Film Director Barbara Wong
Cult film director Barbara Wong has just released ”Happy Funeral,” the sequel to the sleeper hit “Truth or Dare: 6th Floor Rear Flat.” She talks about women, youth, and where they meet in the film industry.
I was born in a family of six, the second daughter among four sisters. Perhaps my parents were trying for a son... But anyway, they later discovered that girls rule!
My upbringing was very strict. My mom was an English teacher. We were expected to be in the top five of our class. We weren’t allowed to go out at night.
Being born in the middle has actually made me a tough person. People tend to spoil their first kid, and the smaller one usually gets more attention. So the middle ones are ignored from time to time.
It’s not good to be the center of attention. You can observe things better from afar, and you’ll end up having better interpersonal relationships and survival skills.
I was a drama student, but I never pursued my career in acting because I’m too petite. It’s a major limitation for a theater actress. I knew I would always have to play the daughter.
The career lifespan of an actress in Asia is very short. In Hong Kong, cinema is a young person’s thing. It’s not about how well you act. It’s about how young you are.
