Maggie Q Interview 2/9/03

To publicise the release of Hong Kong Legends latest double disc special edition DVD ‘Naked Weapon’, lead star Maggie Q made a brief visit to the U.K to tell everyone about her lead role in the hi-octane action movie. Although relatively unknown in England, Maggie is a huge star in Hong Kong, Gary Whitmill caught up with the gorgeous model turned actress to discuss her rapid rise to fame and her past and future projects.

ACTION ASIA : Hi Maggie, how are you finding it in England, I would guess it is quite a contrast to your life in Hong Kong. Have you been recognised over here yet.

MAGGIE Q: Oh it’s far less invasive here, but I have been recognised already when we visited Chinatown by two guys who were fans of ‘Naked Weapon’, it is nothing like the reaction I get in Hong Kong though.

ACTION ASIA : Being a top celebrity in Hong Kong and being mobbed everywhere you go over there, how does it compare to say the States or the U.K.

MAGGIE Q: Well the Chinese community is very close knit. So in Chinatown wherever I am in the world, Paris, London, New York there are always people who know you as the Chinese always keep track of what's going on at home through Chinese newspapers and magazines.

ACTION ASIA : In Hong Kong you are pretty much in the press everyday too.

MAGGIE Q: Yeah, pretty much. It’s weird because you don’t even have to be there or doing anything of importance, if the press want to write about you they will.

ACTION ASIA : It’s been five years since you arrived on the Hong Kong scene, have you got used to it now.

MAGGIE Q: Yeah, I’m used to it now and tend to ignore the press so it doesn’t really effect me. I don’t get things translated for me apart from things that I need to know which will effect me legally so I can take care of it. But as for gossip and trivia I tend to rather not pay attention to it.

ACTION ASIA : How hard is it to socialise in Hong Kong, do you have to hang out in a celebrity clique .

MAGGIE Q: No I don't really hang out with celebrities, only occasionally. Mainly I socialise with film crew such as cameramen, directors, stuntmen people like that, but not other actors as they generally tend not to go out either. I go to about one, two places at the most in Hong Kong because it’s too much of a bother constantly being watched and scrutinised. People are generally in your business when your out and it’s not nice.

ACTION ASIA : Being a role model I suppose it makes it harder being seen in public, as you would have to be conscious about how you behave.

MAGGIE Q: Yeah in Hong Kong people can’t differentiate between who you are and their vision of who they think you are. Hong Kong is very big on idols, so I wont smoke in public, not to protect my image but because I know that people look up to you and I don’t want people to copy my bad habits. In Hong kong people just want to do what you do and wear what you wear, that is why celebrity endorsements are so popular in China.

ACTION ASIA : You have endorsed many products in China. You are the face of Nivea, Oil of Olay, Max Factor etc. and you continue to model as well as star in Film, TV and stage. How do you juggle your work commitment when you do so much

MAGGIE Q: It is hard, because I am producing now as well, It kills you sometime. When I used to read interviews about people like Kate Moss being admitted to a centre for exhaustion etc I used to think what's the big deal, Why is she so exhausted ? But now I know what they feel like. Sometimes I get days when I don’t want to see anyone or do anything. But unfortunately you have to do what you have to do and sometimes it sucks the life out of you. Lately I haven’t had any time to myself. In the past few months I have only been in Hong Kong for about a week in total as I have been so busy.

ACTION ASIA : Could you ever imagine a life like this. Acting, producing, modelling.

MAGGIE Q: No I couldn’t even imagine the modelling thing happening. When I lived in Hawaii and I was broke, going to school and working to make ends meet I was struggling. So I went over to Asia to work a bit and try to make a little money. I wasn’t a model when I lived in Hawaii and didn’t imagine that I ever would be.

ACTION ASIA : What did you want to be as it has been reported that you wanted to be a vet.

MAGGIE Q: I did yes, I also wanted to be a journalist but my parents wanted me to be a lawyer. There were so many things that I wanted to do but I wanted to work with animals mainly.

