Knowing Jodie Foster Behind the Scene of ‘Anna and the King’

by Mai Loon Goh
Council Member of the Penang Heritage Trust

It was the biggest news in town, the 20th Century Fox came to Penang, Malaysia; for the remake of a classical movie called "The King and I", which was the new version of "Anna and the King". The most attractive news about this movie, were the stars, two time academic best actress, producer and director; Jodie Foster who played Anna Leonowens, and Hong Kong movie King, Chow Yun-Fat, who acted as King Mongkut of Siam.

I was not a fan for any of these stars, so I was not excited to meet them as compared to my excitement to the attention of our heritage that has been taken so seriously by the production crew. I did read about the news of the filming, but later was very upset with the Chinese newspapers, which downplayed Jodie Foster, as compared to the over publicity of Chow Yun-Fat, Bai Ling (the main actress in "Red Corner") and Kenneth Tseng (Old time Hong Kong movie star). I felt Jodie Foster deserved a better treatment than that. Even one policeman said so, he agreed with me that we need to give the American a better impression of our country.

Therefore, I wanted to make a change, I remembered back in 1988 when I met the former East German 2 times Olympics Ice Skating Champion, Katarina Witt. She was very happy with the sketch I drew for her; I even had postcard hand written by her in return. I always felt that "Art is a universal language", it would be a good way to show one’s friendly gesture.

Therefore, I started painting a white T-shirt for Jodie Foster. I do not have any of collections her photos, so I had to find the sources from our recent newspapers. I painted Jodie Foster dressing as Anna by using acrylic painting and Syed Alatas Mansion (one of the shooting sets) in Chinese ink painting in the background. In the front I wrote down in Chinese calligraphy translated in English as " For Ms. Jodie Foster as souvenir: <> form Penang, Goh Mai Loon , drew and wrote with respect". It took me about four hours to finish the calligraphy and painting in the shirt.

Finally on March 10th, 1999, Wednesday after teaching at school, I went to the Khoo Kongsi in Cannon Square, where the film location was on that day. Jodie was having her break, holding a mini hand fan to get herself cooler in the heat. She was wearing a white long sleeve blue point shirt, and huge gray gown, she had a very elegant figure. I was lucky to find her seating facing me in about 20 yards distance. When she saw me walking towards her, holding the side of the T-shirt that had her face painted, immediately her eyes wide opened and the mouth changed to "O" size. At first I was not sure what she was saying, then a few more steps, I heard her saying, "Oh! Wow! Oh! Wow!" When I was near her, she exclaimed, "Gorgeous! Gorgeous!" She was excited to see the drawing, and she praised me for my talent.

I told her it was a gift for her, and welcomed her to Penang. She was very happy with it, and said it came on handy for her. I told her about the meaning of the Chinese wording that was on the front side of the shirt, and I had a card that explained everything. She said she would learn to write them. I told her better learn it and let the Chinese press know that, as they have been translating her name awkwardly. Then suddenly, she said, " I’m Jodie." Holding her hand out, and I realized that I forgot to introduce myself. I told her while shaking her hand, "I’m Mai Loon." She said she had a friend called Mei Ling. Imaging that a super star introduced herself in such a humble way. It caught me by surprised; she was so different from the press description.

Then I had to move aside for the film shooting. Jodie and Shantini Vemnugopah were taking their walk from the other side moving across the compound of Khoo Kongsi. Whenever the director Andy Tennant said, "Cut!". Jodie would not stop when continue her walk and dialogue with Shantini. At one time during the shooting when she was walking towards me, right after Andy said, "Cut!" she immediately acknowledged me. After the same scene had a few NGs, Jodie suddenly said, "Cut!" and stopped the shooting. Immediately the camera crew jumped out and ran towards Jodie. Jodie told them, "You can’t see my face at this angle". Andy came over, Jodie told him her opinion, Andy instructed the camera crew to follow Jodie’s instruction. The camera crew corrected the shooting angle, they remeasured the steps, then drew line on the floor to mark the correct spot that Jodie told them, after that the following shot was perfect. We can see from the movie that perfect result of Jodie’s instruction in that market scene where she stopped to receive a message from a little boy. From here you can she really deserved the US15million pay.

Yet, the other thing I was very surprised to watch Jodie helping others. The Asian actor, Sean Ghazi, who played Tuptim’s lover Balat, was very exited to be able to be able to work with Jodie. He had a pleasant talk with Jodie, taking pictures with her. After Jodie had completed her shot, it was Balat’s turn. At that time, the entire extras were off the scene at the opposite side of the camera. Jodie suppose to take her rest, but she didn’t. Underneath the hot sun, she stood alone helping Sean to focus at her side so that he can have the correct level of eyes contact with her. There is something unique of this lady. She doesn’t have to do all these, but she does it.

Even Chow Yun-Fat admitted several times to the Hong Kong press, that Jodie helped him with his English lines and encouraged him all the times. Even at one time, he had to filmed whole day for a scene, which he can’t presented his English lines properly, Jodie stood by whole day helping him to complete the scene. He later thanked her but she mentioned to him she was glad to be able to help him, or else she would feel useless.

Jodie’s voice was very soft, sweet and very English ascend (very much different from her regular Southern American accent). My British friends had mentioned that they had never heard any American actress speaking English so well, she was the best. Her expression was so well mannered; she was so graceful during her act. You can see a complete change in personality when she is acting. Her character in ‘Contact’ has the closest personality behavior of the real Jodie than others.

