Zhang Jingchu’s film roles take her all over the world
Zhang Jingchu's natural curiosity and love of travel has led to an international film career
Just before this interview starts, mainland actress Zhang Jingchu asks for a straw for her drink. But the waitress doesn't quite grasp the Fujian native's Putonghua, so Zhang's make-up artist quickly steps in to interpret. Instead of moving on quickly, Zhang quietly repeats her request in Cantonese twice, trying to perfect her pronounciation.
"My Cantonese is so-so," says the 33-year old actress, who has starred in a number of Hong Kong movies including Dante Lam Chiu-yin's Beast Stalker (2008) and Ann Hui On-wah's Night and Fog (2009).
Adulterated food is important and serious. It relates to everyone
Language is important to Zhang, who is eager to learn about different cultures. A graduate of the Beijing Central Academy of Drama, she also learned English at the New Oriental Foreign Language School in the capital city.
Her intellectual curiosity about world history, her love of travel, along with her dramatic versatility, has led the actress down a more international career path than many of her peers.
In 2005, Zhang made an impact in international film circles with her notable performances in two very different films - Gu Changwei's Berlin Silver Bear winner, Peacock, and Tsui Hark's Seven Swords, which opened that year's Venice Film Festival.
The following year she was named best actress at the Cairo International Film Festival for her portrayal of a woman from the ages of 10 to 50 in Zhang Jiarui's The Road.