生活周刊访问
赵薇尴尬面对“票房毒药”
Life Weekly Issue 1108
18 to 24 May 2006
"I am who you see; I don't hide behind a façade. My artiste job or the environment I work in does not define who I am. I am still who I am – be it in the past, at the present, or in the future... regardless of whether people like me or not."
This was what Zhao Wei disclosed in one of her previous interviews. At that time, controversy and critics were surrounding her. She felt frustrated and tears had flowed. But she was still herself, defiant with her head held high. Perhaps, this is the real 'Little Swallow'.
Since bursting into fame with television serial [My Dear Princess] (HZGG), Zhao Wei's stardom path can be considered smooth sailing. But for whatever reason, controversy is never far. The media does not seem to like her. Hence, her every appearance seems to bring about some negative aspects. Zhao Wei is not able to explain why – she could only attribute this to being part and parcel of working in the entertainment industry.
"Who is to judge that I am 'bane of box office'?"
Zhao Wei has been working in Shanghai for the movie [The Longest Night in Shanghai]. The continuous night filming has taken a toll on her health, and she caught a bad flu. As she did not want to cause a delay in the filming schedule, Zhao Wei gritted her teeth and continued filming by taking medicine and flu jabs. "Sometimes, one packet of tissue paper is not even enough. Her flu's quite bad." Zhao Wei's assistant was worried about Zhao Wei's health, but Zhao Wei herself was nonchalant. "It's just flu. I'm fine..."
Attired in a white dress, Zhao Wei attended the news conference for [The Longest Night of Shanghai]. She was in a jovial mood, greeting the reporters whom she knew. But some reporters just did not want to let her have an easy time. Some of Zhao Wei's previous movies [Green Tea], [Jade Goddess of Mercy] and [A Time to Love] did not fare well at the box office earnings. Hence, Zhao Wei was labeled 'bane of box office' by some media.
A reporter queried Zhao Wei on this label, and her thoughts about it. Even before he could probe further, darkness replaced Zhao Wei's smiling face, and she pushed the question to Director Zhang Yi Bai. Zhang hurried to ease the situation, "There is no such label in the context of the movie industry. Who is to judge?"
When asked about the episode later, Zhao Wei shook her head, "I don't mind people saying I'm not good. I know my own weakness and limits, but I've always tried my best in what I do. To label me as 'bane of box office' just because the earnings of a couple of movies are not ideal is not fair. Besides, a movie's success does not depend on a single person. Hence, such talk is very biased and subjective. Anyway, this is not the first time, so I feel there's no need to respond to such baseless remarks."
Better at being fond of someone in secret
Zhao Wei has always tried to place her love relationship out of the limelight – she feels that this is a private issue, and she does not want her relationship being interfered, or being gossiped upon.
When we talked about Faye Wong giving birth soon, Zhao Wei smiled, "She (Faye) can really eat! She's very healthy, and everything's fine. I'm really happy for her..."
But when the focus turned onto her, Zhao Wei quickly brushed aside the issue. "I'm not anxious. I have several friends who are over thirty years old, and they are also unmarried. So there's really no hurry. Right now, career comes first..." Zhao Wei stressed that she will not give up her acting career even after she gets married, as acting is her passion. "If I stop acting, I will not have anything to focus on. Life will be so empty, and I definitely can't endue such emptiness. So, my would-be husband must understand me on this issue."
In the movie [The Longest Night in Shanghai], Zhao Wei's character is a taxi driver who is secretly in love with mechanic Dylan Guo Pin Chao. However, Dylan is not aware of her feelings. Just as she learns that Dylan is getting married, Zhao Wei's character bumps into Japanese hairstylist Masahiro Motoki, and they develop a love relationship.
When we talked about secretly in love with another person, Zhao Wei disclosed, "When I first saw Masahiro, I did feel as if I had butterflies in my stomach! I'm very adept at displaying the emotions of restraining oneself when the loved one is around... When I was still studying, I developed feelings for someone who will never like me. I did not dare express myself, as I was afraid of being rejected. Everyday, I could only gaze at him from afar... When I look back now, the feeling's actually very beautiful; but I guess at that time, I didn't feel that way!"
With her past experience, Zhao Wei was able to put her heart and soul into enacting her character in the movie, and her acting touched everyone who saw the film. I guess whatever is the box office earnings, what Zhao Wei is more concerned about, is the feelings she brought about to the audiences in terms of 'being secretly in love'.
I asked her how she felt towards Dylan, widely acknowledged as dashing in the industry. However, Zhao Wei declared she did not feel anything towards him. "He is too dashing for my liking! Very dangerous... I'd rather choose someone matured like Director Zhang!"
One's impression of Zhao Wei is of a spontaneous character, who can forgo everything for someone or something she likes. But after all these years in the entertainment industry, she has gradually learnt to protect herself with a defensive cover. A sign of maturity indeed.
Impression 1
In 2004, Zhao Wei came to Shanghai to promote her new album. The Hongkong media turned up in droves, and the situation became chaotic. The news conference was cancelled even before it started. In the evening, Zhao Wei's agent called and said Zhao Wei felt bad about the cancelled news conference, and decided to give a treat to the reporters. After a few glasses of red wine, Zhao Wei slowly opened herself. She confided that she has become wary of the media, because she did not want to get hurt. Although she told herself not to bother with the adverse news, she just did not feel good when she read the criticisms directed at her. That was why she specially held a meeting with the reporters, so as to eliminate any possibility of misunderstanding.
Impression 2
I next saw Zhao Wei in February 2005 because of movie [A Time to Love]. Zhao Wei's mood has brightened considerably. She remarked that she no longer minded how others feel about her; the most important thing is to be happy. Compared to the Zhao Wei in 2004, she has calmed down and seemed more patient. She has since shied away from all the tabloid news. All Zhao Wei wanted to do is to perform her best in what she is required to do. As for any rest-time, she will spend them with her good friends, or go for holidays. This is a lifestyle Zhao Wei looks forward to.
Impression 3
MTV Asian Awards night on 6 May, 2006. Zhao Wei turned up at the gala event in a red dress –
sexy, yet adorable. She felt happy with the warm reception from the Bangkok fans. Despite being unwell, her spirits were high. She felt contented seeing so many fans even beyond China. The scene gives her courage to face what lies ahead, including adverse news. You can sense determination and courage behind her smile. This is the present Zhao Wei.
Translated by Xiao Mei Zi