February 28, 2023 • 44 mins
Topics covered include: the magic of practical effects, living out of a suitcase, calculated risks, mapping the multiverse on a blackboard, Everything Everywhere and The Whale’s themes of forgiveness, films that open hearts, fighting to be original, total collaboration, lessons from Brendan’s favorite movie of all time Ratatouille, moving a literal mountain in China to get the perfect shot for The Mummy 3, working with Jet Li’s fight crew, pain as a smoke alarm, leaving stunt work to the professionals, awards season as a full-time job, giving the people what they want, going towards the danger, hyper-critical Chinese moms, the buoyant enthusiasm of the EEAAO cast, plus a brief cameo from Brendan’s dog PeeWee.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:05):
Hey and welcome back to the a 24-hour podcast, Brendan Fraser
and Michelle. Yeoh first met 15 years ago
while filming The Mummy 3. In China.
Today, they're two of the busiest actors on the award
season circuit with Oscar nominations for their roles in
the whale and everything everywhere all at once.
Fresh Off Their wins at the Screen.
Actors Guild Awards, here's Brandon and Michelle.
(00:26):
Hi I'm Michelle yeoh I'm with she's with Brenda In Fraser in
this is the 824 podcast so it's just a part.
We talk to each other. I guess for 50 minutes.
We're just going to fill in our.All right?
Come on mr. Fraser we can do this right.
Where are you right now? You home.
No, no. I'm I just got back to LA.
(00:49):
So I'm just here until Monday and then I go back to London
because I've been, I've been filming there.
I'm filming Wicked. You doing Wicked.
Yeah. Oh man, this is so cool.
Is it head to toe? Make up for you like, Green
makeup. Know, who are you?
No, no, no. I don't play the wicked witch.
Even though I am the wicked witch.
I play Madame morrible. It's so it's Ariana.
(01:11):
Grande and Cynthia. Are evil.
Cynthia. Place that wicked witch ice.
Amazing. The sets are just spectacular.
You know how wonderful that is not to be working just with
green or blue screens. The whole practically is the way
to go. Also, it's great to work with
actors. Yeah.
And costume. Yes, yeah, it just seems
(01:32):
ridiculous to do it any other way.
After you know, what you're doing when you're doing it for
real, but when you get the whale, how long was that whole
prosthetics for hours to get into it in the morning so holy
shoot. And how long will the shooting
hours? Pretty long like 12 to 14 but it
was only like 30 something days.So he was okay I didn't mind it
(01:53):
that much to tell you the truth.I mean, I really liked getting
all the gear on because then I knew I was, I was going to be
able to play character. Yeah, you can.
The part A Lot. Usually, and it's, again, like
you said, it's not a digital creation.
So, no, no, it wouldn't work. No, it wouldn't work at all, you
know, you have to feel it and tofeel that you have to be, you
have to wear it. That's like your costume but you
were so beautiful in it. Thank you.
(02:15):
Would just mesmerising I love the way seriously.
I would one thing I would do is like hug Darren because she
brought you back to us. That's one thing I want to do is
like, give him the biggest hug because he he brought You back
to us. And I was so precious, so, so
precious. Yes.
But what are you thinking of coming?
(02:36):
Will you waiting for a script? Will you waiting to do
something? I was hopeful that this was
going to come together because for the whale, it was it was
shot during time of covid, everything.
Everywhere was also right? No.
No, we were, we were so lucky the last day of the night, shoot
the next morning was locked down.
Well it's finished on the day oflockdown.
Wow, we had only one day of green screen where You have, I
(03:00):
was in London or Paris and the Daniels key Jonathan was in LA
and New York. So that was the only day when we
had to work. You know, you work with the iPad
that I phoned, you know, and allthe different things.
So I didn't have someone to workwith just myself which ending
but it was it was quite quite amazing though that we got we
(03:22):
managed but it was also interesting because Paul our
editor, he stared at me for two years but good.
There was some is so much footage for him to sift through.
Well, I guess all those montageslike it.
