Get to know 10 Things about Fei Ren
You have quite the story. You’re originally from China and moved to Canada to complete your degree in Psychology. How and when did you decide to add acting to your list of accomplishments and actually turn it into a career?
After graduating from UBC, I was taking care of my grandpa who struggled with dementia, while working a nine-to-five job. I had to give up modeling opportunities as they required me to travel. It was a depressing time, and I realized two things in the midst of this identity crisis: One, life is short, and two, I can’t live according to others’ expectations.
I really wanted to try acting and never thought I could because of my parents’ expectations, and I was starting to act late. Plus all the rumors about the acting industry– fear of failure and so on. But at that point, I really thought I had to give it a try. Even if I fail, I want to fail on my own terms and live with no regrets. It was this whisper inside me that kept burning, and now that I think back, it was just my intuition.
I realized I had to address my desire and that I couldn’t deny it anymore. I started training intensively, and I truly fell in love with the craft. The process isn’t easy but working hard brought me so much joy and fulfillment. Now, I believe when you align your passion with your actions, things can work out, and dreams do come true.
Which actors have influenced your career choices in a positive way thus far?
Along the way, I had great mentors who encouraged and challenged me in various ways to help me develop as a person and an artist. Kate Twa really pushed me to be in my voice and grow into my womanhood. Christiane Hirt nurtured me and challenged me to surrender to the moment and drive the scene, and also to embrace my power. I also love David Smith, who through clowning, showed me how to get in and out of a character safely, how to find joy, and be present. John Cassini taught me the relaxation technique that I use all the time.
The list of great actors, mentors, and friends who inspired me and helped me build my career goes on and on. I also love watching the work of actresses who are dedicated to their craft, such as Gong Li, Cate Blanchett, Charlize Theron, and Jessica Chastain, to name a few. Watching their interviews and seeing them give themselves to all their roles really inspires me.
You also developed your skills as a stage director. How have you been able to use this experience and incorporate it when you’re in front of the camera?
Being a stage director is almost like giving myself a test field to see what tools work to build a character. I get to share and learn techniques with my actors and it helps to hone my toolbox as an actor.
Also, as a director, I have to see the whole picture– the entire arch of the story, and make sure the intention and theme come across clearly. That’s good for on-camera work, where lots of preparation is done on your own, so I can self-direct and create multi-layered characters. Wearing a director hat also makes me learn how to be patient, how to talk to others on the team, and how to hold the room together and maintain focus when there is chaos. Those soft skills always come handy after you have a long day on set and then it’s time for the very emotional close up at 6:00 AM in the morning.
Currently, you can be seen in the Netflix film, Polar. How were you first introduced to the project and what made you ultimately decide to take this on?
I recorded a self-tape for “Polar.” When I got it, I was very happy. I was so looking forward to working with such an amazing cast and Jonas Akerlund, our director. I also always loved Netflix original shows, so to actually be in one was thrilling. And, of course, with Hilde being such a badass woman, I jumped on the opportunity. I loved to step into her shoes and enjoy her power and freakiness.
In the film, you play the role of Hilde. What can you tell us about her personality and what you enjoyed about bringing this character to life?
Hilde is fierce, intense, and very skilled as a killer. She is edgy. I had the sense of her, being psychopathic, when I first got the role, because it said in the script that she enjoys killing. Then, when the creative team worked on my look, we decided on Hilde’s makeup and hair being very asymmetric. And that gave me an idea that she had a duality– a feminine past.
In my mind, she was a survivor and her past trauma made her the hard-shell freaky assassin you see. She is very driven, and I think she feeds off her power and status, but deep down she is craving more. When she delivers the finishing blow, her joy comes from her ego, knowing she accomplished the mission and that she was great. I think if she was raised differently with a different past, she might just be a strong woman, but not freaky. I love how she has this duality.
The original graphic novel by Victor Santos had no words, so I had room to make her behavior make sense to myself. There is a lot of freedom and fun in exploring her motives.
Without giving it all away, what can viewers expect to see from Hilde and the rest of the characters in the film?
Hilde is not someone you want to come across. She leads a team of elite, young assassins. She is protective of her team, they are like family to her. It’s like a weird, funky family of misfits, and each has their own unique talent in killing people.
When you’re not working on set, what does a typical day look like for you and what do you enjoy doing on your time off?
I usually juggle between rehearsals, training, and self-work. Right now, I am training in clowning, and prepping some stage productions. When I’m not acting, I hang out with friends and family and relax. I also like to listen to audiobooks, practice meditation and self-care. I love food, so I enjoy trying new restaurants.
With respect to fashion, which designers and styles appeal most to your personality?
Personally, I go through phases. I love an asymmetric edgy look, all black and cool textures, and other days I’m in a fun playful mood and my looks are packed with bold colors and patterns. It depends on the day and season. I love wearing baggy pants and oversized sweaters with cool sneakers. My closet varies a lot. I have lots of second-hand clothing, and some great pieces from amazing boutique designers I modeled for, but also some higher end brand pieces, shoes, coats, and dresses.
My friend Roxanne Nikki has an amazing collection, and I have so many of her pieces as I’ve been working for her for many years now. Her coats and edgy dresses are such unique pieces that wherever I go, people comment on them. I also have lots of heels… too many. I love edgy heels, but I hate wearing them. You will see me in heels only when modeling for photo shoots or at events. In my daily life I’m casual and love to stay comfortable.
What’s the one thing that we most people don’t know about you and would be surprised to find out?
My friends all think I am really cute and goofy, very different from most of the characters I played and especially from my modeling portfolio. I had a fashion client meeting for the first time in person saying she was happy to find that I am so easy going. She told me she was prepared to find a diva and possibly a bit difficult to work with. I thought it was very funny that she hired me even if she had that perception.
Thanks Fei Ren for sharing some insight into your career. What other projects do you have lined up and coming up?
I don’t have much I can share yet. I have a few projects baking right now, some as a director and some as an actor. As always, I am also dedicating time to training. I’m exploring Clowning more, and the usual acting grind with projects and auditions.
Twitter: @FeirenOfficial
Instagram: @FeiRen