From the "Meet the Filmmakers" series held in Feburary 2010 at the Apple Store in Sanlitun, Beijing. The series, co-presented by the Apple Store and dGenerate Films, is an ongoing series to showcase Chinas newest filmmakers powered by digital technology.
Cui Zien is a director, film scholar, screenwriter, and novelist based in Beijing. He is an associate professor at the Beijing Film Academy. Cui Zien is a premiere avant-garde digital filmmaker in China. He has published nine novels in China and Hong Kong, and he is also the author of books on criticism and theory, as well as a columnist for magazines.
Interview conducted by Jane Zheng. Videography by Michael Cheng. English transcription by Yuqian Yan.
JZ: I know you are always very special; you always stick to your own ideas and concepts.
CZE: I always need to think it through before I accept new things. Maybe this is because of my ten-year research experience. Every time I come across new things, I analyze the content first, and then think about how to use and develop it in my own way. I never passively accept whatever is given to me.
JZ: Can you tell us your plan for 2010?
CZE: In 2007 and 2008, my trajectory turned into documentary making and I plan to carry it on to the new year. I have several projects at hand right now. I have two small Sony cameras, and I am using one of them to make what I call a visual diary. Every time I go to lower-class areas, not a middle-class place like this, I carry it with me to document what I see, liking writing a diary. But I wont call it a film project.
This year, I have one documentary project, and several narrative films. But my new narratives will be quite different from my previous ones. In the past I always tried to eliminate the narrative component in my films. Although the script was narrative based, when it is presented in visual form, narrative became almost invisible. But in my new project, I want to highlight the narrative, and make the visual narrative match that of the script.
JZ: Youve been working as an independent filmmaker for many years. Im sure there are opportunities for you to make commercial films for the mainstream audience if you want. Why do you insist on making independent films?
CZE: For me theres no distinction between the so-called mainstream and alternative. For me, people are just like waves running here and there. Theres no mainstream or small branch. They are all part of the big waves. If there is such a thing as mainstream, I would be very resistant to this concept. Whats your data and what methodology do you use to collect it? If I cant count these people one by one, then mainstream is just an illusion to me. So when I make a film, I only have myself and people around me in mind. As the Christian saying tells us, we should always love our neighbors. You cant love people who are out of your reach. Its a lie if you say you love them. So my works are all related to people around me.
JZ: Your films are very unique among Chinese cinema and even world cinema. You have a very distinct aesthetic. Do you have any warning to people who first watch your film?
CZE: I always see each of my audience as myself. I wrote a book called The First Audience, which means that Im my first audience. When I watch my own film, I feel that I was watching someone elses work. Im always surprised by the sense of unfamiliarity. I would think that this directors work is so revolutionary. Everyone likes quick cut, but he uses long take. Everyone else is trying to make the picture more delicate, but his images are getting rougher and rougher. He must be someone really special. If I see some bad shots, I would think hes such a boring director. He should have done it in a better way. Ive make about 30 or 40 films so far, my favorite one is a 110 min film with only about 10 shots. Its very simple. There are only two characters and they are naked throughout the entire film. We feel its thorough and free. I have a good friend teaching at the University of California. She always talks about the difference and relation between my films and other directors work. She knows that I like Almodovar, and she says that actually you are freer than Almodovar. You can make whatever film you like without any concern for box office or success. But Almadovar has this pressure. No one is as free as you are.
JZ: Thats why your works are so pure.
CZE: Thanks.
JZ: Today is a very special occasion. We are having this conversation in the Beijing Apple Store. Whats your impression of Apple products?
CZE: I have many friends around me who use Apple. I dont use Apple computer, but I like to use Adobe for editing. I didnt know that Adobe is related to Apple until I saw your questionnaire before the interview.
JZ: I personally think that the style of Apple is rather similar to yours, very free.
CZE: I like the design of its logo, a bitten apple.
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Meet the Filmmakers: Cui Zi'en Part 1 of 4by alsolikelife450 views
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