Exclusive: Zhang Ziyi and Peter Ho talk "Revenge"

Perhaps still best-known overseas as the high-kicking heroine from Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, Zhang Ziyi will surprise a few moviegoers with her comedic turn in her latest movie Sophie’s Revenge. In the film, Zhang plays a young woman who schemes to win her boyfriend back after he ditches her for a beautiful actress (played by Fan Bingbing). As well as being Zhang’s first attempt at comedy, the film is also her debut outing as a producer. Agenda spoke to Zhang Ziyi and co-star Peter Ho ahead of the movie’s release on August 14.

Peter, your co-star in Sophie’s Revenge, Zhang Ziyi, also produced the film; was it nerve-wracking to be working constantly alongside your “boss”?
Peter Ho: Actually, she kept her producer identity very low-profile during our shooting, so it didn’t feel like working with my boss. She provided a very comfortable atmosphere for all us actors so that we could do a lot of improvisation on set. No doubt, she’s a great boss as well as a great person to work with.

We’re not used to seeing Zhang Ziyi do comedy – do you think audiences will be surprised?
PH: I was also shocked to find out that she’s actually got a really great sense of humor and is a very outgoing person. This is the real Ziyi that the public is about to discover.

Ziyi, Sophie’s Revenge is a departure from the roles we’re used to seeing you in; what moved you to try comedy?
Zhang Ziyi: Actors need to try many different roles. It was a great opportunity to take on a comedic role. It turned out to be a lot of fun playing Sophie, this feisty young girl who wouldn’t take “no” for an answer. I hope the audience will enjoy her as much I enjoyed making her come to life. Their support will be my biggest and best motivation.

Were you afraid of being typecast as either a kung fu-fighting heroine or a qipao-clad lead in period dramas?
ZZ: I have tried out many different kinds of roles, from Chinese farm girl to Japanese geisha. So, no, I am not afraid of being typecast.

So is comedy the future for Zhang Ziyi?
ZZ: If the script is good and it is an interesting project, sure.

Sophie’s Revenge is also your first movie as a producer. What made you want to try production, and what were some of the challenges you faced?
ZZ: The script was written by a first-time director, and she was having a hard time putting it together. After reading her script, I decided that I could lend a hand. I took on the responsibility of seeking out investors and building a top-notch production team for this project. To physically produce a film is not something I’ve ever done. A great team was the key to making it work. We had the best people in art direction (Second Chan), visual effects (Foo Sing-Choong), music (Nathan Wang), sound (Kim Suk-Won), hair and makeup (Tang Yi) and editing (Cheung Ka-Fai). I learned a lot from them as well. It was a great experience.

It seems that Hollywood films (Kung Fu Panda, for example) are being increasingly pitched at the Chinese market. Is this trend purely motivated by commercial factors, or do you think it reflects Western audiences’ increasing interest in China?
ZZ: China is and will continue to be a media market with huge potential. A film like Kung Fu Panda appeals to a worldwide audience, which shows us that there is great interest in Chinese culture. We’re seeing more attempts by Hollywood studios to enter the China market in various ways. As both a market and a culture, China will only explode and get more and more interesting in the 21st century.

Do you feel Asian performers still have a hard time finding good roles in Hollywood?
ZZ: Difficulties exist because of the differences of languages, culture and the way one does things. An actor with a totally different cultural background must expend a lot more energy and effort if he or she wants to survive in Hollywood.
PH: We can’t expect all Hollywood films to talk about Chinese society, so it will always be difficult for Chinese actors to play significant roles there. Audiences have to see something that they can easily relate to. But I believe that more opportunities will be offered, because Chinese culture is increasingly being acknowledged in Western societies.

Can Hollywood produce good films about China?
ZZ: Hollywood has great production systems and technical skills. Chinese culture in itself is not easily translatable into a “pure” Hollywood film. Collaboration may be a way to move past the cultural barrier.
PH: Sure! If they’re willing to spend time to understand the Chinese mentality. Great Chinese directors like Ang Lee have narrowed the gap between East and West.

Ziyi, do you think Western audiences have a different image of you compared to Chinese audiences? And do you feel you need to present yourself differently to each?
ZZ: No, not really. It’s just that the Western audience is a bit more direct and passionate regarding the roles I’ve played.

What’s the first film you remember seeing?
PH: Probably A Better Tomorrow starring Chow Yun-Fat. He’s been my idol ever since. I was very happy to see him make it in Hollywood, but I wish he could take better roles like [the ones] he used to get when he was in Hong Kong.

And the first foreign film you saw?
PH: The Shining, with Jack Nicholson, when I was a kid – it gave me nightmares.

Which cinematic figures do you look up to?
ZZ: Audrey Hepburn. I find her eyes mesmerizing.

Best three Chinese films ever made?
ZZ: Three is not enough to express my preferences. But let me mention Farewell My Concubine. Leslie Cheung is brilliant; he’s my idol.

If you could play any historical figure in a film, who would it be?
ZZ: Song Qingling (wife of Sun Yat-sen) is a legendary person whose life was full of stories. It would be awesome to have an opportunity to explore such a historical figure.

Are you working on any other projects, beside your movie commitments?
ZZ: When I have a chance, I try to do some work for Care For Children, a foster care organization that places Chinese children in Chinese homes. I also work with the Special Olympics. They have an event in China in September – I’m personally looking forward to participating in their swim meet.

Finally, Ziyi, is it true that you, along with many of China’s top movie stars, have a role in Founding a Country, the upcoming movie about the founding of the People’s Republic? Can you tell us more about that?
ZZ: Yes, it was fun being in this movie. I can’t tell you too much about it as it’s all top secret. You’ll see everyone’s favorite film or TV star in the movie.

Sophie’s Revenge is showing at all major cinemas from August 14.