Actress-director Tian enjoying her various roles
Print Edition
TIAN Yuan enjoys the many different roles she plays — actress, director, singer, songwriter, author, photographer.
Born in Wuhan, capital city of central China’s Hubei Province, in 1985, Tian became the vocalist and lyricist of local band Hopscotch at the age of 16 and released her debut English album “A Wishful Way.” Only one year later, she produced her first long novel.
In 2004, Tian won “Best New Performer” award at the Hong Kong Film Awards with “Butterfly” directed by Yan Yan Mak. In 2011, she began directing films, including a cat-themed short film series released online, with over 1 million clicks at the beginning of release.
Tian showed up in Shanghai last week with a British film crew, working on a short film, “Freeze Frame,” produced especially for the “GREAT Britain on Screen” campaign and to be released online in November as part of the GREAT British Online Film Festival.
The film was written, produced and directed by an award-winning British crew at ShortsTV alongside director Anthony Fabian. This romantic comedy is set against the backdrop of picturesque London, Edinburgh and Shanghai, taking viewers on a journey through film.
“I love film, and am both an actress and director. My experience shooting ‘Freeze Frame’ in the UK was unforgettable, and I greatly valued this opportunity to admire the beautiful scenery and work with top British film talent,” Tian says. “I hope that in the future I can continue to promote and encourage cooperation in film between China and the UK.”
Polite and earnest, Tian talked about her passion for film in an interview with Shanghai Daily.
Q: What’s the role you play in “Freeze Frame?”
A: This short film of less than 20 minutes is dramatic and romantic, complete with typical British humor. The role I play is a little bit mysterious at the beginning, and audiences have no idea who she is and what she is doing until the story goes on and develops. Although I cannot reveal more details now, I can promise it will be a great one. We have shot many scenes of the film in London and Edinburgh. Now it’s Shanghai’s turn.
Q: You have played in many short films in recent years. Is this a new trend?
A: Yes. Audiences have started to have different ways to watch films. Rather than stepping into the cinema, there are huge number of people using the Internet to watch a film they like — more options and more freedom.
The Internet brings a good trend to film shooting, breaking the boundary of country and inspiring more creative ideas. The interactions between audiences online can improve your work.
Q: You have multiple roles as actress, singer, director and author. Among them, which is most important to you now?
A: Film director, because a director can combine art methods together. My plan is to star in one or two films a year, and the rest of time be a director. The experience of being an actress can help a lot with the director career. Music is also a big hobby of mine, and I think those roles can be mixed together.
Q: Ann Hui’s new film “The Golden Era” you recently performed in is seen with some controversy. It is considered experimental, and many people have complained that they don’t understand it. What’s your own view of this film?
A: The collaboration with director Ann Hui and other actors was wonderful to me. I feel lucky to be involved in a film like this, and we all became good friends.
The Chinese film market needs different types of products, rather than only entertainment ones — funny, scary or touching.
People who don’t know the background of the writer Xiao Hong may not like this film. I started to read this book when I decided to join in this film. I hope the Chinese film market can provide a film like “The Golden Era” more space, bringing more elements to the film markets. We actually expected negative feedback.
Q: You started your career as a band singer at the age of 16, and then published your long novel. What was your initial career plan or what did you want to be?
A: To be honest, I had no idea at first. I’ve liked movies since I was young, enjoying watching TV series and films very much, and I also have been a very good storyteller since I was a little girl. Even now I have a habit — when I am sleepless, I have stories in my mind to image, directing my own film in my mind.
I can only say that I hoped to enter this industry, and fate arranged for me to start with music.
Q: You are considered a very international actress. What’s your own tags on yourself?
A: I hope I can do my work stably and work hard. People can recognize me through my work. I hope to direct good films and act in good films until I’m old. I have never accepted professional training, so I also have plans to learn more and improve myself.
Q: What’s your plan in the near future?
A: Besides “Mao Tian” that my studio is working on, I plan to create some new short films — experimental and creative. I am also writing my first long film script and will shoot my own long film in two years. A new music album is also on the schedule.
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