It was nerve-wracking [to unleash 'Life of Pi' to the world]. The first show to the journalists, that was the first one, so I was very uptight. Then I felt okay about the reception because we did a press conference with good and friendly questions, although people looked serious. So really, after the show you went to - the premiere - that reception tells me I think the movie worked, so that was a relief. I started to feel deflated.
Ang LeeI have two sons in America, and all they care about in Chinese culture is Jackie Chan and Jet Li.
Ang LeeA lot of people will think I changed the book: โso youโre the tiger instead, youโre the tiger who ate the cook.โ Thatโd be totally expository, like in the book, โyouโre the tigerโ and then it stops there. That seems to have the magic touch. I bring everything together. Thatโs why he made up the story, the whole thing becomes internalized. That might be the magic, but all I did is not so much interpreted, but try my best to keep everybody still staying in the movie. And I was like, โGod, itโs so hard to do.โ I make movies for a long time. It doesn't get easier.
Ang LeeI try to be a partygoer. But at some point I don't know why I'm doing it and fall back. I've been using repression, the struggle between behaving as a social animal. You're seeking to be honest with your free will, less conflict. I think that's an important subject with me. That's who I am, how I was brought up. I think I use that a lot. I mistrust everything I think. Things you think you can trust, believe in, or hang on to, changes. That's the essence of life.
Ang LeeOn a Chinese film you just give orders, no one questions you. Here, you have to convince people, you have to tell them why you want to do it a certain way, and they argue with you. Democracy.
Ang Lee