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Rawle Austin presents...

A conversation with Darren Walsh - Talking Passionately about his Love Affair with China

Darren Walsh has a keen interest in Chinese Films and is passionate about travelling in China. I spoke to him to find out more. Rawle Austin: How did you get into Chinese film? Darren Walsh: My interest in Chinese film, and in China itself, originally came through Japanese television (stick with me, we’ll get there!). I remember tuning into BBC2 with my Dad to watch ‘The Water Margin’ and ‘Monkey’, two magical Japanese-made television serials based on classical Chinese novels.

Each week, I was transported to an enchanted land, where magical characters performed incredible feats with graceful agility, be it leaping over a mountain, flying on a pink cloud, or standing motionless for days waiting the perfect moment to strike an opponent.

Aside from being an introduction to China, these shows brought me my first taste of the Martial Arts.

I became obsessed with these movies of diminutive heroes performing death-defying leaps, adopting stances of seemingly harmless creatures, while throwing impossibly speeded kicks and punches at bizarrely groomed baddies.

These movies, often poorly filmed, and shoddily dubbed, came with such unforgettable titles as ‘One Armed Boxer’ and ‘Mad Monkey Kung-Fu’. While these films were mind-less fun, they did little to stir my interest in China in the way ‘Monkey’ and ‘The Water Margin’ had. Then one day my brother, who shared an interest in Martial Arts movies, introduced me to the films of Jackie Chan. I can’t remember which Jackie Chan film I saw first.

It was the mid-eighties, during his golden period which produced ‘Project A’, ‘Armour of God’, ‘Police Story’, and ‘Wheels on Meals’; four films I have watched countless times.

These movies were the catalyst to my interest in Hong Kong, and all things Chinese.

Whereas ‘The Water Margin’ and ‘Monkey’ had encouraged me to dream about this distant mystical land, it was Jackie Chan who made me want to visit, and ignited a passion for the country and its rich history.

As the nineties came around, I discovered another branch of Hong Kong film-making that did not rely on kung-fu for its spectacle. These were the heroic bloodshed movies of John Woo. Watching Chow Yun-Fat in movies like ‘A Better Tomorrow’ and ‘Hard Boiled’, finally pushed me over the edge, gave me the kick I needed and finally saw me get to ferry across Hong-Kong harbour, and walk along the Great Wall of China.

RA: Why do Chinese films have such a wide following, in your opinion?

DW: Movies are pure entertainment, which serve as a temporary distraction from the realities of life. Movies should be fun, and no place has captured that spirit as well as Hong Kong.

From the martial arts movies of Shaw Brothers, to the action-adventures of Jackie Chan, to the blood-soaked insanity of the Heroic Bloodshed films, these films make no pretence at being real.

They are based on extremes, often eschewing the need to make perfect sense in favour of creating something spectacular.

They appeal to the innate needs we have held since childhood, to be entertained, to feel happy, and to experience joy. They demand little mental engagement from the viewer, and serve as pure enjoyment. These films are counterbalanced by the works of film-makers like Zhang Yimou and his historical epics, or the modern day kinetic films of Wong Kar-Wai, which have deeper themes running through them, dealing with more complex emotions.

These films, which I also adore, are a beautiful development in Chinese cinema but have more in common with the art-house films of Europe and Japan, than they do with their cultural predecessors.

In recent years, Zhang Yimou has developed the martial arts genre a stage further, with films like ‘Hero’ and ‘House of Flying Daggers’.

These films have merged stunning cinematography with re-invigorated fight choreography, to create something very fresh with mass-appeal. The scope of Chinese cinema is very broad, and contains something for everyone from highbrow art appreciators, to popcorn-munching movie-fans.

RA: Who is your favourite Chinese actor, and why? DW: Tough one. I idolise Bruce Lee, and worship Jackie Chan, but if we are talking about an actor in the truest sense, I have to say Chow Yun Fat. From the first time I saw him in ‘Hard Boiled’, through to ‘The Killer’, and the ‘A Better Tomorrow’ movies; I was blown away by his incredible screen-presence, which was backed up by his terrific acting ability.

It was rare to see such acting talent in Chinese films at the time. I think of Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan as excellent actors, but working in martial arts films, their acting ability will always be over-shadowed by their ability to throw a kick or two. Chow Yun-Fat was the first break-out Chinese ‘actor’.

