When shooting "Spring Break", Jiang Wenli hoped to present the painful sadness she felt. The first time she saw this script and the character Wang Cailing, she was moved by the image of a person who, despite being overweight and plain-looking, living in material poverty and being mocked for not being recognized, still possessed a grand ideal and a spiritual world akin to walking on clouds while stepping on coal balls. Jiang Wenli was deeply touched. In Wang Cailing, she found many similar places, such as courage and strength. The difference is, I think she is braver than me.
Jiang Wenli frankly admitted that for actresses, everyone hopes to be young and beautiful, and will try every means to maintain their looks. However, aging is a natural law, and there's no need to always be stuck in the bad mood of fearing old age. The key is how old you feel yourself to be. In Jiang Wenli's view, a woman's beauty requires a composite index: family happiness, career success, healthy mindset, confidence in life, having inner substance and cultivation... all these can change a woman's appearance.
Recalling her childhood, Jiang Wenli’s tone lightened considerably. She even talked about a photo that could prove she was once an ugly duckling: a huge forehead sticking out like that of an old man, overshadowing her face below, making it look dark. At that time, her grandfather often consoled her, saying if you have a kind heart and do good deeds, you will become beautiful. From then on, she always helped the old lady next door carry water, partly because she felt sorry for her, and partly because she hoped to become more beautiful herself.
After becoming famous, Jiang Wenli never thought of herself as beautiful, so she never spent much time on her face. Jiang Wenli said that she only wears makeup when shooting or attending some galas; otherwise, she never does. On one hand, she thinks life should be casual, and on the other hand, she doesn't want her skin to be surrounded by various skincare products. She frankly stated that a big reason why her skin is good is due to genetics: her mother, at over 60 years old, still had smooth and delicate skin with almost no wrinkles. Moreover, a good mindset is also an important factor.
Nowadays, when referring to Jiang Wenli, besides being an actress, she also has the title of director. Her debut film "We Meet in Heaven" has already won several awards: Busan Film Festival Audience Choice Award, Macao Film Festival Best Director Award and Best Actor Award... After Xu Jinglei and Yu Feihong, Jiang Wenli became another female actress who stepped into the world of directing.
By winning the Best Actress award for the movie "Spring", Jiang Wenli talked mostly about the character Wang Cailing in the film. She discussed the pain of her dreams colliding with harsh realities, resulting in bloody heads. But dreams are always beautiful and noble, and even if they don't have the power to be realized, the process of persistence is very great.
I ultimately want to see what kind of challenge the role can give me.
"We Meet in Heaven" tells the story of a little girl and her grandfather from a child's perspective in the late 1970s.
Jiang Wenli said that for a long time, she had the urge to record those unforgettable memories of the past. Before she started her acting career, she wanted to document them with words. Later, as an actress, she thought that if she could use images to present it on the big screen, it would be a better way to express.
Talking about directing, Jiang Wenli expressed that the hardest part was knowing nothing.
I often forget to call cut while watching the actors perform, and in the end, others have to remind me. I even didn't know what to do on the scene.
In the lens
Jiang Wenli said: I think a good actor can act anything convincingly, trying multiple approaches to get close to the character. If you are too concerned with appearances, it will limit you greatly. Ultimately, I want to see what kind of challenge the role can give me. She hopes to encounter a character like Wang Cailing again in her lifetime.
Although she has been an actress for 20 years, Jiang Wenli only now feels that being an actress is too comfortable. I really feel like a little student, learning everything all over again. She said that she only started performing as a director a week after the movie started filming. I often forget to call cut while watching the actors perform, and in the end, others have to remind me. I even didn't know what to do on the scene.
How does Gu Changwei evaluate his wife's film? He never says how good I am, but always gives me specific opinions. So far, he seems quite satisfied. When I finished writing the script and showed it to him, he said he didn't expect me to write something like this. However, my work might be warmer and more emotional than his. He is a man, so he always makes things cooler. Jiang Wenli said.
A few years ago, I started feeling that many things from my childhood were appearing in my mind, feeling very clear, even to the point where I thought I just needed to pick up a camera and shoot. Life in my childhood was like a utopia. I want to find some memories and tributes from it. Besides her feelings for her grandfather, Jiang Wenli also mentioned another sensation: compared to 30 years ago when she was a child, life today is materially abundant, but people's hearts are restless, and relationships between people have become somewhat cold. She wants to help herself find a spiritual home through the film, and also let the audience know how people used to live.
Seeing the hustle and bustle at home, I realize what true family happiness is.
Change is a natural law, there's no need to always be stuck in the bad mood of fearing old age.
Jiang Wenli has gained a lot of recognition.
Jiang Wenli said that her husband Gu Changwei only visited the set on the first day of filming, and never appeared again after that. I once wanted Mr. Gu to be my cinematographer, but he said he would definitely lose control and interfere, and people would say this movie is his work. Sure enough, on the first day of filming, he couldn't help but meddle everywhere. However, I still rely quite a bit on Mr. Gu, so I asked him to recommend a cinematographer.
In life
On the day the film was completed, Jiang Wenli cried alone in the studio. She said: The day before my grandfather died, I saw him for the last time. He was almost unconscious, but when I held his hand, he grabbed mine and shed a tear. This moment, I will never forget.
I'm not beautiful
The directorial debut was so successful, but Jiang Wenli said she doesn't want to continue directing, although directing is more exciting, but acting is simpler. Many people say I will definitely shoot again in the future, but I finally understand why good directors take years to make a good movie. Directing is really too tiring, and you must be both rational and emotional, relying on accumulation and sedimentation. Jiang Wenli's attempt proves that no matter how restless the entertainment industry may be, it ultimately comes down to hard work pays off.
However, when Jiang Wenli directed, she still incorporated many of her own experiences as an actress. For example, in one scene, she needed the young actor to show fear, so Jiang Wenli locked her in a small dark room. Not long after, the child was scared to tears, and the scene was successfully completed.
A few years ago, I started feeling that many things from my childhood were appearing in my mind, feeling very clear.