Talking With Crystal Liu Yifei

An interview with Crystal Liu Yifei, who plays the role of  Golden Sparrow in The Forbidden Kingdom.
by Fibe Ma and Katharine Schroeder 

Q:  Jackie told us a bit about you. He said that you were from Beijing, but that you'd lived in America for a while and later moved back to Beijing. He said that you even learned to speak Japanese! Can you tell us a little more?

A:  Actually, our whole family moved to America a long time ago and I studied in the US, then I went back to China when I was 15. Why did I learn Japanese? Because last year I signed a contract with the Japanese owned Sony Record Company. I was the first Chinese to sign with this Japanese record company. That’s why I had to learn Japanese to sing Japanese songs. (laughs)  I think Jackie knows more Japanese than me. I know he is very popular in Japan too.

Q:  This is the your first time making a film with Jackie. What’s it like working with him?

A:  First of all, I feel so lucky to be able to work with a Master like Jackie. He is very professional and so energetic and active on the screen. I was surprised that he was the same way off the screen too! While shooting, he tries to make everyone happy. If you’re nervous or under pressure, you will feel more relaxed if Jackie’s around. Also, he is a man who is very concerned about the environment. For example, when we shot in the desert of Dunhuang, there was a shortage of water. Jackie went around writing everyone’s names on their water bottles so that when they took a sip and then walked away, they would know which one was theirs when they came back. He was very concerned. From that simple act, you can tell Jackie  knows about a lot of issues and you can learn a lot from him. He’s always telling us jokes and giving us gifts to make us all happy.

The first time I worked with Jackie, I felt a little nervous because he is an experienced actor and I was afraid that because of my own inexperience, I would cause “NGs” (no-good shots). However, Jackie just smiled when I made an “NG.”

When there were action scenes, Jackie taught me how to make my movements look more beautiful, including showing me how to get on the horse. He put a wooden box on the ground to allow me step up more easily and he helped me adjust my costume so that it flowed and looked more beautiful. He is always very gentle and attentive to everyone around him.

He is not only an actor; he is a director and a stunt choreographer.  That’s why he is so versatile in the movie world. Anyone who needs help, he is there. I really really appreciate that.

Q:  So you’re telling us that during shooting you learned a lot from Jackie. Do you think you learned things that will help you in your future career?

A:  Jackie always reminds me about safety during shooting and he cares about a lot of things. I have been influenced a lot by him; because of his personality and his character. He treats everyone on the set the same, no matter whether the person is an actor, photographer, or laborer. He respects everyone and cares about everyone. I think that being a successful actor includes not only performing well, but having a good personality and behaving well. These things are very important too. Jackie is a person with a big heart and he’s very loving and caring. I think that kind of good character will influence me and help me in the future.

Q:  Action is the selling point in Jackie’s movies. Do you have to fight in the movie? Did you ask for Jackie’s advice?

A:  I think I am really lucky in The Forbidden Kingdom because for most of my part, I work with Jackie, Jet Li, and Michael. So while we are waiting between scenes, I can ask them for advice. I ask Jackie a lot of questions. He thinks that I ask too many questions and his nickname for me is “Hundred Thousand Questions.”  However, Jackie is such a good teacher. I hope I can learn more from him and accumulate more experience. That’s why I keep asking him, even though he gave me that nickname.

In The Forbidden Kingdom, I had a fight scene, but the drama and action parts for my character are quite balanced, making my character more complete. The fact that I have taken dance lessons helped me with the action by making me more flexible and made my movements more fluid. But for wushu, you need power, speed, and quick reflexes. So  I went to the gym every day before I went to work to get myself in shape for the filming. On the set I practice a little when I have nothing to do. It makes my appearance look more tough and not as feminine.

Q:  What qualities do you possess that led the production to choose you to be the female lead?

A:  Honestly, I am very lucky. I got a good chance and it was perfect timing. These days more and more people are becoming interested in China. That’s why Chinese actors have more chances than before. We can let audiences around the world see our Chinese spirit and understand our culture too. Of course all the Chinese are proud of Jackie. His contribution and performances are so outstanding that everyone who participates in the entertainment field sees him as a role model or as being at the level of success that we too want to attain. I will keep working hard and trying to do things step by step. I think it’s important to enrich yourself first and then when the chance comes in your career, you can grab it.

Actually, I like to act in English language movies because it reminds me of the time I lived in America. I think acting in English language films and acting in Chinese language movies is totally different. Of several movies that were pitched to me, some were English and some Chinese. For me, the most important point is whether the role suits me or not and whether the story is touching. If everything is “yes,” then you should do it and do it well.

The producer of The Forbidden Kingdom approached me and gave me the script, and I was the first one to audition. Then I had to wait because they still had to audition other actresses. They interviewed me two or three times. When I first read the script, I was very excited because this character had so many dimensions and the story was so touching. The character is not just a girl who knows how to fight; she also has an interesting past. During the audition they requested me to perform a range of emotions but Golden Sparrow’s character is totally different from my own character. Golden Sparrow is strong, calm, proud, a little sad, and somewhat unsociable. That was a big challenge for me. However, I was quite satisfied with my performance. Later on, when they – the director, producer, and writer - saw my performance, they were satisfied too. Then they called, but at that moment I was taking an exam because I continue to study in the US. They asked me to come back and take training including playing the pipa (a Chinese instrument), horseback riding, sword training, and physical training and prepare for my role. That’s why I came back. It was important that I got myself into good condition before I participated in the movie.

Crystal as Golden Sparrow

Q:  One last question, just for fun. Jackie said that you always prepare a snack box full of treats that you share with everyone. Is this true?

A:  Jackie said that I love to eat all the time. Actually, I see him eating on the set too. I think during shooting, you are quite nervous so you don’t want to eat sometimes, but during the down time, you have nothing to do and girls always want to have something to eat. I think maybe Jackie has that habit too, that’s why I always bring more – try to share with others. That’s why I put all different kinds of snacks in my snack box to let people choose.

Text and photos ©2007 The JC Group. All Rights Reserved.

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