Yeah cards. Flipping your face all the way
through the back please exactly.And his wife, we met for the
first time when we were South bySouthwest where we had the
(03:44):
premiere and she said, you've been in my house for two years,
I was wow. Oh you shot for only 30 days?
That's right. In Newburgh New York here, I'm
in Upstate, New York right now at home.
Oh, that's nice. You're walking not so far away
from home. When you were shooting that I
could come home for the weekends, which was great, you
(04:05):
know, right? Yeah.
It doesn't, it makes a big difference, doesn't it?
It really does. It's hard to be living out of a
suitcase. So many months, a year, and I
know Hotel life can really get to you after a while because
Hotel can be anywhere in the world.
And you don't know where you're from anymore.
She just keep waking up in the same Hotel everywhere.
Oh, my God. And I've walked into like the
closet, I walked into the wall, you know, in the middle of the
(04:27):
night, when you have to go to the bathroom and you say, aye.
You don't think right? You think oh, I think I'm in
London, Doom. Oh my God, I don't know.
I'm so crazy, but it is just it's hard and you are away from
because my family is in Malaysia.
Yes. So it's been hard to go back and
see them because it's a much longer Journey when you needed
(04:51):
during the covid. We did yes, shot we I met Darren
in January of 2020. And then he told me the the log
line. The movie.
It's a man who's been living alone and he's been overeating.
He's very unhealthy, and he needs to reconnect with his
daughter for his salvation and that in his body is hundreds and
hundreds of pounds and that was the challenge to cast a role.
(05:12):
So right after like you say, we had to do Prosthetics to create
Charlie from the outside in and then we did a staged reading in
the East Village in New York at st.
Mark's theater too kind of audition it right?
For Samuel D Hunter the screenplay writer and some
producers and you know, other various people and And then it
was suddenly March 2020. And we all know what happened.
(05:33):
We all went home for a while so I felt yeah.
Like no. Another ship has sailed, you
know, and right it's something that I know I've encountered
plenty of times in my career, you know, you work on something
for a while you're hopeful for it and it doesn't really come
along. And then for some obscure reason
and it goes away. It goes away.
(05:54):
Yeah, but this time it came back, he's hung in there.
He's, we figured out how to Makeit look as an industry, we
figured out. Okay well we need these
protocols, safety measures here and Union.
The unions were great and we were able to get to get back to
work. Yeah so we started again.
(06:14):
I think you're right. Our industry was one of the
first to get back to work and it's hard because you know our
industry is also so spread out and there's so many cast and
crew and so many different things happening at the same
time to keep everyone safe in a bubble.
That really took much commitmentfrom everyone who was involved,
I know. And especially, because, you
(06:35):
know, we're actors, we need to be in one another's.
Personal space exactly the time.And so, it's partially, at that
time. It was a calculated risk.
Really, you were basically in one room, right in your house is
Charlie's apartment. Is a two-bedroom apartment.
Yeah, which is which helped withthe situation as well.
It felt like we were in a silversafer, right?
(06:57):
- yeah, you know. If they kept everything out, I
guess I'm surprised. Aaron didn't lock.
You all up and say no one's going anywhere.
Just in this is a roast. I'm pretty sure that he probably
crossed his mind. Now, I'm going to keep everyone
safe and no one gets to leave until I am done.
(07:17):
That's right. But did you get a lot of
rehearsal time? 824 gave us three weeks.
Did you guys rehearse to? Unfortunately, we didn't have
well, it was different because Iwas finishing a TV series.
Star Trek Discovery in Toronto and that didn't end until almost
end of November before just beginning of December.
(07:38):
So I couldn't get to the Daniels.
So, basically, by the time I finished Christmas and New
Year's Eve, I went back the first week of January and we
literally started shooting a week later.
Yeah, so I didn't have so much rehearsal rehearsal but I was
very glad that key and Stephaniebecause they had worked Yes.
(08:00):
They had a little bit more time with the diagonals which was
great because they are so brilliant and what they do, did
they have everything figured outlike storyboarded was the movie
in their mind already before they went to just do the work
and shoot it or was there a lot of Discovery on the day there is
such boat. Yes.
