Wang Xueqi a 'precise' actor
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"Culture difference is inevitable, as in defining what's funny and not, and the language barrier between Cantonese and Putonghua."
He said the different acting styles are another obvious difference between actors from north and south. What he had not expected was how the Hong Kong actors respected him and worked hard to understand and adapt to their differences.
He gave as an example the scenes he shot with Tsang, who is a Hong Kong film tycoon as well as an actor.
"He spoke Cantonese when shooting his scene because it was easier for him to perform, and then he would apologize and switch to Putonghua to help shoot my scenes," he said.
The film was Wang's first opportunity to work with so many Hong Kong actors. He speaks highly of their acting skills and professionalism, as well as their work ethic.
He compared working with good actors to a game of ping pong.
"One actor's good performance can bring out better and fresher acting by another," he said, describing how scenes with remarkable actors Tsang and Leung shot off sparks.
When he won the Golden Horse Award, Wang was referred to as the "carrier of the ‘Fifth Generation' directors."
He laughed, saying it was only because of his age that he worked with the directors just out of film school and learned to value their artistic opinions.
"There was no ‘Fifth Generation' then. I had no idea they would become the present masters."
Though younger talents have emerged, Wang insisted that the "Fifth Generation" directors are still the pillar of China's film industry and irreplaceable.
He said they will remain visible for some time still, with their passion toward film unchanged but adapting their film-making style to a new generation.
Wang acknowledged that the latest works of those directors have flaws, but that changing styles "are healthy for the industry and worth encouraging."
Having been an actor for more than 25 years, he looks back on his chosen profession as a "great and happy" career choice.
Although he won a Montreal World Film Festival award for directing the 1966 film, "Sun Bird," he still prefers being an actor.
His advice to young actors is to be "precise" about every role.
"I know clearly about my ability and limitations."
Following the success of "Forever Enthralled," Wang said he was offered numerous scripts but passed on roles he doubted he could perform well.
"At my age, there is no time to make mistakes."
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