Wang Quan'an on selling out and success
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Director Wang Quan'an [Global Times] |
With his latest production "Apart Together" opening the 60th Berlin International Film Festival and competing in the prestigious event, which begins today, director Wang Quan'an shared his disapproval of acclaimed Chinese directors selling out to quick money-making blockbusters.
The 45-year-old director expressed his dismay that acclaimed directors like Zhang Yimou and Chen Kaige have moved from art house works to excessive big-budget commercial films, saying it is discouraging, both for the industry and the directors themselves.
Wang said that it is important for a film to make money, however, when it comes to directors who are as talented as Zhang and Chen, it is "frustrating and puzzling" why they continue to try to prove their value through commercial films.
"The honors that audiences and critics have given us come with responsibilities," Wang said. "We have to provide more important works, more spiritually-qualified films for the majority, instead of making quick money for certain producers or film companies, or we are unworthy of the respect and anticipation we receive."
In Wang's opinion, there should be specific directors for specific types of films. He clarified that he held nothing against commercial films, but that a serious director should stick to their original principles. He added that in order to go commercial, you must change your core ideals.
"People respect you and love your work because you can speak out for them, caring and focusing on the weaker and lesser groups of society, but by turning commercial, it is inevitable that you stand on the elite's side, the opposite to where you stood before."
Wang said that selling out is like emotional betrayal to the film industry and the audience.
Much of Zhang and Chen and other art-house-turned-commercial directors' commercial works have received negative feedback from the media and audiences alike. To Wang, this phenomenon is natural. "Their appetite and passion toward film have been spoiled," he said. He explained that a director's ability is reflected through his films and when they start making bad quick-money movies, they grow tired of filmmaking, not caring or believing in the art form.
"When all you get for a film is bad reviews, you begin to doubt and deny yourself and then you loose the ability to make good films."
With his personal belief and passion toward film remaining close to his heart, Wang said that he would not follow Zhang and Chen into commercial productions, at least not for now. "If this is how important Chinese directors end, I would rather not join them."
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