Bai Ling – Knockdown
Interview by Nicole Holland
Bai Ling is a familiar face on the red carpet at the Cannes Film Festival. Her films, Paris (2003), Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith (2005), Southland Tales (2006) and Shanghai Baby (2007) were Official Selections at the Cannes Film Festival.
Bai Ling’s latest film KNOCKDOWN (originally titled The Bad Penny, Bangkok Bound) co-stars Tom Arnold and Casey Evans. KNOCKDOWN tells the story of a former American boxer who is exiled in Bangkok, and forced to confront his violent past after meeting a mysterious fight fan. Bai Ling plays Nok, the woman who the boxer encounters when he falls victim to the addictive spell of Bangkok’s exotic and dangerous underworld. KNOCKDOWN is slated for a US Premuim VOD release on May 15th, 2012, followed by Theatrical/VOD on June 8th.
Independent Film Quarterly’s Nicole Holland sat down with Bai Ling as she discussed her latest film; VH1’s Celebrity Rehab; her new book Naked in Tibet; being enlisted in the army at age 14; and finding herself after rehab.
IFQ: Can you tell us a about your new award-winning film KNOCKDOWN?
Bai Ling: KNOCKDOWN is actually a journey of a person who is always trying to strike the positive and the lucky, but he’s not lucky. He takes this journey from West to East. Of course, my part is sort of a dream-like spirit. There’s depth in my character as she comforts him and gives him love, but she is kind of doomed too because she’s a drug addict.
IFQ: How did you prepare for this complex role?
BL: Normally I don’t prepare. I feel the spirit. It’s in the air and the universe. I just trust myself. I know the role. I know why she is there. I know her purpose. She’s like a pure soul. There’s a gentle, sweet sadness in the voice of the character. She can’t handle life because she’s so pure. Therefore, she has to numb herself and use drugs, but she feels that souls need to be comforted. She is basically helping others in a very complex element that’s in my soul as well. The character is kind of unique. There was room for me to contribute some of my own spirit.
IFQ: The film won the Golden Palm Award at the Beverly Hills Film Festival. Can you talk about that?
BL: Yes, it was just so exciting. Actually, my friend told me that my film won the Golden Palm Award. My mom even knew and she’s from China. I said, “Mom, how did you know?” She said that she read it online. Todd (Bellanca) is a very talented director. He has so much depth.
IFQ: Your mom is here with us today. Did she fly in for the festival?
BL: No, actually for VH1. I did Celebrity Rehab. Basically, when family was visiting everybody on the show I didn’t have anyone. I was crying. It was very sad. I’m alone in this country. I’m a foreigner. They decided to fly my mom here for the mother-daughter reunion. We were waiting outside LAX when she arrived and they filmed us reuniting. The premiere of the film was on the same day that she arrived. My mom changed into her clothes in the limousine which took us to the Beverly Hills Film Festival. It all happened at once—the universe arranged it. They filmed my mom and me on the red carpet. The press was going crazy because they’ve never seen me with my mom. Also KNOCKDOWN was the opening night film. It was kind of like a fulfilled dream for me.
IFQ: You seem to be doing very well and your mom is a sweetheart.
BL: Yes. She is supporting me wherever I go. She doesn’t understand; she has jet lag; she is falling asleep; she is hot but she is here with me. I feel like my mom brings ‘family’ to me because I’m alone here. It’s very comforting.
IFQ: When did you first come to the States? Do you now consider this your ‘home’?
BL: I came here and then I left. I’m almost like a gypsy. I travel all the time, but I like it. I don’t like to stay in one place. It’s similar to my character in KNOCKDOWN. It’s a circle. You’re going around but eventually you come to where you are. People ask me, “Where’s your home?” I say home is where I go— through my heart.
IFQ: Can you tell me about your previous experience at the Cannes Film Festival?
BL: I love the Cannes Film Festival. I had a film Southland Tales a few years ago in competition. I love the openness and the romanticism associated with the Cannes Film Festival. The first time, I promised myself that I was never going to go to the Cannes Film Festival unless I had a film in competition. My wish came true because Southland Tales was in competition.
IFQ: What about your upcoming projects?
BL: I have a film called Back2Hell. I shot in London. It’s a 3D film. I play two characters. I have another three films in post -production, a few in pre-production and also I’m probably going to do my own film.
IFQ: Can you tell us anything about that yet?
BL: Not yet. I’m in preparation. Also I just finished my book Naked in Tibet, which will be published in May. It’s basically about my experience when I was in Tibet in the army for three years. I wanted to share my experience, my soul and my story with the world.
IFQ: You were in the army in Tibet?
BL: Yes, when I was 14 I entered the army. My story is very unique, personal, daring, beautiful but sad because it’s in Tibet. In the army, it’s restricted with rules and laws. In the open, free spirit world of Tibet, it’s really the contrast of human beings living in a difficult environment. As a young girl, I didn’t understand the relationship between a man and a woman. I didn’t know what sex was. I learned in a harsh way in the army. Also when I did Celebrity Rehab, I found a new way to open myself up. I told national TV a lot of my personal, secret stories that even my parents didn’t know.
IFQ: That must have been hard…
BL: Yes. I opened up and I’ve never cried that much before. I think that there was a reason for me to go through this harsh and rough journey. I was a little bit scared, but I think that it’ll help a lot of young women who are going though the same thing. After Celebrity Rehab, I ‘found’ myself. Now, people are going to see the new me which is much more elegant, sophisticated and talented instead of this sexy red carpet sex girl. I have so much more depth to offer. In order for good directors and producers to cast me, I have to present myself in a very respectful and talented way.
IFQ: You mentioned that you were working on your own film. Do you plan on directing?
BL: I want to eventually. I want to direct and star in the film. I feel like I have that too as an artist. I know how to put things together, but they take time. I’m in the process of trying to figure out how I’m going to do it.
IFQ: Have you ever thought about adapting your own story into a film?
BL: Yes. Maybe the book Naked in Tibet could be a really powerful movie. Wherever life tells me to go, that’s the direction I take. In the meantime, I’m just grateful for life.
