Profile:
Bachelor of Economics, East China University of Political Science and Law, 2014.
Master of Political Science, The University of Texas at Dallas, 2016.
EDBA candidate, Business Management at the University of Montpellier, 2020.
Question 1: Avenger (复仇) is a film about a woman who takes revenge upon her sister’s murderers who could not be tried as adults for their crime due to their age. What drew you to this story, and why did you want to make this film?
This film primarily explores "equal retaliation," or "lex talionis" in Latin. This kind of retribution is rarely seen in modern society, as people often turn to the judicial system to resolve conflicts. However, what happens when the law itself is flawed or the judicial system fails to deliver a fair judgment based on the law? At that point, the majority might accept their fate, but a few individuals may opt for "an eye for an eye" action to achieve what they perceive as justice. The lead character of this film is one such person. Imagine if the audience were in a similar situation as the lead character—what would they do? If viewers are willing to contemplate this question, they will realize that it's hard to answer. No one wants to face such a situation, as nobody knows for sure how they would react under those circumstances. This film revolves around this intriguing question about society and human nature.
Question 2: Revenge is a common theme in movies; by the end of the film Avenger, the heroine feels unfulfilled and dissatisfied by her revenge. Why do you think that revenge is such a common theme in film?
Revenge is a recurring theme throughout human history and has long been a problem faced by humanity. Filmmakers do not simply create topics out of thin air; their inspiration often comes from real human history. People from any historical background might face injustices in their time. If they cannot find a proper channel to seek justice under the social conditions of that era, revenge often becomes their last resort. As an audience, viewers often empathize with the character's plight while watching the movie, and the character's anger accumulates in the viewer's hearts. When the character finally exacts their revenge, the audience usually experiences an emotional release. In colloquial Chinese terms, a well-crafted revenge film can provide a sense of "爽感" (catharsis) for the audience, which is why this theme remains popular.
However, my film reflects a more realistic situation. Although the female character successfully exacts revenge, there is no doubt that her own life is ruined in the process. Whether she chooses to flee or turn herself in, she is unlikely to lead a normal life afterward, which is the price of revenge.
Question 3: The film touches upon issues regarding violence towards women. Do you think that most movies address this issue adequately? Particularly, do you think female film-makers can better understand the problems women have in dealing with violence by men?
If we were to discuss the issue of violence faced by women, there is no doubt that domestic films and TV dramas on this topic are severely lacking. Yet, this film likely focuses more on the issue of "an eye for an eye" rather than exclusively addressing violence against women. Many outstanding films addressing this issue have been made by male filmmakers as well. I believe that violence is not just a problem faced by women; many men are also victims of violence. Everyone could potentially face the issue of violence, but the real root of the problem lies in whether people can seek justice through non-violent means. If such channels exist, violence can be curbed. Therefore, I think that instead of focusing on whether the victims of violence are male or female, it's more important to concentrate on the social root causes of violence.
Question 4: Zhou Lingyi, the director, screenwriter and lead-actor of Avenger, studied in France and the USA; did her experiences there affect her outlook and film-making?
I believe that every filmmaker's work reflects their understanding of the world, and each person's understanding is closely related to their individual experiences. My experience in other countries is a part of my life, and it has undoubtedly had a significant impact on my filmmaking. However, I've found that filmmaking requires board-based knowledge. For example, many subjects I've studied out of personal interest can be applied to filmmaking. So, as a filmmaker, it's essential not to focus solely on the film industry but also to care about the real world, human history, and current events. Inspiration often comes from these real-life events.
Question 5: What future projects do you have planned?
I have created various scripts on different topics, including those in the martial arts, science fiction, and disaster genres. My creative process is often inspired by sudden flashes of insight, which is why I cover a wide range of topics. At present, there are four film projects in the pipeline. However, the future of these projects remains uncertain, and now securing sufficient funding is my primary challenge. Nonetheless, I believe that if I've done my best, ending these projects won't affect me a lot since I also have many other plans for my life. In a nutshell: Do my best and let fate take its course.
Interviewed by: David James Bell
Edited by: Sfilmmaker
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