Anita: The Making of the Anita Mui Biopic
The creation of the biopic Anita was born from a decade-long desire by producer Bill Kong to honor the legacy of the legendary singer and actress Anita Mui. The project was not merely a professional endeavor but a personal mission to repay a kindness Mui had shown Kong in the 1980s, when she helped his fledgling company, Edko, promote The Adventures of Milo and Otis in Hong Kong.
Though Kong had previously attempted to secure a role for Mui in Zhang Yimou's House of Flying Daggers, her passing in December 2003 left him with a lingering regret. This emotional catalyst drove Kong to spend over ten years searching for the right script and the perfect actress to embody Mui's complex persona.
Development and Writing
In 2015, Kong partnered with director Longman Leung to bring the vision to life. While Kong initially hoped to collaborate with Lilian Lee—the screenwriter of Rouge, a film in which Mui starred—Lee declined the offer. Consequently, Leung took the lead, spending a full year conducting interviews with Mui's inner circle to ensure authenticity. Together with co-writer Jack Ng, Leung developed a script based on a detailed initial synopsis.
The Casting Process
To capture the essence of a historical figure, Leung drew inspiration from the television series The Crown, focusing on an actor's ability to evoke personality rather than just physical resemblance. The search for the lead was exhaustive, with the production team auditioning over 3,000 actors starting in late 2016.
In November 2017, the team selected model Louise Wong for her first film role. Wong's final audition was a pivotal moment; she performed a full dress rehearsal of the film's closing scene, singing "Sunset Melodies" (夕陽之歌), which moved the production team to tears. Her audition repertoire also included a Cantonese nanyin song (a traditional genre of Chinese string music), a wenxi (civil/literary) Chinese opera performance, the theme from Rouge, and the song "Life Written in Water" (似水流年).
Wong, who had never considered acting, underwent six months of intensive training to prepare for the magnitude of the role.
The supporting cast featured established talent, including Louis Koo as fashion designer Eddie Lau and Gordon Lam as pianist So Hau-leung. Terrance Lau was cast as Leslie Cheung; despite initial hesitation due to the pressure of portraying the icon, Lau eventually accepted the role.
Filming and Technical Production
Principal photography began in 2018 and lasted 80 days. To recreate the atmosphere of 1980s Hong Kong, the crew filmed at iconic locations, including the Hong Kong Stadium and the Hong Kong Coliseum prior to its renovation.
Because many landmarks had changed or been demolished, Leung utilized his experience in effects-heavy cinema to integrate computer-generated imagery (CGI). The visual effects company Free-D workshop worked alongside the art team to digitally reconstruct the Lee Theatre and the East Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront as they appeared in the 80s and 90s.
International filming took place at the Lanna Hill House, a secluded villa in the Mae-On district of Chiang Mai, Thailand.
Recreating the Voice
One of the greatest technical challenges was the audio. The production team struggled to find original master recordings of Mui's voice, locating only four. Taking a page from the production of Bohemian Rhapsody, the audio team blended vocal tracks from Anita Mui, Louise Wong, and a session singer to accurately recreate Mui's unique singing style.
Following industry feedback, an additional 10-day shoot was conducted in 2019. The film then entered post-production during the COVID-19 pandemic in Hong Kong.
Key Facts
- Lead Actress: Louise Wong, selected from over 3,000 auditionees.
- Production Timeline: Principal photography lasted 80 days in 2018, with additional filming in 2019.
- VFX Work: Free-D workshop recreated demolished landmarks like the Lee Theatre.
- Audio Innovation: Blended vocals of Mui, Wong, and a session singer to mimic Mui's voice.
- Locations: Filmed in Hong Kong and Chiang Mai, Thailand (Lanna Hill House).
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Producer | Bill Kong (Edko) |
| Director/Writer | Longman Leung & Jack Ng |
| Lead Role | Louise Wong as Anita Mui |
| Key Supporting Cast | Louis Koo, Gordon Lam, Terrance Lau |
| VFX Partner | Free-D workshop |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Bill Kong decide to produce this biopic?
Bill Kong wanted to honor Anita Mui and repay her for helping his company, Edko, promote The Adventures of Milo and Otis in the 1980s, especially after he was unable to secure her a role in House of Flying Daggers before her death.
How was Louise Wong chosen for the role of Anita Mui?
Wong was selected after a year-long search involving over 3,000 actors. She impressed the team with her ability to perform various musical styles, including Chinese opera and Mui's own songs, specifically moving the team to tears with "Sunset Melodies."
How did the production recreate 1980s Hong Kong?
The production used a combination of filming at existing landmarks (like the Hong Kong Coliseum) and utilizing CGI from Free-D workshop to digitally reconstruct demolished buildings and altered waterfronts.
How did the filmmakers handle the singing voices in the movie?
Due to a lack of original master recordings, the audio team blended the voices of the real Anita Mui, actress Louise Wong, and a session singer to recreate Mui's signature singing style.
Where was the film shot outside of Hong Kong?
Some scenes were filmed in Thailand at the Lanna Hill House in the Mae-On district of Chiang Mai.