So much that they already had put down so they do work in that
(08:22):
kind of you know they know all the things that are going on and
how it's going to come. When you read the script, you
will understand that this all Onpaper because when you read it,
you go, oh God, how does this? Go into the Japanese Chef
universe and then is the raccoonand then it jumps back to hear.
It takes a lot of figuring out. I had like a big bought for
(08:43):
myself, so the Daniels have a big flash pot.
Yeah, that's right. So we could compare.
Okay. What is your child looking like?
So there's is like on this giantBlackboard and it's all these
arrows going over here and then coming back there.
So they did have it. Because this is something that
cannot happen randomly. No, it's gravy.
(09:05):
All had to be thought out mappedout very, very carefully.
But one thing I will say about a24 words like they did us a
huge, huge favor. They not only believed in us,
that's wacky. Little crazy movie.
Yeah. But they held onto it and never
sort of, you know, say okay, let's Dream.
It's just yeah, right? It didn't just fall down the
(09:26):
river. No, that's and then it would
have been added. It would not have happened.
It wouldn't have seen in the audience.
It wouldn't have found its its people don't that you have to be
locked into your seat. You know, you can't be
distracted because it's already so fractured.
And so happiness, that you have to give it your okay.
Stratification. Put on your safety belt and go
(09:46):
for that crazy, right? Yeah, it's a gripping story to I
mean, you don't want to go anywhere your mind, doesn't
wander at all, from all of the parallel universes and the
heartfelt story of mother and daughter.
All the way through got me rightin the heart.
Like it just braiding the feels yes that you're right.
Because even though it's so it looks so messy.
(10:08):
So frantic and chaotic which is what life is right?
Yes. But then at the core of it is
this really hot felt very authentic.
Story about an Asian immigrant family, which everybody has find
so many things to relate to, andit resonates very, very deeply
with. So many people on so many
different levels, which was Thatwas what it was beautiful.
(10:31):
If you think about it, the whaleand everything everywhere.
All at once, could not be more different.
I mean, the same with the core of the love for your daughter
for you know, that longing to reconnect longing for
forgiveness and somehow, you know please let's be a family
again but our pace is so crazy whereas yours is so still and so
(10:55):
chamber piece it's like a right you know quieter something which
is so Which is so nice to see the contrast of films that are
being appreciated, right? I vote for our audience to have
this. But what I love about it is that
a sense of healing? Because I think we need movies
like this so that we can feel wecan be emotionally drawn in and
(11:20):
have you, have you, have you heard from any audience?
I mean, over the world who've been affected in a way that,
that makes them feel like maybe I changed my thinking about
something or I'm inspired now tohave a conversation that I
couldn't have because that's happening a lot to me right now.
Always happen to all of us sincethe movie came out in March last
year. So can you imagine this whole
(11:41):
journey? And some of it has been so
beautiful, okay. My generation of they come up
and say, okay, I don't really get your film, but my daughter
who have been estranged from fora while, called me after she saw
your movie and say, I think we should have a conversation and
that has been Yeah, and that really makes you feel like.
(12:03):
That's what I hope. I'll movies do.
That's how I hope that I would story will affect you in this
way and some youngsters, I love it.
The Young The Young Generation before you know, I they don't
really see me, they don't reallyknow me.
Right? Because you know if you think
about James Bond and Memoirs of a Geisha, Crouching Tiger, that
was like 20, something years ago, they were not even
(12:26):
conceived yet problem right now.But now Now they walk up.
They literally walk out to me there in like, in their late
teens or early 20s and they say,yeah, pretty cool.
Can we take a selfie with you? I'm Ian, they that totally rocks
my world or they just come up and they hold your hand and they
just look at you and you can seethat they're so emotion
(12:48):
emotional they can speak and they just want to, I'm sure
they're doing that right? They do that to you too.
Yes, I get that frequently. But isn't that beautiful?
It's nice. I'm hearing from a lot of
fathers who are telling me that they're now feeling more
comfortable, or at least it encouraged too many chances.
(13:10):
Yeah, with with their, their families, certainly, you know,
fathers and daughters in particular I'm hearing from.
