Fan Hsiu-Wong: Just finished filming Wilson Yip's Chinese Ghost Story. Now I have 4 projects, two of which are films. These are “Flying Swords of Dragon Gate” by Tsui Hark and “The Monkey King” by Chen Po Soi. They're both in 3D, so they're harder to shoot. The requirements are higher here. In the past, when we shot action films, each take could be shorter, but in “Flying Swords of Dragon Gate” long takes are required because it is 3D. This way the audience will feel the depth. If parts of the video are too short, it will negatively affect the eyes and cause dizziness. Therefore, it is necessary to increase their duration. The fight choreographer explained to us that during the fight we have to take into account the depth of field, for example, if we bring the sword closer to the camera, it will appear to the audience as if it is right in front of them.
It's not easy being an action star. You have had many different injuries. How long do you intend to continue fighting? Ever thought about doing less action movies?
Fan Hsiu-Wong: This will only happen if the audience gets tired of me, or when I can’t get out of bed, I can’t move. Those are the only two reasons. Otherwise, I will continue to work in this direction.
Is it because you really like this genre?
Fan Hsiu-Wong: Yes. I really love cinema, I really like action films, and everything you said earlier is true. Shooting fight scenes is a difficult, tedious task. As I mentioned before, in Flying Swords of Dragon Gate you had to do over ten different moves in each take. This was the main requirement. Therefore, we could film a maximum of four episodes in one day. There were 20-30 takes for each part, especially in Tianmu, in conditions of strong winds, sandstorms and cold. Very hard. But I am passionate about my profession.
Did you inherit your passion for cinema from your father?
Fan Hsiu-Wong: Of course. My father influenced me. When I was 2 or 3 years old, I starred in my first film. My father was just filming at the time, and they needed a child. The director saw me, and I was cute and big-eyed. So I played the role of my father's nephew. In the film he carried me in his arms. I didn’t understand anything then, I was just eating ice cream in the scene. It was fun.
When did you start showing interest in Wushu? Did your father force you?
Fan Hsiu-Wong: Many people believe that my father forced me to study wushu and kung fu. Actually, he just gave me some guidance and developed my interest in Wushu and training. I was very playful since childhood, so he taught me the basics - kicking. Perhaps I was influenced by the fact that I always saw him doing action movies, I thought it was cool and I wanted to be like him. When I was at school, I was always gallant and courageous, on the side of justice. For example, if someone offended girls, I stood up for them.
So, you were an “authority” among your peers?
Fang Hsiu-Wong: That was fine. Timmy Hungg and Hungg Ting Kun were my assistants. We didn’t know about each other, but then they heard about me and came over to my side.
Have you ever bullied your classmates?
Fang Hsiu-Wong: No, I never bullied anyone.
In which schools did you study kung fu? Are the martial arts you practiced different from each other in any way?
Fan Hsiu-Wong: Many people ask about this. Let's not talk about differences, better ask me about my teachers. I can name a whole lot of names. As a child, my first teacher was my father Phan Mui San. Then I studied with the bodyguard of the President of Korea, he has a black belt, he is a master of Judan Taekwondo. His name is Hwang Jang Lee. If you watched old school Hong Kong kung fu movies, he was often seen playing the villains. His kicks are simply amazing. He works with them like his hands.
Then I began to study wushu, and wushu, in turn, was divided into several branches. Then I lived in Xuzhou and studied the basics. And then I trained in the parks under the guidance of various masters. My father knew a very good master of the Eagle Claw style, and I also studied with him. Later I learned the movements used in Peking Opera, somersaults and gymnastics. Then, while filming “Young Master of Shaolin” for the ATV network and playing the role of Hungg Hei Kwun, I had to memorize the script and study. This is how I mastered Hung Gar. If you don't have the style you show on screen, you'll be laughed at. That's why I studied Hungg Gar before filming. Like in Ip Man: Birth of a Legend, where I played Ip Man's older brother. Proficiency in Wing Chun was necessary there; I had to learn that too.
Most people who dream of becoming kung fu stars envy those who have basic knowledge. Of all the roles you have played, the role that is first remembered is the role of the monk Xu Zhu in the 1997 television series “Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils”. Never thought that this character would be so memorable for mainland Chinese viewers?
Fang Hsiu-Wong: I never thought about it. On TV he was called “Xu Zhu”, in the film he was “Ricky”. While filming “Demi-Gods and Half-Devils,” I didn’t think about it at all. This was my second series on TV, I won’t say that I was very happy. I was on the verge of giving up; I couldn’t get into the role. Director Lu Lun Chang, known for the series “Plum Blossom Heroes,” told me while filming an episode on a cliff: “You can’t let anything influence your acting, the audience won’t understand the reason, and in the end they will only remember how bad it is.” you played, and ultimately it will affect you, your career. Whatever happens, do the best you can.”
Why were you so unhappy?
