A podcast with Summer Qing [Qing Xu], co-star of Looper: Mandarin and English friendly version.
Here is a podcast with actress Summer Qing (also known as Qing Xu), who plays the wife of Bruce Willis‘ character in Rian Johnson‘s twisty action sci-fi film Looper. Summer’s role is the main motivation for Willis’ entire journey through time. Summer was also in a few Chen Kaige films, like Farewell, My Concubine, and one of his early films, which I ask Summer about, Life on a String.
This is a unique interview for me, because it’s the first one I’ve ever done using Skype (so the sound quality is below my usual standard, but still perfectly understandable) and the first time I interviewed someone who had to have my questions translated to another language. That’s why this version of the podcast will be Mandarin friendly, as Summer’s manager Ben Zhang does the translation for her. You’ll hear my surprise at this fact early on, especially in the way I then try to over-explain my questions. As this will be the “rough cut” of the interview (a more concise version will be released soon), you’ll get to hear my questions, Ben’s translation, Summer’s answer, and then Ben Zhang’s translation back to me. You’d think that would make the entire 25 minute interview quite disjointed, but it isn’t, as Summer is able to adequately explain how her part differs in the Chinese version of the film, how government censorship affects the Chinese film industry, and how the moral ambiguity of Looper differs from most films financed by the Chinese (which Looper partially was).
Download or stream the podcast below. Or you can subscribe on Itunes to the A Regrettable Moment of Sincerity feed.
[audio:http://www.regrettablesincerity.com/audio/summer_qing_and_or_Qing_Xu_on_Looper_English_and_mandarin_friendly_cut.mp3]
Download the full interview. Or if you want to listen to the podcast in a new window, just click the link.
[audio:http://www.regrettablesincerity.com/audio/summer_qing_and_or_Qing_Xu_on_Looper_English_and_mandarin_friendly_cut.mp3]
Jen says:
September 30th, 2012
8:16 pm
As a bilingual Chinese-American, I understood both sides of this interview and found it rather interesting (even humorous :P) what was (inevitably) left out in translation.
What struck me about Summer’s prolonged response to the question about her level of understanding of the subplots and etc. was that she understood it perfectly, despite the language barrier. That’s not to underestimate anything on her behalf, I understand she’s very talented. Kudos to the production team and her talent for having their international actors have a complete grasp on their film’s themes.
She was saying that Bruce WIllis’ character in the film, Old Joe, finds in her character a certain Messianic quality because she brings him to a point he didn’t think he could attain. As such, he becomes obsessed with trying to re-arrive at that nostalgic point in life when all things were gained through this wife character. She mentioned that the entire arc of the film seems to focus on the consequences of trying to “go back” and “reverse” one’s actions. Which, of course, is aptly spoken.
Hope this helps.