'Amber' is a passionate love story that deals with the complex emotions that surround, lost love, grief and finding love again. It tells the story of a young playboy who wakes up after a heart transplant and finds a woman listening to his heart, a heart which once belonged to the love of her life. What follows is a complex love story set against the background of modern China.
The story is told among the mixing of multimedia, music and theatre which combine to bring together a social commentary on post modern China with a striking portrayal of love, sex and desire.
How are artists/ directors like yourself viewed in China?
Most of the audiences thought that directors like me are very irritable, and not easy to work with. For those who know me for a long time, [they] say that I am the kind of person who likes exploring the potential of people and make it work. From the perspective of constellations, I am not a Virgo, I am Taurus, who is good at combining idealism with reality.
How easy is it for artists in China to pursue their art among the pressure to pursue more conventional career paths?
There is stress everywhere. It is depends on whether the stress is external or internal. It will be easier to deal with external stress. If it is internal stress from the heart, it could be complicated.
China has recently started going through a sexual revolution such as occurred in the west in the '70s, how does the sex culture in China compare to the rest of the world?
This kind of sexual revolution might be unreal.
Is sex still a taboo topic in China?
There are different understandings of 'sex' in Chinese culture and western culture. Sex is a social issue and it is unavoidable in art.
What does 'Amber' reveal about modern China and the experiences of its youth?
It reveals the contradictions facing the modern youth in China with self-lost and growth.
'Amber' has been described as a universal love story, how easy is it for young people to simply fall in love and get married in China?
It is easy to fall in love. However, love is always complicated; marriage today is easy as well.
The main male character starts out as a playboy; what are Chinese attitudes towards this kind of male promiscuity?
Chinese are very tolerant with talented men, like the story of 'Flirting Scholar'.
You grew up during a tumultuous period of modern Chinese history; how has that shaped your work?
I am idealism with contradiction, hesitation and belief, who would like to contribute to human being and achieve self-actualization.
Have you ever felt restricted in the kind of art you can do due to political or cultural restrictions?I think so. However, sometimes restrictions are good. I’m not God, God is not me.
Have you noticed a difference in the way Asian and western audiences regard your work?
None.