ACTION ASIA : Do you get back to Hawaii much

MAGGIE Q: I was just there before I arrived in England. My sister got married so i was there for that.

ACTION ASIA : I can imagine it being far more of a relaxed environment to Hong Kong.

MAGGIE Q: Oh yes it’s like night and day . people always ask me why did I leave Hawaii for Hong kong and I tell them that Hawaii is a great place to grow up to learn values and be grounded. Its a great place to go back to when you retire but its not a great place when you are young and want things to happen in your life.

ACTION ASIA : So would you not want to go back to the U.S to crack the film scene over there.

MAGGIE Q: I don't know. It s weird because I love Asia and I love living and working there. I've never been one of those people to go knocking on doors for work. What's happening now is that the bridge between Asia and the West is getting smaller so if a role should come along and someone wants me for it then yeah it would be great. But I am not going to chase them especially.

ACTION ASIA : With stars such as Michelle Yeoh and Zang Ziyi making it big in U.S films do you feel it would be easy to follow suit.

MAGGIE Q: When I do see people like Michelle and Ziyi making it big in the states it makes me very very happy because what they are doing is opening doors for everyone not just themselves. people in Britain and America are opening up to Hong Kong cinema and approaching Asian actors and actresses for roles and that is what I have always wanted for someone to find me in my element and say we want to take you out of that and bring you somewhere else. If it happens, it happens.When you work with a different variety of people you tend to attract people from different circles. When I worked on Gen Y Cops with Paul Rudd, he introduced me to U.S producers and recommended me and on his word producers have approached me to work on a number of American independent movies. That made me happy because they approached me on my own merits rather than me approaching them. It is always better when people see your value and want to use you because of it.

ACTION ASIA : So how did your modelling career come about, as you failed first time round in Taiwan but then returned and was a success in Hong Kong.

MAGGIE Q: Well it was a case of timing. When I was in Hawaii I never had a modelling book and was only persuaded by friends to try and make it in Taiwan. It was a disaster and I was wrong for the casting as they were after Western girls. It was quite disheartening because it wasn’t what I wanted anyway and I was being rejected. I then met a women in Taiwan who told me to try Hong Kong as they are a bit more open minded and she gave me a number of a contact over there. I bought a one way ticket to Hong Kong as my last chance and contacted the woman, who is still my modelling agent today, and from there I was very lucky.

ACTION ASIA : One of your first jobs was a photo book with Nicholas Tse, was he a friend of yours or was it just a lucky encounter.

MAGGIE Q: He wasn’t a friend when I was hired but he definitely is now. I was hired to do this book with him and when I arrived I was clueless to the media and stars in Hong Kong as I was new there, so when I arrived at the airport for this job their was a barrage of press wanting to know who I was and what I was doing with Nicholas. I was dumbstruck as I didn’t know what the commotion was about, I also didn’t know Nicholas was a big star until half way through the shoot. Nick advised me to stay in Hong Kong after that shoot telling me that the press liked me and that I should stay as he could see potential.He told me trust me you will be a star.

ACTION ASIA : So how did the TV role come about for ‘House of Dragon’

MAGGIE Q: Well it was Nicks company Emperor Entertainment Group who hired me to work with him originally and six months later they were producing a TV series and they asked me to star in the show. I was unsure but thought I would give it a try and it was hard.

ACTION ASIA : Did it hinder your career or help you starring in a TV Show.

MAGGIE Q: The thing about TV is that I wouldn’t do TV in Hong Kong or Singapore or Malaysia etc. but the thing about doing TV in China is that they don’t get to see films much because they can’t afford it but TV is mass media and this series played on 1600 stations all over China so I would go to remote places in China and people would shout out my name. And it surprised me but it reached a lot of people in China and many stars start in television and progress to films in China.

ACTION ASIA : Your first film was ‘Model from Hell’ how did that come around.

