Rock star Cui Jian makes directoral debut with Blue Sky Bones

Cui Jian makes directoral debut with Blue Sky Bones. Pic by Qiu Yuecheng

　　Cui Jian: A few people wonder if there is a gap between film and music but I regard this as a misunderstanding because there are so many filmmakers that are fond of music. In my mind, the leap from being a singer to directing a film is smaller than that for a director going to write songs.

　　Daily News: As a man aged 52, what are your thoughts about competing for this year’s Asian New Talent Award?

　　Cui Jian: I believe that a man aged 80 can still be called a freshman. To be called a freshman is for me the biggest encouragement because I am challenging myself by doing something particularly new. It is really nice to learn about the thoughts of music makers by shooting a film.

　　Daily News: Do you have faith in winning an award?

　　Cuijian: If I didn’t come to SIFF there was no chance at all. Just like art, commerce plays a crucial role in supporting the film industry and it supports an artistic ideal in a positive way as well. I can see the respect paid by SIFF to art. To be honest, I didn’t come here prepared to win an award. Awards can never be decided by a single factor and I am indeed privileged to have participated in this competition. My bigger wish is that my movie will be a box-office smash. That will be the greatest reward for me. Blue Sky Bones is supposed to be screening in September.

　　Daily News: You invited Christopher Doyle, celebrated as“the best cinematographer in Asia,”to shoot the film. Did he help you a lot?

　　Cui Jian: Undoubtedly! He is the best cinematographer! During the whole