Krusiec was born in Taiwan to Chinese parents. She moved to the United States
at the age of five with her aunt who married an American sailor, adopting his
name.
Growing up in middle-class Virginia under a dominating mother, she turned to
the performing arts as an outlet for expression. She created a one-woman
theater show, Made in Taiwan, an autobiography of what it's like to grow up
Chinese in America, which she plans to bring to Hong Kong next year.
Q: How did you do that naked sex scene with Lynn Chen?
MK: I have a natural protectiveness about Lynn. In the scene, I was the
assertive one, which was what Alice [the director] wanted. For me, being
assertive isn't a problem. Taking off clothes - you just had to deal with that.
You have to accept it and forget about it.
Q: What does your mother think of you in a sex scene with a woman?
MK: I haven't asked her. My mother is quite open about sexuality and
sex. We shared a fascination for the concept of porn. When people ask me how I
could do that lesbian thing, I'd say I'm confident and open about my body.
Michelle Krusiec and Lynn Chen in scene from 'Saving
Face' |
Q: How would your mother react if you were gay and you came out to her?
MK: I am heterosexual and I don't think she'd handle it very well. If
it's on paper, a tape or on TV, it's okay. If it's about me being gay, it's a
different story. She wouldn't understand. It's one of the biggest taboos in
Chinese culture.
Q: What did you find in the script that drew you in?
MK: The whole thing. This was the first script I read with no holes in
the story, no moments of "this doesn't ring true." I was struck by how
well-written the story was, how vivid the dialogue and how interesting the
character.
Q: How did you get into character?
MK: Initially, I didn't know what to do with Wil. Alice and I did have
an instinctive understanding, and she gave me mannerisms. I would try to figure
out why she [Wil] walks that way, why she twirls her hair when she thinks, why
she has cookie crumbs on her lip. Then I'd start exploring. I had 28 days to
get my s*** together. At the end of the day, I would keep exploring.
Q: How is your mother different to Ma?
MK: Joan's character goes through a period of discovery at the age of
48. My mother and I raised each other. She was getting Americanized the same
time I was growing up. She gave me opportunities my siblings in Taiwan didn't
have, so she was a lot stricter with my thinking: You've got to take
responsibility for your life and who you are. I started getting gray hair at
12.
Q: How are the dynamics different?
MK: Joan and Wil build walls around things they do and don't talk. I was
a sponge that absorbed everything my mother said. Joan's character is dominant
but my mother is more earthy and raunchy. She talks in your face and she loves
to curse. She comes up with sayings like "a man comes in the door your husband
and walks out of the door somebody elses' husband."
Q: Does she have traditional values?
MK: She thought I should find a rich man and have him take care of me -
a typical Asian housewife attitude about having a good life. Having lived in
the States for 20 years, she has a `how to cook and clean and be a good host to
find a guy but never letting him f*** you over' kind of atttitude.
Michelle Krusiec and Lynn Chen in scene from 'Saving
Face' |
Q: How did you get along with Joan Chen?
MK: Joan is a veteran actress and we had a very natural mother-daughter
chemistry. Wil lets her mother live with her, take over her apartment and tell
her she can't have friends over. She exerts her power over Wil. With Joan, I
allowed that hierarchy to happen.
Q: How did you hit it off with Lynn?
MK: I always thought Vivian was a very sexual character, maybe even more
daunting and aggressive. Lynn brought that quality of a sweet girlfriend as
opposed to one who pushes me to spend more time with her. She brings sincerity
and a friendship aspect to it.
The Standard
