Like every Chinese feature writer/columnist in this city, I have been musing on Mui Yim Fong. I have maybe three or four more pieces I wanted to post up, when I got the tone right. After all there is not much of such importance. But as I tried to learn more about what my Chinese compatriots are saying from friends, as my reading isn’t so great. I am not so sure where all the ink is going.
Li Bik Wah, who wrote the original novel that became “Rouge” wrote a scathing piece about “those who live off others” using Chinese history as a backdrop, saying things like, “Well, some people I suggest go get jobs or they will have to find someone else to follow.”
A piece in Apple Daily mused how although all of Anita’s list of impressively gorgeous and successful former lovers came to pay respect, one sat by her coffin every day for five days as is tradition of family members, she probably would not feel any peace because all this beauty is untouchable, much like they are in museums.
Then the newspaper and entertainment magazines are trying to find out whether she could be saved if she accepted medical treatment, which she didn’t believe in because she lost her sister and her friend Roman Tam to cancer. Then go into the minute of the fight over her finances between her family and those who were close to her.
Her mother, a woman of eighty is being hounded every day where ever she goes, and journalists waiting at the door of her home, hoping to provoke her into an angry outburst which they managed to do previously about certain issues.
Obviously they have run out of things to write about. Really what is the point of dredging over her personal choices in life as there is no way to bo gao (to amend). Li Bik Wah I am sure said those things because as a friend she had enough of watching people she perceived to be parasites continue to do so, but if she didn’t say it in life, maybe it’s best to keep it to herself when Mui Gei is gone.
After the wake, on the way elsewhere I walked pass a giant TV screen feeding daily news. A crowd had gathered watching the story on her funeral. There were images of the journalists hounding her mother as she was on the way, and could barely get out of the car. The man behind me goes really loudly, “I feel sorry for this woman. She lost both of her daughters and she can’t go to the funeral in peace.”
Everyone turned towards him and seemed to nod in agreement at once.
In the end, it might better to be silent.
I know I have more thoughts on her I would like to share, but Glutter ends the series on Anita Mui out of respect.
Yan
Goodbye Anita Mui
Yan Sham-Shackleton Online 
I’ve been following some of the Anita Mui news here in the UK on the Chinese Channel – the lengths that HK reporters and paparazzi will go to to get the story always astounds me. Never having lived in Hong Kong or in a overly-Chinese culture I suppose I don’t much understand the limits or standing of the media there. However much people would appreciate the coverage surrounding Anita Mui’s death, a lot of it was done in bad taste and I can’t help but think that the shoving of microphones and cameras into her family and friends’ faces at such a difficult time made us all cringe with shame. Furthermore, the endless gossip stories, e.g. regarding Mrs Mui v Marianne Wong, Anita Mui’s did-or-didn’t-they lovers, etc., all are, in my opinion incredibly tactless and unrespectful.
Natalie Merchant wrote a song after River Phoenix’s death and I think her poignant lyrics are applicable too here:
Why don’t you let him be
He’s gone
We know
Give his mother and father peace
Your vulture’s candor
Your casual slander
You murder his memory
Again, this is an outsider’s view so apologies if there is a different ‘understanding’ of the media on that side of the world.
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No, we understand it the same. They are vultures, we all know it. Much like I said, everyone there at the TV was just clicking and shaking their head at the way it was done. Sigh.
She HATED the paparrazzi in life you know. She would in interviews go on and on and on about them. She refused to be interviewed by Apple ever again, and started the trend of other stars refusing to do so too.
I think she had a press conference once just to yell at them pretty much. The way I see it, part of the reason it’s so bad is because now she isn’t here to defend herself, they are making up for lost time.
Assholes.
Yan
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I felt so sad, my both idols were gone… …i do hope that they could live happily in the heaven… … anita, i love u forever… honestly you’re my only idol
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Hi, I am a crazy fan of Anita Mui from Singapore and will like to know where is the temple that her ashes was kept as I would like to pay my respect to her. Please reply to my email at izzac_20s@yahoo.com.sg. Thank you very much.
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I’m from Detroit,Mi. For some, known as the hood. I was
surfing the net for a certain Carrie Ng dvd and came across this. I’m so crushed to find out that Ms.Mui has
departed. I loved her & her films especially when she played Jackie Chan’s mom in the Drunker Boxer film. I know that here in the U.S. some may not know her but
here in the hood she like a Pam Grier or Gabrielle Union
especially to those that a big, die hard martial arts fans. My prayers & thoughts goes out to her family & friends.
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i think Anita is very blessed that Da Lama had showed up next to her. i was very touched. She had gain good merits. i know that i will always luv her b/c she always had been real at all time., whether personal time or on stage.
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The last two years of my life have been like a bullet train. I have had no time to do much of anything, but job and sleep. I finally was able to sit and watch House of Flying Daggers, when my train hit a wall at a thousand miles per hour. That one line at the end of the movie, in memory of, devestated me for I have been following Anita Mui’s films and songs for the longest of times.
I live in America and where I live nobody really understand the lost I feel. One of the best entertainers that I have ever seen, heard, and enjoyed has passed away. The world is a darker place for her passing and I for one will miss the laughter, tears, and the enjoyment that she gave us.
I wish to say one more thing and this goes to you Ms. Anita Mui——-Thank you so very much for making my time on this planet a little easier to live with and I shall pass on your legacy to my future generations.
You will not be forgotten.
With prayers,
Nathan
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Anita Mui.. Mui.. One impressive and amazing person that will always be remembered for many passionate moments.
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