Huang Xiaoming’s Mother Persuaded Him to Portray Xuan Zang
The biographical film Xuan Zang <大唐玄奘>, which stars mainland Chinese actor Huang Xiaoming (黃曉明) as the titular Buddhist monk, opened in theaters on April 29. In a recent interview with Sohu Entertainment, Xiaoming revealed that he originally intended to reject the part but changed his mind after talking with his mother.
When Zhang Hongsen (張宏森), the head of China’s Film Bureau, first approached Huang Xiaoming to invite him to act in Xuan Zang, the actor was hesitant. For one, he was already considering a role in another movie that was expected to be a box office hit. For another, he was preparing for his wedding with Angelababy (楊穎) and was unwilling to shave his head. And last of all, he was worried that his performance would not do Xuan Zang justice.
Zhang responded by telling Xiaoming to return home and ask for his mother’s opinion. The actor’s mother won him over by saying there were four people she had always wished to see Xiaoming portray: revolutionary Sun Yat-sen (孫中山), writer Lu Xun (魯迅), military leader Chiang Kai-shek (蔣介石), and the revered monk and scholar Xuan Zang.
Xiaoming Not Hopeful for Acting Award from Xuan Zang
Xuan Zang director Huo Jianqi (霍建起) reportedly sought out Xiaoming because he sensed a “simple foolishness” to him and thought he would be suitable for the lead role. However, Xiaoming is hesitant to draw close comparisons between him and Xuan Zang.
“I don’t dare say I’m similar to Xuan Zang,” he admitted. “That would be exaggerating. I just feel that he is my idol – he is the type of person I would like to be.”
When asked if he was worried about netizens mocking his performance, Xiaoming responded that initially he too was worried that he would not portray Xuan Zang well. As a result, he is not holding on to much hope that his performance in Xuan Zang will net him an acting award.
“It’s up to fate,” he said. “Whenever I really look forward to something succeeding, the chances of it failing are always greater. When your expectations are too high, you will become more disappointed.”
That does not mean, however, that Xiaoming is not aiming for the top. “Of course I hope for an award,” he clarified. “Who doesn’t want to succeed? ….But if you wish for success too much, you might produce the opposite result.”
Xiaoming’s Buddhist Beliefs Bring Him Relief
During the filming of Xuan Zang, Xiaoming had a Buddhist master present to help him understand more of the religion’s teachings. In real life, Xiaoming is actually Buddhist himself. “I believed in Buddhism early on,” he shared. “Buddhists talk about having mercy, which aligns with my philosophy of helping those who need help.”
Xiaoming’s Buddhist beliefs also taught him about releasing and removing psychological obstacles, which brings him much relief throughout the vicissitudes of life. “Stocks rise and fall, and my life is the same,” he explained. “Everyone has these experiences. But you have to be steady in your beliefs; you have to be willing to put in effort and try hard.”
In addition, Xiaoming says his Buddhist beliefs convict him to press on in times of trouble, which inevitably come after a time of success. “After you succeed, you will face doubts, criticisms, and ups and downs,” he said. “At this time, you will need enormous mental support to get through.
“Master Xuan Zang is an extremely good model and example,” Xiaoming went on. “He suffered countless mental and physical trails, but in the end he succeeded and became the Master Xuan Zang that everyone reveres…. If he had given up because of other people’s threats, criticisms, or doubts, would we have the Master Xuan Zang we admire today?”
Source: Sohu.com
This article is written by Joanna for JayneStars.com.
