Director Xie Deju on STARRY ROAD “Always a torn shirt to fix”
A sporty performance as a steppingstone to social progress. It is a recipe that you've seen more often in movies. But for the brothers Hai and He the situation is very specific. It is the prospect of new shoes that pushes them to join the school's rope skipping team. Not warmly welcomed by the seniors, they soon regret their decision. But when a young teacher arrives with new methods and techniques, progress is made immediately.
Hai and He's life is not free from challenges. There is the poverty at home, the high demands at school and the relentless training regime at the sports club. But these kinds of guys can muddle their way through almost every situation. With their sparkling performance they add a portion of zest of life to the Chinese production STARRY ROAD by director Xie Deju.
In a memorable opening scene, the two brothers turn directly towards each other (and the camera) in a conversation that – what else could you expect? – derails into a hefty squabble.
Xie Deju: We stayed true to our philosophy of realistic cinema; our story had to take shape in a natural way. That is why many realistic elements seeped into it, like the two brothers fighting and quarrelling all the time. For them fighting was easier than acting! This opening scene introduces you to the two main characters and illustrates their love-hate relationship.
Are rigor and discipline crucial qualities for young sportsmen?
Deju: In order to achieve their goals, everywhere around the world athletes have to maintain a strict discipline in training and in their lifestyle. In the film it is the gym teacher – a former athlete – who disciplines his students, asking them to get up early and practise every day. This is the way things go at the Qixing Primary School, which was the model for our story. Even if students can eventually skip a training session, still most of them will get to school early every day to do their exercises, as this is something they really enjoy. In the film you also see them training near the water reservoir or in ‘the tiger hole’, an exclusive idyllic garden constructed by the school principal to praise the harmonious relation between people and nature.
How crucial can the role of a teacher be in being a mentor?
Deju: A good teacher can change the lives of many students, like the one in STARRY ROAD does. He makes many sacrifices, he lives in the school building, gets up early and stays late to train together with the students, and all this he does for free. In that way he has a big impact on the lives of many students, especially those with a poor family background.
Were you working in the first place with actors, or with athletes?
Deju: The rope skipping team of the Qixing Primary School served as a model for the story, it is really them acting in the movie. They are national champions, some even world champions. The ones with the best acting skills were selected from among them as leading performers, and we rehearsed to improve their skills.
How did you master the scenes in which all the many young actors perform together?
Deju: They are children, naughty and playful, so the scenes in which they all play together weren’t exactly easy to shoot. Usually I felt like shouting until I’d lose my voice. Fortunately, these kids were also smart and thoughtful, and we worked together towards a common goal. Gathering so many kids together, also forced the costume department to work extra hours. There was always at least a torn shirt to fix.
How popular is rope skipping in China?
Deju: Rope skipping is massively widespread in China, it is even included in the sports curriculum at school. As well in the cities as in remote mountain areas, you will find children performing rope skipping routines. Just like basketball and table tennis, rope skipping is a low-cost sport, making it even more popular.
How do you score at rope skipping?
Deju: As a student my rope skipping performance was very poor. But while shooting the film, these elementary school kids taught me some new things, so nowadays I skip much better.
Now your film will be screened in the Zlin Film Festival, the oldest and probably biggest European festival of its kind.
Deju: I sincerely hope that audiences will like my movie, and they will be proud of the members of the rope skipping team. Throughout the film you can feel their power and their dedication and passion towards life and sports. Participating in the Zlin festival is not only a great honour for our film team, but for the entire city of Guangzhou. I am sure that local citizens and the media will pay close attention to it.
The interview for the Zlín Film Festival was conducted by Gert Hermans. Thank you!