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Joan Chen Is Ready for Her Career Renaissance

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Joan Chen Is Ready for Her Career Renaissance

In reflecting upon the profound experience of having my dear daughter work alongside me on the production, I must confess that it was truly a transformative moment for our relationship. The shared experience of working together and witnessing each other’s passions and strengths brought us closer than ever before. After years of strained communication during her adolescence, this opportunity allowed us to bridge the gap and reconnect in ways we had longed for but could not find elsewhere.

In “Didi”, Sean Wang’s first semi-autobiographical film, the character Chris (played by Izaac Wang), aged 13, is finding his way in the Bay Area during the late 2000s. It’s a challenging journey for him as he figures out who he wants to become amidst new and old friendships, an exciting yet confusing crush, and a fresh (though possibly unjustified) irritation with his family. Along the way, Chris endures growing pains and makes some surprising self-discoveries about himself and those dear to him.

Despite the nationwide release of the movie on Aug. 16, which is indeed a coming-of-age film, the core narrative revolves around the intricate yet tender bond shared by Chris and his mother, Chungsing. This emotional depth is largely attributable to the exceptional acting skills of Joan Chen, a seasoned actress who portrays Chungsing. At 63 years old, Chen showcases her artistic prowess with a nuanced performance that underscores her enduring status as an internationally respected talent for over five decades.

Chen, who kick-started her acting journey at 14 during China’s Cultural Revolution, is renowned as one of her homeland’s most accomplished actors, often compared to Elizabeth Taylor in China. Western viewers might recognize her from iconic movies like David Lynch’s ‘Twin Peaks’ and Bernardo Bertolucci’s ‘The Last Emperor’. Over time, she has also made a significant mark as a director with films such as ‘Xiu Xiu: The Sent Down Girl’ and ‘Autumn in New York’, which earned critical acclaim. Wang found it fulfilling to have her in his movie due to the esteem her career holds.

Wang shared with TIME that Joan exuded an extraordinary presence, adding a sense of warmth and generosity to the film. Remarkably, as a first-time director myself, she never made me feel awkward or inadequate – a feat even more impressive given her past collaborations with renowned directors like Ang Lee and David Lynch. It was simply magical working alongside her.

For Chen, the film’s nuanced depiction of the relationship between an immigrant mother and her first-generation child hit close to home, especially since her own daughter worked on the film. 

“Chen describes his situation as one that’s both incredibly close and full of love, yet complicated by confusion and cultural differences since he is an immigrant, while raising two children who are American-born.”

TIME caught up with Chen to talk about Didi, motherhood, and the struggle to balance art with life.

TIME: What drew you to this film?

In response to your query, Chen: The script was exceptional right off the bat. Before we even met, Sean sent it over along with a heartfelt letter and an enchanting lookbook. The vision it presented was authentic and meticulous; every shot seemed to be from his personal life, his own home. It was as if I could feel his sincerity.

Were you, being the mother of two daughters, reminded of your personal experiences with motherhood as you considered the bond between Chris and Chungsing while reading the script?

Indeed, that relationship struck a profound chord within me. In many ways, Sean’s mom and I share similar backgrounds; we are both immigrants from distant lands, raising our children in America. This connection, though intense with love, is also filled with complications due to cultural differences. The teenage years of my own children were challenging, thus I empathize deeply with the turmoil, hurt, and even the unintentional mistakes that parents often make – I’ve made my fair share as well. These experiences have been invaluable lessons for me. Moreover, it was immensely therapeutic to portray this aspect of myself, which I hadn’t had the opportunity to do before.

Did you draw from both personal experiences, such as your connection with your own mother, and your relationship with your daughters when preparing for the role? I understand Sean mentioned his mother’s involvement with the film, but I’m curious if you considered this aspect of your life as well.

Sean conducted extensive interviews with his mother which he shared with me, allowing me to trace the evolution of the story. The subtleties in her body language and the inflection in her voice were fascinating to portray as the emotional essence of the character. Unlike Sean, I didn’t have a phase of rebellion against my mom. Instead, I admired her deeply as a child. She was exceptionally intelligent, beautiful, and passionate about her work; she served as an inspiring role model for me. At 14, I left home to start working, marking a stark contrast with my childhood. During the Cultural Revolution in China, my worldview was quite restricted, limited by our surroundings and knowledge of the world, which in turn influenced the development of the character.

When my eldest child, Angela (Chen), was attending preschool post-Thanksgiving break, the principal had a brief chat with me upon pickup. She mentioned that Angela had shared I didn’t observe Thanksgiving, expressing it as something beneficial for her upbringing. This conversation left me feeling like I had fallen short severely since Thanksgiving was not significant in my culture. It’s easy to feel inadequate and make mistakes, which has shaped the emotional depth of my character.

The film, while being a coming-of-age story, leaves an impression on me as more of a depiction exploring the bond between a mother and her son.

