Cover Henry Golding at the 28th Annual Critics' Choice Awards in Los Angeles in 2023. (Photo: Getty Images)
Henry Golding at the 28th Annual Critics' Choice Awards in Los Angeles in 2023. (Photo: Getty Images)
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The Malaysian English ‘Crazy Rich Asians’ star recalls his best memories of travelling and filmmaking
Henry Golding, most known for starring in the rom-com Crazy Rich Asians (2018) and A Simple Favour (2018), is in Hong Kong for a quick visit to be a part of the House of Celebration at St Regis, the hotel’s ongoing programme that celebrates the best of culinary, cultural, fashion and dining experiences each season.
In a conversation over afternoon tea at the St Regis Hong Kong on August 14 with Bart Buiring, Marriott International's managing director of luxury for Greater China, the actor discussed his experience of shooting his upcoming sci-fi film, Daniela Forever, a production helmed by Spanish filmmaker Nacho Vigalondo, his travel essentials, and panda poop.
In Daniela Forever Golding plays a man struggling to come to terms with the sudden death of his girlfriend, who signs up for a sleep trial that enables him to recreate his life and memories of her through lucid dreams, which the actor says is “one of my most enjoyable [movies I’ve starred in]. This character goes through the entire spectrum—from joy to loss, and everything in between.”
Read more: The Asian celebrities nailing the quiet luxury trend
Above Golding at GQ Moty Party in 2022 (Photo: Instagram/henrugolding)
Golding at GQ Moty Party in 2022 (Photo: Instagram/henrugolding)
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Golding was also creatively challenged as the shooting schedule called for the beginning and end of the movie to be shot on the first day of filming. “So [I had] to consider what his journey had been, and what state this character would be in.”
To add to his creative challenges, the actor also tried his hand at method acting (remaining in character even when not in front of the camera) for this film. “[It] was just so tiring. It’s always a learning curve. It’s always [about] finding the right techniques that work for you.”
Above Golding finishing a shoot in Italy in 2021 (Photo: Instagram/henrugolding)
Golding finishing a shoot in Italy in 2021 (Photo: Instagram/henrugolding)
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Golding is only in Hong Kong until this Friday, but he’s no stranger to quick and frequent trips. In fact, he was invited by St Regis to be a fashion tastemaker for the autumn edition of the House of Celebration; and yesterday, Golding led a masterclass on travelling in style and offered tips on packing couture garments and luxury items. What it boils down to, he says, is the basics, and to always bring an extension cord and adaptor.
Speaking of travelling, the actor says some of his most memorable experiences took place in Hong Kong. As a former travel host for a show on CNA, a Wan-Ifra award-winning English language Asian news network, Golding journeyed through Asia to experience the work that goes into keeping Asian cities clean and going, and one episode brought him to Hong Kong’s Ocean Park.
"I went to the zoo there and cleaned out all the crap from the pandas’ and penguins’ enclosures” he said. “One of the producers told me that sometimes they dry [the panda poop to] make it into a sort of paper because it’s all just fibre. I just remember standing there holding poo and discussing this to the camera.”
Hopefully there is no panda poop in store for Golding during his latest visit.
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Zabrina is the Senior Editor, Arts and Culture of Tatler Hong Kong. She specialises in performing arts, visual art and film. Her wanderlust was first fuelled by the Mighty Rovers Antarctica Expedition 2010. Over the years, she has interviewed A-list artists and filmmakers, including Oscar winners Chlóe Zhao and Tim Yip, Golden Horse winner Sylvia Chang, In the Mood for Love cinematographer Christopher Doyle, Pachinko author Min Jin Lee, and Coachella’s first Chinese solo singer Jackson Wang. She won gold at the WAN-IFRA Asian Media Awards for her 2021 feature on the waves of hate crimes targeting Asian Americans.
