“For all the little boys and girls who look like me who are watching tonight, this is a sign of hope and opportunity. This is proof that dreams do come true. And to all the ladies, don’t let anyone tell you that you’ve reached the age limit. Never give up.” Michelle Yeoh speaks emotionally on stage at the Dolby Theater holding an Oscar for best actress.

The actress made history last Sunday at the 95th annual awards ceremony by becoming the first Asian woman and the first non-white woman to receive a gold statuette in this important category.

In Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert’s seven-Oscar-winning film Everything Anywhere, Yeoh plays Evelyn Wang, a dry-cleaner whose day-to-day life is hard because, in addition to family problems, he has to deal with a manic tax inspector (Jamie Lee). Curtis). The heroine will jump into parallel universes and meet different versions of herself. And here, once again, the talent of the protagonist is emphasized.

belated recognition

Hours after Geo’s historic win, critics and audiences alike comment that the moment is great because Hollywood has finally recognized the actress’ work. As entertainment industry experts point out, acting as an actress in film has been ignored for decades, and the Oscars are the first step in breaking down the barriers Asians face in Hollywood. There seems to be progress now.

The lack of recognition for Geo, who is only now receiving the award after a 40-year international career, reflects systemic issues such as the fact that the Western film industry continues to “reject” Asian actors.

From ballet to screen

Born on August 6, 1962 in Ipoh, Malaysia, Geo excelled at swimming and rugby as a child, but at the same time wanted to be a ballerina. She started ballet at the age of four and continued to pursue this dream when she moved to London at the age of 15. He then entered the Royal Academy of Dance.

In 1983, she was crowned Miss Malaysia in a beauty pageant, and soon she was to star in commercials.

In the late 1980s, her name became associated with Hong Kong cinema, especially action films. He originally starred in the 1984 adventure comedy Owl vs. Bambo, for which he worked hard to prepare. The following year, she starred in Yes Madam, in which she did her own stunts, without the help of stuntmen.

In 1988, at the age of 25, she married film studio director Dixon Poon and retired from film, hoping to start a family. However, in 1991 the couple divorced, and that’s when Geo returned to work.

In the following period, the actress established herself as one of the most important representatives of her generation in Asian cinema. In 1992, he collaborated with Jackie Chan on Super Cop and they remained good friends.

But three years later, the actress faced an injury that put her career in jeopardy. During the filming of the movie “Stuntman” he broke a vertebra and several ribs. Immobilized on her neck and back, she thought her professional future was uncertain. According to The Independent, it was Quentin Tarantino who rushed to her and begged her to continue.

Hollywood

Like many Asian actors, Geo made her Hollywood debut in the James Bond spy film Tomorrow Never Dies (1997), which featured stunts and martial arts. Geo arrived on set and wowed the British with the special technique she used in the fight scenes.

The role of “Bond girl” Wai Ling prompted director Ang Lee to include Geo in the 2000 martial arts film Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.

Lee told The Telegraph that the actress exceeded all expectations alongside Pierce Brosnan’s James Bond. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon was a success and even became the first foreign language film to break $100 million at the box office in America. However, as Geo said, “box office success doesn’t ‘translate’ into a significant change in how Asians are represented on the big screen.”

In 2005, she starred in films such as Memoirs of a Geisha (2005), Danny Boyle’s 2007 sci-fi thriller Sunshine, and the 2011 historical drama The Lady.

“Second act” in her career

Hollywood seems to now recognize the work of Geo, who at 60 is getting an unexpected and exciting “second act” in her career.

Over the past five years, he has starred in two Marvel films: the comedy Crazy Rich Asians and the highly anticipated Netflix spin-off The Witcher. But, perhaps, the film that gave her the opposite role – those to which we are accustomed – undoubtedly became “Everything”. She doesn’t go overboard with the action scenes, but the way she portrays Evelyn captivates the viewer: she is a fighter, but at the same time down to earth and human. I like Geo herself on screen and beyond.