The interview with Jean Renault was around 11:30 a.m., and I was a little skeptical that it would start on time. The impression is that the French have always been casual and do not like to get up early, and last month they asked his old partner Luc Besson, which was originally scheduled for the morning, but the director felt that it was too early, or postponed it until noon.
However, when we arrived, Jean Renault was already in an interview with other media outlets. The 68-year-old "killer" looks a little lucky, but in good spirits. When it was our turn to play, the assistant specifically asked him if he was tired and needed to rest for a while, but he refused.
This is Jean Renault's second visit to Shencheng, last because of the 2006 Jean Renault Film Festival.
The crew of the movie "Rogue League" appeared on the red carpet of the festival, and standing in the middle was Jean Renault.
Compared with his previous visit as a guest, this is the first time that Jean Renault has created a momentum for the film as a starring actor - starring him and Andy Lau, Shu Qi, Zhang Jingchu, Sha Yi, etc. Feng Delun's "Rogue Alliance" held a press conference during the Shanghai International Film Festival and will be officially released on August 11.
Perhaps because of his Hispanic genes, Jean Renault did not have the high coldness of the French, and throughout the interview, he always talked and laughed. However, as in previous interviews, he is reluctant to talk more about the famous 46-year-old "This Killer Is Not Too Cold" and other old works, which in his opinion have long been turned over.
But when I told him that "the 4K restored version of this movie will be screened during the film festival, but the movie tickets were sold out, and many fans were frustrated because they couldn't buy tickets", he couldn't hide his disappointment: "I really regret for them, everyone should find a way to appeal for ah, add a few more!" If needed, I would also like to join in and call the organizers! ”
Stills from "This Killer Isn't Too Cold"
【Dialogue】
"At my age, jumping and beating is not an easy task."
The Paper: In Rogue League, you play Pierre, a policeman who hunts down Andy Lau. The character seems a bit unlikable, as the thief he plays is not really a villain.
Jean Renault: Pierre's role has his multi-faceted nature, just like Andy Lau's rogue, not only a simple side, or go to the movies when the time comes, you will know after watching it.
The Paper: "Rogue League" is a police gangster, adventure theme, filming in France cannes, Czech Prague, Ukraine Kiev and other cities, so what is the biggest challenge you encounter?
Jean Renault: For actors, every time you shoot a scene, the challenge you face is always the same – how to act believable, how to make the audience believe what you say. Because in essence, what comes out of the actor's mouth is all lies. I usually watch other people's movies, and some actors perform things, and I don't buy them. I believe that everyone has had this experience. Some of the actors' love scenes are sweet to listen to, but the audience can immediately feel that it is a train with a mouth full of mouths. So, convincing the audience is the biggest challenge I've had, and that's the case with every play. If the audience can see the character I play and can see it convincingly, then I will be satisfied.
The Paper: There are a lot of action scenes and chase scenes in "Rogue League", how do you usually prepare?
Jean Renault: I gave up nightlife as much as I could, didn't drink alcohol, and lived a healthy life. After all, at my age, it is not easy to jump and beat, and it is necessary to maintain a good state.
Jean Renault walked up the red carpet in a happy mood
"Playing only one type of role in a lifetime is a waste of life"
The Paper: During the filming of Rogue League, is there anything that makes you unforgettable?
Jean Renault: The most memorable experience was to go to Prague, where there are many old castles that were not destroyed during World War II and are still well protected today. What's more important, though, is who to go to these places with. As an actor, I enjoy spending time in a group, so "Rogue League" represents an eternal memory for me, including Andy Lau, Zhang Jingchu and so on, which are my most memorable.
The Paper: Speaking of the partner, you are a very international actor, compared to working with European directors and Hollywood directors, how do you feel about filming with Feng Delun, a Director of Hong Kong, China?