MAGGIE Q: I met Simon (Yam) because he his the husband of a supermodel in Hong kong and I knew her, so she introduced us. He told me that a film company wanted me to do the movie and told me about it and I thought that it sounded hokey but he persuaded me to do the film. Simon has done so many bad films that they never hinder him in his career so when Model from Hell ended up being so bad it was no surprise. But we ended up great friends after the film and it gave me a taste of acting and that was when I decided I liked working in film. ‘Model from Hell’ made me more enthused to work with more actors like Simon who is a helpful actor and so supportive.

ACTION ASIA : It seem like you have met great supportive actors along the way in your career

MAGGIE Q: I’m lucky, I have met the best people who have always been willing to help. There are many actors who try to put you off but at the other end of the scale you get encouraging actors. This is a good mix because when you see the unhelpful pig headed actors you come to the conclusion that you will try your hardest not to end up like them. It helps you adjust your attitude.

ACTION ASIA : Model From Hell was originally going to be called ‘Ghost Model’?

MAGGIE Q: Oh yeah and then they changed it and I was like great me being a model is that a job description ’Model from Hell’. I still have never seen the film all the way through and don’t know what its about. But the film didn’t hinder me as everybody has a bad film that comes back to haunt them and I am just lucky that it happened earlier in my career.

ACTION ASIA : You came to light in ‘Gen Y Cops’ as Jane Quigley. How different was that to what you had done before.

MAGGIE Q: Yeah that was the first real movie that I did. It was a $6 million dollar movie compared to the low budget of ‘Model from hell’. It was exciting as we had a whole bunch of fresh actors from Asia and two guys from Hollywood and a big Chinese director and a big crew. It was interesting as I had never made a movie like ‘Gen Y Cops’ even since then. It was a constant struggle on set because we were trying to make a Chinese movie that catered to the Chinese market but also make a movie that would appeal to the States. So we were torn both ways and there was a lot of creative differences that went on . We also had a lot of fun though as I got to learn a lot from everyone.

ACTION ASIA : Jackie Chan was executive producer on that film. Was that the first time that you met him.

MAGGIE Q: I was already managed by Willie Chan who approached me a year into my modelling and asked me if I’d like to do movies. At the time I said no which surprised them as they are not used to being turned down. But I did not want to say yes and upset them when they found out I couldn’t act because I had no previous experience. I wasn’t ready for them and I wasn’t at there level, six months later they approached me again with a four picture deal Media Asia and I said yes as they were determined as my popularity was increasing.

ACTION ASIA : You later made a cameo appearance in ‘Rush Hour 2’ and had an accident on set, could you tell us more about that.

MAGGIE Q: Oh you mean when I crashed Jackies car on set. In my scene I had to drive a car but Jackie didn’t want us to use his car in the film but Brett Ratner (the director) persuaded him and I luckily for me he was in a good mood that day as I pranged it.

ACTION ASIA : After appearing in cameo’s in Jackie’s films ‘Rush Hour 2’ and the upcoming ‘Around the World in 80 days’. Are there any plans for a larger role opposite Jackie.

MAGGIE Q: I would star with Jackie depending on the film. Because Jackie is our manager and he offers us bit parts in his films people assume that we have a lot to do with his career but in reality Jackie’s career is Jackie’s career and our is ours and he helps us out when he can. Jackie doesn’t baby us and expects us to work as hard as he did to make it .He is not going to let us ride on his coat tails and that’s how it should be and probably the reason he chose us for the team because he knows we will try our hardest to make it on our own merits.

ACTION ASIA : Just as Michelle Yeoh proved herself to Jackie and gained his respect.

MAGGIE Q: Exactly Michelle is one of the very few females I have seen Jackie show full respect too. She is on his level and she has earned it. And he expects that from us as well and I ‘m happy about that as I expect no less from him.

ACTION ASIA : With that in mind, would it be a nightmare doing a film with Jackie as he always strives for perfection.

