Alec Su: Mother Said I Was "Not Feminine Enough", 2009.09.21 sina.com interview

Alec Su: Mother Said I Was "Not Feminine Enough"
http://www.sina.com.cn 2009年09月21日14:34

• Actually I am quite rebellious, and there is no way I can remain where I was originally.

• It is not that I did not grow old, but just that I am regarded as very 'small'.

• Now, in whatever I do, I pay more attention to the process, and do not attach that much significance to the outcome.

Alec Su

The former member of the Little Tigers has already become an everlasting memory of youth in many people's hearts. Now, of the "three tigers," Nicky Wu has married and divorced, Julian Chen has basically disappeared from the scene, and only the "Good Tiger," Alec Su, has been active throughout these 21 years since he began his singing career. This year, he is acting in the mega spy movie The Message (Feng Sheng), and has made a breakthrough in terms of disposition, acting as a well-known Kunqu opera performer. On the 30th of this month, The Message will be screened nationwide, and the reporter took this opportunity to interview Alec Su.

About The Message

Chong Qing Evening Paper (R ): The character Bai Xiaonian you portrayed in The Message was a well-known Kunqu opera artiste. How did you initially develop this character role?

Alec Su (A): Actually, in the movie, all of us were working in the Japanese-controlled puppet government, and all of us were regarded as traitors to China. However, there was a continuous leakage of information to the anti-Japanese underground group, hence the head of the Japanese Special Intelligence started to search for the "Phantom."

The Bai Xiaonian I acted as was one of the suspects. He is secretary to the Commander, and though he was a soldier, he was also a Kunqu opera artiste, and very well-known. When I first saw the actor's lines, I felt that this character role was very unique, blunt in speech, merciless. Because he was born an actor, he had some feminine air to him.

R: What did you do to prepare for this character role?

A: At that time, the schedule was rather tight and my only request was that they must let me learn the Kunqu opera. I did not want to be "scolded" as a consequence of my performance. Hence, I personally paid for a teacher from Beijing Kunqu opera theatre to coach me. Yet, I did not feel good bringing a teacher to another film site, so I could only learn on the sly.

R: You once said that you had to use all your skills to act effeminate. In particular, what kinds of skills?

A: I have to transform in many areas, for example, the intonation, tone and accent when talking, the way of producing the sounds, the posture and gestures when walking. In the movie, my eyebrows were trimmed to the shape of a willow leaf. This is "Teacher" Tim Yip's design—that I should achieve a certain kind of posture and figure, a particular kind of pattern.

R: It was reported that your mother was, from the very beginning, exceedingly opposed to you taking on this character role?

A: Actually, that is exaggerated. My mum initially did not really give her support, but later, she provided me with a lot of help. Because I was learning the Kunqu opera for a period of time, I was stretching my vocal cords, singing even when I was in the toilet at home. One day, I had learnt all there was to learn about the postures and music and was practising at home, and my mum came over to me and said that my eye expression was not right: "Is there such a Du Li Niang like you—no display of boudoir and elegance at all, and the eye expressions are not gentle enough."

R: Is it because your mother is already a professional, and was able to detect that you did not act correctly.

A: Really, my mother has not come to the professional standard yet, but whether I am acting like a woman or not, she will be able to distinguish that. She just felt that I am still not like a woman.

Regarding His Acting Career

R: You have acted the part of a well-known effeminate Kunqu opera performer, aren't you worried that your audience is not able to adapt to it?

A: I feel that this is one difference between being an idol and being an actor. If I wanted to be an idol, then I would have to act only one particular kind of role. That is the very reason why I did not accept many acting jobs in the past two years—to have a change. If the audience, after watching The Message, feels that I have disregarded my image for the sake of acting, then I feel that I have succeeded.

R: After Little Tigers, you promptly took the acting path. At that time, what kind of good fortune was there, or was it that you had discovered that you have acting talents?

A: Well, at that time, I was already in the performing profession for 10 years. To a singing idol, 10 years can be considered as having reached the peak. People's impression of me will always be The Good Tiger. Actually, I am quite a rebel, and there is no way I can remain in that original position.

R: The deepest impression the mainland viewers have of you is still the Fifth Prince you acted in Huan Zhu Ge Ge (Return of Princess Pearl). Even up to now, there are many people who have this impression of you. Do you feel that this is a kind of success or failure?

