Jackie settles in for a long and revealing interview with CCTV's Face to Face

He is an action star, yet he enjoys charity work. He has done countless charity appearances in more than 30 countries and 52 cities.
 
Jackie:  I feel I have a responsibility to all this [charity work] and while doing so, I wear “Tang Zhuang” (Chinese clothing), to make sure people know I  am Chinese. 
 
Acting for 43 years and having lived through many hard experiences, he has always stayed true to his promise.
 
Jackie:  I must show the other Hong Kong directors I am not only a stuntman.  I can direct. I can act.  I can do things you can't do.
 
What has he done?
 
Why does he do what he does?
 
What are his thoughts?
 
Face-to-Face talked to Jackie, and listened as he tells his story.
 
Introduction:
 
Jackie Chan, 50, from Hong Kong. 
 
He has been the lead actor in nearly 30 movies. 
 
He has been named a recipient of the World’s Ten Most Outstanding Young People as well as Hong Kong’s Ten Most Outstanding Young People awards.
 
In the year 2000 he was named to the post of the Beijing Olympic ambassador.
 
In 2004 he was voted the Most Touching Chinese public figure.
 
On February 20, 2003 it was officially announced that because of his participation in various charitable events, Hong Kong actor Jackie Chan, along with Zhong Nan Shan and Yang Li Wei were named the top Ten Chinese people whose work “touched Chinese people” the most.
 
After an introduction, Jackie sat down with Face-to-Face for an interview.
 
FF: Did you ever keep track how many awards you have received?
 
Jackie:  No I haven't. If I were to write them down on paper, I could write a book. .

FF:  What is your attitude towards receiving awards?

Jackie:  Some awards I accept in person, and some I do not. If they just want a celebrity to show up to promote some commercial thing, I don't want it.  But many times I won't go if it's just to help you advertise.  It would be a waste of my time.
 
FF:  But say the company arranges it, and they need your help?
 
Jackie:  I cannot do all of them.
 
FF:  You can pick and choose?
 
Jackie:  Right.  I finally have the freedom in recent years.  Before that I wasn't independent. Before, I didn't understand, but slowly slowly I've learned on my own.  I have studied from my life.  I was a fool before.  I only understood how to make a movie.  Others would
 call you and you'd go, or tell you what you can have.
 
FF:  Don’t people normally think that an up and coming artiste’s main wish is to win an award of some sort?
 
Jackie:  Right.
 
FF:  Now you have achieved it.
 
Jackie:  (ref the most Touching Chinese) it's not the kind of award that the average person will be able to achieve.  No matter how far I go, and even if I have to fly off tonight after receiving the award, I definitely come and receive it personally..
 
FF:  Why is this prize so important to you?
 
Jackie:  Because this prize by itself isn't important.  It goes in the same place, and only when you compare the other recipients, the significance of it all is revealed. A Japanese, on behalf of Chinese people, became a lawyer and fought cases for 32 years. Yang Li Wei took to the skies, Gao Yao Jie helped Aids victims for so many years. Who am I? I am just an entertainer. All I've done is taken some time out to do some charity work.  I didn't do it to win the prize, that was never my intent.  I just feel so lucky.  Certainly I have been poor.  I have worked very hard very diligently and have achieved much today.  This achievement today comes from my diligence and all of the other people who have been the driving force.  Therefore I must give back to society.  And more so because over the many years I have gone all over the world and seen many young people who watch my example.  I must set a very good example for them because doing good benefits society.

As I have said, the motivation came from Japan. I remember in 1989, I didn't care about doing good.  At the time I only cared about making money by making movies.  I would be totally involved.  I was not an ordinary actor.  Most actors would film then go home.  I would shoot, edit and re-edit until dawn with barely any rest, then arrive on set to begin shooting all over again. People said I had to go to an orphanage.  I didn't have the time.  I went because they asked. But a good half hour would be gone from my day.  They said "we helped you buy all these gifts"  I said "Well, ok" and went.  I didn't really care.  But I saw a whole bunch of children around me, and suddenly someone appeared at my side saying, "Look at what Big Brother Jackie has brought for you!  He brought all these gifts for you"  I didn't know.  I didn't buy them.  So it went on, and
 I handed them out, each taking one, each very happy.  Each of them thanked me.  I was so ashamed.  I hadn't wanted to go, I hadn't bought the gifts, AND they thanked me too. 
 