MAGGIE Q: It would be because sometimes even going to dinner with Jackie is a chore. On the set of ‘80 days’ people were saying ‘Oh you’re Jackie’s girl,he loves you you’ve got it so easy.’ But he is the same with everyone and is so caring. But when your alone with him he is so bossy, if there is a piece of trash on the ground Jackie tells us to pick it up as we must set a good example. We have to be the person Jackie wants us to be and try to be as much like him as possible as he is a great role model. As far as work ethic goes and things like that Jackie is the best. No one works harder than Jackie and he deserves all the rewards and praise that he gets because he has worked hard for it. We work towards his example and look up to him. Jackie is like a father to me. It is always soul destroying to meet your idols, but Jackie is just how you imagine and lives up to his image in every way. Hong Kong could not ask for a better Embassador.

ACTION ASIA : You worked with ex-Impact editor Bey Logan on Gen Y cops (Gen X cops 2), how did this association come about.

MAGGIE Q: Bey was on of the executives at Media Asia at the time and is fun to work with. We always have a great time on set laughing and joking but when it comes to work we knuckle down to it as he is so passionate about the business.

ACTION ASIA: Being a close friend and being so knowledgeable of Hong Kong film. Does Bey criticise your films and performances.

MAGGIE Q: Oh of course and I think that’s great to have someone honest around you. In return I comment on his scripts and sometimes I feel bad as I am a 24 year old girl criticising a 47 year old man who has so much experience in the business but the thing about Bey is that he respects all people no matter what age you are or how much experience you have or don’t. He knows everyone brings their own element into the film industry, so we can sit down and go head to head about a subject. You need an out side opinion.

ACTION ASIA : And I can imagine in Hong Kong you are surrounded by a lot of Yes men who would not disagree with you with fear of upsetting you.

MAGGIE Q: Oh yeah that’s why you need people like Bey to be upfront with you and I’m glad I have him as a friend who can be honest with me.

ACTION ASIA : Jackie has shown how impressed he is with you as he introduced you to Alfred Cheung for a role in ‘Manhattan Midnight’ the film you shot in New York.

MAGGIE Q: Oh I loved working on ‘Manhattan Midnight’ as I had an Asian director, a half Asian crew and a half American crew. Two Asian actors which was me and Michael Wong and we had American actors like Richard Grieco and a few others. So we had a good mix. We also had a script which is something Asian films generally lack, so it was a great and different film to work on.

ACTION ASIA : In Naked Weapon you perform an array of amazing fight moves and display great athletic ability. What martial arts do you practice.

MAGGIE Q: To do martial arts movies in Hong Kong you really have to study more than one martial art, so I first started studying Wushu, then a bit of Taekwondo Chi Gong and I also now study Wing Chun.

ACTION ASIA : You get to work with Jackie Chans stunt team, which also must help.

MAGGIE Q: Oh yeah, they’re the best and you learn so much from them. They know how to make you look good.

ACTION ASIA : Where was Naked Weapon shot, it looks quite glamourous.

MAGGIE Q: It was shot in Oil Street, North Point, Hong Kong and it wasn’t nice. The main location was a horrible smoky government supply depot. The conditions were so poor that one day I was really tired and because there was nowhere to rest I went to the wardrobe department and slept in a suitcase. The set was covered in water and debris from explosions etc and there was nowhere clean to go, so that was the only place. Most of the interior shots such as the cage fight and the finale fight were shot in that depot. The beach scenes were shot in Manilla and it was so hot.

ACTION ASIA : Did you have to train hard for the movie as it is quite physical.

MAGGIE Q: No there was no time to train, it was a case of jumping straight into the filming, it all went so fast.

ACTION ASIA : So what help did you have to make the stunts look so impressive.

MAGGIE Q: Well there is a lot of wirework, which is standard in Hong Kong to enable you to jump higher we use a lot of powder to enhance a lot of moves, it makes the action look a lot more dramatic. The wirework hurt but it is a standard in most Hong Kong action films now.

ACTION ASIA : Tony Ching Siu Tung was the director of Naked Weapon and is also a well respected fight choreographer. What was it like working with him.

MAGGIE Q: He is very tough and very vocal. He kicks your ass and it’s no joke. You can cry and moan you get no sympathy from him. he was a martial arts star and he works on the best films. He would do a stunt or a move first to see if it is physically possible and then expect you to do it. We would work through a sequence about ten or fifteen times until we get it right and even then he might change it.

