| Shu Qi's Interview Q: You missed out on the henomenal success of <<Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon>>, when you passed on Zhang ZiYi's role. Did you do <<Virtual>> which will be distributed worldwide, to make up for it? A: No, it's just a coincidence that this is an international film. I like to make some commercial films to balance out my work because artistic films are very tiring. I can relax a little when I do commercial films. Q: But this movie turned out to be even more tiring, didn't it? A: Very, very tiring! I've always thought I'm pretty fit. But I can just do one scene 3 or 4 times and feel totally wiped out. It's really hard. After this movie, I've decided to make Jackie Chan and Michelle Yeoh my idols. They are so great! Q: What's your best martial arts move? A: The director says that my kick looks good, so he's given me a lot of that for my scenes. My right leg has become bigger then my left because I've had to use it so much! Q: How important is it that you make it to Hollywood? A: (slowly and dramatically) Not the least bit important. My principle is to make films that I like to make. I don't like films that are too troublesome or too hard to make. I make films for Asians, not for foreigners. I don't think foreigners know how to really appreciate our art forms, just like we can't really appreciate theirs. Q: Do you feel more comfortable filing in your hometown, Taiwan? A: To me, every place is the same. Q: What's director Corey Yuen like? A: He's just like a kid. He's so energetic that he likes to show us how to fight even though he doesn't have to. He's so old and his paunch is so big! He's never tired and full of ideas. He's full of ideas. He's a very cute 'lao wan tong' (Someone who young at heart) Q: Directors seem to always have a hard time changing your image in their movies. Why? A: Actually I think a good director can change an actor into anything. Like Hou Hsiao-hsien. He's soooo talented. He taught me that whether a film is good or not, an actor isn't that important. It's the director who's most important. I really really like him. He's so talented. Q: So you would work with him again? A: Actually no! I like him but then when I shoot his films, I felt very lost. Filming is normally very long, and, to me, it's very draining. But maybe some time later, if he wants me, I will do it. Q: Is there something that all directors require you to do in their films? A: Probably just to improve my lousy Cantonese. |