FF:  So from that time on you started doing it voluntarily?
 
Jackie:  Right.  At that time I was really ashamed.  Big Brother Jackie can't come next year...I couldn't deceive them.  Later I began going back each year, bringing gifts each year.  It started from that place, and slowly slowly thought I had to do more.  I've had so much luck.  When I was a child, the Red Cross provided relief to us.  Each month would give me rice.  I remember the father telling me when I thanked him saying, "Don't thank me"  He said, "These are not mine.  I only help people give.  When you grow up, if you are able to give, you can also repay society by helping others."  This speech was strange.  I have kept it in my mind--I can't forget it.

FF: Even if you can't go the next year, they (the charity people) will not blame you.

Jackie: I can’t. I have a responsibility. I will blame myself for that. Why didn’t I do it this year, why did I not turn up this year, what charitable work have I done the previous year etc.  Like right now, I have already planned the charity work coming up this 6th of April. What gave me the greatest inner motivation came from Japan. At that time, I had many Japanese fans. When they heard I am doing charity work, they sent money to me. They sent money to me! So it turns out, I came to have a lot of Japanese money. I thus set up a financial assistance operation in Japan. I called for a press conference and posed this question - “Look, I have this sum of money. How can I help you Japanese?” They replied - “We have no poor people in Japan.” After hearing this, I became enlightened that the locals have a good welfare program and benefits which explains their claim of “no poor people in Japan”. Henceforth, I set up the Jackie Chan Charity Foundation. I realized everything begins from education. As of now, the Foundation has been set up for 17 or 18 years already, sponsoring students to study in France or England. This is how I got started in charity work, and each year I regulate myself to do some charity work.

In order to contribute to society, in 1988, Jackie Chan set up his self-titled Jackie Chan Charitable Foundation, with the aim of financially assisting poor children, handicapped, the elderly, as well as students who show passion and talent in science or the arts.

In October 2000, Jackie Chan became the ambassador for Beijing’s 2008 Olympics campaign, and dutifully obliged to shoot a promotional video.

FF: Everyone appreciates what you do. But there is this saying “there is no such thing as unconditional love.” For all the love that Jackie has showered on others, what exactly are his motives for doing so?

Jackie: I do not know myself. I felt I am obliged to do it. My charity work is not limited to Hong Kong. In the beginning, yes, but later I went to China, and eventually to Europe, America, Africa and Canada. And on all occasions, I dress myself in a “Tang Zhuang”. Let foreigners know I am a Chinese and here I am, coming to foreign countries to help you. I know China received a lot of outside help too. I use my humble effort to let everyone know, Chinese people do help others as well. This, I felt I had a responsibility to do, as a Chinese.

FF: From the point of view of the recipient (of charity work), it is natural to hope that everything is done in true sincerity. However, this view may be too idealistic. Someone may, on the surface, be doing charity work, but could have an ulterior motive or commercial reasons for doing so.

Jackie: There are many who do that. I have seen too many.

FF: You too?

Jackie: Yes, initially. In the beginning it was like this. The company decides and arranges for this so-called “publicized charity”. But now, I shun this type of charity. Should my movie screen any country, I shun all charity work there, unless it is a charity preview ceremony. Why? Because the proceeds from the preview screening will be donated to charity. In the past, it was “do this, don’t do that”. The decision didn’t lie well with me. Now, yes. I will never do this type of pretentious charity anymore. Besides, I no longer need to.

FF: You are rich and famous, that’s why you can afford all this charity work. What if you are the opposite? Will you still do so much charity?

Jackie: Maybe.This coming April 10th, I will attend a ceremony in Las Vegas. I will be bringing many people, like Su Hui Lun (~ Tarcy Su) and Li Zhong Sheng (~ Jonathan Lee). The people at Vegas promised me US$50,000 for my effort. I said to them “I don’t want it. How about if I give you $150,000 instead, to substitute for my attendance at the ceremony.” The Vegas people will get scared if they hear this. If I am not rich and famous, would I have the capacity to talk to them like that?

FF: Why did you say that?

