Vivian Sung practised Malaysian Mandarin with locals for The Age of Goodbyes
The Taiwanese actress plays Du Li An in Edmund Yeo’s Malaysian-Taiwanese film, which is showing in Malaysian cinemas.
Taiwanese actress Vivian Sung spent a month in Kuala Lumpur preparing for The Age of Goodbyes, using conversations with residents to practise Malaysian Mandarin. She told Malay Mail that learning the accent was her biggest challenge in playing Du Li An in the Malaysian-Taiwanese production.
Alongside sessions with an acting coach, Sung visited markets and shops daily to become familiar with local speech. She tested her accent by checking whether people could identify her Taiwanese background. Many could, she said, but continued practice helped her feel more comfortable over the month.
Directed by Edmund Yeo, the film follows Du Li An against a historical Ipoh backdrop and is adapted from Li Zi Shu’s novel. Sung said she read the book approximately six times before shooting, finding a different perspective with each reading. The character’s emotional difficulties and journey into adulthood, together with the Malaysian historical setting, attracted her to the role.
Sung also stayed in Ipoh for a month, with most filming taking place there. Her earlier Malaysian visits had largely been brief promotional trips. The production marks an uncommon art-house role for the actress, whose previous leading parts have mainly been in youth romances and romantic comedies. The film is showing in Malaysian cinemas.
