Now we know the secret to a parent’s love. Be tidy.
During a press conference for Disney and Pixar’s Turning Red earlier this month, Canadian-American actress Sandra Oh revealed a ‘tiger mum’ experience that still haunts her.
The 50-year old, who is of Korean descent, shared: “It was such an unbelievable quote that my mum said in the kitchen. It was so amazing that my mum said it in the kitchen. I wrote it down on Post-It and posted it on Instagram. And she said — I’m not joking — ‘If only you were neater, I would love you more.’”
“I love my mum. And she’s a fierce, fierce person. Tiny. Tiny. But fierce,” she said, adding that she’s “not afraid of that concept of a ‘tiger mum’”.
(Read also “Inspiring Words Celebs And Personalities Dedicated To Mums This Mother’s Day“)
Sandra also confessed to having “a really good relationship with my mum” but knows that’s not the same for everyone.
Turning Red, an animated film, is the story of Meilin Lee (Rosaliechiang), a 13 year-old girl whose world is divided between the strict Chinese traditions of her mother Ming Lee (Sandra), and the chaotic world of her youth.
As if that wasn’t enough, Mei also possesses the ability to transform into a big red panda when her emotions get too intense.
Meilin is joined by her best friends Miriam and Priya (Maitreyi Ramakrishnan), as well as Abby and Hyein Park, who are there for Meilin throughout it all. The film also features Orion Lee and Wai Ching Ho as well as Tristan Allerick Chen, Addison Chandler, and Tristan Allerick Chen singing.
Positive female friendships
Unlike other teen shows where the female relationships tend to be adversarial, Meilin’s besties are a source of strength for her as she navigates this confusing period in her life.
When asked about the importance of good portrayals of female friends for the younger generation, the other cast members present — Rosalie, Ava, Maitreyi and Hyein — unanimously agreed that tropes about female rivalries are wrong.
Ava pointed out that her experience wasn’t like that but people “start behaving like those tropes because that’s what we see”.
Sandra, who has “relationships and friendships that are 40 years old”, said: “Having young women and young girls in my life, watching television and films them over the years, you just realise … I don’t know who sets this up, that girls are like this because I don’t think it’s very true.”
“And I think this is an extremely good representation of deep friendships, and the highs and the lows.”
She added: “What I love about this film through friendship, and also music, it’s that precious time when you’re starting to figure out who you are when your friends become really, really important.”
This article was published for the first time in AsiaOne.
Source: Her World