Xue Lian
Shanshan, co-star of ShenZhou film studios new drama “Forever,” stopped by for an interview recently just before the film’s release.
The Japanese middle-school student plays the role of Zhangyuan. With a smile, she shared that she enjoys listening to music, reading, and also has a keen interest in watching family dramas and comedy. She likes to study the techniques of the actors to improve her craft. These careful character studies have served her well in “Forever,” where she plays the confidante of lead actress Fazi (who plays Jingyuan).
The natural chemistry between Shanshan and Fazi goes beyond acting, as the two have been close friends prior to working together on the set of “Forever.”
When asked how she was chosen for the role of Zhangyuan, Shanshan laughed and said, “My friend Fazi told me she was going to be the female lead.” Gently encouraging her friend, Fazi told Shanshan that the casting for the supporting role of Zhangyuan was still undetermined and asked if she was interested.
Recognizing the dual opportunity to work with her friend, and on a film project with a positive message, she seized the opportunity to audition. However, the experience proved to be more challenging than a simple stage or office casting call.
“The funny thing was, I tried out at a train station. The scene I had to act was shopping with my friend Jingyuan (Fazi). Though we avoided the main halls [of the train station], we realized that the director didn’t purposefully shy away from the crowds. And it wasn’t just the director there. There were quite a few other actors who watched the tryout. Though I was pretty nervous to act in front of so many people, I managed to memorize my lines and act casually and believably. That’s why the director decided to give me the role.”
When describing her own personality, Shanshan said she is actually quite similar to her character in “Forever.”
“Zhangyuan is very outgoing. She likes to talk, likes to interact with people, and behaves in a friendly manner. She doesn’t bottle things inside. I’m usually happy too. Of course, I sometimes come across upsetting things in school, but my personality is generally like hers.”
Though Shanshan has experience in dance performance, this was her first film role. Did she find acting difficult?
She nodded and said, “Yes, it was difficult. Scenes had to be redone every time someone forgot their line, and whenever someone’s makeup faded. It was also very hot in the summer.”
Revealing her age and innocence with a smile, she then quipped “also, wearing high heels for the first time was pretty awkward.”
Despite the challenges, she put aside her personal comfort to stay focused on the work in recognition of the film’s greater purpose and the director’s vision.
“I became very sad when I thought about people like the Falun Gong practitioner Yongcheng (Jingyuan’s fiancé in the movie) and the many other practitioners who face persecution in China.”
Recognizing the harsh reality for not just the persecuted, but also the friends and family of the victims such as her character, she said “Sometimes, I forgot I was acting.”
http://www.shenzhoufilm.com/sz/en/2009/04/11/a10056.html 2009-4-11 13:30