Liu Xiaoqing's continued taking on the role of Wu Zetian in the short film version of the Legend of Wu Zetian project is creating many mixed opinions in Chinese public opinion. Although it is only a small-scale project, the actress still chooses to portray the entire character's journey, from Wu Meiniang in her youth to the stage of Wu Hau in her old age. The styling continues to be played by Mao Qua Binh - who contributed to creating her classic Wu Zetian image on the screen more than 30 years ago.
However, the focus of this debate revolves around age. At the age of 75, Liu Xiaoqing still maintains agile demeanor and youthful appearance compared to her real age, but many viewers believe that recreating the image of a 16-year-old girl is difficult to convince. Many opinions commented that no matter how sophisticated makeup techniques are, it is difficult to hide traces of time, especially in close-up scenes.
Some comments said that thick makeup made the actress's face unnatural, and expressions were limited. From there, the audience questioned the reasonable boundary between trying to maintain a youthful image and the authenticity needed in acting. Many opinions suggested that if Liu Xiaoqing only took on the middle-aged and post-power periods of Wu Zetian, public reaction could be less harsh.
The current controversy also evokes the previous scandals in Liu Xiaoqing's career. The actress has been discussed many times when playing characters much younger than her real age, such as in "Snow and Ice Chase 2" or "Depending on the Hero", where she co-starred with co-stars who are dozens of years younger than her. These choices have caused public opinion to question the trend of "becoming younger" in cinema many times.
However, there is also a view that. Liu Xiaoqing is a special case of Chinese cinema. She used to be a leading star, making her mark with a series of outstanding works such as Phu Dung Tran, and went through many ups and downs in life and career. After the upheaval, the actress still persistently sticks to the profession, accepting controversial roles to continue appearing on screen.
Overall, Liu Xiaoqing's continued acting in Wu Zetian is not only the personal story of an elderly artist, but also reflects broader debates about the age limit in casting, the suitability of the image and the audience's expectations for screen icons. This short film project is therefore still a topic that is causing many mixed opinions, making it difficult to achieve absolute consensus.