Absolutely, it truly embodies that perspective—reading the script felt like it was a heartfelt message to his mother penned by a 13-year-old. Intriguingly, I got Sean’s mom to record all the lines for me, enabling me to observe her unique delivery style and understand why she chose certain approaches. It proved to be an engaging activity.

In the movie, as Chris matures and figures out his identity, he comes to comprehend that his mother is an individual with aspirations beyond just being a mom, essentially someone separate from her role in his life. He recognizes that she had dreams of her own, possibly even dreams of a different kind of life that may not have always involved him.

Children often struggle to comprehend the idea that life existed before them, as we may have had full lives prior to their arrival. To most kids, our role is primarily to supply what they need. I recall feeling guilty when I had to leave home for extended periods, even though I tried to minimize it. However, when a significant project presented itself, I would sometimes depart, leaving them behind. Young children can feel abandoned, even if you’re gone for a relatively short time, as they don’t consider your need for creative expression – something they wouldn’t understand. Over time, my children came to understand my ambitions and dreams. The scene where Sean realizes his mother had other aspirations resonates deeply. Chungsing expresses the sadness of unfulfilled dreams but also finds contentment in the sacrifice, a feeling that many mothers can relate to.

As an artist, did you relate to Chungsing’s desire to pursue her craft? 

I felt that deeply. When I was raising two very young children, there were times you’d feel a hunger, a certain emptiness that you’re not fulfilled and you couldn’t be happy this way, without continuing to create. It’s such a hard balance—you know your children need you the most, which, in a way, is so rewarding because no one else needed you ever as much as your children. Each time I left for a project, when I came back, they just welcome you back. But later in life, I understood that it had done some harm. In the film, the father was the absentee, but in my real life, I’m always that one. When your children need you, your own dreams are secondary—there are things more important than yourself. All of that made me really emotional in the whole process of doing this film. It was a very cathartic experience for me. 

In that final scene where Chris and his mom shared a poignant gaze during filming, I was struck by how Chris’ eyes seemed to convey both vulnerability and innocence. It was as if he were telling his mother through his gaze, “I need you, I love you.” The emotions got the better of me, and I found myself unable to hold back tears until we could finally shoot the scene. Interestingly, this emotional experience served as a form of redemption for me, as my daughter was with me that summer month, helping out on set during her college break. This time allowed us to gain a deeper understanding of each other – perhaps for the first time, she saw me in a new light, observing others’ admiration for my work and recognizing that I have roles beyond being just her mother.

How did you find it when your daughter contributed to the project? Did it have any influence on your bond with her?

Absolutely, our bond deepened following that event, and I’m incredibly grateful for it. We went through a challenging phase during their adolescence, and I acknowledge my role in creating that situation. Reaching out to them at the right time, understanding them after everything we’d been through, seemed impossible. But during the shoot, an unexpected opportunity arose. It was a pivotal moment for us to reconnect, to truly comprehend the love that existed between us. She found a connection with my work, joining me at Sundance. Afterwards, she shared her belief in my upcoming artistic renaissance. I never realized they were so invested in my career!

As a globally recognized actor with a five-decade long career, not only will you be starring in ‘Didi’ but also in an upcoming Andrew Ahn film next year. Watching your performance in ‘Didi’, I was thrilled to witness a profoundly nuanced portrayal of the Asian and Asian American experience on screen. Reflecting on your journey through Hollywood, could you share your thoughts on how roles for actors like yourself have evolved over the years? What aspects of representation would you still like to see improved in the future?

Absolutely, things have significantly improved for me this year. For quite some time, opportunities had been scarce in my current location, leading me to return to China to find work. However, all of a sudden, I find myself incredibly busy. Over the years, I’ve noticed a remarkable change, which is very encouraging.

“You have some unforgettable and impactful scenes in the movie with Chang Li Hua, who portrays Chris’ grandmother and happens to be Sean’s real-life grandmother. She was also a subject in one of his short documentaries titled ‘Nǎi Nai & Wài Pó’. Could you share your experience working with her?”

As a movie reviewer, I found myself captivated by her lively presence on screen – she truly was an invigorating force! At first, I must admit, my apprehension rose when I learned that she was an 86-year-old debutante with no prior acting experience. But then I recalled the enchanting performances in “Nǎi Nai & Wài Pó,” so I held onto hope. And boy, am I glad I did! It was a brilliant move by Sean to cast his grandmother; it added an unprecedented authenticity that set this film apart from others. There’s no one quite like her in the acting world, and her raw talent demanded that I approach my performance differently – as if it were second nature, effortlessly lived-in, and genuine. After our initial rehearsal, any lingering doubts vanished – we fit together seamlessly, like pieces of a puzzle. In retrospect, I believe Sean’s decision to cast her was nothing short of genius!

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2024-08-17 05:07

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