Story | Connie Li
You might say Shawn Dou was an overnight sensation. Since 2010, he has been in one blockbuster after another, starting with Zhang Yimou’s Under the Hawthorn Tree. A slew of hits followed. Up next: the period drama The Legend of Xiao Chuo.
Born in 1988 in Shanxi, China, Dou immigrated with his parents to Canada where he spent his early years. But it was at the Beijing Film Academy where his love affair with showbiz was sealed.
Today Dou and girl friend Laurinda Ho Chiu Lin, the “darling” of Macau’s famous Ho family, are the talk of the town and social media among the expat Chinese. With that kind of celebrity‘status—and, of course, his Canadian connection—Dou’s
collaboration with the Canada Goose was an easy fit.
Upon returning to Canada to shoot a commercial, Dou spoke with EliteGen to share stories about his partnership with the clothing brand and what the future might hold.
His lucky star
Dou’s good fortune began when Zhang Yimou cast him as Lao San in Under the Hawthorn Tree. “I was a big fan of Red Sorghum when I was in the film academy.
But what I knew about director Zhang was superficial, about how well he used cinematography to depict a culture. When I was picked by him, I was over the moon. it was an opportunity of a lifetime to work with a national icon, even before I left the academy.
“The filming was grueling. The camera didn’t roll until around the 30th day, because Zhang spent time working on our acting. Every suggestion he gave us then is still valuable today.”
As for always being in the spotlight, Dou takes it in stride: “Acting is a job to me. I draw attention wherever I go because of the roles I play. Whatever the circumstances, I ’ll stay natural. I ’m thankful for the public attention. it’s definitely not a burden. As a public figure, I want to be a positive role model.”
Canada Goose calls
“When I came to Canada at the age of 10, school kids were very proud if they owned a classic parka,” he says. “My first one was a brown Canada Goose parka,” adding that even today the brand is very popular in China among Chinese youth.
Dou once said: “Challenge your own comfort zone to understand yourself better.” A man of his word, Dou takes on extreme sports—mountaineering, rockclimbing and BASE jumping—all of which bring him closer to nature.
Canada Goose launches the second season of the Live in The open campaign featuring creators and explorers who have triumphed in the face of adversity. From climbing Mount kilimanjaro to starring in the adventure documentary Walk Through New Zealand, Dou finds new ways to push himself, which is how his collaboration with Canada Goose came about. He identifies with the brand’s belief in the harmonious coexistence of man and nature.