I'm also hearing from people whoare, who are struggling with
obesity and they've become encouraged to seek a bariatric
procedure or make some sort of life-altering change in the way
they have to. Improve their health because
(13:30):
they have taken the story of thewhale.
Not exactly as a cautionary Tale.
But it is, it's really is an inspiration for them to feel
like, okay, I have to do something, you better do
something here, and this is a good time to start, because they
felt something as a result of seeing this film.
I think that happens when you genuinely touch them.
(13:52):
Yeah. You know, and they are
genuinely, they sort of take a step back, and that's what I've
found with our film is like a Ofpeople at taking a step back and
say, okay, I'm not going to judge, I shouldn't be judging,
right? I should just open my heart's
and we keep saying, we all have superpowers in us.
I was super power is kindness. You ain't love and compassion,
(14:15):
and if we can exercise that superpower more, our will be
will be such a better place. Charlie has a superpower to his
superpower, is to bring out the good in other people's when they
can't see that in themselves. Science is power.
That's one thing 11 line that you say in there something about
people can't stop caring and we shouldn't work incapable or
(14:39):
incapable of not caring. That's time.
People are incapable of not caring I was going to say
something to you about. Oh yes, the let's talk about
life, our favorite scenes and everything I wrote all at once.
Mine at first. Our is the is the moment when
you and Stephanie are leaving the laundromat and I can see.
So Much that she wants to tell her daughter that she's she's
(15:04):
perfect and I love you and everything's going to be all
right. But the only words that come out
or so fat, comment about yes. And just end in the line that
plays on the response that Stephanie makes, is just
shattering how she knows. You're better than that.
Mom, but you just can't be in this moment.
Oh no, I it's it hasn't changed it.
(15:27):
Just and then to go in that emotional journey to America.
End that by stories and is so gratifying.
Mmm, that's the Daniel's they just such.
They are there. They're Evil Geniuses now they
are thank God. They're not certified believe in
saying but they are so good. They were Relentless.
They never they never stopped, you're not being, original is
(15:49):
one thing trying to be original.We keep hearing that, you know,
you have to be original but actually fighting to be a
regional and keeping that originality is one of the Ches
ches because that's where 824 really helped us.
They didn't give them notes to say.
Yeah. What?
What's so, what was with the hotdog fingers?
You know, what is usual? Like, breathe down the
(16:10):
filmmakers. Yes, it make it more safer and
more easily, digestible for an audience.
You know, the typical Studio stuff that you see the big
studios. And it just feels like films of
become directed by committees from nameless panels.
Yes, is far away that have nothing to do.
Or a party from ensuring that they can curate a storyline that
(16:35):
is unoffensive or doesn't take an opinion or doesn't have you
know, a vision and write a 24, doesn't get in their way.
I love that top and Del Toro, Guillermo del Toro.
He's such an amazing generous director when he saw our movie.
The first thing he said, was he see this is the Brilliance of
(16:57):
the next generation of filmmakers and Is what we need,
but that's true because, you know, only when you're very
confident of who you are, you would never be afraid that the
young people are coming from theback.
Right. Right.
The next wave has to come. Do you I'm looking for them?
I'm like, where are there? That's how my people, you know.
There's some as you energy. Yes.
(17:18):
And you you need that? I mean, they have set up the
Daniels have set up their own film language.
Almost really? Yeah.
I mean, even the way they shot the movie, The Waves.
Yes. They They wrote the movie, they
had the courage to write this. It sounds like a very boring
simple. You know, about an Asian
immigrant family ho-hum like, nope.
(17:40):
For the longest of time. Everybody thought was so
interesting but they made it so interesting that you have, you
know, that this whole culture ofpeople are being seen for the
first time, that's the Trojan Horse that you put the audience
in and sneak them behind the walls and then surprise.
Yeah, I love it but that's what It's an audience.
That's what we want, right? We want to be constantly like
(18:03):
surprised or like oh deep thinking or not, or just be
entertained. That's the magic, something
unique and magical in the ordinary.
Yes, you know very ordinary family becomes so extraordinary
and can save the universe. Yes.
Yes. It's so inspiring on so many
levels. I think that's what I would.
(18:24):
Both of our movies have done is like it has been inspiring.
It's helping with A lot of healing process.
We've gone through such a bad time the last few years, you
know. Yes.
I know all the politics because we will never give up.
Right. No, I mean, we have a job.
(18:44):
Where we at least I'll speak formyself.
I still feel like they're payingme to do this.
You know, I mean I love my job. Like the dirty secret is.
We would do this, whether we were being paid or not quiet.
Tell anyone don't say that out loud.
And press the mute button on here.
Nobody's sure. I think you have to do this,
(19:05):
this job, with passion, real passion.
And, you know, when you get the script and you go like, oh my
God, this is such a jam, right? This is so good.
And then you go. Okay.
What are the filmmakers that thedirectors do that?
They have that kind of vision tobe the an amazing storytelling.
Can it be supported? I mean in just cracking think it
(19:26):
up. Doesn't mean you can do it.
I mean, normally. Yes, you can.
You can An in a way. But, is it done properly?
Is it? I supported?
Yes. And it has to be.
Yeah, he's kind of germs. Have to have that kind of total
collaboration from all the parts, you know, not just
getting the right access to do it, but behind the scenes, I
mean our crew. You have such a diverse
(19:47):
discipline of filmmaking, disciplines everything from
cinematography set, the height of the affect the right.
Shaming is just I the hair and makeup everything and everybody.
If more than one story, that when the Daniels told us, it was
really funny. Remember, the raccoon.
I'm having some on Harry. Shum show head.
(20:08):
Yes, animatronics, where the hell would we get money like
that, right? So they were envisioning.
Well, you know, it'll be like, the, the doll hanging, where you
whack it with me, maybe that andit would be like a little
puppet, a hand puppet, because we don't have that kind of
money, but, but our prop master.I wish I was special effects
people. They went out and they They
(20:29):
sought people out to say come onlet us have play with your
words. They were so good if you build
it they will come. Ratatouille is one of my
favorite movies of all time. I have three sons and when they
were growing up I would cook in the kitchen for them.
We watch radically you will. And also at the end of
Ratatouille when Anton ego turnsin his final restaurant review,
(20:54):
I've gone back and looked at that passage of dialogue many
times because it's To the creative process from the
standpoint of a Critic. And ego says, it's fun to write
mean things about people and, and to take credit for other
people's work. And then, of course for his but
he changes his heart, of course.And that's the point.
And I think there's some, there's a message there that
(21:17):
really speaks to us as filmmakers, also stick to what
your vision is, stay to your truth.
It's time to let the people cometo you instead of the other way
around. If your vision is bold enough
and your storytelling is good, they will come to you agree.
I agree. It's hard.
When so many things around you sometimes you know try and pull
you in different directions and make you wonder and feel like,
(21:40):
oh, maybe I'm not doing it right.
Yeah. This and fill you with
self-doubt and all know, but we were very lucky with the Daniels
with Jonathan Wong, our producer.
And then of course, with Jamie and James and key and Stephanie
we just and lock in our GP. We just huddle, you know, it was
like we are Everything bagel I, nobody's gonna come in between
(22:03):
us. It hasn't gone away.
I mean I've been on the road with you guys in a way for the
last three months and I feel like, I feel like your mascot.
Oh, wait a minute. I thought we were yours.
I want to be with the team, you know.
I'll be the water boy, our family, our CEO family.
(22:25):
It's just it's quite amazing. Would you guys had me backstage
too? To take a picture with you.
However, like Critics Choice Awards, right?
It's a highlight of my life, that was so sweet of everyone
was so sweet of you to come and join us.
Do know, he's we adored you for a long, long time, right.
So it's it was so natural and you should be part of the
(22:46):
family. I just I hope that will be
taking more pictures like that soon.
Yeah. I hope we get a chance to work
together again. How about that?
Let's just put it out there. I think the third mummy movie
was great for all kinds of reasons.
Since because, you know, you have a job and it's exciting and
it was its own movie part of a franchise and I know as a little
controversial because it was a different director and the
(23:07):
casting was a little bit different.
