room demolition fame.

'You know, that was exactly my daughter's reaction when I asked 'who's Johnny Depp?'. All she could get out was 'oh, Johnny Depp, Johnny Depp!', ' Siao said, before adding as an afterthought: 'Is he a very good actor? I haven't seen his movies.

'One woman director - my memory is so bad I can't remember her name - asked Michelle Yeoh's manager to contact me about the film. She wanted to start filming in September but I already have another commitment.' So, we know, Siao is not easily impressed. Big Hollywood names don't faze her - she has been acting since she was five and has seen and experienced more than the average actor. And, early this year she capped a long and illustrious career with her first international acting award: best actress at the Berlin Film Festival for Summer Snow (now playing at the UA and Panasia circuit).

In fact, she shrugs off her Berlin coup just as easily as she does the Shanghai offer.

'I spend very little time thinking of awards,' she said. 'I have been a judge at one of these competitions before and I know what it's all about. I know a lot depends on luck and whether the judges like you. It's all very subjective.' The award came as quite a surprise to Siao because she never even realised she was in the running. 'I never even knew she [director Ann Hui] entered the film in the competition. I thought she just went to show her film. That's why I wasn't even there,' she added with a laugh.

Summer Snow has been named Woman At 40 in Chinese and, looking at the svelte and fashionable woman sitting in the Cafe of the Ritz-Carlton Hotel, it seems apt. Because in her 40s now, Siao is looking better and fitter than ever. In her short skirt and black vest, she could easily pass as 30 any day.