Chinese rocker Wang Feng hired a British team to produce a documentary showcasing his life story and musical journey as well as his closely scrutinized romance with international movie star Zhang Ziyi.
"I felt like we are two people holding hands and walking against the wind," Zhang says in the documentary film "Existence," directed by British filmmaker Maxwell Sanderson, which debuts exclusively on Chinese video site iQiyi.com on Tuesday.
After both ended rocky relationships, they both wished to have a dignified relationship, despite the hostility from the wider public after they settled down together, says Zhang.
During a scene, the "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" actress told Wang, "You don't have to explain too much to those people. You live with me, you don't live with everybody else. It is enough that I understand you."
This is just one of many truthful and emotional moments of the film, which also includes the couple playing with their new born daughter Xing Xing, Zhang making birthday noodles and Wang performing a special song written for her in a concert.
The idea of making "Existence" originated from the collaboration between Maxwell Sanderson and Wang Feng three years ago when Sanderson's team was hired by Wang to record his concert tour in 2014. The director, who founded SLA Studios with his brother Tom Sanderson, made a number of short films, commercials and documentaries in China since 2009.
"I don't want to make a propaganda film about myself," Wang said during the premiere of "Existence" at a Beijing theater on Sunday. "I told the director Max to focus on me as a human rather than a superstar, including the conflicts I have had, the mistakes I have made. The human elements are most important and interesting. Max captured many valuable and interesting moments in my tour, and we discussed that maybe we can develop a feature documentary film with all those good materials."
To persevere with his devotion to rock music, Wang had to fight with his traditional family, especially his father, who didn't understand him and rock music at that time.
Wang founded a rock band with several alumni called "No. 43 Baojia Street," named after the address of the Central Conservatory of Music where he studied. He then signed a solo contract with Warner Music after two acclaimed albums. But what makes "Existence" particularly interesting is the featuring of former abandoned bandmates to talk about their stories and feelings, from which Wang doesn't want to escape any more.
Through the highs and lows, Wang released popular albums and songs including "Flying Higher," "Blooming Life" and "In Spring." When he sang a patriotic rock anthem "I Love You, China," his father finally seemed to reconcile with him and felt proud of him before passing away.
Wang received even more popularity after he became a coach on "The Voice of China," a hugely successful TV singing contest show. The film narrative however is not only about Wang, but also about the changing times in recent eras of Chinese modern history.
Regarding all the titles, including "King of Chinese Music" imposed on him by DJ Youdai, Wang said to China.org.cn that he considers himself just a normal guy with a serious work attitude and ethic. "When I grow older and when my songs are no longer popular in the future, then will I go down to the lowest point of life? Really? No. I will only feel lost when I don't write a satisfying song or when I don't do things to benefit others. I'm a musician, but first and foremost I'm a human. Vanity will change or disappear through time."
The singer said he had seen a dozen cuts from the documentary film before the final piece was roll out, and even Zhang Ziyi provided her advice on how to improve the post-production. Wang said he was touched by some minor moments and details in the film, such as when his mother and sister shed tears for him due to their worries over his showbiz lifestyle. "I seldom see them like that. I'm speechless to describe the feeling. "
"Thank you to Wang Feng for letting me into his life and allowing me to interview his family," director Maxwell Sanderson said. "There were a lot of fun during the film process and I enjoyed the whole journey."
Director Sanderson said he had an unaccomplished mission to bring "Existence" to the world. The film will have a premiere in London in September and he also toyed with ideas of bringing it to South by Southwest festival as well as other documentary and art-house theaters in Britain.
As for Wang, his major concern now is the upcoming concerts and rehearsals with the first stop in the National Stadium, also known as the Bird's Nest, in Beijing on Sept. 9.
When fans asked him during a meet-and-greet after the screening of "Existence" as to whether he would hold a concert in his 80s, Wang responded with a smile and said: "If you don't mind seeing an 80-year-old elderly man sing on stage, I will go for you."
Source: china.org by zhang rui