1. Tell us about your background and work?

I have been working in the film industry for about ten years. My specialty is makeup and special effects makeup. In the past few years, I started to work on some styling. So, I am still a novice in styling! When I entered this industry, I mostly worked with movies after working with director James Lee. After him, I started to have the opportunity to get in touch with some art and independent film teams. So here I am very grateful to him and all the directors who have given me a chance.

2. How was the image of “Barbarian Invasion” decided?

In fact, if it is correct, they have already hired two styling groups before, and I do not know why they still did not have a concept and decision about the styling two weeks before the shooting. This was a very anxious situation. In a short period of time, we must start with the whole character's styling and hurry up to discuss the requirements with the director. Since the director Chui Mui needed to write, direct and act in the film, the meeting and discussion time with her was limited. And tell you that, the director did not use the phone, so this was even more difficult! But I am very grateful for all the cooperation, our styling was successfully completed before the shooting started.

3. We heard the budget and time given was very limited, how did your team manage it?

I was officially joining the styling and makeup department two weeks before the shooting started. Not only working under a tight schedule, but also with a tight budget. This was my first time working with director Chui Mui, which took some time to coordinate with her requirements and cooperation method. In terms of time, each department must decide every detail quickly and accurately. Due to the contact problem, sometimes we would be very anxious. In the image team, we arranged the work and cooperated with each other, Jia Jia was responsible for makeup, Amanda was responsible for and assisting me with wardrobe, and young sister Wei Zhen was responsible for some paperwork. Teamwork makes dreams work!

4. For the character Moon Lee, director Roger Woo, Master Loh, Cathy and Adnan, can you share about the original appearance of the actors, and how the styling of the characters in the movie were designed?

Moon Lee's look consists of three levels: mother/actor, martial artist, and refugee. Therefore, in terms of styling, we must give her three very distinct feelings, from a more feminine dress to a more athletic style, and finally the poorest refugee look. In terms of styling, Director Chui Mui’s most breakthrough is the feminine styling. As she was not used to wearing feminine clothes, she felt uncomfortable wearing a skirt and high heels. But professionally, she insisted on dressing up during the rehearsals to get used to it, so it would not affect her during the real acting. In the end, she even came to jump rope in high heels! Admire it!

Roger Woo- Pete is a professional actor; he knows exactly what his own role will wear and what he does not wear! So, after he understood how he wanted to play the role of Roger, we naturally gave him the clothes, and he would become Roger Woo.

Master Loh- When I first saw the script, Ip Man, Bruce Lee, and some well-remembered characters appeared in my mind. But the director and I did not want Master Loh's appearance to have their shadows. So, the director decided to let him wear his gym’s t-shirt, a set of world-beating looks to suit his role in the play!

Cathy- She looks good on everything. She looks good and innately makes the styling become very simple. We gave her the artsy style clothing, because in the film, she was indeed a literary and arty lady.

Adnan- He is a technology geek who opened a small shop in a small town. Although Adnan just wore t-shirts and jeans as usual, if you pay attention, the printings on his t-shirts were carefully selected by the director. Do these have any meaning, it depends on whether you understand it!

5. During the shooting, you were very diligent in exercising, can you talk about what you all exercised?

This film consists of several action scenes, so we have many martial arts masters, professional yoga teacher, and fitness trainers participating. During the shooting, the director wanted to stay in the best condition, so she did exercises and trainings. This drove a few of us who were working out and losing weight to exercise together! The energetic director also arranged Yoga class before working every day! During shooting, sometimes there was waiting time. We did not want to waste it, so we took the opportunity to do some simple exercises to consume time. So, this is the healthiest film crew and team since I joined the industry!!!

6. Any other things you would like to talk about?

I am very happy to have the opportunity to participate in “Barbarian Invasion”, and I am very grateful to the trust of producer Woo Ming Jin and the space given by director Chui Mui. Thanks also to all participating departments for their cooperation, and of course the help of the 'glamorous team' is indispensable, so that we can really have a good time and enjoy the successful filming of "Barbarian Invasion"!!! I would also like to congratulate our director Tan Chui Mui!!!