Fan Zhiyi: Wong Kar-wai Persuaded Me to Act in “Blossoms” After Three Visits

Recently, Fan Zhiyi recalled his experience of acting in “Blossoms” during a talk show. He revealed that director Wong Kar-wai told him to act in the TV series in the same style as he played football.

Fan Zhiyi said: “Before filming ‘Blossoms,’ I actually refused the old man (Wong Kar-wai) twice. They first asked me, ‘Do you know who he is?’ I also had doubts, does he know who I am? Just kidding. Later, I learned that Director Wong is also a renowned figure who has made many good movies.”

“I wondered, what does this field have to do with me? Director Wong specifically sent someone to talk to me when I was attending an event. I said how could I film it, it’s not my job. This was their sincerity, but I didn’t agree. The next day, I went to another event, and that person came again, still inviting me to chat with Director Wong.”

“Finally, Director Wong invited me himself, luckily it was close to my home, so I went. After I arrived, Director Wong said ‘You came,’ I was surprised that the old man spoke Shanghai dialect, which made me feel closer to him. He said, your style on the football field is enough for the TV series. He said come see the set, but I still refused, saying I had no concept of acting, I couldn’t imagine what state I should be in. He said just talk to me like this, don’t lower your tone, don’t speak softly. Then I’ll tell you how to shoot, there are no lines, you just need to think about how Shanghai dialect was spoken in the 1990s.”

“Director Wong also reminded me, don’t swear, I said I won’t swear. He said others think I’m fierce, but he doesn’t think so. I said that’s true, otherwise, I’d be at No. 600 Wanping Road. In the end, I still went.”