Jade Warrior, the first film co-production by China and
Finland, is based on a tragic Finnish epic, starring a Finnish
actor and a Chinese actress. It was filmed in Finland and China.
Finnish cinema may be remote for many Chinese moviegoers
accustomed to Hollywood blockbusters. Jade Warrior, the
first Sino-Finnish co-production, will give Chinese audiences some
ideas about Finland's film and culture.
The movie had its world premiere at the Toronto International
Film Festival in September, and public screening began in China
last week.
"I don't think it's a straightforward action film though Chinese
martial arts is applied to many fight scenes," says director
Antti-Jussi Annila, who says it took him seven years just to
prepare for the shooting itself.
The story line is inspired by the tragic Finnish epic, The
Kalevala, and revolves around a love-struck hero who fights
against the restrictions of modern life and searches for a love
that transcends time and place. On his journey to be reunited with
his lover, he discovers his true origin, his skills as a warrior
and his unique destiny.
"Actually Chinese people don't need to know much about Nordic
mythology," says director Annila. "The feelings of the hero
transcend traditional cultural and geographical boundaries. I would
call it a love story or a fantasy film."
Jade Warrior is Annila's feature debut. With a moderate
budget of 30 million yuan (US$3.75 million), it uses various
shooting venues from Finland and Estonia to the Hengdian TV and
film shooting location in China's Zhejiang Province.
Finnish actor Tommi Eronen and Chinese actress Zhang Jingchu
play the lead roles. The eye-catching cast also helped the movie
top the weekend Finnish box office after its opened several weeks
ago.
Zhang plays the doomed lover of the hero - the jade ornament she
wears is a mysterious proof for their relationship. Hailed for a
similar kung fu image in ancient costume drama, Zhang is frequently
compared with another Chinese actress Zhang Ziyi who established
her fame in Ang Lee's Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.
"Zhang Jingchu is one of the best actresses I have ever seen,"
director Annila says. "She gave her best during the filming. Though
I haven't met Zhang Ziyi, I believe she is also talented."
Zhang Jingchu, however, missed the Shanghai premiere this week,
as she reportedly is preparing for a Hollywood production, Rush
Hour III.
Compared with the United States and China, Finland doesn't have
a strong, vibrant film industry. The country with only five million
people produces just 10 to 15 movies a year, many of them art-house
films.
In recent years, Chinese cinema has become increasingly popular
in Finland. Finland people know such Chinese filmmakers as Wong
Kar-wai and Zhang Yimou, and a personal film exhibition of Wong's
works is being staged in theaters in Helsinki.
According to Professor Gu Xiaoming of Fudan University, Finnish
films, like many other Nordic cinemas, have slow rhythms, detailed
portrayals of nature, and a gloomy mystic flavor.
"Unlike Hollywood blockbusters, Finnish films don't impress
audiences with stunning visual effects or complex story lines,"
Professor Gu says.
"They usually center on sensitive human relationships and the
delicacy of an individual's feelings."
You may feel that Finnish movies are not as refined as other
European productions such as Italian and French pictures. But they
offer distinctively honest, wild and simple elements, which also
remind people of Nordic cuisine, furnishings and their soccer
teams.
And because of the special climate, geography and irregular
sunlight, people in Finland have closer and more sensitive
relationship with nature. Prophesy, illusion and the mythical power
of nature are portrayed in Finnish cinema.
For many local moviegoers, however, it still takes time to learn
to appreciate the beauty and charm of Finnish cinema.
"I find it hard to touch the real meaning of this movie," says
movie buff Kevin Fan. "Finland and China have quite different
cultural origins. Nevertheless, it is a good sign that we still
have many alternatives besides Hollywood movies."
(Shanghai Daily November 6, 2006)
