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March 2, 2019

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Humble salesman to award-winning actor

CHINESE actor Wang Jingchun recently received the Best Actor award at this year’s Berlin Film Festival for his stunning performance in Wang Xiaoshuai’s epic drama “So Long, My Son.”

Five years ago, his friend Liao Fan won the same honor for “Black Coal, Thin Ice” directed by Diao Yinan.

Wang and Liao, both graduates from Shanghai Theater Academy, later founded the Chunfan Art Film Center in 2015. Many art-house movies by both celebrated filmmakers and young talented directors have been produced at Chunfan.

Wang, 46, is a native of Altay Prefecture, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. At the age of 19, he still worked as a salesman in a local shopping mall. By chance he got to know director Lang Chen, who later became a primary mentor for his acting. In 1995 Wang was admitted to the Shanghai Theater Academy hoping to fulfil his huge potential.

Despite his superb acting skills, it was not until 2013 — 15 years after he graduated from the academy — that his talent was recognized with the Best Actor Award at the 26th Tokyo International Film Festival for “The Police Diary.”

He has starred in many different roles, including Marshal He Long in “The Founding of An Army,” an ordinary Chinese soldier in Zhang Yimou’s epic war film “The Flowers of War” and an experienced cop in the suspense movie “The Witness.”

“So Long, My Son” is the first installment in director Wang Xiaoshuai’s “Homeland Trilogy,” which points its lens at China’s ever-changing times over the past 40 years.

The film opens with the story of Liu Dong and Shen Yingming, who are originally close childhood friends, but become estranged because of an unexpected event. It follows the pair’s journey from the 1980s till today. Themes of love, marriage, family and social change are prevalent throughout.

In the film, Wang portrays repairman Liu Dong, who unfortunately loses three of his biological sons in three consecutive accidents. Despite the trauma, he never doubts or stop loving his adopted son.

To depict such a role in the movie, he managed to shed 15 kilograms in a month.

Shanghai Daily managed to catch up with the award-winning Wang to talk about his film dreams, endeavors and ambition to promote memorable art-house movies.

Q: Did you expect to receive such a big honor at the Berlin International Film Festival? What do you want to share with your fans?

A: Before I went to Berlin, I did have some expectations because “So Long, My Son” is a good movie.

I hope that the epic drama can attract big crowds of people at the box office when it is released in China soon.

Q: The silent love of a father in the movie touched many people in Berlin. How did you feel about the character?

A: “So Long, My Son” is set to a backdrop from the 1980s to 2012, when China underwent tremendous changes since the reform and opening-up.

It’s challenging to depict a man of more than 30 years on the screen, from his young age to over 60 years old. He is also a witness to the rapid social changes in the country.

Q: It’s not your first time to cooperate with director Wang Xiaoshuai. What’s he like to work with?

A: He is a versatile filmmaker who has strong creativity and a distinctive personal style. The film also represents his feelings about the era’s changes. He is very talented.

Q: What attracted you to theater?

A: When I was a child, I loved singing and dancing so much. My enthusiasm about film started from several classic Chinese movies, including Zhang Yimou’s “Red Sorghum” and Chen Kaige’s “Farewell My Concubine.” I watched them numerous times and these works had a big influence on me.

Q: What made you and Liao Fan decide to found the Chunfan Art Film Center? What are the center’s programs this year?

A: We hope to foster more art-house movie buffs in China. The center is our efforts to provide art-house movies from home and abroad with a platform for frequent public screenings and exchanges. Filmmakers are also encouraged to talk with the audience.

Following the success of a film retrospective exhibition of Zhang Yimou, we will showcase the outstanding works of China’s sixth generation film directors this year. Nominated films for the Cannes Film Festival will also be introduced to a Chinese audience. Many local cinemas have joined our program to show the movies.

Q: What’s your expectations for the flourishing Chinese cinema?

A: I hope more high-quality and thought-provoking realistic films will be produced. Such movies are close to ordinary people’s lives. They can resonate well with the audience.

Q: A large number of young people are taking part in the fierce competitive acting department these days. What advice can you give them?

A: I also participated in the theater academies’ acting tests 24 years ago. I still remember how I spent days on the train going to different cities for examinations. I am grateful to my teachers at the Shanghai Theater Academy who helped me to be indulged in the world of art.

Acting is not a route to simply chase fame. And it is not as glamorous as it looks. Young people should work very hard to improve their understanding about theater and life.




 

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