Jia defends genre switch
By Min Lee |
October 31, 2010, Sunday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
A Golden Lion-winning Chinese director best-known for portraying working-class struggles yesterday defended his decision to try his hand at commercial cinema as he prepares to make his first kung fu epic.
Jia Zhangke made his name with realist films that describe how China's youth and workers cope with the country's rapid economic growth. The 40-year-old won the top prize at the 2006 Venice Film Festival with "Still Life," a drama set against the destruction of a Chinese village to make way for the Three Gorges Dam.
But now Jia, whose credits also include "Pickpocket" and "The Platform," is getting ready to shoot a big-budget martial arts epic set at the beginning of the 20th century.
The native of the northern city of Fenyang says the budget will be at least several million US dollars - huge for the once underground director. Veteran Hong Kong director Johnnie To, best-known for his stylish action thrillers, is his producer.
Critics are wondering if Jia is abandoning his roots. It's the same charge that was leveled at Jia's predecessors like Chen Kaige and Zhang Yimou.
Jia said in Hong Kong that his fans have nothing to worry about. "I will be back. I will not be making period movies forever.
"Old China is just one part of my imagination. The reality of modern China still attracts me a great deal. I want to prove over time that a director can enjoy a wide repertoire," he said.
Jia Zhangke made his name with realist films that describe how China's youth and workers cope with the country's rapid economic growth. The 40-year-old won the top prize at the 2006 Venice Film Festival with "Still Life," a drama set against the destruction of a Chinese village to make way for the Three Gorges Dam.
But now Jia, whose credits also include "Pickpocket" and "The Platform," is getting ready to shoot a big-budget martial arts epic set at the beginning of the 20th century.
The native of the northern city of Fenyang says the budget will be at least several million US dollars - huge for the once underground director. Veteran Hong Kong director Johnnie To, best-known for his stylish action thrillers, is his producer.
Critics are wondering if Jia is abandoning his roots. It's the same charge that was leveled at Jia's predecessors like Chen Kaige and Zhang Yimou.
Jia said in Hong Kong that his fans have nothing to worry about. "I will be back. I will not be making period movies forever.
"Old China is just one part of my imagination. The reality of modern China still attracts me a great deal. I want to prove over time that a director can enjoy a wide repertoire," he said.
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