The 5-minute Interview: Wei Tang, Actress

'There are unveiled sides of me that I don't even know myself'

Chinese-born Wei Tang, 28, won acclaim with her performance as seductive assassin Chia Chi in Ang Lee's 'Lust, Caution', which was last year awarded the Venice Film festival's Golden Lion award. She has been nominated for this year's Bafta Orange Rising Star Award. To vote, visit
www.orange.co.uk/Bafta.

If I weren't talking to you right now I'd be ...

Drinking Pu Er tea and reading Shi Jing, the earliest existing collection of Chinese poems. After Lust, Caution I'm doing lots of Chinese cultural things to help bring my life gradually back to the present.

A phrase I use far too often is...

"Let it be." There are so many things that we cannot control. I believe in fate. Life is short and we shouldn't waste our time.

I wish people would take more notice of ...

Heartfelt creations. Some of the creations of new directors and actors might not be mature enough, but they are original and true.

The most surprising thing that happened to me was ...

Becoming more feminine after my performance in Lust, Caution. I used to be very boyish.

A common misperception of me is ...

There aren't any. I believe that if anyone has a different perception of me, I can't say that it's a misperception. There are unveiled sides of me that I don't even know myself.

I am not a politician but ...

I would like to see the world at peace.

I'm good at ...

Learning and accepting new things, adjusting to new environments.

I'm very bad at ...

Surviving without communication or love.

The ideal night out is ...

A big gathering with a lot of people who I haven't seen for a long time, all hanging out at a friend's place. It's good enough for me just to see my friends being happy, catching up and listening to music. Then everyone would go home and have a good night's sleep.

In moments of weakness I ...

Go to my mentors and talk to them. And I would spend some time reading and thinking, adjusting my attitude. I try to face and solve problems, instead of trying to get away.

The best age to be is...

Any age. I would try to live my best at any age. I enjoy every moment in my life – even when there are ups and downs. I don't want to waste my time.

In a nutshell, my philosophy is this ...

After reading all the above, you probably should know.

Alice-Azania Jarvis