Anita actress Louise Wong on how the biopic of singer ‘has left a beautiful memory which will last a lifetime’, and her favourite films and stars
- Reflecting on her first feature-film role, model Louise Wong says she and Anita Mui both came from humble backgrounds but the singer had it a lot tougher
- The 32-year-old reveals her three favourite movies, why she likes horror films, and names her favourite actor and actress
Nostalgia for the golden age of Canto-pop is sweeping across mainland China, thanks to a film paying homage to a Hong Kong singer and actress.
Louise Wong, who makes her feature-film debut playing Mui in the movie, has been lauded for emulating the singer’s speaking style and mannerisms; some critics suggest she could win the best actress prize in the forthcoming Hong Kong Film Awards for her performance.
The Post spoke to Wong, 32, about her favourite films and actors, and how Anita has changed her life.
Has the success of Anita changed your life or affected your time with your husband [singer Sheldon Lo Hau-yung] and seven-year-old daughter?
The film has left a beautiful memory which will last a lifetime. I have become good friends with many of the actors, but its success has not changed my life much. Production firms have approached me for work following Anita. Even if there’s more work to do, I strive to find time for my family. We go to the parks and cinemas.
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Is there anything that you share in common with Mui?
While our childhoods are similarly humble, hers is much harsher as she worked since the age of four to support her family. People from my generation are more lucky. I worked part-time to help my family, and I paid my own tuition fees for my studies in fashion design.
Both Mui and I strive to perform better in our work. Our similar life experiences in this respect helped me take on her role better.
You were a model who won the Elite Model Look Asia Pacific regional contest at 17. Has acting prompted you to cut down on modelling?
I’ve loved fashion work since I was a child. I love doing fashion shoots. I want to do well in both acting and fashion.
What do you like about modelling?
I wanted to be a fashion designer – I loved drawing models and beautiful clothes in my childhood [but] my fashion drawings folder was lost during a house move. I like to study fabrics and mix and match fashion.
When I was studying fashion, a friend asked me to be a model for her graduation show. That’s how I joined the modelling industry. I have been to many different countries for my job. My family background meant I couldn’t afford to travel overseas otherwise, so I felt very lucky as a model.
Do you have any unforgettable overseas experiences?
Some time ago, I was in Paris. I went to a fashion magazine office on the third floor of a building, and there were around 1,000 models queuing [for possible modelling jobs], with the queue snaking all the way to outside the security gate of the building. It left a huge impression on me as I realised how competitive the industry is overseas.
I queued for two hours and left, as I had other casting appointments that day. This experience made me treasure every work opportunity I have.
What are your three favourite movies?
My favourites are Leon the Professional (1994), Pulp Fiction (1994), and 500 Days of Summer (2009). I cry every time I watch Leon. Pulp Fiction has a cool narrative which ties up all the disparate strands by the end. 500 Days is an interesting exploration of romance. You have different feelings when you watch it at different ages of your life. There are so many more movies that I like. I love romance and horror films a lot.
Who are your favourite actor and actress?
What’s your personality like?
I am shy and introverted. When I am not working, I am at home with my family, cooking, painting, listening to music and watching films. I like a simple life.
What do you do to relax?
I sunbathe, exercise, read and play music that suits how I feel at the time I listen. I also watch movies. I like to study each character’s thinking and the significance behind their facial expressions.
The enjoyment from watching a good movie can last a few days for me. I totally immerse myself in the characters. I cry and empathise easily when watching [moving films]. I like to watch horror movies alone; when the horror reaches its peak, I laugh.