A: That is an inevitable impression. For example, Vicki Zhao had to spend a long time to prove that she was not only Xiao Yan Zi (Little Swallow). Moreover, even before then, I had always been the Good Tiger, and after acting as the Fifth Prince, people realized that I can actually act in this kind of role, hence that can be considered as a kind of breakthrough.

R: You have also acted as a chivalrous hero in quite a number of period drama serials demonstrating swordplay and martial arts skills, such as Zhang Wuji and Hua Wu Que. In comparison with Xiong Yao drama serials, whose written creation of character role do you prefer to act in?

A: These character roles are rather appealing and attractive to audience, and it is the same when acting in Qing Shen Shen Yu Meng Meng (Romance in the Rain). Later, when the Korean dramas became popular, I also collaborated with Cai Lin in an "idol" drama Qing Ding Ai Qin Hai (Love of the Aegean Sea). This is how I have gradually progressed to this stage. All these character roles are my most favourite character roles during that particular period.

R: It has been said that Alec Su does not age, but when a script is being offered, will there be certain roles that will basically not include you in the casting plan?

A: Actually, it is not that I do not age. It is just that I look younger than my actual age, and this is common in the entertainment circle. It does not matter. Whatever they feel is suitable for me to act, just come and look for me to act. That is fine with me though, in actual fact, I can act in even more roles.

R: You have been establishing yourself in the mainland for more than ten years, do you now stay in Beijing for a very much longer period than you do in Taipei every year?

A: en (a groan). In general, yes. (Is your mother also in Beijing?). My mother has to fly to and fro between the two places. Whenever she has nothing to do, I will get her over here to keep me company.

R: You have once said before that there are several job/business opportunities, do you now get abundant income?

A: Not a lot, ha. Because I do not do any other kinds of business, I am able to put my whole heart and soul into the research related to my job.

R: After many years in the entertainment circle, what survival strategies have you learned? For instance, in the face of rumours, adversity/negative effects, pressures, how do you handle them?

A: There has been a great change in attitude and perspective. In comparison to the time when I first started out, I am now more focused on the process in whatever I do, and no longer attach that much significance to the outcome as before.

Rapid Questions, Rapid Answers

R: Where do you want to go to most?
A: London, because when I was younger, I was studying there for a short period of time, hence I would like to go back there to have a look.
　　
R: Do you believe in everlasting love?
A: Should believe so.

R: Who are you most grateful to?
A: My mother.

Q: If there comes a day when you are no longer an actor, what would you do?
A: A wanderer. I will roam about everywhere.

R: Can you briefly describe how you will spend your day when you are not working?
A: It depends on the place. If it is Beijing, then I will sleep and sleep until I wake up of my own accord, surf the net and then go out to do some exercises.

Evaluation

Feng Xiaogang: Alec Su has transformed dramatically.

Feng Xiaogang is in charge of the movie-making of The Message. When asked by the media his opinion of Alec Su’s performance, Feng Xiao Gang had especially and positively asserted, "Before, I thought that he could only act in the youthful idol drama, but in The Message, he has achieved a revolutionary transformation, far beyond my imagination. Alec Su will also gain great benefits from The Message.

Zhang Yiwu: A pity that Mei Lan Fang did not use Alec Su

A well-known lecturer from Beijing University, Zhang Yiwu expressed, "Alec Su's performance in The Message gave people a shocking surprise, and it is a pity that Mei Lan Fang did not use Alec Su."

The Movie, The Message, and Alec Su's character role

The highly charged suspense spy thriller, The Message, has modified Mai Jia's original novel of the same title. The movie is set during the period of resistance against the Japanese, and shows how a Communist Party member turned undercover agent infiltrated into the Japanese-controlled puppet intelligence department, and passed on a great deal of secret information. In order to flush out the spy, nicknamed "Phantom," the head of the Japanese Army special intelligence unit (acted by Huang Xiaoming), and the head of the Japanese-controlled puppet intelligence department (Wang Zhiwen) detained five suspects (acted by Zhou Xun, Li Bingbing, Zhang Hanyu, Alec Su and Ying Da) in a horrifying secret mansion, and interrogated them by torturing them cruelly with various kinds of torture instruments. Alec Su took on the role of a well-known Kunqu Opera performer, Bai Xiaonian, the secretary to the commander of the Japanese-controlled puppet Anti-Rebel Army, Zhang Yiting (acted by Shi Zhaoqi). His official rank was not high, but the limit of his authority to advance upwards had no boundary.