Jackie: Firstly, it is easy for me to fork out a couple of million dollars to donate to charity. Why do I need to sing? Why do I need to lead a bunch of entertainers to perform? This is  because performing live has a purpose, it allows us to relay the message to youngsters: “Your money used to buy the ticket to see us perform will go to charity.” I hope performances like ours will prompt the new generation of young people to follow our steps. - “Someday I want to be like Big Brother Jackie when doing charity.” When organizing performances like this, I owe many people favours. I need to call Jonathan Lee, Emil Chau, Tarcy Su etc. After all this, then the $50,000 reward. I said “Forget it, I don’t want it. I donate $150,000 to you instead.” They then agreed to increase the fee to $150,000. On the 10th, I will be at Vegas, 7th at New York. Actually 2 years ago, I wanted to perform at New York. Because of the 911 incident, people all over the world are doing charity,  and on the other hand, Chinese in the States have nothing much to show.I hope to lend them my support, to help them raise funds.

FF: When you talk about your conditions, won’t people accuse you of being a prima donna? $50,000 is not enough to “invite you”?

Jackie: Why do I demand a higher fee for Vegas and not for New York? Las Vegas is a very commercial function. When I come to Las Vegas, first I have to use your
location.  Secondly you have so many more people that will go there than in New York.  In Las Vegas, people are there to gamble, therefore I must demand a higher fee.  For New York, even if they do not offer me a cent, I will go.

FF:  What makes you decide to do it or not? You have a life too, and not forgetting the gang of stuntman under you.

Jackie: I have my own timetable. Once I have planned it, it becomes easy. No matter who asks me to go filming, I will say “These 3 days I will not be present.” For instance, on the 26th and 27th June, I will be in Shanghai, bringing 15 girls to participate in the Jackie Chan Charity Car Race. On the night of 26th, I will be in a stadium, performing live in front of 8000 people, 27th is the car race, 27th night I will return to HK, and then to US for filming. I planned my schedule so that this year  I have four big projects this year to raise money for charity, and then the rest is up to how I use my personal time.

FF:  what are the prerequisites to qualify for your help? How far are you willing to help?

Jackie: I need to see. Every year, every day, I receive letters asking for donations. I can’t help everyone. I need to select and the selection process is managed by the Executive Committee of the JC Charity Foundation. When they are done with the selection, they will inform me. When we all come to a mutual agreement, then we will decide how much money to give. There’s a limit to how much I can do.  I have many people to help me, so slowly we get by. In China, there is a charity society, and they help me manage these things.

50-year old Jackie Chan started filming since the age of 7.  To date, he has had the lead in nearly 30 movies. In his movies, he has always played positive, righteous roles.

Jackie Chan’s movies have always featured realistic fighting scenes. In addition, Jackie himself has participated in doing dangerous stunts. Be it from not using stunt-doubles to his righteous big-screen image, his movies are in sync with the “promote righteousness and eliminate evil” theme, something charity companies like to be identified with.

In August 3rd 2003, when it was confirmed Beijing will host the 2008 Olympics, Jackie once again rendered himself to ambassador work.

FF: What significance does work hold for you.

Jackie: In the past, work (i.e. filming) is a full-time profession. Now, filming is a side profession., same with charity. Although I’m still young, I have made movies for 43 years. This is a very long period. Now, I have more control. In regards to making movies, I only make movies I like. Those that I do not like, I do not make. Sometimes, even if a big sum of money is offered to me, I might not take it. On the other hand, even if no money was given, I would still do it - in line with my principle towards charity.

FF:  Do you feel pressure from the box office?

Jackie: Now, no. In the past, yes. In the past, I was confined to HK and Asia. Now, 20 years later, I finally succeeded in America, and even got to leave my palm prints at the Walk of Fame. I can say half my dreams are fulfilled. From now onwards, I won’t do things that are “goal-oriented”. I only want to make each movie as good as I can, and to do each task that come my way as best as I can. I will be happy this way.

From 1999 onwards, Jackie started making Hollywood movies, and as with his HK movies, continue to play positive righteous roles. As the movies did reasonable box-office, Jackie now commands US$25 million per movie.

Coupled with the increasingly global appeal of his movies, Jackie’s charity work also started to go international. To date, Jackie’s charity work has spanned 30 countries and 52 cities.

In 2003, Jackie also donated 1.5 million dollars to the anti-SARS effort.

FF: I believe you are no longer pressured to make money, and you don’t feel pressured by the box office. But what about the pressure of fame? Since you are now an icon, HK movies, even China movies now pin their hopes on you.