Jean Reynolds: Von der Lenn is a very interesting person. As a director, he knows very well what his goals are, so when I start shooting with him, I don't waste time and have a clear plan every day, so I am very relieved about him and the shooting process is also very pleasant. As for the difference, in my opinion, making a movie is a big guy doing the work together, the director says "open my la", there is no longer any European shooting, Hollywood shooting or Chinese shooting. In short, it depends on whether your team can do it, which is a one-size-fits-all truth.
Jean Renault and von der Leyen
The Paper: As an actor, do you have any principles that you have always adhered to?
Jean Renault: Some actors only play one role in their lives, and as they act, they become a certain product themselves. Of course, I'm not against this practice, and it's okay if you're willing to do that. But as far as I'm concerned, my understanding of an actor is that you have to try all kinds of roles, comedy, action movies, dramas, you have to act, which is called real acting, which is what people who graduate from theater school should do. Playing only one type of role in my life would be a waste of life, in which case I'd rather stay at home. So my opinion is that no matter which side of the actor is involved in the production, it is no problem, whether it is a romance or an action movie, just don't always play the same role.
The Paper: Indeed, comedies, literary films, action movies, you can control. So, will you adapt your performance methods to different types of works?
Jean Renault: No, I learned methodological acting, so no matter what type of film I play, I use the same method, which is to fully immerse myself in the role. So, there are some movies that I probably won't take on in the first place because I can't convince myself. The performance doesn't feel real, it's better not to act. And what I value is to integrate into the characters and become completely people in the play. If an audience watches a movie and says that an actor "did a great job," that's not a good thing to say in my opinion. Good acting, you can't let people see that you are acting, you are the role itself. Sometimes, I take on a certain role, but I don't have a bottom in my heart when I act, and then I will stop first. I have to carefully analyze every line of the character, and every subtle action that matches these lines, and think about it over and over again until all the lines and action details are fully understood. That's when I was one with the character.
Stills from Rogue League
"Dealing with children at home, I am not angry"
The Paper: So, although your type of work is more verbal, the most popular roles are police officers and criminals. In your own opinion, what qualities in yourself allow you to switch freely between these two opposing professions?
Jean Renault: Yes, there's a lot of acting, I guess it's because of my appearance, which looks like a cop or a criminal. And then there's the fact that I seem to be pretty good at giving orders, not being angry, and dealing with my children at home—I give an order, and they never dare to bargain, they do it right away.
The Paper: You often play the leading role in movies, but you don't mind playing supporting roles. So what is your basis for taking on a movie?
Jean Renault: Like I said earlier, I'll first imagine if I can be this character, and the overall atmosphere of the film is not suitable for me. Then there's the crew, and I want to think about whether I can get along with everyone when I join in. I value this very much, filming is a collective work, and the atmosphere of the whole team determines everything to a large extent. After all, you're going to live with these guys for months. If these two points I don't think are very reliable, then I will not take over. I am a person who believes in instinct and follows the feeling, so a lot of times it is the feeling of the person, before getting the script, you have dealt with the other party, which is the first step of screening. Then look at the script, step by step, this decision is still prudent.
Zhang Jingchu and Jean Renault
The Paper: So when you make a movie, do you try to perform the effect that the director wants as much as possible, or do you put forward your own opinion based on the role?
Jean Renault: I don't go against the director because I never believed that doing it would have a positive effect. Some actors like to do this, thinking that the more they do it, the more they can spark art, but I am not this personality. However, my approach is not to try to please the director, but to figure out what the director wants beforehand and then turn his ideas into my own ideas. Such a process is what I think actors should do. Otherwise, I'm just achieving the director's goals, not my own.
The Paper: Can you tell us about your next work?
Jean Renault: It's a Hollywood movie, and because it's not finally signed yet, I can't name it yet.
【The following is an Easter egg】
Finally, the editor said that Jean Renault in the interview was too cute and couldn't help but make him a few memes. If there is a similarity, it is purely coincidental, do not pursue me.