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What are
your hopes for this film?
Tzi Ma:
I’ve done over 20 films; major films.
And I’ve done over 100 television shows.
Please, if you’ve seen nothing else come
and see Red Doors. This film gives us an
opportunity. I feel that Red Doors gives
us a new voice. And opportunity for us
to be other than what people think we
are or expect us to be. And that’s why
this film is important to me. I’m really
used to doing big budget films and I
never ever have to do this. Everything
is arranged. My life is arranged for me.
To do independent films which is
something that I really want to do… it
has to mean something to me. If I’m
gonna do something I want to get paid
for it. Being a professional is to get
paid for what you do. To do an
independent film means I believe in it
and I support it.
You feel
so passionate about this film. What are
your thoughts about it and your approach
towards the media regarding this film?
Tzi Ma:
I didn’t take the plane. I took the
train from L.A to New York. Taking the
train gives me 3 days to really think
about how I need to respond. I needed 3
days to think about what I had to say to
you. Normally I just hop on a plane,
come here, talk about the film, say
thank you very much, come see the film,
see you later. We’re going to pound the
streets after this. And put up posters
in China Town so people will know about
us and come to see us. We need that kind
of support from everybody. Without you
guys (audience) we ain’t gonna make it.
What was
the agenda for this film?
Georgia Lee:
With Asian American women they are
depicted as shy and quiet or this tough
kick as dragon lady. We didn’t see
complex Asian women with their families.
And that was one of the things that
inspired the film.
Based on
the 3 lives of the sisters, it can be
depicted as a Chinese Soul Food. Does
this film identify with your personal
life as being part of a trio of sisters?
Jane Chen:
When we wrote Red Doors the idea was
really to create a story about a family
that happens to be Asian and to tell the
story of parents and children and how
any culture’ parents and children can
grow apart as they grow older.
Georgia Lee:
When we were growing up my
parents wanted us to be very
traditional. They really wanted us to
follow a traditional route. And I think
that this is what this story is about.
It’s about a family that is struggling
with traditions and transitioning to
modern times and tries to have a balance
of both.
In 1965
‘The Sand Pebbles” was a land mark film
for Mako. Mako was an inspirational
actor. Do you see your role as the
father in Red Doors opening up
opportunities for other Asian actors on
main screen?
Tzi Ma:
This is why I took the train, for
questions like this. Mako. Wow; big
shoes to fill. First of all, Mako, God
rest his soul, he just passed on, and he
was my mentor. My teacher. Big shoes to
fill. And, uhm… this is hard… I had the
opportunity to see him in his final
days. And we talked for many hours.
Mako’ a remarkable man. What he said to
me was, let’s let nature take its
course. I’m not going to worry about it.
I have you guys out there to continue
the work. Hopefully Red Doors is another
step. There are many Mako’ out there
today. I’m not the only one. I’m just
fulfilling part of that Mako legacy.
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