Behind The Scenes with Michelle Krusiec
Born in Taiwan and raised in the United States, Michelle Krusiec’s one-woman play, “Made in Taiwan,” paved the way for a major role in “Saving Face,” in which she plays a closeted Chinese-American lesbian dealing with a pregnant mother. Scott Murphy talked to the actress about her role, starting with that name...
HK Magazine: First off, to settle all the confusion. Where did your last name come from?
Michelle Krusiec: When I was five, my mother and father in Taiwan gave me up for adoption. I was adopted by my father’s oldest sister, my aunt, who was married to an American whose surname is Krusiec. I took his name.
HK: Is “Saving Face” relevant to your own life?
MK: I identify very strongly with the experiences of being American-born Chinese. I was born in Taiwan, but most of my upbringing has been split between being raised Chinese at home and living a very American lifestyle outside the home. I think the cultural values raised in the film are applicable to just about any culture and parent and child. My mother and I certainly have a very tumultuous relationship. She was the only person in her family of 10 to move to America and she is not interested in me marrying and settling down. In fact, she has always urged me to be very independent and has peculiar ideas about men.
HK: How comfortable or uncomfortable were the lesbian scenes to film?
MK: I have been asked this quite a bit and I don’t think I’ve found the exact answer to express my feelings. I was not intimidated about playing a lesbian. Because I have never played this kind of character before, it was one of the more enticing elements of the role. Of course, when it came to the physical aspects of the love scene and the kissing, yes, I was nervous but everything I was experiencing - the newness, the awkwardness, the strangeness - all played into the character. Perhaps the most difficult part was to watch it with a large audience.
HK: “Saving Face” seems more relevant than other Chinese-American efforts such as “The Joy Luck Club.” How do you see it?
MK: I truly feel “Saving Face” is a strong contribution to cinema. I think it is a milestone because it represents a story that is both culturally and socially applicable. I don’t think the lesbian love story is so far left that it is limited to just being about budding lesbianism. And I don’t think the characters are drawn so that you have to be Chinese to “get it.” The film tackles a variety of issues without being heavy-handed: it feels fresh and original and is genuinely entertaining.
HK: What’s next for you?
MK: I am developing my solo show, “Made in Taiwan,” as a TV pilot and a feature-length film. I am looking for funding and am also hoping to bring the play to Hong Kong and Taiwan if there is interest. In the US, I have a TV film called “Snow Wonder.” And I am becoming fluent in Mandarin because I wish to be able to work in Asia.
HK: What do you get up to when you’re not working?
MK: I LOVE to dance. I trained for years and try to dance hip-hop, modern and African whenever possible. I study wu chi for exercise and self defense because Bruce Lee is still the most awesome guy in the world. In Hollywood, I take my dog, Stella, out on hikes everyday. I love to try new restaurants and eat foods that I can’t cook - if I can cook it, I don’t want to order it. And I try to write anecdotal stories when I travel so don’t be surprised if I start taking notes...