Chow Yun-Fat Interview: Living Legend Receives ‘Asian Filmmaker of the Year’ Award at BIFF
Film legend Chow Yun-Fat is honored as the Asian Filmmaker of the Year at the 28th annual Busan International Film Festival (BIFF). Everyone gets two chances at life, he says, and now he’s starting his.
For 50 years, Chow has been delighting audiences with traditional Hong Kong fight flicks like The Killer and A Better Tomorrow to romances like All About Ah-Long, even musicals such as Anna and the King and of course, the world-famous Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. He continues to remain relevant, absorbing himself into any role. “As long as it pays well,” he jokes.
Charming and funny – even with double translations from Chinese to Korean to English – he talks about his excitement over the award, his astounding career and his recent film One More Chance. He’s incredibly mischievous, often teasing with his responses and taking the lightest possible perspective yet without avoiding sensitive topics.
On the award itself, he gushes, “I’m so excited to receive such an amazing award and am overwhelmed by the support of fans [here at the festival].” He proves it time and again by taking selfies with the crowd, the staff, even the press corp.
ASIAN CINEMA TODAY
Thrilled to return to Korea, a place special to his heart, he notes, “Korea’s biggest advantage is it’s creativity and freedom within the film industry. It’s surprising to see the level of autonomy on storytelling themes.” Referring to the current Korean culture wave he effuses, “Every country has a moment – a golden era. I’m happy Korea is having it now – it’s exciting to see.”
Contrasting with his home industry, “In China, a script must go through a lot to gain approval. It must demonstrate a clear direction and navigate many restrictions, making it difficult for filmmakers. In the 80s there were so many Hong Kong movies but things changed in 1997. Now we must pay attention to government direction in order to get funding because, of course, mainland China is a massive market.”
“I started training as an actor in 1973 – without the movie industry, there would be no Chow Yun-Fat. Born in a small village near the ocean (Lamma Island), I left at a young age, training as an actor from when I was 17 or 18. I learned a lot through acting. You may watch a film in two hours, but I live that character’s entire life.” He notes a few favorites of his past including Better Tomorrow, The Killer and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.
SECOND CHANCES
Now at 68, he discusses having two chances at life, “I’m about to start the second chance, the second part of my life. I’m not working on anything new at the moment but I’ve become a committed runner, focusing on exercise. That’s my new life. If the current film is not well received, running will be my new career. If it is, I could act again.”
Responding to a rumor that he was unwell in July, Chow notes that it wasn’t that he was ill but that he wiped out. “These kinds of things happen, so please don’t worry. Humans get old – and have to find hobbies.” His is marathon running, something he’s been working on for the last 7 years in preparation for his first half marathon next year. He quips that dying while running might be his next bit of news.
Speaking of reported news, he responds (in perfect English) to a question about his vow of a public donation of his estate. With a cheeky smile he notes, “I didn’t donate, my wife did – I worked so hard to earn that money. I have no idea how much it is; she just gives me an allowance.” But on a more contemplative note, he clarifies, “I was born with nothing so it’s ok to carry nothing when I die. I just need three bowls of rice a day. Actually, I’m diabetic, he confesses, so sometimes a bit less is better.” When pressed about how he spends his allowance, Chow notes an amazing camera lens he imported from Germany, so he can visualize like Stanley Kubrick.
AGING GRACEFULLY
Now that he’s touched on the topic of aging it begs more questions. He jokes about plastic surgery but responds, “Everyone must die and I don’t mind getting wrinkles. I’m happy to play an old man. Rather than becoming afraid of aging, I’ve become fearless. If you don’t die – it’s weird,” he says with a sparkle. I don’t regret anything. People make mistakes every day and that’s normal. The difference is in the size of the mistake and how we handle it.”
Chow goes philosophical when asked how has he’s managed to be beloved for so long. “There’s a concept in Buddhism,” he says, “that everything is an illusion. I believe it. Once a moment happens, it’s gone. We must focus on the present and just do our best every moment.” Known for leading a relatively simple life, often seen eating street food or taking public transportation, he continues, “I’m here as an actor, but outside of this room, we’re all just people. I’m an ordinary person.”
Returning to his current work, One More Chance, Chow shares, “I haven’t done this type of role in a long time – the father/son dynamic. There are some emotional moments and I hope One More Chance moves you.”
Catch One More Chance in cinema in some markets and it’s sure to be streaming at some point soon. What’s your favorite Chow Yun-Fat film? Let us know in the comments below.
To read more stories from the Busan International Film Festival, click here. To check out more interviews, click here.