Was the film harder to shoot than you thought?
Yes. I knew it would be hard, but when you actually go through it, it's harder. Many times, you feel like death. I never felt it would ever be done - there were endless details. To fit the fighting into a dramatic context, it was new, and unnatural to do that in Chinese cinema.
What made you want to do this?
It's something I've wanted to do since childhood. I had images in my head, growing up, then I get to make movies, and it was something I wanted to do. After making "Eat Drink Man Woman", I got the chance to read this particular book and I wanted to make it. But then I was given the opportunity to make some English-language projects, which was a great chance to develop as a film maker. I took great pleasure in that, but finally I said "I must make a commitment to make a Chinese-language film", which I did last year, but nothing beats this material. It remained the thing I wanted to do the most. I had to stop everything and focus on that.
Do you have an action hero inside yourself?
I think it's something I'm not. That's why I feel the need to fulfill that. All the weapons set up in the movie, I made the choice - I designed Jade Fox's weapon, the one with poisoned needles. I think they are fantasies - it can quite contradict your personal demeanour. It could be the hidden side of you; I think making movies is a great way to release that. I think it is important to be honest with that, and have fun with it.
Read a review of "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon".
Read an interview with "Crouching Tiger" star Michelle Yeoh.
Read an interview with "Crouching Tiger" co-writer James Schamus.
Will "Crouching Tiger" increase the popularity of foreign language cinema?
