[Global Times Reporter Niu Xiaoman and Shao Qunyu] "The most direct way for Chinese-language films to go global is through the 'language of action.'" Directed by Qiu Litao, with Nicholas Tse as the action director and lead actor, Jacky Cheung, Carrie Lam, and Ya-Se Liu starring.

[Global Times reporter Niu Xiaoman and Shao Qunyu] "The most direct way for Chinese-language films to go global is through 'action language.'" Directed by Qiu Litao, Nicholas Tse served as action director and lead actor, Jacky Cheung, Carrie Lam, The customs-themed action movie "Customs Front " starring Liu Yase and specially performed by Wu Zhenyu will be released nationwide on June 28. The smuggling gangs in the film continue to challenge the bottom line of the Hong Kong Customs. While fighting the criminals to the end, the customs officers also launched an operation to identify the "insiders". This is Nicholas Tse's first time as an action director. In order to present real action scenes, he carefully designed each action scene, including high-altitude fights, explosions, underwater combat... Recently, Nicholas Tse accepted an exclusive interview with the Global Times and shared his experience as a customs officer. Zhou Zhengli’s feelings and the behind-the-scenes stories of the filming.

"I am also an i person"

Global Times: How to understand the role of Zhou Zhengli? You played the villain in your last work, and this time your role is completely opposite. What was the reason for choosing the script this way?

Nicholas Tse: Zhou Zhengli is an introvert. In fact, he and I are quite similar in this respect. We are both "i" (introverted) and not very good at communication. In addition, he is very disciplined in doing things. It can be seen from his dress and behavior that he has a special sense of belief. Even if the road ahead is difficult, as long as he believes that it is right to do so, he will persist to the end. After reading the script, I didn't think about how to interpret it, because I can understand a character with a special sense of belief.

Stills from "Customs Front"

As an actor, I still like to challenge roles with extreme contrasts. This is the role I came for. It is very challenging to act an upright image, because maybe in everyone's mind, I am still the villain in " fury·serious case ". If I can make everyone forget the last "me", this is a small sense of accomplishment for me as an actor. Besides, I feel very happy to be able to work with Jacky in the same movie.

serves as action director for the first time

Global Times: As an action director and lead actor, is it difficult to both direct action scenes and act in them?

Nicholas Tse: In the action movies I have participated in in the past, I also participated a lot in the action design. As an action director this time, I have to design actions for all actors, ensure everyone's safety, and be responsible for all props. It turns out that it is really difficult to direct action scenes and act at the same time. This time I had to shoot underwater scenes for the customs theme. I couldn’t watch the action playback on the monitor while I was underwater.

Nicholas Tse accepted an exclusive interview with the Global Times

Temperature was also a challenge when filming the underwater breath-holding scene. The temperature in Hong Kong was low at the end of December. We shot for several days in a row and had to soak in the water for twelve or three hours every day. Our body temperature dropped to the extreme. While other staff were allowed to wear wetsuits, I had to wear a short-sleeved uniform. In fact, I am good at water and can hold my breath underwater for a long time, but I was shaking all the time. At the same time, I had to listen to the director's instructions and speak my lines while acting, which was quite difficult. But the most difficult part was the scene where I rolled down from the container. I stood on the box and was hoisted 7 stories into the air to perform actions. After the director shouted "Cut", I couldn't watch the action playback on the monitor. No. I know how this fight scene goes.

Global Times: Do you feel scared during filming, and do you worry about other actors?

Nicholas Tse: of course. All the explosion scenes and fire scenes were real, and the fire burning on my body was also real. The most thrilling thing was the explosion scene. Before the shooting started, I told Yase (Liu Yase) about the dangers of the explosion. She calmly said "yes", but during the actual shooting, an accident happened. When I turned around, I saw her face. They were all blown up, and all the medical staff rushed over. Yase is particularly strong. After treating her wounds on the spot, she told me, "Brother Feng, I can come again." I advised her, "What you see now is illusory, and it will be more dangerous if you come again." I had to protect her safety, so I had to coax her, "This scene will be filmed for four days, and we can wait until you feel better before filming." Then she was willing to go to the hospital for treatment.Fortunately, it was nothing serious, but the accident scared me and taught us a lesson.

Global Times: You have made many action movies over the years. Why do you insist on making action scenes without special effects? Where does your love for action movies come from?

Nicholas Tse: There are also some post-production steps in movies, such as erasing wires from actors or adding some things to the background, but our action scenes are all real. I have always felt that if the actors themselves do not take risks and are not nervous, they will not be able to mobilize the audience's emotions. When an actor has a real sense of fear, it's completely different to manage their expressions in order to bring a real sense of tension to the audience - I feel this even more when directing other actors.

I have always felt that action scenes are the truly unique advantage of our Chinese films. Nowadays, many foreign films are still learning from the action scenes of our glorious period in the 1980s and 1990s, and learning some design and shooting techniques. I grew up watching action movies of that era. I feel that action movies are an international language, and action itself has no boundaries and no framework. Jackie Chan Brother's movies are popular all over the world because there are no barriers to this kind of subject matter. I think the most direct way for Chinese-language films to reach the world is through "action language."

Acting, writing songs, and cooking are all creations

Global Times: Compared with the action movies you mentioned in the 1980s and 1990s, what changes have been made in Hong Kong films in recent years?

Nicholas Tse: In the past, did not rely on post-production and relied entirely on the actors' own training and abilities. Now the way film production has changed a lot. But I still feel that the younger generation should understand that Chinese Kung Fu and our shooting techniques can be so exciting. It would be a pity if young audiences cannot understand the status of Chinese Kung Fu in the world through movies. I hope to inspire the creative enthusiasm of the younger generation, let them see the charm of action movies, try to complete some actions, and chase their dreams no matter what field they are in.

Global Times: Actor, singer, chef, action director... which identity do you prefer? How to respond to netizens’ call for “concerts”?

Nicholas Tse: means the same thing to me, and they are all different channels for my creation. Whether you choose different notes to write a song, choose different ingredients to make a gourmet dish, or use different arrangement techniques in a movie to shoot an action movie or other genres, the creative logic behind it is the same. And these tasks of mine are all staged. For example, now that the movie is about to be released, I will devote more time and energy to the movie. But in fact, a lot of work is also going on at the same time. While participating in the film creation of "Customs Front", I also collaborated with Jacky Brother on music. As for the concert, I'm already considering it.

I have been in the industry for more than 20 years. I would like to thank my fans, fans and fans for accompanying me and trusting me over the years. I will do my best to make every work the best and live up to everyone's expectations.