Thanks Ayako!
News.gmw was the exclusive media outlet while Keanu Reeves was in Dalian to promote Man of Tai Chi. During his visit he did an interview with them. Here is the gist of the interview. It was extracted with the google translator and no copyright is intended.
Yesterday afternoon, a slimmed down Keanu Reeves dressed in black appeared in front of reporters during a press conference to promote his directorial debut Man of Tai Chi starring Chen Hu, During the press conference he talked mostly about the film. The Dalian Evening News was the only designated media partner for this stop on the eight city promotion tour. Keanu gave the allowed the reporter to cover the exclusive face-to-face meeting with the fan, other interactive sessions and the party. Keanu also provided the newspaper with a special venue for an interview with the paper. He was in a good mood and talked about movies, acting anecdotes and details of his life. When he was informed that the paper would celebrate its 25th anniversary on July 1, he said: “All our best wishes to the Dalian Evening News.”
Reporter: As a big Hollywood star, what made you choose to pick a Chinese martial arts film for your first project?
Keanu: I was a Kung Fu fan since childhood so when I decided to direct a first movies, it had to be a Kung Fu movie. Of course, this project originated from Chen Hu. We worked together in the three Matrix movies along with choreographer Yuen Woo-Ping. We all worked very well together and we all became very good friends. We talked about this project early on and later, I decided to make the film
Reporter: What is your favorite scene in the film?
Keanu: My favorite is when Chen Hu is fighting with his master. Chenu fights with his master for leading him astray. It is very special.
Reporter: In the film in your first role as a villain, you say that you want to see a good person become evil. Do you think everyone has a wicked side?
Keanu: I play an underground fighting operator. He doesn’t do it just for the money but he also wants to see a kind man become evil. My character also has much enthusiasm and passion for his evil side. Heroes are often people who strive to make things better while the villain strives to fulfill his own private desires. With respect to everyone having an evil side, I can not speak for everyone.
Reporter: Did you encounter any problems while you were directing your first film?
Keanu: Overall, the filming went very smoothly with no big problems. When shooting in Hong Kong, we encountered a typhoon with much wind but it did not affect the shoot.
Reporter: We know that you have three roles, actor, musician, and now a director. Which role do you like best?
Keanu: I like acting very much, it is like going home. this is my first time as a director and I am enjoyed the process. I will not choose which one is my favorite.
Reporter: Now that you have directed, has the way you look at movies changed?
Keanu: Of course. Before as an actor, I only see the lens. As a director, I look at the set-up of the shot, the cinematography, editing and many other things.
Reporter: What is the next movie you plan to do? Will you be acting in it or directing it?
Keanu: My next project is John Wick.
Reporter: For this film, you have done promotion visits to many cities. Why are you so dedicated to doing the publicity?
Keanu: I thought it was great to come to China. tai Chi Man is my project, my film. I think that in doing publicity for this film, no one can represent it as well as I. I decided I would do it wholeheartedly to illustrate the spirit of Tai Chi. When I told Chen Hu that I am going to China to do do publicity, he was very supportive of my idea.
Reporter: In recent years, the Chinese box office has done very well. What are your expectations at the box office for this film?
Keanu: I have no expectations for the box office figures but I hope everyone likes this movie and that it’s good reputation spreads by word of mouth by the audiences!