i don't know if anyone of you have read this..but just sharing it in here...all credit goes to
asiafanatic
Posted by Bach Mai – Ngoc Dinh (VietNamNet); Translated by Li Nhi
“ROCH�: Better, More Mythical!
(VietNamNet) After the success of “Tian Long Ba Bau,� the series “Return of the Condor Heroes� is especially attracting the public’s interest. Director Vu Man can finally take a deep breath and relax after completing the 42-episode adaptation.
The entire series, including the hardest and the final scenes to be filmed, are finally finished. What is left are the music and the graphics (with the help of computer technology).
Unlike ZJZ, who would always compliment his actors, Vu Man has a more realistic evaluation on the two stars’ performance: YG-HXM and XLN-LYF. He rarely even compliments them, and the closest most possible complimentary remark he could make is “Not bad!� “In this ‘ROCH,’ there aren’t many superstars. In fact, candidates for the auditioning roles were quite limited. And so I can only evaluate the two most important actors which are HXM and LYF. As the executive director, I can say that they have completed their mission.�
VM had actually watched the previous adaptations of ROCH before. Louis Koo was also “not bad,� but HXM presented a bit more “evil-spirited� characteristic in his performance. “Honestly, in all of the other ROCH versions, YG appeared to be a righteous person, but this character should have a bit of strangeness or wickedness in him. I see that HXM has grasped it pretty well in that area.�
As for XLN-LYF, VM’s attitude was very ambiguous or unclear. “I can only say that in this series, she has improved immensely compared to any other series she had done in the past. There were quite a few scenes where she truly did give an excellent performance in. I was not impressed much with the first couple of scenes that she did. But from the middle and thereon after, she finally caught on.�
VM had even admitted that while filming, the crew had many severe arguments regarding the actress that played XLN. “I just regret not asking her to redo some of the scenes in the beginning of the series. But she’s still just an 18 year-old girl, after all. Yet she was able to give a performance like that, so not bad at all.�
From XAJH to TLBB, three big adaptations, one similar plot. The most difficult task that made ROCH crew ponder (even in their sleep) was how to create a new atmosphere for the audience to see and be curious about.
VM had straightforwardly admitted that their hardest problem was how to incorporate computer technology into making the “dances� a more finished product. “I invited the top 10 notable companies in China to come up with a possible suggestion, but none of their campaign plans had satisfied our demands.�
VM had arrived as the “savior� in all three JY adaptations before this one. “Compared to all the other series I’ve directed, I prefer a longer series with an atmosphere that can stretch out the plot even further. But I realized that there are many areas in ROCH that cannot accomplish this.�
On account of the backgrounds and lightings, we have chosen fresh lively colors. We take designing and preparing the film set into careful consideration. I feel that scenes with the Ancient Tomb and Jue Qing Valley will outscore previous versions and become the new masterpiece in settings. There were many scenes that resembled a play on stage, enriched with colors, poetry and art.�
Posted by Nameless Monk; Translated by Li Nhi
Mang Guang Mei & Li Mo Chou
When asked about MGM & her role as Li Mo Chou in ZJZ’s ROCH, MGM was full of excitement. “Back then, a friend of mine made a bet that if someone would actually choose me to be in their ancient or wuxia series, then he’d let me use his head as a soccer ball.�
To MGM, taking on a difficult role such as LMC-- who is one of the main villainous characters in the story-- is a new challenge. A few days earlier, while MQM was acting out a fighting scene, she was injured with her weapon attached to the side of her costume. All of a sudden, she felt these warm wet droplets fall slowly down the sides of her cheeks. The interviewer asked: “Blood?� MGM laughed and answered: “Tears!!!�
MGM made a generalization that all of the previous roles that she’d done were antagonists or villains. “Perhaps it is because of my sharp structured face that makes me look vicious enough to pass for evil characters.� Focusing on Li Mo Chou, MGM hopes that after she has completed her part for the series, people will want to kill her because that proves that she has succeeded.
In all of ZJZ’s adaptations, there is always this one minor character that just shines. For example, Mai Sieu Phong in LOCH, or Hu Truc in TLBB. Next, ZJZ believes that MGM’s LMC is the one.
“Li Mou Chou is stubborn and arrogant. When her love was forsaken, she became cold-hearted and ruthless. She hated every single man in the world. In my mind, Li Mou Chou is a very special character with many interesting personalities. The actress that will be playing Li Mou Chou must be very very pretty, her body must be very tall. I was not able to find a person compatible for this character until I went driving one day out in the streets and oversaw this ad with MGM in it. Suddenly, my inspiration sparked rapidly. I felt that she was perfect. At that time, I didn’t know who she was until I saw her on a television network program. And then, I quickly tried to contact her.�
Still, MGM’s performance during filming was not satisfying enough for ZJZ. “When MGM was acting out her character, she was still missing a bit of cruelty. I wish that she could be a little more merciless like how the character should be.�
