The most expensive film in the history of Chinese cinema, "Dragon Blade," was released worldwide in February. The leading roles were played by the film's producer Jackie Chan and other Hollywood stars — John Cusack and Adrien Brody.
After reading about Kyrgyz people on the Internet, Jackie Chan advised the actor playing the role of a warrior of the Chinese Empire to shout words in Kyrgyz during the battle scenes.
Jackie Chan was curious about who the Kyrgyz are and what kind of people they are, said Elchoro Kurman, an ethnic Kyrgyz living in Beijing.
Elchoro has spent his entire life in China and primarily speaks the language of the Middle Kingdom. He shared details about his acquaintance with the great Chinese actor and stuntman Jackie Chan, why he ended up in China, and his plans to visit his historical homeland next year.
— Hello, Elchoro! Congratulations on your successful career in cinema. Can you tell us how you ended up in China?
— Hi! It so happened that my great-grandfather and great-grandmother found themselves on the territory of China during the border division. That’s why I was born and raised in the city of Korla. At 16, I came to study in Beijing. I graduated from the economics department and, after working for two years in a bank, decided to pursue a career as an actor.
— In which films have you already acted?
— I have participated in about 20 films. Mostly, these are Chinese films, such as "Blue Lake of Seven Stars" or "Phantom Strike."
— Do you speak Kyrgyz?
— Of course, it’s my native language, but I often lack practice, although I try and always use the opportunity to improve.
— Externally, Chinese and Kyrgyz people are quite similar. Do they not mistake you for one of their own?
— No (laughs), they know that I am Kyrgyz and are very friendly towards me.
— How did you manage to act in a film with Jackie Chan, as many dream of this?
— More than three hundred actors auditioned for the role of a Chinese warrior in the casting for the new film. I, along with two Chinese colleagues, was immensely happy to receive a positive response.
— What did you feel being on the same set with the great Jackie Chan? What is he like in real life?
— In reality, he is a very simple and sincere person. Regardless of his status, he is very attentive to everyone.
For example, during breaks, he can easily take a basket of cookies or water and distribute it to the entire crew. He calmly cleaned up trash on the set himself. He made us crush empty soda cans before sending them to the trash — so the bin wouldn’t overflow.
He is very considerate of the environment. Jackie Chan is a man with a capital letter and a big heart.
— Did you communicate often during the filming?
— He is very easy to talk to. During battle scenes, he often came up to me and taught me how to properly perform certain stunts.
Once, between takes, Jackie Chan asked me to massage his shoulder. Apparently, old injuries from stunt work were bothering him, and we started talking.
In addressing him, I habitually said our Kyrgyz "bayke." He asked what it meant, and I explained that it’s how my people address their elders.
In response, he asked, "Who are the Kyrgyz, what kind of people are they?" That’s how he learned that I am Kyrgyz and that my ancestors once fought against the Huns.
Two days later, when we met, Jackie said that he had read about the history of the Kyrgyz on the Internet and said, "So, you are playing the role of your ancestors in this film. How about you shout Kyrgyz words during the battle scenes?" Of course, I gladly agreed, but when watching the film, it’s not visible (laughs).
— In the photo on social media, you are next to Jackie Chan in a Kyrgyz kalpak…
— Yes, that was in the dressing room. The ak-kalpak is my gift, which he immediately put on after hearing that it’s our national headdress and that it is given to esteemed guests in Kyrgyzstan.
— The film also featured two other famous actors — John Cusack and Adrien Brody. What can you tell us about them?
— They are both very kind and quite simple. John Cusack loves to communicate with different people and learn something from them. Brody stood out to me with his action: after filming wrapped, his manager announced that Brody wouldn’t be able to take photos with everyone because he was late for a meeting. But the actor interrupted him and said he couldn’t just leave — he came out to us and took a photo with each of us.
— Where were the filming locations, and were they difficult?
— Filming took place for two months in Zhejiang Province and four months in the city of Dunhuang. The hotel was about 100 kilometers from the filming location, so we had to get up at six in the morning every day and travel for about two hours. We returned late at night, sometimes staying until morning. We were very tired (laughs).
— Did you like the film itself?
— Of course, I liked it (smiles), although the moments where I shouted in Kyrgyz didn’t make it into the film (makes a dissatisfied face).
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— How do you see your future in cinema?
— I plan to continue acting, but only in good films. And, of course, I dream of making my own film.
— Have you been to your historical homeland?
— If possible, I plan to come to Kyrgyzstan next year. So, I think we will see each other again (laughs).
The film "Dragon Blade" (Dragon Blade) with a total budget of 65 million dollars was released in February 2015. The action of the film takes place in Ancient China during the reign of the Han dynasty. Roman general Lucius, with a legion of his soldiers, is on the territory of China. At the same time, the commander of the Western Region Guard, Huo An, falls into slavery due to the machinations of his enemies.
Two great warriors are destined to meet in an epic battle in the Western desert. However, they will not fight against each other, but for the sovereignty of China against the greedy Emperor Tiberius.
In addition to the hero of our interview, another actor from Kyrgyzstan, former correspondent of the news agency "Kabar," Kanatbek Abdyrahmanov, also appeared in the film.
Source: Sputnik Kyrgyzstan