Daniel Wu
A man of many achievements
By Angela Lai
Danniel Says he will not forget he is Chinese. Daniel will make his own film within the next five years.
Daniel Wu said that university education helped to broaden the scope of his life. "Architecture gave me a broad education in every kind of art - painting, drawing, furniture design, photography, film, everything. I learned how to express myself creatively."
His family wanted him to study law or medicine, but Daniel knew that he was too artistic to pursue a career in either field.
Architecture was a choice in between, appealing to his artistic yet practical nature.
"If I hadn't studied architecture, I wouldn't be an actor right now. It helped me a lot in what I'm trying to do in my acting," Daniel said.
Daniel won the CineAsia 2000 Best Newcomer of the Year Award. The change of career from architect to actor seemed to be a good idea.
Lately, he has been experimenting with different kinds of roles, like action figures in GenX Cops, a comical figure in Beauty and the Breast, and even portraying a gay man in Bishonen. He believes it is important for actors to try different roles.
In order to get a better grasp of the character he is portraying, Daniel has a habit of jotting down the character's details, like writing a biography.
"Acting is to fit into a character, to become somebody else."
Daniel wants to make his own movie within the next five years.
"I want my first movie to be good, so I don't want to rush into it," he said.
Daniel said that the story for his first film depends on the budget he gets. Regardless of the storyline, it will be about fantasy and a dreamed world.
"But I don't want to reveal too much information now," he said, smiling.
The American-born Chinese appears to be more American than Chinese. His expressions and gestures, and his Cantonese with American accent, suggested an American colour.
However, he said that when he was in America, he always regarded himself as a Chinese.
He said, "My parents taught me that no matter what you do or how successful you are, you should never forget that you are a Chinese."
When he was still a student, Daniel was the founder and coach of the Chinese kung fu team and kung fu competition at his university.
He said, "It was a way to introduce Chinese culture to the students. It also provided a way to understand Chinese culture."
The kung fu club is still running now. And the competition currently extends to 20 universities. Compared with having only four participating universities at the start, Daniel called this an accomplishment.
In the past few years, work used to be his first priority.
"Now it is about enjoying life. You can't let too many things take over.
"So now, experiencing life is most important. Work is second," explained he.
To Daniel, experiencing life includes finding a mate. Daniel was voted in a magazine as the most ideal guy to date.
Said he: "I'm kind of shy about these things. I don't know. It's quite embarrassing."
Daniel slowed down and paused when he talked about his retirement.
"Maybe after a hundred more movies, or whenever I think I don't have anything more to give. . . .
"I'm not trying to be famous as fast as I can. I want to be the best I can in my own time," he said.
