Some people are simply destined to shine on the silver screen — and Tang Wei is one of them. Over the years, she has brought us a number of masterpieces that have garnered attention and recognition in the industry. Her latest endeavour Decision To Leave received an eight-minute standing ovation from the audience after its premiere at Cannes Film Festival. Upon the movie’s official release, the Chinese actress sits down with Vogue Hong Kong to talk about her acting journey and to share the story behind the new film. 

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Tang Wei’s Journey Into Cinema 

From her breakout performance in Lust, Caution as Wong Chia Chi and starring in iconic films such as Crossing Henessy and Finding Mr Right to her latest film Decision To Leave, 42-year-old Tang Wei has continuously challenged herself. She was even crowned Best Actress at the 47th Baeksang Arts Awards for her 2011 South Korean film Late Autumn. Without a doubt, cinema holds a special place in Tang Wei’s heart, “I used to think of cinema as a temple. I can rely on acting as a skill to make a living and it is something that provides me with a great sense of security. It is my connection to the world and has always helped me to stay connected with my friends, colleagues and people important to me. If there was no cinema, I would be cut off from the world.”

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Decision To Leave 

This year, Tang Wei stars in South Korean director Park Chan-wook’s romantic mystery film Decision To Leave alongside veteran actor Park Hae-il. The movie follows Tang Wei’s character Seo-rae, a Chinese widow living in Korea, as she gets tangled in a forbidden love affair with a detective after being the prime suspect in his murder investigation. When asked how she immersed herself in her role, the actress reveals, “I did everything the way my character would. I filled in the gaps in her background story, talked to the director about her and tried to absorb every piece of information. My process of learning Korean mirroed that of Seo-rae’s, when she tried to integrate into Korean society. Getting acquainted with my co-stars helped me a lot. The director also gave me plenty of time and space to get to know my character comfortably.”

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A New Surprise 

In the beginning, there was no script. It was just Tang Wei, her manager and the screenwriter listening to the director as he described the whole film. Now that she’s gotten to know her character, she reveals that the details that make her character all come from the director. Six years after his psychological thriller The Handmaiden, South Korean director Park Chan-wook took home Best Director at the 2022 Cannes Film Festival with Decision To Leave, which departs from the themes of violence and extreme cinematography that usually characterises his films. I feel like this film will surprise you. In between the characters Seo-rae and Hae-jun, you will discover a new side to Park Chan-wook.”

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Taking On A Korean Film After 11 Years 

There are many Korean lines in the film, which posed a lot of challenges for Tang Wei. “Not only did I need to memorise my Korean and Chinese lines, but I also had to know the meanings of my co-stars’ Korean lines in Chinese so that I could them translate in my head as I acted out my part in real time. I was multi-tasking while I was performing.” 

On starring in a Korean film again after 11 years, Tang Wei says, “I think I have become more patient and I feel more secure. My focus in life has shifted but it has helped me in my career. My eyes seem to shine brighter and I have become more curious about the world around me. I am more efficient at work and I’ve learnt how to love my family and friends better.”

Translated by Kaitlyn Lai 

Editor

Karma Cheung

Credit

Photo Courtesy of Edko Films Ltd.