Jackie: This is indeed a huge pressure on me. That’s why my choice of movies is paramount. I won’t do certain movies. I'd like to portray Yue Fei and Genghis Khan, but movies like these have limited global market value. This is a complicated problem. On the other hand, Rush Hour did very well in the US, though I don't like it.

FF: Why do you still do it?

Jackie: I want to venture out wide and far. I want to prove I can venture out, to gain the attention of the whole world.

FF: Why then need to prove yourself this far?

Jackie: I love to win. Once people remarked “ Jackie is only a kungfu actor, he only knows how to make kungfu movies.” This remark prompted me to invest 30 million dollars to buy equipment to make a movie called “Miracles”, with Anita Mui. I would win awards for lighting, filmography etc. I wanted to let you HK directors see that I am not just a kungfu actor. I can direct, I know how to shoot well, and what I can do, all of you can’t. 

In recent years, a number of universities have requested Jackie to give speeches on their campuses and Jackie has always tried his best to accommodate their requests. With this vast life experience, he is able to advise young people to do more for charity, as well as to adopt a “peaceful” attitude to life.

FF: Yours is a rags-to-riches story, a nobody-to-superstar story. Today, many entertainers will be concerned about their emotional health. How do you maintain yours?

Jackie: Today’s generation of young people are too fortunate. They did not go through tough knocks in life. At 17 or 18 years of age, their talent is already tapped to do advertisements. Or they could be born into a rich family, and once they enter the entertainment circle, they automatically become singers. Then they want to be actors. They could be famous for a couple of years, but their fame is only limited to HK, and in HK perhaps only in the Kowloon territory, and even in Kowloon, perhaps only the Tim Shau Tsui district is where their fame really lies. They think they are already famous, and they let fame get to their heads. They don’t bother to learn, and then they spend lots of money buying watches, mobile phones, clothes etc. They have never tasted hardship before. To them, once you turn on the water tap, you are guaranteed of hot water. They do not know where this hot water comes from, and they wouldn't know why, if hot water doesn’t come out. Today’s youngsters have not tasted hardship the way we have. They don’t know anything. Skills like singing and dancing are picked up hastily, or they could play only a bit of piano. Their skills are limited. To really “become a dragon”, one really need to learn a lot of things. Kungfu stars are aplenty, and they are many who are better than me. But good kungfu alone is not enough, you will also need to be a good photographer, understand camera angles, be a good director, know good scripts and of course have a huge budget. I am lucky to have all of them. More importantly, I know how to edit [fight scenes], as well as write scripts.

FF: A person’s ten fingers are of different heights. Similarly, you can’t expect people who wish to “become a dragon” to be like you.

Jackie: I tell many youngsters that you need to learn constantly.  Only then can you succeed. If you don’t succeed today, it doesn’t mean you will not be successful.

FF: How should youngsters go about doing it? Should they take you as a role model?

Jackie: To experience hardship is beneficial, in my opinion. Today’s youngsters shun hardship. They are only interested in making quick money. To look a bit deeper, today I am merely reaping the fruits of my labour, the seeds of which were sown a long time ago. People look at me or Yang Li Wei, and they think we are great. I have an assistant who says he wants to be like Yang Li Wei. I tell him you can’t, not in this lifetime anyway. When Yang Li Wei is toiling away, where are you? Singing karaoke..When Yang Li Wei is reading literary classics, you are texting away at your mobile phone. How can you hope to become him? People see only the glamorous side of us, but we suffered along the way. Many people don’t understand this.

FF: In present society, there are indeed quite a number of instances of overnight millionaires, or overnight sensations.

Jackie: But they also fade away real fast. Many of them became famous or rich overnight, but one or two years later, they are finished, and disappear to nowhere. It’s true.

FF: Many people view the entertainment circle as an alternative lifestyle. Do you think so?

Jackie: Yes, and I had lived it for very long. Actually many things are not as bad as people think. Actually the news that involve celebrities can also feature the common man as well. Is is only when the media blows it out of proportion that people come to view us this way.

FF: Are there bad things about you?

Jackie:I have erred before, but I learned from my errors. I am not a saint. I was a bad kid. I have vandalized cars, stolen liscense plates, gotten into fights, poured water on people. But there are always people constantly guiding us. People taught me, and so I now teach others, and I hope people won’t learn the bad points of mine. Those good points I will teach.  Also I hope all young people look to those like Yang Liwei, and the other recently named “Touching China” celebrities.  What they have done is what really ought to be learned.

