Action hero's acting mission

• Source: Global Times
• [21:16 January 27 2010]
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Actors of 14 Blades at the film's premiere. Photo: Guo YIngguang

"It's some acting that I have never tried before and it is different from the stereotypes of a hero. You have to see it in the cinema."

Determined to improve himself as a professional actor, Yen asked his fans not to focus on his action scenes in his latest films.

"I reached what I pursued in the field of martial arts long ago," Yen said, adding that if he stuck with such roles, he would be limited.

According to Yen, the priority of an action film is about how to create impressive roles and strong action scenes. He cited Dragon Tiger Gate, in which he starred and was the action choreographer in 2006. "The actions I designed in the film were revolutionary but the film was a failure for not having told a good story and portray-ing roles with depth."

Yen's success in Ip Man taught him that actions are important but a comprehensive role requires much more. "Of course it is not like that immediately when finishing the film had I realized how to act," he laughed, "it is just that the film gave me confidence, like opening a gate, that I can put my life experience, my real feelings and passion toward my career into my acting, which helps make my roles more convincing."

Now recognized as being able to act while doing martial arts on screen, Yen said that he knows there is still a huge amount of room for him to develop. "I will still focus on action films in 2010, with two projects underway and several in discussion, but I hope eventually that I will be qualified for an art house film."