He has a calm, collected persona that shines through on the screen, and as he proved in the ‘A Better Tomorrow’ movies, he really is the coolest man in cinema. More recently, Tony Leung has developed along these lines, and the future of Chinese acting looks promising.

RA: Who is your favourite Chinese actress and why?

DW: I am not going to be too original here, and will say Michelle Yeoh. She has developed from an action star in to a fine actress. I think Zhang Ziyi and Gong Li, display similar talents, but I have seen a few more Michelle Yeoh films, so I will stick with her. RA: Who is your favourite Chinese film director and why?

DW: Another tough one. Jackie Chan has made some amazing films as director. Sammo Hung has directed Jackie Chan in some of his most memorable films, and John Woo managed to create a whole new genre himself; but for favourite director, I am going to choose Wong Kar-Wai.

When I first saw ‘Chunking Express’ with it’s dual tales of missed love, filmed with a shaky camera on the streets of Hong Kong, I got a similar feeling to when I first saw ‘Monkey’ or Jackie Chan, or Chow Yun-Fat; but this time the streets, the buildings, the people, were authentic.

This was a China that existed in reality; that I could see with my own eyes, and walk in my own shoes. This was a new evolution in Chinese cinema, engaging story telling, without the need for kung-fu, or guns that fire endless bullets.

It was a pleasant story. This was Chinese cinema about everyday people, be it the lovelorn cops of ‘Chunking Express’, the wannabe gangsters of ‘As Tears Go By’, or the stall-squatting loner of ‘Fallen Angels’. These were real people, with everyday problems, trying to get through life, one day at a time, making it easy to identify with the characters, and involving you emotionally in their daily struggles.

RA: What are your five all-time favourite Chinese films and why?

DW: This is the kind of question I love… and hate. I have never been good at selecting my favourites in anything. I don’t have a favourite colour, I don’t have a lucky number, and I definitely can not pick my favourite films, so I will select five films that have had a profound impact on me, and which I think will serve as a perfect introduction to Chinese film.

I will start with Jackie Chan. Wow…where do you start with Jackie Chan? It has to be something from the mid-eighties, from what I term his Golden period.

Do I go for the action of Police Story, the comedy of Wheels on Meals, the final fight-scene of ‘Armour of God’ or the fun of ‘Project A’? Most fans tend to pick Police Story, but I am going to go with Project A.

This was the film that modernised Hong Kong cinema, bringing martial arts movies out of its classical ‘chop-socky’ stylings. This film encapsulates everything that is great about Jackie Chan. It has incredible fight scenes, hilarious comedy set-pieces, and the death-defying stunts for which Jackie Chan is renowned for; just witness his painful fall from the clock tower. Next up, Bruce Lee; and my personal favourite of his is ‘Fist of Fury’.

I won’t say this film shows Bruce at his best, because all his films show him at his best, he was always incredible, but this film has something extra.

The fight scenes are a little more polished than ‘The Big Boss’, and the camera-work less annoying; while his character of the aggrieved avenger, is more engaging than the reluctant hero of ‘Way of the Dragon’.

And so to Wong Kar-Wai. Three films stand out here. The pleasant ‘Chunking Express’, the kinetic ‘Fallen Angels’, both excellent films, but I will go for his first film, the raw and energetic ‘As Tears Go By’.

We all have crazy friends, and we have all tried to keep them out of trouble, but sometimes they go too far. I am really interested in the theme of loyalty, and this film sums it up as well as any. John Woo showed me what action really was when he created the Heroic Bloodshed genre. The Killer is the most famous, the Better Tomorrow film is the most classy, but despite the extra gloss, if you want all out action, you can not beat ‘Hard Boiled’. This was my introduction to the genre, and is a truly phenomenal movie.

A quote on the video cover claimed it was ‘more exciting than a dozen Die Hards’, but that still does not do it any justice.

It is far superior to any action movie churned out by Hollywood, which is still trying to catch-up.

Just witness the many Jason Statham movies trying to claim our popcorn money. But Hard Boiled can not be topped. And I feel John Woo must have felt the same, as he decided to try his luck in Hollywood after this.

I will end with one of the newer Kung-fu films. Films like ‘Hero’ and ‘The House of Fallen Daggers’ have breathed new life in to both Kung-fu films, and film-making itself. While they are both wonderful achievements, I still feel that film that started it all ‘Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon’ is a step above. The fight scenes are phenomenal, the acting first rate and the look of the film stunning.