Jackie has always portrayed a hardworking image in front of the media. But the media has always been skeptical of  Jackie’s marriage with Taiwanese star Lin Feng Jiao. Lin gave up her career for Jackie, and bore him a son, and kept a low profile for 20 years. It was only in the past 2 years that Jackie admitted his marriage to her.

FF: All of us have witnessed a “more realistic” Jackie Chan.

Jackie: In the past, I lived in agony. I would tell a lie, after which I would lie again in order to cover up the previous lie, and so on…causing a lot of misery to myself. When I revealed the truth, I felt very comfortable. Now, you wish to talk about my family, my son, no problem! I have nothing to hide, I am the real Jackie Chan now.

FF: Will people pursue your past lies?

Jackie: In the past, I was forced to lie. I tell one truth, a fan jumped in front of the train, while another came to my office and drank poison. I have to take responsibility for those deaths. I would rather hurt 2 people than hurt a whole bunch of people.Today, 20 years later, I do not wish to hurt anyone else, including those two in my family.

In 2003, the star who claimed he never uses doubles , confessed for the first time, that doubles are used for his new movie, shattering the hearts of his fans.

FF: In the past, you didn’t use doubles, now you do.

Jackie: I am not young anymore.

FF: Are you afraid people will think you are no longer what you used to be?

Jackie: The truth is right before your eyes.The things I can still do at my age can impress anyone. Today I believe I am bigger than you, more nimble than you. Why? Because this is my profession. I have to train everyday. Death and sickness is inevitable. If I need a double, I use double. There are many things I can’t do, like flying a plane. Today, how high I can jump, I jump. I can’t be like what I was in the past.

FF: Are you worried that someone will surpass you? 

Jackie: Someone will definitely surpass me. Those movies I made early in my career, gradually I stop making them, and instead switched to “gentler stuff”. Now, I wish to make movies about Yue Fei and Genghis Khan.

FF: Maybe your movies are too successful commercially. However, many people feel there is a large difference between your past and present movies. To them, your past movies are the real classics.

Jackie: Yes, certainly. There is no escape from this view.I have no choice. Ask me to be like the Jackie of old, I don’t wish to….really I don’t. The first 10 years, clowning around didn’t make me contribute much. It was all laughter, then that’s it. It was only in the later stage that I really felt a passion for movies.

Currently, Jackie is also the ambassador for HK’s tourism board as well as “Promoting HK movies” campaign, constantly helping to spread the word of HK globally.

In the beginning of 2004, Jackie also visited Thailand, Korea, Japan and other bird-flu stricken countries, to help the governments and their people to fight against the flu virus.

FF: Do you feel tired?

Jacloe: Sometimes yes, I am really tired..

FF: The impression you convey to public is one of being passionate about charity work for people. Do you feel pressured to keep up this image?

Jackie: No, I already treat it [the work] as a habit, to the extent that I have to do it.  I have a duty to do it. Frankly speaking, I can just retire, find a deserted place and enjoy myself over 7 or 8 lifetimes, no problem at all. Why do I still need to make public appearances, make phone calls asking for favors, talk to so many people etc. I am tired, but I feel happy doing all these. I know I can do it, and want to achieve these results.

FF: What kinds of joy do you experience?

Jackie: I feel joy in helping people. When I come back a year after fund raising, and I see the old people enjoying new facilities, medical staff support, I can see the donated money being put to good use. I felt my efforts did not go to waste. If I were to do nothing, I will feel I am a useless person. I want to be useful, to do things that my parents can be proud of. I want my son to know I have such a good father. And I want to know that I haven’t let myself down. I hope someday that in books about the history of movies, in chapters detailing the lives and work of actors, they will write about what I did. This is enough. My life will not have been wasted.

FF: Many people will tell you what you had done is more than enough. Jackie, why do you continue doing it?

Jackie: To decide how much is enough is tough. I will continue to do it (the work), but not towards the goal of “doing it until I deem sufficient”. I will just do it, till the point when I can’t.   

Arrangements made by Liu Yao Hong

Translated by Kwong Loong with additional help by Mary D.

Found by Marie, Rachel Tatner,  and Andy Kurita

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This article has been translated from Chinese, errors may occur.