Born in Nanjing in 1963, Zhang Yuan graduated from
Beijing Film Academy
in 1989. Being a very talented and independent filmmaker, Zhang was
named one of the world's top 100 young leaders in the 21st century
by
Time magazine. Recently he aired his thoughts on
filmmaking to Chinese netizens at sina.com.
Q: who is your favorite director?
Zhang: Rainer Werner Fassbinder, the late German
acclaimed filmmaker.
Q: You shot many "first" films in China, such as the
first movie about disabled children, homosexuals, and Chinese Rock
'n Roll music. Are you planning to make a film about Chinese
netizens?
Zhang: Somebody has already made it. It is called
Love in the Internet Era. While I intend to film a
new type: the Lawyer.
Q: Among the 10 films you have shot, which one is your
favorite?
Zhang: These films are all of completely different
styles. So, it's difficult to tell which is better. Previously, I
liked shooting films in a realistic way. For instance, Son
and Mama as well as Beijing Bastards, apart from
being feature films, look like documentaries. So I call them
documentary feature films. I've also shot many genuine
documentaries, like Storms and Stress. However, recently, I
found a new way to tell a story when I shot the film Green
Tea (a modern love story). Maybe I will carry on the next
several films using this kind of narrative method.
Q: What is your artistic ideal in filmmaking, or what do
you want to tell the audience?
Zhang: I always wonder who we are, where we were from and
where we are going. My friends and I all think of this. Why do we
live like this, why we are the way we are?
Q: What's the relationship between the box office and the
arts?
Zhang: Actually they are a unity of opposites.
Q: So maybe it's an excellent movie that doesn't do well
at the box office.
Zhang: Yes, very often. Sometimes acclaimed alternative films earn little money,
sometimes not.
Q: Do you think there are many films that combine well
artistic value and box office?
Zhang: No, just a few.
Q: Do you intend to shoot a commercial film, like Zhang
Yimou's Hero?
Zhang: No.
Q: What does childhood mean to one's
life?
Zhang: Childhood may exert a significant influence on
one's life. As for me, it produced a great impact on filmmaking. My
childhood always reminds me of my attitude towards life. Actually I
am a pessimist.
Q: What's the greatest difference do you think between
the so-called fifth generation directors and the sixth generation,
like shooting style, or anything else?
Zhang: In my opinion, the greatest difference is age as
the fifth generation directors as you call them have changed their
styles a lot. Therefore it’s difficult to classify the directors
today.
Q: Some of your films have been shown abroad. How can you
make foreigners understand what you want to express in your
movies?
Zhang: Of course foreigners have their own cultural
viewpoint in watching movies. But I think filmic language may be
the simplest artistic language that lets people from all over the
world communicate with each other. By watching a movie, you can
easily know how people live in different countries. When you see
many films at a film festival or film exhibition, you will find
that everyone's life is interlinked in some respects. Some people
even share the same living conditions. Film provides a good
opportunity for people to understand each other.
Q: What are the advantages and disadvantages of Chinese
directors compared to foreign filmmakers? And what is the
difference between Chinese film and foreign film?
Zhang: I think Chinese and foreign directors are all the same.
As to the foreign film industry, they have good films, and so do
we. If China's filmmaking policy is much opened with more
investment put in, I believe this will
be more attractive for Chinese film. We have a long cultural
history. And we are in the period of social transformation, so it's
time for good films to be made.
Q: What do you think of the film rating system? After
China's implementing the rating system, will your work be much
opened?
Zhang: Of course, yes. Film rating must be carried out without
delay in China. I don't expect teenagers to see the film East
Palace West Palace that I shot. I hope the filmgoers are above
18 for this kind of movie because they’ve had the ability to make
judgments for their own directions and feelings.
Q: It is reported that you are going to join in the
competition in next year's Oscar Awards with your latest film
Green Tea. Is that true?
Zhang: You know, the Oscars are a domestic academy award
in the US and the only award it provides for other countries is the
best foreign language film. Before the final selection, every
government would recommend a film to represent its country to join
in the competition.
Q: That is to say Green Tee has been submitted for
further examination?
Zhang: Yes. I hope it can represent China to compete for
the best foreign language film in next year's Oscar awards.
Q: How do you describe love in Green Tea?
Zhang: I am trying to tell people that there is a kind of love –
uninterrupted, seeking and searching, continually asking why.
Q: There is one line in the movie: "Sometimes fate is
just like two or three old tea leaves". Can you explain?
Zhang: Yes, usually people think of themselves as strong.
Actually in life, people are sometimes just like tea leaves. When
the water is poured into the cup, you have no idea if they, or you,
are going to float on the water or sink to the bottom. Sometimes
you don't know what you are going to do or how life will turn
out.
Q: Is there anything in the movie that makes you
regretful?
Zhang: In fact, film is the art of regret.
Q: What do you think of love?
Zhang: Love is always a mystery for me, while I pursue it
from beginning to end.
(China.org.cn translated by Li Xiao, September 19, 2003)
