58e Festival de Cannes 2005
Die Interviews & Pressekonferenzen
Kung Fu Hustle - Stephen Chow (writing, direction and main part)
Hotel Martinez, Cannes, 14.05.05
» Das Interview in Deutsch übersetzt
International Press (IP): The action in the movie is high paced and surrealistic. Animated movies spring to mind...
Stephen Chow (SC): When I was young I watched a lot of animated movies.
IP: How does it feel to be an international star?
SC: An international star? It doesn't feel like that. First of all, everything remained the same. But of course, every one of us, as filmmakers, would like to see our movie go to the international market. That'd be perfect. We all have the same ambition there.
IP: What was different about your last two movies that they became such a success?
SC: : First of all, this movie is produced by a studio that has a better and bigger distribution network and also, doing this movie, I intended to do something easier to understand for different audiences. One way of doing that is to make it in a way that it's not only verbally but also visually comprehensible. In simpler words: more action and less talking (laughing).
IP: Were you frustrated by the fact that Shaolin Soccer was dubbed for the American market?
SC: No, I don't have a problem with that. Actually Miramax bought the rights and I believe that they may decide on that. They explained to me why this would be better and I accepted that.
IP: Is it difficult to do both directing and acting?
SC: It's very difficult. But it's all about time management. The problem is that your brain never gets to rest. You're always thinking of this and that. There are a lot of question marks all the time. But because I love it so much, it's possible. Every time you go to the cinema and you see the audience laughing and applauding, makes it worth it.
IP: Did you expect the movie to become such a hit?
SC: Yes. But honestly, every filmmaker hopes that his work will have success. Everyone of us.
IP: What about your next film? I heard that there will be a sequel of Kung Fu Hustle.
SC: Yes. The story has great potential.
IP: Will the same characters be part of it?
SC: Yes, with the same characters. And I'd like to add some new characters...
IP: Will you shoot in Chinese or in English?
SC: In English? It's a Chinese story and the characters will speak Chinese. You can dub it afterwards if you want to (laughing).
IP: Where did you get the inspiration for your movie?
SC: The idea for Kung Fu Hustle is originally from a very old Kung Fu movie in the 60s, in a black and white version. It's a Cantonese movie from the old days. I got a lot of inspiration from old Hong Kong Kung Fu movies. Also there are a lot of great comedians in Hong Kong.
IP: When doing CGI, how do you know whether something is possible or not?
SC: You judge by feeling. You ask yourself: "Have we reached the maximum or can we go further?" There is no rule.
IP: Did you choose to work with Woo-ping Yuen (action choreographer) because he is simple the best or because you wanted some moves as in The Matrix or in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon?
SC: I didn't want to make a film like The Matrix or Wo hu cang long. Because you can't repeat that. I chose Yuen because he is one of the best.
IP: How did you work together?
SC: For some scenes I tried to copy the style of the old Kung Fu movies and apply it to modern days and combine it with CGI. I talked to Yuen about what could be done.
IP: Is it dangerous to do this kind of film?
SC: Oh, yes. Of course. Although you have a lot of rehearsals there's still accidents. And when you do the wirework and you hang 20-30 meters high it get's very dangerous.
IP: What kind of physical preparation do you do for this kind of movie?
SC: One year before shooting I start to prepare myself. Go to the gym and so on.
IP: Does it get harder when you get older?
SC: Oh yes, of course. I train everyday. You need tremendous energy and strength to do this job. Especially when you do acting, directing and also are responsible for the script and everything. But going to the gym is a way to relax for me. After a busy day I'd go to the gym and I can forget everything else.
IP: How did you find your way into comedy?
SC: Concerning this, the earliest day I can remember was when I tried to imitate my teacher in primary school and made the whole class laugh (laughing himself).
IP: Thank you very much.
SC: Thank you.
Stephen Chow seems to be a very nice guy. Luckily, he didn't beat us up when we asked more critical questions.