Jodie Foster was the quickest response person I have yet seen. She was in control in the set, smiling all the times, fresh and amazingly she didn’t look like she was sweating at all under the heat. During her short break, I had the opportunity of taking two photos with her, she was the one that hold my waist so that we get closer for the picture, each time she reminded me to smile. I also had a picture with the handsome producer Mr. Lawrance Bender (of "Pulp Fiction" and "Good Will Hunting"). Moreover, I overheard Jodie asking Lawrance if he had seen her gift, and she showed that she was very excited with it. Jodie signed on a card I gave her, I felt sorry before meeting her I did not collect any of her pictures for her to sign on.

During the film shooting in Khoo Kongsi, the Chinese family temple, the trustees of the temple invited Jodie for group photos, she graciously accepted. Later they invited her for a tea reception; she accepted and praised the trustees for well preserved the temple. Jodie then signed the visitor book, writing the following wordings, "Thank you for letting us visit this beautiful, historic place." The trustees were very impressed by her humbleness and friendliness.

During some breaks of the shooting, Jodie often just read a book, when I was around I saw someone passed her a tick book title "On a thin air", and she was happy to have it for reading. After her son Charles came with her best friend Cydney Bernard in the late evening, she would play with her beloved son Charles during each breaks. It revealed a wonderful mother she is.

In close-up, Jodie Foster was extremely slim only after few months of delivering her son, Charles. Yet she was a real beauty in the camera shots, I would say she was very photogenic.

When it came close to the end of shooting, Jodie entered the office to undress her huge two layers gown, and her expression was so in pain, her whole face all cramped up, that was totally different from the appearance outside. I pitied her and asked her whether it was tough; she nodded her head in silent expression. Yet, when she was outside everyone just saw a pleasant lady with all smiles and cheers, also happily playing with her cute son. She was the key person to keep everyone’s spirit high during the filming, because the continuos director and production crews were so intense, Jodie kept her sweet smiles brighten up everyone who sees her. Such a lovely person to fell around.

In actual the huge gown didn’t have any fans hidden inside, as the media had reported, so it was unpleasant to wear, especially after 6 hours of shooting under the hot and humid weather. The long sleeve shirt was thick too, when she left the set, standing at the exit waiting for her transport, she couldn’t wait anymore but to unbutton her shirt, showing another small but also thick shirt (In Malaysian standard) behind, it was so hot for her! She was blowing her to sweated body trying to get some air. By then her actual feeling showed out, she mentioned that working under 100oF under the hot sun was a tremendous pressure for her, she was surprised she didn’t died from it. I remember her expression that day, and I know what she meant.

I walked towards her and shook her hand saying, "Nice meeting you." She used both hands to shake mine instead, and thanked me again about the gift I gave her, and expressed her appreciation on what I have done for her. I was very surprised after such a long and stressful shooting; she could still remember that. Later that night, her make-up artist told me Jodie liked the shirt so much, "…. You didn’t know, after that she was telling everyone about her gift, she would sure wear it."

Jodie two months personal chef in Ipoh, Mr. Philip Chang said that when she first met him, she said that, "It’s an honour to have you cook for me." He was so surprised, because he should the one that felt honour to be able to cook for her. Of the whole period he cooked for her, each time when he delivered the meals she showed her great appreciation and sincere compliment for all the meals. What a sweet person!

Chow Yun-Fat also mentioned to the Hong Kong press that Jodie was a fun person. During the first day of shooting when he arrived, he was surprised to see Jodie had a huge banner hanging up saying "Welcome, King Fatty". She also hired a marching band to play ‘When The Saints Go Marching’ in his first day on the set. She was so playful.

Moreover, Chow Yun-Fat also mentioned to Hong Kong press several times that Jodie helped him with his English lines. "The English used was originally archaic and almost Shakespearean and Jodie would always suggest that Andy [Tennet] change it to ordinary English so that I could manage it." Jodie had direct contribute to Chow Yun-Fat success in portrait King Mongkut.

One of our Penangnite who acted as little one of the princesses said Jodie was very nice to them. She really loves children just like she loved her own son, Charles. The extras found surprisingly that Jodie would personally changed diaper for Charles around the set.

During the shooting in Ipoh, there was a serious disease crisis occurred, and caused lives. The production cast and crew were very cautious, everyone had to take prevention injection, Jodie was one of the first one to take, she showed no sign of fear at all. I had a home video showing that.

The most respectful part of Jodie, is that she was the only Hollywood stars who had filmed in Malaysia, ever to praised Malaysia. During ‘Anna and the King’—‘A Conversation with Jodie Foster’ in Lifetime TV, Jodie showed her affection and understanding for our country. She was able to go to the parks and seek out various kinds of foods. She said, "…Such a long history of so many nationalities that the West tends to view Asian sort of one nationality. They are more distinct that any of the European countries."

Jodie was delighted to see that everyone was going after Chow Yun-Fat and not her in Malaysia, so she was able to walk freely around and not to be notice. On the other hand, Chow Yun-Fat couldn’t even had a proper meal in any restaurants. Over here in Penang, people can not even differentiated Jodie’s double Jill Stokesbury with Jodie. She was happy to stay in Malaysia, feel like staying here and was little sad and scare to leave Malaysia and going back to America. You can see that how strong she longed for her privacy and freedom she enjoyed her, and she really appreciated her stay in Malaysia.

Knowing so much effort that Jodie had put into the making of ‘Anna and the King’, I would hope to see that she won an Oscar for Best Actress. She truly deserved that.

For lots of unpublished and very beautiful pictures of Jodie behind the scene, please view the photos of my collection at http://pht.org.my/AnnaKing/