Alec Su Profile: actor, singer. From the time he joined the Little Tigers to now, Alec Su has been in this line for 21 years, and acted in Huan Zhu Ge Ge and many other television dramas.
　
Background of Interview: The movie, The Message, will be screened on September 30th. Alec Su portrays Bai Xiaonian, a secretary to the commander to the puppet Anti-Rebel Army, a person under the command of one person but above ten of thousands, and who was once a well-known Kunqu opera performer.

Reported by Kang Yanfang

Source:
http://ent.sina.com.cn/s/h/2009-09-21/14342707209.shtml

English translation by moonstruck
Please do not repost without permission

Thanks for the article and translation. :) :)

Q: If there comes a day when you are no longer an actor, what would you do?
A: A wanderer. I will roam about everywhere.

I kind of feel sad for him after reading this answer. Aside from the glamours and glitters of the entertainment business, I think he is quite lonely. :cry:

thanks bluemoon for posting and thank you moonstruck for the translation.

really a very in-depth insight into Alec Su, the actor and the person, and his career, Message and BXN. I have learned a lot about YP's
outlook of his profession and what can I say....he is really a pro. I have not known him when he was still active as
the Good Tiger...but his views here...shows he is now a matured actor who must have slowly metamorphosed from being
an "idol" into a serious actor...overcoming the ups and downs that came his way.

Alec is one actor who is deeply rooted to the ground...and for this he has his family to thank for, most especially
his mother. The moral and emotional support, to say the least, that they give him...surely makes him
stronger all the more.

I like how he is centered on his showbiz career...so he is able to focus and concentrate on it. There are many
entertainers who try to do so many things at the same time..thus they end up being" jack of all trades, BUT master
of none". There is no greed in him, only the desire to better his act...thus he is able to choose what roles he
want to play, roles that will improve his forte..and make the best he could. Very professional, indeed.

This guy is going a long, long way...and he is right, he looks younger than his chronological age..that's why
the opportunities for him are endless...and am glad that he is not doing any other business (money-making)..
and has his whole heart into his profession...for us, that means one thing...we will have Alec Su actively with us for
a long time.

:confetti:

And for an actor to use his personal resources to research, train and better his performance for a role he
has taken...for an actor not to be satisfied with "good"...and would like to be "better" if not "best"...I take my
hat off to Alec. He says he didn't feel good training kungu on the sly, while filming Searching...but in my opinion,
that was a big sacrifice for him...foregoing sleep and rests, perhaps...to train, so he wouldn't be "scolded" for
a half-baked kungu performance. Isn't that selflessness and humility!!! :thumb:

Ahhhh..I love this guy...both as a "Personality" and as a person. :wub2: :wub2:

Could it also be because of his numerous commitments and responsibilities at present that he wants to go wandering, without any worries, and actually getting away from the glamour and attention which he doesn't crave for? He is always surrounded by people (bodyguards, media, fans), I don't blame him for wanting to go wandering by himself incognito for once. Haha, won't be surprised if he goes wandering, there will still be fans and the media trailing after him... :peek:. Haha, maybe once he has his chance to do his wandering, he might meet the gorgeous someone he is waiting for...mmm, he did not mention whether he is going to roam all over alone, did he? :P

nickie, a wonderful description of Alec. I agree with you that he is one special guy!

if wandering around is his version of retirement...then wouldn't it be a happy retirement for him...at least he will
be able to get the only one aspect of life that he cannot have now...private life and freedom to live like an
ordinary person...that's what he has to exchange for his career now.

I don't think he is that lonely..after all...he loves what he is doing, i mean his profession. But yah...i think it is
difficult to live in a fishbowl..or under a microscope. But an intelligent person that he is...I am sure he under-
stands that in this world, one cannot have everything ..more so in his world....i.e. there is never a perfect life.

and you are right moonstruck, maybe when he wanders around, he is not going to do it alone..but with his
life partner.... :wub2: :wub2: