Joan Chen on Her New Film 'Montreal, My Beautiful' and Complex Roles

Exploring "Montreal, My Beautiful"

• 🎬 The film "Montreal, My Beautiful" premiered at the 54th Festival du nouveau cinéma, showcasing contemporary cinema.
• 🎭 Joan Chen stars as Feng Xia, a 53-year-old Chinese immigrant mother living in Montreal, whose life has been shaped by duty.
• 💡 The storyline focuses on Feng Xia's journey of self-discovery and forbidden love after meeting a young Québécoise woman, awakening long-buried desires.
• 📌 The film explores themes of repressed sexuality, the challenges of marriage, and the profound reckoning with identity and liberation.

Character Complexity and Personal Connection

• 🌟 Joan Chen was drawn to the role due to the character's complexity and deeply buried, almost volcanic, desires that eventually erupt.
• 🧠 She identified strongly with Feng Xia as an immigrant mother trying to fit into an alien world and falling in love with her new environment.
• 🔑 Chen noted that finding such a great character at her age is rare, making the role particularly appealing.

Filming Challenges and Artistic Freedom

• 🗣️ Joan Chen learned her French lines from zero over two months before shooting, highlighting the challenge and her dedication to the character.
• 🎬 This film marked her first time performing extensive intimacy scenes with a female actress, a new experience compared to previous roles.
• ✨ The overarching message of the film, according to Chen, is the universal desire to be free and authentic, transcending sexual orientation.

Reflecting on an Iconic Career

• 🎞️ Chen discussed her role in "The Last Emperor", a film she still loves and believes has aged very well.
• 📺 She also recalled her experience on the cult classic TV series "Twin Peaks", where she played the intriguing character Josie Packard.