KGY on Kwan Gi Yue

Q: Not a lot of people know about you.  Can you tell us a brief descrīption of yourself.

A: ...

Q: Nothing?

A: We are who we are.  We know someone by contact with a person, not through their own descrīptions.  Are countries what they claim to be?  Are corporations what they claim to be?

Q:  Very well, then will you answer any questions?

A: Yes of course, I love to talk.  Just because I don't believe in telling people about myself, doesn't mean I won't be honest with my answers.

Q: You say you are in love with film?  What do that really mean?

A: I mean that only through film I can see love.  I think this day and age love no longer exists.  Love was something existed in the past and stayed in the past.  What we have now is slightly modified.  It's a conception of what love should be.

Q: What is your first experience of cinema?

A: When my father brought me to the cinema as a child.  I think it is at that time, that I realized the power of cinema.  The way it can bond people together.

Q: You and your father never spoke?

A: We didn't as I hoped.  My father is a very conservative man, and he felt that it was a certain responsibility for him to keep a certain distance from his children.  But of course in a positive way.  We talk now quite frequently.  That shows you that nothing is certain.

Q: So when did you realize that you wanted to make films as a career?

A: I don't like to use the word "career".  It sounds so.... I treat it more as a hobby or a kind of rehabiliation....  Filmmaking did not enter my life early on...  I think it was about when I was 20 that I realized I had a strong passion to voice out. 

Q:  There are many ways to reach out to others?  Perhaps a career in politics, writing, music, etc... Why did you choose film?

A: Yes you are right.  Actually I did think about a career in politics...  but I don't want to talk about that now.  Not because I don't want to be honest, but because I don't think it's relevant.  I chose film because I think film can capture something that we cannot.  Film is a way for me to precisely express  my opinions and outlooks on certain things.

Q: Can't you do that in conversation or writing?

A: Well, first off, my writing is really bad.  For a while I thought I was dislecsic.  Even till now I cannot truly say what I am thinking.  I am very embarrassed of that, because sometimes people think I am stupid.  I feel more at ease talking about things through film.

Q: Are you dislecsic?  Or is it a language problem?

A: I don't know?  I don't think it is a language problem.  However, being brought up with two lanuages in a mosaic environment, didn't really help neither.

Q:  That's right, you grew up in Canada. 

A: Yes

Q:  Well, Canada being not a strongly recognized country for filmmaking.  Did you or do you ever wish that you grew up in the United States or a country like France, where the film culture is much more stronger?

A: Well, firstly I don't agree with the statement.  I think Canada has a strong film culture as well.  I mean after all, many filmmakers and actors are from Canada.

Q: really? Like who?

A: James Cameron, David Cronenberg, Norman Jewison, Sidney Olcott, Michael J. Fox, Keanu Reeves, and so on...

Q: But do you think, you would have a different insight on films if you grew up in the United States, or France. 

A: Yes, but that is like saying would Francois Truffaut be any different, if he grew up in Quebec? This question is not...  what else?

Q: To you what is the most important aspect of cinema? In terms of the process of filmmaking.

A: Everything

Q:  What I mean is, is there something that you feel overall is most important like cinematography, the performance of the actor, etc...

A: Everything.  I think a film is not a good film if any part of filming is not treated as priority.  If something like that was made, then it would be like looking at pictures and listening to a music cd.  I agree that cinematography is very important, but isn't that true about the lighting that sets the ambience, or the performance that pulls the audience into the picture?  A video or a sequence of film, is just a sequence of pictures taken.  A film is just thousands of pictures put together, like a montage.  It requires the ensemble to make it into a film.

Q: You seem to have a very different approach with improvisation.  Can you tell us about that?

A: I think there is no specific technique in improvising your work.  When the final result is what you seek for, than you are good at it.  If not, then you have failed.  I used to believe that there is a technique in filmmaking.  But that is only for people in film school.  The real technique has nothing to do with structure or how things should be made.  It is how things look at the end that we as filmmakers should be thinking about.  I like improvisation because it does not give too much time for an actor to think about what he is about to do.  It then becomes more natural when he is forced to listen to me rather than dispute about it in his/her own mind. 

Q:  Do people ever complain? I mean it must be difficult to work in such an environment.

A:  Well, I am no expert in this area.  Let me get this straight.  I think I have only worked on 3 films that used improvisation.  and Yes, people do get annoyed.  But they also understand.  It is the work of the director to inspire the actors.  If they don't believe in what you believe in, then you might as well call it a day.  Mind you though, I think it is more difficult on the crew then it is for actors.

Q: Who are you favorite directors?

A: I don't think it's truthful for me to say any director to be my favorite.  I think I cherish the work more than the person.  Of course Godard is a great influence, but only because I see that I have a lot in common with Godard.  I think it is better to tell you about my favorite films instead.

Q: What do you have in common with Godard?

A: His arrogance, his rambling style of speech, and his lack of concern for what people think about him.  Most importantly we have the same views on society, and how society should be.

Q: You mean politics?

A: Yes, but let's not talk about that.  Let's just say we have the same views on how we would like to enjoy life.

Q: So what are your favorite films?

A: A Bout De Souffle will always come first, then recently I have added on Vivre Sa Vie.  M, In The Mood For Love, Fallen Angels, there are some more... but I don't really keep a list other than A Bout De Souffle.

PART 1 of 3 END