During the release of Michael Mann’s film “Heat” in 1995, the moviegoers were delighted to watch the legends of the Robert de Niro and Al Pacino theater share the screen for the first time. We cannot help but have the same feeling when seeing the legends Youn Yuh-Jung and Joan Chen share the screen because their characters bind to a dinner table in “The Wedding Banquet”.
Youn is the legendary South Korean actor including the first American film, “Minari”, won him an Oscars for the support actress. Chen is the Chinese-American actor and director who reached the Superstom in China before playing in “The Last Emperor” of 1987, which won nine Oscars. Since then, she has maintained a career not only in Hollywood, but internationally.
In “The Wedding Banquet”, the two are presented as very different parental figures. Youn is the grandmother of Min (played by the newcomer Han Gi-Chan), a gay man in love with Chris (Bowen Yang) who offers a green card wedding with her Lesbian Angela friend (Kelly Marie Tran). Coming from a reserved Korean family, Min’s sexuality has never been discussed with her grandparents. Chen, on the other hand, plays Angela May’s mother, an extrovert who is a little too proud of her gay daughter – or really loves the attention she receives to be so visibly favorable.
How much do you both of you to these characters? Joan, even if your character has to be the center of attention, I find it so endearing.
Director Andrew Ahn adapted the script with producer James Schamus from Rom -Com in Ang Lee in 1993 – a film with which Chen was going to play. Chen and Youn, who goes through YJ, spoke to Variety On the relationship with their characters, the way cinema differs in the world and finally work together.
Joan Chen: We are both mothers and I know how even with the best intentions, you can inadvertently hurt your children. So, in this sense, I could identify myself with her. But my own personality is not at all like her – and that’s what is so fun to play. But it’s a total diva, everything is for her, her.
Yj, I heard that you were originally supposed to play the groom’s mother but you asked that the character be made of his grandmother.
Youn Yuh-Jung: When I got the script for the first time, the casting for the boy was over 30, so I felt that I could be his mother. But when they threw (Han), I said to Andrew: “No, no, no, I’m too old to be his mother, let’s change as a grandmother. This gives even more deep history between our family. ” I think it worked well.
I also heard you say that you are linked to this character because of your son, who is gay, and that Korea is not really open to such problems.
Young: They are not at all open on this subject. Korea is a very conservative country. So yes, it’s very personal for me. I talked about Andrew and my line to my grandson (in the film) was something we wrote together after sharing my personal experience with him. My character tells him that (whoever he is): “You are my grandson.” We put this real line in the film. I hope it helped.
Chen: I continued to say to YJ after seeing the film that she is so wonderful. It brings dramatic gravity, authenticity. From an actor to an actor, I just want to say that it is so beautifully done.
Young: Joan, you did a great job. I appreciate your game with your daughter and in the stage between you and me, you have been of great help. So thank you.
I want to talk about this moment because while your characters interact in group scenes, you get a beautiful moment in head with a dinner scene towards the end-what is it amicing?
Chen: We could not do many scenes together, so I had awaited this scene a lot. We shot him as the last scene at the end of a long day and we were both a little tired. YJ has this very eccentric sense of humor. After each grip, Andrew said, “It was charming, can we start again?” And Yj sometimes said to him: “If it’s charming, then you don’t start again!”
Young: So many sockets. But we had a good time together. Although we did not meet before this film, I watch Joan since “The Last Emperor” so in some ways, she felt familiar.
You said Joan helped you in this scene; Was it just being an incredible partner?
Young: I am sure that Joan will agree with me but I see him as a scale. I am only a B student but if I have a collaboration with an A-Plus student, then I could be like a B-Plus. She can raise me.
Chen: It is always the most important thing to have a good stage partner and to have one like YJ, I could not be happier. Or more flattered than she feels the same thing. I had people who said to me: “Can we have a whole film of this dinner?” I hope there will be a future opportunity for us together.
Young: But we would be better to hurry because I am much older than you, I die very soon.
I also love your work with the rest of this cast. How are this chemistry and this family story – as heavy are they – developed? How was it to work with this new generation of exciting actors?
Chen: I had not met Kelly before but as Yj said, when you saw someone’s work, they do not feel unknown. From the start, I felt that we were in good hands. One of our first scenes together, Kelly became very emotional and tears started to flow. Andrew is a very sweet director, but for any reason, this scene was shot several times and even after seven taken, she always gave him everything. I was so impressed.
It is A Lots of sockets.
Young: And he always said that they were “charming!”
Han Gi-chan, who plays your grandson, is only a joy. But that was his first film, do you think he was intimidated?
Young: First meeting, I am sure he was afraid of me because I am much older than him and I tested him. He came to meet me before shooting and I had no knowledge of him, he is a brand new actor. As soon as it went up to my apartment, I said: “Read the script.” I’m sure he was very afraid. My son was there.
(Young gestures to her son and director, Nuel Cho, to develop.)
Cho: I was there on site and as soon as he entered the door, she said: “Let’s go.” But he did such a good job on reading. He succeeded in the test.
Young: And I told him after seeing the film, he did a wonderful job. Just wonderful.
The casting and crew of “The Wedding Banquet” (LR) Youn Yuh-Jung, Han Gi-Chan, Joan Chen, Andrew Ahn, Kim Yutani, Kelly Marie Tran, Bowen Yang and Bobo le.
Getty images
Did Bowen speak to one of you about accommodation or participation in “Saturday Night Live”?
Young: My first son is a big fan. He sent me cassettes and was very happy to play with Bowen.
Cho: She wants to know if Bowen asked if you would host “SNL”.
Young: No! I couldn’t!
Cho: She is an elderly person, it’s going a little late.
Chen: Bowen is still as great. My daughter is a fan and she goes to Nyu and this month, she will see a recording of the show. She couldn’t be more excited.
What is the biggest difference or change in the production of films in the United States compared to other countries?
Young: In Korea, I have worked perhaps 60 years in the industry and everyone knows me and I was a little spoiled – they know what I like and what I don’t like. I don’t like to make too many catches. I don’t like to do more than three. I told Douglas Seok (“minari” producer) to tell his friend: “Your friend kills me.”
Did he keep three after that?
Young: Yes, he did it, and he brought me a good Korean rice cake to tell me sorry.
Chen: I started working in China when I was 14 and I never stopped, even when I work in Hollywood. At the very beginning, it was different because the stock of films was extremely expensive, so honestly, you had to get things in a single catch. And they were chopped very short, you often only make reactions, without the person making their lines in front of you. So, originally, I preferred the way to the United States. But over the years, they have become much more similar. Although the parts I get are different. I think there is a better understanding of the characters I can play in China. But overall, I am so delighted that we can work in such different cultures. It’s just a blessing.