ACTION ASIA : Taking into consideration Tony Ching Siu Tong’s notoriously tough reputation. How was he with you

MAGGIE Q: We got a long so well, he took me under his wing , guided me, fathered me. We had a very special relationship n on set that no one else had. We both had a vision of something that we wanted to accomplish. We had the same work ethic. Work until you drop. If you put in 110% effort then he is fine but he has no time for slackers. He has time for anyone who puts in the effort.

ACTION ASIA : I heard you got your revenge on the tough director eventually though.

MAGGIE Q: Oh yeah, Bey tracked down and old Shaw Brothers movie starring Tony called Monkey Kung Fu which I showed on set. When he found out he was chasing me around but it was so funny.

ACTION ASIA : What were the shooting schedules like.

MAGGIE Q: Oh they were tough, sometimes shooting 16 hour and then by the time I get home I would only get four hours sleep and then get a wake up call for the set and do it all over again. You would be physically and mentally drained. I was so exhausted during one long shoot that I went to the wardrobe department, emptied a suitcase and slept in that as it was the cleanest place to rest.

ATION ASIA : Did you gain any injuries during filming ?

MAGGIE Q: One of the most painful moments during filming happened when filming the final fight sequence that appears at the end of the movie. Andrew Lin had to jump from a 13ft ladder and kick into my stomach. I was told not to move, but it was hard not to flinch so after two takes he made contact and I couldn’t walk for hours I was in so much pain

ACTION ASIA : What is your favourite scene from the movie.

MAGGIE Q: I like the dancing scene the best. There is a scene where I am dancing for this man and he discovers that I plan to assassinate him and a gun fight evolves which I have to get out of. It’s a scene full of action and emotion which is a rare element in some action movies and is hard to get right, but I think it works well in this scene. I had to train for two days in lapdancing to perform the sexy scene, but I felt so unsexy.

ACTION ASIA : The film has a strange mix of strong female role models and exploited females figures. These are typical traits of a Wong Jing film. Was there any aspects of the script that you thought went too far and did you make changes.

MAGGIE Q: Oh yeah when I first saw the script there was no way wanted to do this film. When I finally sat down with Wong Jing I laid down terms and changed some of the scenes that I felt went too far and were unnecessary. Wong wanted there to be lesbian overtones to the film and to include lots of demeaning stuff. I was opposed to the rape scene featured but lost that battle but if you look at the script and compare it to the final film, it is very different and it is scary to think what it could have turned out. I won on some of the changes but lost on others.

ACTION ASIA : What other changes were made to the film. Were there some scenes changed that didn’t work.

MAGGIE Q: Yeah, in the finale fight against Andrew Lin there were different endings. In one version he died with a pole through his head and in another ending I am too weak to fend him off that I drive the pole into my arm to strengthen it. It was a terrible ending that could only happen in a Hong Kong movie.

ACTION ASIA : We’ve mentioned Jackie Chan and Michelle Yeoh but who are your heroes in the Hong Kong film world.

MAGGIE Q: For acting Maggie Cheng is my favourite inspiration, not forgetting Michelle Yeoh and Chan Pei Pei who played my mother in the movie and also Almen Wong, who is a great martial artist but unfortunately didn’t get to display it in Naked Weapon.

ACTION ASIA : You recently appeared on the stage in David Pinners ‘ All Hallows Eve’ . Is that something you would like to do more of ?

MAGGIE Q: Oh yeah, if the opportunity came along I’d love to. Its such a different buzz to movie acting, its a lot harder but is just as enjoyable.

ACTION ASIA : In five short years you have crammed in so much, model, TV star, movie star, stage star and producer. What’s next for in line for Maggie Q.

MAGGIE Q: Well after my brief stay in England, I will be visiting the States and then it is back to Tokyo to start work on a new film. I also make an appearance in Jackie Chan’s next film ‘Around the World in 80 Days’ as a Scorpion Assassin which will be released next year. I am also producing now and continuing modelling so I am very busy.