From the time she was only a child, Xiao Sun was interested in performing. She began dancing at a young age, and eventually found her way into modelling. However, acting was always her passion, and was a natural transition for the Montreal native.
“My first film credit was a Universal film called Fatal. My part was shot on and off in different locations for two months, and I learned so much in that experience. Working closely with so many talented and famous actors and filmmakers really inspired me and made me fall in love with acting on camera, and that’s when I knew exactly what to do with my life,” said Sun.
Many years have passed since Sun first stepped onto a film set, and now she is an industry leading trilingual actress in Canada and abroad. Speaking English, French, and Mandarin, Sun is extremely versatile, appearing in celebrated French films, including Les 3 P’tits Cochons 2, one of the highest grossing box office films in Canada in 2016. Audiences around the world know her from blockbusters like X-Men: Days of Future Past, and the critically acclaimed film Anna.
Sun will once again grace the international big screen in the upcoming movie Long Shot alongside an all-star cast. The film follows Fred Flarsky, an unemployed journalist battered by his own misfortune, who endeavors to pursue his childhood crush and babysitter who now happens to be one of the most powerful and unattainable women on the planet. It stars Alexander Skarsgård, Charlize Theron, Seth Rogan and Andy Serkis.
“I love this story. It has so much love and care, and the characters are extremely relatable, making it such a grounded movie that I know audiences will enjoy,” said Sun.
In the film, Sun plays Mrs. Lin, a business-oriented woman with a big heart. She’s extremely compassionate, running an organization dedicated to protecting and saving animals. As the highly-anticipated film has yet to be released, Sun can not reveal too much about her character or the story, but playing Mrs. Lin was an honor for the actress, as she was the type of character that she has always aspired to be.
“This film has an amazing cast, great story, and a role close to my heart. Seth Rogan is our proud Canadian, and Charlize Theron is a great actress and someone I have always looked up to. Acting opposite to them is like a dream come true,” said Sun. “Besides the cast and story, I was really excited to work with the Director, Jonathan Levine, and it was shooting in my hometown, Montreal. It was great to work with a familiar crew on a Hollywood movie in my home.”
Long Shot is far from Sun’s first experience working with Academy Award winning actors and directors. Last year, she appeared in Darren Aronofsky’s hit Mother! alongside Jennifer Lawrence, Javier Bardem, Ed Harris, and Michelle Pfeiffer. Amidst a wild flat meadow encircled by an Edenic lush forest, Mother! tells the story of a couple who have cocooned themselves in a secluded mansion that was not so long ago burned to the ground, devotedly restored by the supportive wife. Within this safe environment, the once famous middle-aged poet husband is desirous of creating his magnum opus; however, he seems unable to break out of the persistent creative rut that haunts him. Then, unexpectedly, a knock at the door, the sudden arrival of a cryptic late-night visitor and his intrusive wife stimulates the writer's stagnant imagination. Little by little, much to the perplexed wife's surprise, the more chaos he lets in their haven, the better for his punctured male ego. In the end, will this incremental mess blemish, irreparably, the couple's inviolable sanctuary?
“It was a mind blowing experience when you have Jennifer Lawrence in front of you, Javier Bardem next to you, and Darren Aronofsky behind the camera. What more do you want as an actor,” said Sun.
Sun plays a big fan of Javier Bardem’s character in the film, who travelled days from far away holding his new poetry book to his house hoping to meet him. The film is about Mother Earth and how we treat her. Javier’s role was meant to represent God, and Sun’s role represented his worshipper. Sun’s role allows audiences to see Bardem’s characters selfishness, leading to the pivotal point in the film.
“Darren was very specific on every details of the film. He wrote this story himself, this was like his baby, and he knew exactly how he wanted it to be. It was such a pleasure to see his dedication and his professionalism,” said Sun. “Javier was also very down to earth. We were shooting at nights in the forest, which was filled with lots of mosquitoes and bugs. Instead of getting frustrated about it, he just reminded us all to put some more mosquito spray on to prevent bites.”
Be sure to check out Sun in Long Shot in theatres May 3, 2019.
Photo: Xiao Sun and Darren Aronofsky