|
|
        |
 |
 |
  |
 |
|
Beyond Heaven and Earth, There is Simply Life
As the leading actress in “Heaven & Earth,”
we saw her as a young Vietnamese girl whose naiveté was eventually
pitted against her cultural awakening in a foreign land, known as America.
However, since the film’s big hit in the early-1990’s, she
was hardly anywhere to be found. As time progressed, I remembered only
the actress whose acting debut left a memorable impression. Thus, it was
only natural to eventually wonder, “Where is Hiep?”
Since filming Oliver Stone’s “Heaven
and Earth,” you’ve kept out of mainstream movies – have
you been on a hiatus?
My family and I have survived through many life and death, [poverty and life-threatening] situations. So we value the life that we have been blessed with. With each day that we are still breathing, we cherish it – for all it's blessings and [disappointments]. [We] know that we are still very much alive. I have come to believe that we have all been given life [for] a reason. Individually, we may not throw the life force out of balance, but combined, we definitely CREATE what we call LIFE! What I mean is, the death of a person will not stop life in general, but the life of one will definitely add more spice to it. For example, the death of Einstein has not killed [or destroyed] us as a whole, but his life here on earth definitely changed ours for sure. And I think this whole concept applies to each and everyone of us at various levels, making the whole evolution of LIFE. So, in short, my inspiration for life, work, and love is in what is called "Joi Du Vive!" -- the joy/love of life. When you’re not working, what do you do to keep your acting in tact? For example, mental and physical training? When I'm not shooting, that is usually [between] 50-75% of the year, I attend my drama club, attend dramatic performance[s], study other people’s works (good and bad), and go to auditions as a way to lubricate and improve my acting. But no practice or work has proven to be more effective than to role-play in the real world. [This is because] you are confronted by [a] wide spectrum of people you encounter day to day. Be honest to your true feelings and bring it out. Let it shine when you meet people. Don't limit yourself by showing only one side of yourself when you are faced with someone who can bring a different face of you out of you. It's the best thing in the world to discover yourself with people this way. It's usually during these moments that I look back on, to bring that side of me out when [I] need to express myself that way. Can you describe some of the projects you’ve worked on? What is your current project? I've done [everything from] voice to theatre, to TV and cable. But 80% of my work has been in films. To date, I've done about 9 films. Please look out for these two upcoming releases: Return to Pontianak: a suspense thriller. [It is scheduled for] release this coming fall in Asia by Shaw. It is directed by Djinn and produced by Vacant Films. In it, I play a Malay girl adopted by a Japanese-American family. [However], I am haunted by the ghost of my mother and thus return to look for the sight of her grave. There, I am confronted by spirits that make even my worst nightmares, [seem as] fantasies. As Charity Yamaguchi, I am full of angst, [and am] one who has "sexual frustration" oozing all over her. Green Dragon: a drama. [It is scheduled for] release early next year by Franchise. It is directed by Tim Bui (Tony Bui's other half) and produced by Forest Whitaker. In it, I play a Vietnamese refugee at Camp Pendleton before the fall of Saigon. I am a feisty law student who [refuses to] let injustice pass her by. As Thuy Hoa, I am proud [and] weak when it comes to family. What is a typical workday for you? A typical day for me is meetings for half of the day. The other half is split between “Hiep time” and “friend time.” [During] “Hiep time,” I spend a lot of time developing projects to propel to the next step, [whether in] my film work or my life career. Then of course there's always time for fun, fun, fun with my friends. I value my friends. Friends are hard to come by. [So] when I find them, I love spending time with them. It makes me relax and youthful. My friends are different faces of me [because] they bring different parts of me out. With my friends, I feel I am most honest. I can totally be myself and not have to worry anything...they will tell me...when I am full of it. But then it's all cool [be]cause I know it comes from the heart. What advice would you give aspiring actors? I don't like giving advice to anyone [be]cause it's different for everyone. All I can say is, if you like acting, check [out] how you do in real life. How well can you put on a face? How cunning can you be when you want something? Do you know what it is about you that no one else can emulate? Are you willing to reach deep into your soul and show your naked inner-self to the public? This is an industry that gives the public the right to be your judge. Are you willing to accept that? Will you be able to face your worst enemy and still walk away with a smile, proud of who you are and the decisions you made – be it good or bad, a big mistake, or a big success? If you are, then you are ready to grow I guess. This is one industry that asks that you have an open mind and has a hunger for knowledge that is beyond the conventional. Whatever you decide, make sure you understand that there is more to life than just acting. Life is so full of things to do and explore. As human beings, we are blessed with all the different personalities. Plus, we are growing every day. And with every day, new things are introduced to us. So, whatever we decide upon, there will always be good and bad, but it will all be challenging. [The] best part of anything [is to] know that you have taken on [that] challenge. [This] is the only reward in life worth experiencing. People will have their opinions [of] where you have been with [the challenge] and where you [will take] it, but all that really matters is [that] you have taken to it. What is the toughest lesson you had to learn in the industry? The best? The toughest thing I learned in this industry is that it is all hype, [as are] most things that are [related] to perception. You can be the best man for the job but it does not mean you will get the job. [This is because] acting is open for interpretation; everyone will have a different take on the execution. [However], none is more valid than the other. [If] you want to stay in the industry, and you want to be financially stable, you pretty much have to take whatever project comes your way. [This] means comprising your principals beyond belief! But then again, any offer is a blessing. The best lesson I [learned] is that if they ask to see you, the job is pretty much yours unless someone else takes it away from you. When you are there, the platform is yours! So shine and make them regret that they can't go with you!! Where do you go from here? I think that will be revealed to me as time progresses. But this much I can say, you can expect to see and hear more of me with time...I will be exploring every territory that opens its doors to me. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Design
by nextdaysite.com
|
   |
   |
|
|
|
  |
|
