Whatever Happened to Xiao Fu ? (from Big Bird in China)

     About 27 years ago, as China was beginning to open back up to a few visitors from the West, the famous Sesame Street character Big Bird and his humongous dog, Barkley, took a trip to several cities in China on an adventure that began in New York's Chinatown. Big Bird in China gave many Americans a glimpse into a country that had been hidden from us for many years. As he went from place to place, Big Bird and the friends he met showed us what living in China was like at that point in history. Those of us who have been lucky enough to visit over the last 5-10 years have witnessed just how much some of the places Big Bird visited have progressed since the 1980's.

     Big Bird's main Chinese friend on his adventure was a young girl named Xiao Fu. Many times, while watching the DVD with my daughters, I have wondered what became of the charming little girl who had played Xiao Fu. Recently, while looking at the Big Bird in China page on Amazon.com, I came upon the following message in the comments section :


     My Memories of Big Bird, March 2, 2006
          By Lisa Ou


     I am so delighted to see this movie finally in DVD. Feel very proud as I played the role Xiao Foo 24 years ago. Few interesting things I would like to share with people who love this movie: 


          - Xiao Foo didn't understand a single word of English when acting. I am local Chinese and do not start a second language until age of 9. All script was recited by memories. 
          - We filmed the movie in 3 cities: Beijing(the Great Wall, animal sculpture), Guilin(the Glass Chessboard, headless buffalo),Suzhou(the story teller). These are still the most beautiful tourist highlights of China. 
          - We had harsh time when filming the Great Wall, cause it was always packed with tourists. We eventually filmed it at 4:00am in the morning. 
          - China has changed a lot since then. We no longer dressed like the crowd in the movie. Major cities are well developed. 
          - Xiao Foo never acted in any movies after that. She grew up in Beijing, attended universities in Canada, now working for a top US investment bank in Hong Kong. 
          - Xiao Foo lost contact with Big Bird, Barkley and the Crew right after the movie. But to her, this movie is always the most precious memory.


     Now, whether this is really from Xiao Fu or not, we'll probably never know. But I think I'll choose to believe that it is, because I kind of like the "end of the story" that it provides.