canto-pop singer & "heavenly-queen" Anita Mui passed away yesterday at 2.50am hongkong time. she died of lung failure due to her cervical cancer complications.
i have never been familiar with anita mui's talents as a singer (she was averred to be the madonna of canto-pop because of her out-landish concerts & inventive style), i am, however, an avid fan of some of her movies. i can still remember her heroic turn as Pak Wan Fai in the pugilistic fantasy feature, the Magic Crane, helmed by acclaimed hongkong director, tsui hark. not only did she manage to intrigue me wif her magnetic screen presence, she turned me into an instant fan. Other memorable movies include the Savior of the Soul (opp. aaron kwok), the heroic trio (wif maggie cheung) & drunken master II. In all her movies, be it as a woman struggling with motherhood or as reluctant heroine, Anita mui's indominatable spirit shines through in her characters... Doctors and specialists may say she should have sought professional treatment earlier, should have had more rest, should have this and should have that... but seriously, i believe anita mui herself had no regrets. moreover, even in the last weeks of her life, she had staged a magnificient 8-day concert tour despite the health risks involved; it was what she wanted to do... and i am envious... Envious of her courage.
At a time when nubile young starlets are a dime a dozen, her demise is truly a loss. The asian showbiz world has lost a bona fide star.
PS: farewell 2003~ hello, 2004! ;)
