The breakneck gusto with which Jackie Chan throws himself into his life and work can make heads spin. The action superstar could be in Hong Kong one day, making headlines at a premiere in Australia the next and sitting through a production meeting in Hollywood the day after.
But it isn't all the travelling that sometimes wears Chan out. It is just the sheer responsibility of being Jackie Chan. On some days, it must seem like the weight of the future of Hong Kong and its film industry, in particular, sits extremely heavily on that adrenalin-pumped 1.78-metre frame.
The tourists aren't coming in droves any more? Let's get Jackie! The Government needs a kick to get working on the piracy problem? Get Jackie! The film industry needs to improve quality? Call Jackie! Hong Kong films need better moral values? Count on Jackie! Jackie! Jackie! Jackie! It's a wonder he has time to get any work done at all. But difficult though it may be, Chan is not wasting any time whingeing about it. He takes the responsibilities very seriously although they often limit him in the things that he can do. When society's expectations are so high, one has to be doubly careful about decisions that could have a far-reaching impact.
'It is tough,' admits Chan with only the slightest tinge of resignation. 'I'm not like others who can have so much freedom in making their films. We all know dirty jokes are the funniest [and] violent scenes are always easy to shoot. Making an action film without violence is really difficult; staying away from dirty jokes is not easy.' One of the reasons he agreed to Brett Ratner directing Rush Hour, Chan's triumphant return to Hollywood, was precisely because the young director had agreed to the actor's terms: 'No violence, no cuss words, no blood, no dirty jokes and no dirty violence,' lists Chan.
'He understood because he had watched my movies. He even copied my out-takes . . . even the director of A Bug's Life told me he learnt from me. I am very happy that people are learning from me; I am learning from them too. It's great when you begin to influence other people.
'That's why I have to be very careful in my films. I must not have any bad things in them because many kids watch them. There is too much violence in films these days; even television dramas are so violent sometimes.' Even with all the limitations that come with being Jackie Chan, the film-maker has managed to finish his new Hong Kong movie, Gorgeous, in time for the Lunar New Year.