This film re-invigorated what had been considered by some a dead genre, and made advances in cinematography which subsequent films have developed even further.

Every decade produces its iconic films, and this will no doubt feature as one of the first great films of the new millennium.

RA: You’ve been to China, why did you decide to go there initially?

DW: I wanted to see Hong-Kong. I wanted to witness a culture so different from that I had grown up in. Though my desire was strong, for a long time I never thought it would be possible. Working a low paid job in a small town, it just never felt like it would one day be a reality.

Then I moved to London, and suddenly this dream seemed possible. Within three months of being in London, I had seized an opportunity, and made it to Hong Kong and Beijing. This brief visit taught me that China was even more magical than I had hoped for, that this was a place I wanted to see more of. It hasn’t happened yet, but one day I expect to visit China again and travel all around this wonderful country.

RA: Could you describe your time there? Which places did you visit?

DW: My time there was all too brief. I spent five days in Hong Kong about a week before Christmas. At night these massive sky-scrapers were decorated with Christmas lights.

The view from the Star Ferry was incredible, as was the day-time view of the city-scape from Victoria peak.

I went to the horse-races at Happy Valley, strolled the many markets in my shorts and t-shirt, visited the giant outdoor Buddha on Lantau Island, and even stood on the drive-way of Bruce Lee’s former home arguing with the current owner as to whether I was going to take a photo, or not (I won!). I then flew to Beijing which was so cold my lips froze as I walked along the Great Wall of China. I also walked around the Forbidden City, went to Chairman Mao’s mausoleum in Tianamen Square, and visited a number of Buddhist temples.

RA: What was your most memorable experience on that trip?

DW: There were so many highlights in such a short space of time. The majestic Forbidden City, the wondrous view from Victoria Peak, the vastness of Tianamen Square, and the beauty of the Golden Buddha. There were also some simple things which will live on in my memory.

The first sight of a Chinese billboard, huge sky-scrapers being built with bamboo scaffolding, and the tower-block-skimming approach to the old airport, where you can almost make out the brand logo on the clothes hanging from the washing lines as you apparently plunge into the sea, before a runway magically appears beneath you.

That is one experience you can never forget. There was a really nice moment in Tianamen Square where a couple of Chinese teenagers wanted to have their photo taken with me. But looking back, I think my most memorable experience was sitting on the Star Ferry at night, crossing the harbour, and just staring at the huge skyscrapers with their Christmas lights. It was something I never expected, and was a sight to behold.

RA: What’s your favourite Chinese food?

DW: To be honest, I haven’t tried a great many, which is something I will correct on my next visit. I tend to find something I like and stick to it, rather than repeatedly try new dishes.

When cooking for myself, my favourite is Sweet and Sour Chicken and Rice, but for dining in a restaurant or a take-away, my favourite is Chicken Chow Mein, the best of which I have tasted is from the local Chinese take-away in my home town.

So if you want delicious, traditional Chinese cuisine, head for the mountains of North Wales! RA: What would be your dream trip to China? Which places would you most like to see and why? DW: Perfect timing for this question, because I have been planning it recently. At some point in the hopefully not too distant future, I intend to make a 3-month visit to China, to soak up the culture and marvel at the landscape.

I plan to visit the main cities of Beijing, Shanghai, Nanjing, Xian and their nearby attractions, as well as climb to the top of all nine sacred mountains, visit a number of traditional old towns, and trek through a few nature reserves.

I will start in Hong Kong.

It has been ten years since my first visit, and I know so much has changed in that time.

There are so many places I want to visit, and I know I won’t have the time to do them all, but the town of Yangshuo set amongst stunning karst scenery, the island of Putuoshan, and Qufu, the town where Confucius was born are high up my list, along with the sacred Buddhist and Taoist mountains, one of which is on Putuoshan. RA: Why should people go and visit China, in your opinion? DW: China has a rich, varied, and unique culture. Despite the ravages of the Cultural Revolution you can still feel and enjoy the history of this vast country.

I may have only visited two cities, but these were both enchanting and full of surprises.

No matter how much planning you undertake, you will still be greeted by surprises at every turn. From the speed of Hong Kong to the size of Beijing, surprises lie around every corner.

You really are stepping in to another world, populated by bright and energetic people.

It is a magical country with so much history and beauty, that a visit will be both rewarding and life-changing.

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