Action Director Ma Yuk-Sing Talks 무영검 (Shadowless Sword)

You meet again with Director Kim Young-Joon, after working with him on ‘Bichunmoo.’
Ma Yuk-Sing: It’s been five years. While doing the film, I developed a really close relationship with him, and we’re now friends. So when the opportunity to work with him once again came, I happily accepted without thinking about it too much. When I first read the script, I thought it looked a little too simple, but as we started working, it wasn’t the case. We revised it a lot, and really worked hard. I think he’s a great person.

Now that you’ve seen the finished product, how do you feel? How do you compare that to your feelings after watching ‘Bichunmoo’?
Ma: I watched the complete film in Korea. Of course I knew the content of the film, since I watched the daily rushes. But when I worked with Kim on ‘Bichunmoo’, that was his first Wuxia, and since I didn’t grasp a lot of elements about the film, we faced a lot of shortcomings when working together. We didn’t have much time, either. We just met, clicked with each other and started working in the really short time we had, so I can’t even remember how we did it (laughs). But ‘Shadowless Sword’ was different: right from the beginning I discussed a lot with Director Kim, and I participated deeply in the production, helping him choose costumes and set designs. So while I had a lot more work to do, production really became easier. Compared to the action in ‘Bichunmoo’, ‘Shadowless Sword’ is more realistic: ‘Bichunmoo’ had a lot of wire action and CG, so I kind of saw it as being a little pretentious. I also felt a little awkward with all the stunt doubles. But ‘Shadowless Sword’ was a whole other story, as most of the action was done by the actors themselves, and the scenes are much more realistic and natural looking.

How did Yoon So-Yi and Lee Gi-Yong’s training go?
Ma: The two came to China and were trained for about a month, and we tried to focus on action which would suit each other’s characters. First we focused on building body strength individually, then we trained them step-by-step with swords, spears, and other weapons they’d use in the film. The first time I saw Yoon, I was a little worried because she was so thin, I thought she wouldn’t be able to carry such a powerful role; on the other hand, Lee Gi-Yong was so tall, I was worried she’d have a hard time looking swift. But as the two started training, they slowly adapted to the role, and I’m satisfied about their improvement. Anyway, the most important thing was slowly learning the action we were going to use in the film, so the fact they did that despite my low expectations makes me happy. Especially Yoon impressed me, I never knew someone who looks so weak would be so good at action scenes. I was so surprised I tried to teach her even more, and she was so determined she did it all. I didn’t know she’d go so far, she’s really tenacious.

Director Kim said he was looking for ‘realistic exaggeration’ in his Wuxia films. Now that you’ve worked with him, what do you think are the major differences between Chinese Wuxia and Kim’s films?
Ma: Since the difference in culture is big, you can’t really define it. As for me, I just started work acknowledging there’s a clear cultural difference between Korea and China. Since ‘Shadowless Sword’ is a Korean film, I tried my best to follow the intentions of Director Kim as a whole, in creating the action. Actually just about everything is different, even if only a little, from Chinese Wuxia, from the story to the action. But Director Kim was able to combine the action with his dramatic tone really well. I think it will appeal to Chinese film fans as well.

How did you first meet with Director Kim Young-Joon? And, as a director, what are his biggest strengths?
Ma: Back when Director Kim came to China for distribution issues regarding ‘Bichunmoo’, he also asked around for action choreographers. Originally he wanted to work with Ching Siu-Tung and myself together, but because Director Ching is always so incredibly busy, we declined the offer at first. But Kim showed great sincerity to me, so I decided to work with him after all. Actually I was doubtful about Korea making a Wuxia film, but I just wanted to try it at least once, experience Korea’s production environment. But, more than anything, I really respect Director Kim as a person, so I trusted him and decided to do it. What I like about him is that he’s really good with all the staff, from the most important down to the assistants. I think that’s the sign of someone who’s going to make it.

Any plans for your next project? You also worked on the TV version of 비천무 (Bichunmoo) recently.
Ma: Actually, before working on ‘Shadowless Sword’ I finished work on the Co-produced TV Drama ‘Bichunmoo’, which stars Joo Jin-Moo and Park Ji-Yoon, and should air in Korea next year [HK and China at the end of the year]. I didn’t really click with the producers of the show when we worked together. They wanted the same kind of action you see in my Wuxia films, while I wanted to try something new, so sometimes our opinions clashed. Anyway, I had a lot of regrets about the project. Now I think I’ll have to work a little less because of my health. About a film per year? I used to do even 5-6 a year, but my body doesn’t follow me anymore (laughs). I’ll try to concentrate on my next project now, it’s a TV Series based on Jin Yong’s 東邪西毒 (The Legend of The Condor Heroes) [the same novel Wong Kar-Wai VERY loosely adapted for his 東邪西毒 (Ashes of Time)].

Via nKino