Chow Yun-Fat - Interview

Born in Hong-Kong in 1955, Chow Yun-Fat started out as a television star in his own country, before making a name for himself in Hollywood, with films such as The Corruptor by James Foley and Anna and the King by Andy Tennant. His latest film,Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon by Ang Lee, is currently being shown at the Deauville Film Festival. Chow Yun-Fat spoke of the film helped him discover martial arts training, and showed a refreshingly healthy attitude towards Hollywood and the necessity to pay the bills.

Phillipine Autun: Did you practise martial arts before doing Crouching Tiger?

Chow Yun-Fat: I don’t have any martial art training at all. My first experience of it was a one-to-one session before doing this film. What struck me most is how much martial arts reflected the ups and downs of life.

P.A: Did the fact that you were working in China I influence your work?

C.Y-F: As an actor , the location doesn’t change you attitude. First time I spoke mandarin –I only spoke Cantonese. It was really embarrassing, actually; I have 30 years’ experience, and I had to redo the scene over and over again.

P.A: What made you want to do this film?

First of all, because I like Ang Lee’s work very much. Secondly, because of the script –it’s very romantic. I liked my character from the start, although I had a bit of trouble whit how to interpret him at the beginning.

P.A: Was it always your goal to go and work in Hollywood?

C.Y-F: I am not an Asian hero. At least working in Hollywood gives me the chance to pay off my bank loan!