Japanese actress Chie Tanaka made her breakthrough in Asian Cinema in Taiwan after starring in the island's biggest blockbuster to date. She is now keen to make her name in the Chinese-language cinema.
Chie Tanaka who came to Taiwan two years ago to boost her career, said her dreams came true when Taiwanese director, Wei Te-sheng, gave her the lead role in the romantic drama Cape No. 7.
"I was very lucky to get the role. It's very challenging for me to act in Mandarin," said Chie Tanaka, who studied the language for only eight months before the shooting began.
Cape No. 7 tells of the romance between a local singer and a spirited Japanese publicist played by Chie Tanaka. It has become Taiwan's highest-grossing Chinese-language film ever.
The film made Chie Tanaka a household name virtually overnight, bringing her lucrative performing and endorsement deals. She admits she would not have made the big break had she stayed in Japan.
"I hope to become a good actress but there are very few opportunities for a breakthrough in Japan's fiercely competitive entertainment industry. I wanted to try my luck abroad but it's still very daunting to have to start anew in a foreign land. The Japanese are very serious and nervous about doing their jobs right. The Taiwanese, even stars like Chou, are friendly, easy-going and more relaxed. I thought I'd like to work in such an environment. My instinct was that there would be more opportunities in Chinese-language cinema and I would have a better chance if I could speak the language." Chie Tanaka told AFP in an interview in Mandarin.
Cape No. 7 has become mired in controversy after its release in China was held up due to its Japanese themes, prompting an appeal from Taiwan's President Ma Ying-jeou. Taiwan is much more sympathetic toward Japan despite being colonized between 1895-1945, compared with China which considers itself the biggest victim of past Japanese aggression.
"I am not worried about going to work on the mainland (China). Chinese fans left messages on my blog telling me they want to see Cape No. 7. I hope to promote the movie there and meet my fans, I think we can look at films and politics separately, I am willing to work in Taiwan, China or Japan where there are good scripts.” she said.
Chie Tanaka’s latest project is to lend her voice to a Mandarin-language animated film.
Source:AFP
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