播客笔记（6）- Preview of Everything Everywhere All at Once

From How Michelle Yeoh Took Jackie Chan’s Role

Michelle Yeoh

From her high-flying kicks in the film “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” to her unconventional take on a “Bond girl” in “Tomorrow Never Dies,” Michelle Yeoh has had a multidecade career defying stereotypes. Her latest role is no exception —she took on a part that was originally written for the actor Jackie Chan.

In this episode, the star of ‘Everything Everywhere All at Once’ talks about how the film flips the script on tradition. Everything Everywhere All at Once has recieved a favorable reception among critics and moviegoers. Not the indie superhero movie some have been promising, but still a very moving film & serious awards contender, form a rottentomatoes' comment.

For this film

Michelle Yeoh:

It’s a science fiction. It’s comedy. There’s drama. There’s a love story. And all these things keep coming at you. But I think at the core of the story, really, it’s a very ordinary, average — a woman that you walk by every day. It could be a mother, an auntie, a grandmother that goes by unnoticed because she’s so — puts her head down, just goes about her day to do the things to ensure that she’s making a better life for her family, and you know, the — running the errands.

Michelle Yeoh:

And it’s very important that I find the Daniels was so bold and courageous to write the lead of the movie, an aging Asian immigrant woman, and give her such a powerful voice, and turn her into a superhero by going to all these multiverses and discovering that, you know, failures also make us who we are. I think what the strong core of the message, apart from the very familial connections, is that no matter how tragic or how despair or frustrated you are, it’s you cannot give up. You must not give up. And you must try and find joy and happiness. And that is the big beating heart of this film.

Social Bond inside Chinese Culture

Michelle Yeoh:

I think if you don’t have a big beating heart, it’s so easy to just say, well, you’re already a grown-up. You do whatever you want. And walk away. But if you have humanity, if you have empathy, if you have love, you never walk away from family, or you never walk away from friends. You never walk away from someone in need.

It is very easy to walk away and just turn a blind eye because then you are not involved emotionally, physically, or you know, any way. And I think that’s a coward’s way out. It’s too easy to take that route.

We have to learn to listen to each other and show kindness. I think that is the superpower that’s inherent in all of us.

Awakening and Challenge

what I was watching the fight sequences, and I thought, this looks exactly like a choreographed dance piece. And I’ve been in that world forever. And it was like — it’s very much like dancing, if you look at it. The steps are choreographed. You fight with, or you dance with, multiple partners. And it’s all about rhythm, precision and timing, all that things put together.

So, I said, I would love to be able to try — I think at that point in that period, the glory years of Hong Kong cinema, it was comedies and action movies that were the best sellers. So, they said, well, OK, if you want to try action, if it doesn’t succeed, that’s the easiest thing. We’ll just put you right back to the same box.

And so, I thought, there was a lot of pressure to make sure they took you seriously. They’re giving you an opportunity to do it. You said you wanted to do it, fine. Take it and run with it, or sink.

My Commentary

Michelle Yeoh has become the most famous Asian actress all around the world. She took the role in this film from Jackie Chan and turns into a female power expressing character.

And in 2022, you can see another movie. Turning Red, also discusses related topic. Asians, specially for most east asian-cultural region, are still focusing on family consciousness and the importance of preserving social relationship. These cultural traditions have also impressively effected on ABCs and formed significant differences between different cultural communities.

Multi-universe has become a fervent theme in recent fiction films. This film is one of my most expectant film this year.

poster of the film

April 16, 2022.