Jiang Wen Talks New Technologies, Dumplings, and Why, as a Director, He “Showers” Actors With Praise

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Chinese filmmaker Jiang Wen, known for movies like “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story” and “Let the Bullets Fly”, discussed various topics including new technologies, novel adaptations, and acting experience, during a busy masterclass at the 15th Beijing International Film Festival on Friday.

Of course, the topic of ongoing technological advancements and their impact arose in our discussion. He questioned, “Why would we resist the progression of innovative technologies?” when considering that they still facilitate the creation of compelling narratives, which are crucial. As for filmmaking, it’s all about the story being told.

In this rephrased version, I tried to keep the original meaning intact while making it more conversational and easy to read.

In a different setting, he urged the crowd to momentarily abandon their use of one type of technology, specifically smartphones. As the doors to the hall opened and Jiang made his entrance, accompanied by triumphant gladiatorial music, he was greeted with thunderous applause and a flurry of camera clicks from mobile phones.

At the gathering, the star expressed gratitude for the heartfelt welcome before specifically addressing the younger attendees. He kindly requested them to “put away their mobile devices” as it’s essential that we continue relying on our memory and intellect. Remarkably, he stated, “I’m in my sixties, yet I can recall numerous events,” and further emphasized his preference for genuine conversations rather than making the event a stage performance.

Acting in front of the camera has played a significant role throughout Jiang’s professional journey. On Friday, he shared that his acting career is rooted in four years of intensive training. He emphasized that mastery of characters requires both simplicity and complexity. In his words, “It resembles martial arts. You need to study it extensively, but when you perform, it’s like fighting without thinking.

One question focused on his thoughts regarding the process of transforming novels into films given his frequent involvement in such projects. Jiang revealed that he often strays significantly from the source novels. For instance, when discussing the film In the Heat of the Sun, which is an adaptation of the novel Animal Ferocity, he mentioned that the movie title simply struck him upon reading it, and he never contemplated using the book’s original name for the film.

In terms of scriptwriting, Jiang advised that “it’s crucial to establish the characters’ backstory.” If not, the written work may not endure over time.

Jiang emphasized in scriptwriting the importance of developing a character’s history, as a lack of it might cause the written piece to lack longevity.

Lastly:

When discussing scriptwriting, Jiang pointed out that it’s essential to ensure the characters have a well-defined past. Failing to do so may result in work that won’t withstand the test of time.

During the masterclass, Jiang’s directorial approach with actors on set was a topic of conversation. In his words to the crowd, “I don’t act as much these days, but my secret is to lavish praise on the actors and actresses.” He explained, “They’ll only give me their best performances if they feel good about themselves.” Furthermore, he suggested that “directors should be supportive rather than dictatorial.

He summarized: “The director’s job is about ensuring everyone feels content.” He humorously added that should a movie not meet expectations, directors can always point the finger at the cinematographers or audio team.

The repeated box office triumphs of the animated film “Ne Zha” were frequently highlighted during the Beijing Film Festival. As such, it wasn’t unexpected that, amidst a conversation about dumplings, Jiang casually brought up Yang Yu, also known as Jiaozi (which means “dumpling”), the mastermind behind the hugely successful “Ne Zha” series. He predicted, “He has a long road ahead of him.

On Friday, the versatile individual encouraged budding creators to chase their dreams and trust in their abilities, sharing that in one instance, he picked up playing the piano for a role and found he had a natural talent for it. “I believe I could have excelled as a pianist,” he added.

He emphasized to aspiring filmmakers that it’s crucial to have a unique perspective and something meaningful to express. He suggested that they should not only grasp the essence of life but also view the world in a distinct way, as this could help them identify what the existing movie market might be missing.

At the conclusion of the masterclass, numerous attendees eagerly sought an opportunity to pose a query. Many hands shot up, and some individuals even leapt from their seats, causing the decibel level within the venue to escalate.

The public often finds Jiang’s films captivating to watch, yet challenging to comprehend. After watching one, a spectator inquired about the actor-director’s thoughts on this matter. “Indeed, I understand every aspect of my films,” the filmmaker responded cryptically, “Mona Lisa has been smiling for ages.” However, he left it open as to why, saying, “Would you like Mona Lisa to explain her smile directed at you?” Jiang concluded his statement with this question.

The crowd became noticeably energized when an attendee inquired whether their partner could present a collaborative gift to Jiang, which they had made together. However, THR was unable to discern the nature of the item they were carrying.

The director-actor found the masterclass session highly enjoyable and continued answering queries beyond the allotted time. When asked about his peers, Jiang made it clear: “I am unique, there’s no one quite like me.” He further mentioned his keen interest in watching quality films from any film market.

As a diehard fan, I found myself eagerly awaiting the last question during our Q&A session. He hinted that he seldom watches his own films and suggested I should ask a follow-up question if I was curious about a recent movie he’d enjoyed. Intriguingly, Jiang mentioned that he needed to wait until Saturday before revealing his recommendation – perhaps referring to the ongoing film festival competition?

Jiang is leading the principal jury of the Beijing Festival, who will present their Tiantan Awards during the Saturday night ceremony. The other members on this panel include Chinese-American director and actress Joan Chen (known for her work in “The Last Emperor”), British director David Yates (“Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them”), Chinese actor Ni Ni, Finnish director Teemu Nikki, Swiss director and actor Vincent Perez, and art director Tim Yip from Hong Kong.

The Beijing Festival offers a diverse selection of movie showings in the Chinese capital, encompassing both domestic and foreign films. Additionally, it features numerous other events such as an exhibit displaying hand-crafted posters for the widely discussed film “Ne Zha 2“.

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2025-04-25 11:54