'This Is My Tribute to the Lost Glamour of Hollywood'

Hong Kong director Yonfan

PETER STEINHAUER FOR TIME

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Time: Why did you choose Taiwan-born actress Joey Wong to start in "Peony Pavilion?"
Yonfan: About three years ago she made a Japanese movie and I thought she could handle this one. Though I originally wrote the script for Michelle Yeoh; Michelle wanted to work with me, but then she got busy with other things. After I signed [Japanese actress] Rie Miyazawa I wanted someone to match her. Joey's tall and has a slightly manly or androgynous look. And the character she plays is a little tomboyish. So I rang her up and later visited her in Taiwan. There were rumors she was pregnant, but I asked her straight and she said no.

Time: And what led you to choose Miyazawa?
Yonfan: She has a demure, old-style elegance that you rarely find in Taiwan, Hong Kong or China. Japanese are also very diligent. Miyazawa and Joey Wong are like Betty Davis and Joan Crawford: both are very good and experienced actresses and they have the old-fashioned glamour I wanted to capture. This film is my tribute, and ultimately my devotion, to the lost glamour of Hollywood. Fortunately, my last movie, "Bishonen," was popular in Japan, God knows why, and Miyazawa liked it, so that was that.

Time: I liked "Bishonen," but the critics panned it.
Yonfan: Yes, but that wasn't unfair. People either really love or really hate my work. I have a lot of people who think I'm just glamour with nothing inside, no depth. I was happy that at international festivals the movie touched quite a few people. I felt rewarded. We had to change the advertising for the movie; originally the poster featured just boys, but then we were told that it was too blatant, so we added [Taiwan actress] Shu Qi. We set the picture up like it was a heterosexual love story. It was ridiculous. But then, financially, the movie was a total flop.

Time: "Bishonen" was a real oddity. Is it your most personal film?
Yonfan: They all are personal. As we live in an ever-changing world, deep within me I want to find some tranquility. My movies are my peace, and the characters within them, are usually looking for that too.

Time: Why was actor Daniel Wu so perfect in the film? What is it about him that you like?
Yonfan: I'm an old-fashioned filmmaker. I like people with integrity and traditional values. And Daniel has those qualities. I think Miyazawa has that old-fashioned virtue too.

Time: It's always you versus everyone else in the Hong Kong film industry, isn't it? You are genuinely unique.
Yonfan: I'm against bureaucracy; I'm also not a money-grubber. I do get very tired being in Hong Kong and making movies. I love Hong Kong films, but does the film industry here love me, I've never been sure.