Jiang Wen: If you don't understand my films, you're 'silly'

The Oriental Western "Let the Bullets Fly" has taken China by storm. Directed by and starring Jiang Wen, the film pulled in HK$1.8 million on its first day in Hong Kong alone. 

The film's power to put butts on seats rests not with the all-star cast -- though the cast featuring Chow Yun Fat, Ge You and Carina Lau doesn't hurt sales.

More important is the darkly humorous script, which packages parodies of China's contemporary social and political phenomena within a hugely entertaining yet subtly satirical mass market blockbuster.

CNNGo: Everyone's talking about "Let the Bullets Fly" as a parody of Chinese politics. Was that your intention?

Jiang Wen: How the audience perceives a film sometimes has little to do with the film itself and much less the director's intentions.

I totally agree with what Lu Xun once said about “Dream of the Red Chamber.” Confucianists will see Confucianism in the story, Taoists will only see adultery, intellectuals will see sentimentalism, revolutionists see anti-Manchuism and rumor mongers will see secret affairs from the palace.

CNNGo: So are you surprised by the strong reaction?

Jiang: I’m not too surprised. I knew that “Let the Bullets Fly” would be an easier film for the public to understand than some of my other work.

Actually, I have been making the same film these years, which is "The Sun also Rises." It is just that the distribution company has a stronger marketing strategy this time and they have managed to package “The Sun also Rises” as “Let the Bullets Fly.”

Many people said they did not understand “The Sun also Rises.” This time round, “Let the Bullets Fly” is more conventional. As a matter of fact, this is all within my expectations.

“The Sun also Rises” involves a lot on a spiritual level, but on the other hand, “Let the Bullets Fly” is an exciting and entertaining film -- each has its own merits.

What I would say is, “The Sun also Rises” was a gift to me from the heavens, while “Let the Bullets Fly” is a gift from me to the audience.

I do not really care when the audience says they cannot understand “The Sun also Rises.” It is far too easy to shoot a film that can be understood by the majority of the audience. I can do that with my eyes shut. It's just a matter of whether I want to make that film or not. 

In fact, when people say they don't understand my film, I think they are just silly.

CNNGo: You always give people an impression of being bold, fanatical and confident. What makes you such a proud person?

Jiang: I have always been very proud. I live with a lot of pride. My pride does not come from other peoples' praise and recognition. It is not genuine pride if you live on someone elses’ terms.

I was already quite proud of myself when I was writing the script two years ago. I wrote letters to Ge You and Chow Yun Fat back then to tell them how I thought this film would be received.

CNNGo: Do you prefer being an actor or a director?

Jiang: When I meet a good director, I want to be an actor. When I meet a good actor, I want to be a director. When I meet an actor like Jiang Wen, I probably would want to be the director. (Laughs)

CNNGo: "Let The Bullets Fly” has made a record of more than 600 million yuan in the box office in mainland China so far. Satisfied?

Jiang: I think this is not quite enough. Look, with 600 million yuan, in terms of headcount, that is less than one percent of China’s population.

The Americans on average will watch four to five movies a year, the Chinese audience is far from achieving that. It can only be considered satisfactory when the number of movie-goers reaches 10 percent of the population.

CNNGo: Do you think of yourself as successful?

Jiang: I am not quite satisfied. There are still too many things in life that I need to appreciate and be grateful for.

CNNGo: Your movies are humorous takes on profound topics. What are your views on religion and philosophy?

Jiang: I am very interested in the spirit of religion. I think religion is one of humanity's treasures. We must try hard to gain insight on religion and respect it.

Although I like studying religion, I never had the intention to become a follower of any particular religion.