Busan:Michelle Yeoh, the first Asian actress to win an Academy Award for Best Actress, expressed her unwavering commitment to embracing new challenges and opportunities in life. She shared her thoughts while attending the Busan International Film Festival (BIFF), where she received the Asian Filmmaker of the Year award and starred in the film "It's My Time," featured in the festival's Gala Presentation section.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Yeoh spoke at a press conference about her approach to life and work, stating, "Every day, when I wake up, I look forward to a new challenge in life, and I think that is what life is about. I am not afraid of failures. It is like a heartbeat, it goes up, it comes down." She emphasized the importance of pursuing new opportunities and learning from each experience, highlighting her collaboration with directors Daniel Scheinert and Daniel Kwan on "Everything Everywhere All at Once" (2022), which led to her Oscar win.
Yeoh discussed her role in "It's My Time," which attracted her with the challenge of portraying an older woman and conveying the message of endless opportunities, regardless of age. Reflecting on her Hollywood career, she recalled initial struggles with being labeled as a "minority" and the frustration of receiving stereotypical roles despite her breakthrough in the film "Tomorrow Never Dies" (1997).
Winning the Best Actress Oscar felt like a "dream" to Yeoh, who credited Korean actor Youn Yuh-jung for inspiring her by being the first Asian to win Best Supporting Actress at the Academy Awards. Yeoh encouraged more Asian filmmakers and actors to share their stories, acknowledging the success of Korean cinema and directors like Lee Chang-dong, Park Chan-wook, and Bong Joon-ho.
Yeoh, whose career spans over four decades, described cinema as an essential part of her life, allowing her to explore different cultures and perspectives. She highlighted the enduring power of cinema amid today's multitude of distractions and platforms, expressing hope that it remains a venue for personal reflection and enjoyment. "I hope cinema will always be there because that is the moment that you have for yourself to be honest," she said, advocating for the unique experience of dedicating time to a chosen film.