Fan Hsiu-Wong: I think it's because of the script.
Due to adjustments to the script? Maybe you felt that you didn’t like him?
Fang Hsiu-Wong: Yeah.
Subsequently, you had several more roles, such as the role of a eunuch, for example. Although they are catchy, they cannot compare with your standard look. Ever wondered why such roles are so quickly forgotten by viewers?
Fan Hsiu-Wong: No, that's okay. I believe that the role of the eunuch in the film “On His Majesty's Secret Service” was remembered by many.
This is so unlike you when compared with your other works.
Fang Hsiu-Wong: No matter what character you play, you can't predict whether the audience will remember it, whether they will like it, whether it will stand out from everyone else. We, as actors, must do everything in our power, and whether the project turns out to be successful or not is no longer up to us.
Are you picky when choosing roles?
Fang Hsiu-Wong: A lot has changed since I started working in TV and then left and started acting in films. Views have also changed. For example, before I might not have agreed to roles in the films “On His Majesty’s Secret Service”, “Chinese Time Patrol” or “Flying Swords of Dragon Gate” - strange makeup, the role of a eunuch. I wouldn't have done anything like this in the past.
Were you worried that this might negatively affect your image?
Fang Hsiu-Wong: Yes, in the past my worldview was different. Perhaps my father influenced me, because it was he who decided what roles I should take on. He was very demanding. This was until 2008, when I gained independence and began to develop my own thinking, I began to understand that my criteria for choosing roles were not entirely correct. So now I have a wider range of films. Take, for example, the same “Whirlpool” (The Moss).
Your father didn't object to this?
Fan Hsiu-Wong: No.
Which role do you remember most?
Fan Hsiu-Wong: Among the recent films - the role in “The Pensieve”. This is a story about various people living in the slums of Hong Kong. I played a beggar, a tramp collecting garbage. He had something like schizophrenia, he thought from time to time that his mother was still alive, he was a good son. For some people, he even carried out contract killings, and sent all the money he earned to his, by then deceased, mother. There's a girl in the movie that I defend, like Beauty and the Beast.
You have tried yourself in so many roles. Ever thought about becoming a dramatic actor? Like Jet Li, for example. He is an outstanding kung fu star, but recently, for some unknown reason, he announced that he no longer wants to act in films of this genre. He recently starred in Ocean Heaven and his acting was amazing.
Fang Hsiu-Wong: If the director gives me a try, I will agree, but I certainly won't give up doing martial arts films. In essence, in the same “Whirlpool” I have a lot of dramatic scenes, but there are also fights. I fight like a beast, throwing random powerful punches without any particular style. When I starred in historical films, I had to memorize all the movements before the battle, but here the director said that you don’t have to behave like a knight, you’re a beast, show your primitive instincts. Often, without realizing it, in battle I assumed stances similar to those of jockeys while riding a horse.
You've worked with many action stars, including international stars such as Jet Li and Donnie Yen.
Fan Hsiu-Wong: Yes, and with his idol. He's not an action star, but he's in The Monkey King, playing the Jade Emperor. This is Chow Yun-Fat. I have a photo of him holding little me in his arms. My father then starred with him in the same film. It was summer, but we had to play scenes with winter. I had to wear thick cotton clothes in the heat, it was very difficult.
Aren't you nervous working with Chow Yun-Fat?
Fan Hsiu-Wong: No, I'm happier than ever. I always smile at him and think about work.
What role do you play in “The Monkey King”?
Fan Hsiu-Wong: Giant God. He guards the Southern Heavenly Gate, guards the four Heavenly Kings. He has many fights, including a fight with Sun Wukong, played by Donnie Yen.
When will the release take place?
Fang Hsiu-Wong: Production is not over yet, filming has just begun, and 3D post-production will take a lot of time.
Is there anything new in this film other than 3D?
Fan Hsiu-Wong: I am very glad that 3D format is starting to appear in our Chinese films. And I guess a Chinese fantasy film like this should be shot in 3D.
Have you watched old versions of “Journey to the West”? If this technology is used there, imagine how realistic the effects, for example, flights, will be. It would be very interesting to see the Monkey King.
Fang Xiu-Wong: The films of each era are different in their own way, just like the Liuxiao Lintong version and the 3D version. I think there is no need to convert them to 3D format, let everything remain as is, in its original state. It's a classic, after all.
Source: wu-jing.org
Translation: EvilDollaR
This is not the flag of Ukraine. He is sitting on the sofa, and there is a world map on the wall.
I confirm. :)
Offtopic: A review of Yamada is coming.
Is it just me, or is he sitting against the background of the Ukrainian flag?
Fan Hsiu-Wong is one of my favorite actors. Among the young people in Hong Kong cinema, only he and Wu Jing are both good actors and fighters.
Although I often see this actor in films, his most memorable role (in my opinion) is in “Ip Man” - in my opinion, he played just fine there! And his technique is quite good. :)