But for the film that we made, it was made in Montreal.
And yes. And in China in China yeah for
me to work on a film with Chinese crew and Chinese value
production values and everythingwas a dream.
Come true. Oh good.
I loved it. I'm so glad you enjoyed the
(23:28):
instant very Different atmosphere.
You know everybody is just like rushing in.
If you say get this thing done it's done.
It's time. I know.
It's like an anthill. Just goes to work on what
everybody goes the battle at theend of it I think now.
(23:51):
Oh my God that's yeah I heard that was like a military
facility, they used for trainingtanks or something.
So it's sand and big bro. There were big number - yes and
Rob had a camera somewhere and there was a background that
didn't work for the shot the Sunmoved.
I don't know what, but they wenton.
No, we can't move the camera andwe can't move the set.
(24:12):
What do we do? And so what did the crew do they
leave? The mountain will just shift
this and they brought sand in and they filled the mountain, he
created a mountain. And it happened so fast.
Yeah, and remember that big expensive said of the wall.
(24:36):
Obviously, it was gonna get rained on at one point and to
keep shooting. So they put the scaffold a,
that's in a bamboo. A plastic and turned into a
studio overnight. It was a credible.
I know they are so resourceful so creative, you know?
And it's about possibility, you know?
They say never say, no, no. Don't know how to say.
(24:57):
We say, why not? When it's like, when it's
amazing, know, we had such a good time, I hope that we get to
reconnect with Jet Li these dayshe's doing really well.
He's both his daughters like here in America studying.
So I had the pleasure of meetingup with him.
Well, actually his daughters wanted to meet up with me.
(25:17):
Haha, not kidding, but jet is wonderful.
Jet is Jed. Get is you know remember Jed
he's exactly the way here. Yes, the food is great.
The first time I met him was in Montreal and And I was in a car
with a driver and we I think I was going back to my apartment
but just by chance in traffic ahead of us was his car.
(25:38):
He had just come from the airport, he is just Landing to
come to the production and then the driver said oh that's
Arcaro. Jetson that car and we both cars
from figured it out. So we pulled over to just say
hello and I am so Jen and I met on the streets of Montreal for
the first time and when I got out to greet him and say hello,
I was on the sidewalk and I instinctively I Took a step down
(26:00):
into the street so that the curbwas a little bit higher than
here. So because I'm right, yes,
you're 6 foot 3, right? And he's about my like me taller
than me. I'm really sensitive.
You know, like to intimidating people like I want to keep my
head a little lower than theirs because you're not like towering
over here. Nice to meet you.
(26:22):
You know what he did. He stepped down into the street
at me. That's to there is yellow.
That's him, right? Yeah.
Is judged that he's such a. I love this guy.
Yeah he's well hopefully we can find something to do together
that would be that would be fun.Don't be so fun eating.
I loved working with his his flight crew because they had
everything working and their doubles and I remember there's a
(26:46):
there's one battle Jet and I areactually going to throw some
moves and I'm like what do I know it's and I've been working
with his double and I was prettygood at it.
I was okay. And then it came time for jet to
come in and his double just pretty much whispered in his ear
what to do, what to do, didn't know and Kind of like this that
this that just went and got it and he hadn't rehearsed it
before or anything and he was like, one move ahead of me the
(27:06):
whole time. Like, no, he pushed my elbow and
off campus is all because, you know, we're both just actors, we
both want to go to lunch, you know, if you just want to get
this now you get it on, get it done.
We can go get something cold to drink in it.
I remembered that we had to because we have a little bit of
a fight scene with the sword andall the other things.
(27:28):
So of course, The Rob. Had it arranged so that we would
have rehearsal time. Remember where we come from in
Hong Kong, or in China when we do an action sequence?
We don't really get rehearsal time, we get on the set in our
full costume and then someone will show us what are the moves.
We learn it and we should it right away.
(27:50):
Yeah. So we go to rehearsal room and
so both of us anyhow I think so we go through the motions 10:15.
Minutes later, we're like we're done, right?
Okay, let's go. So we left and then I think half
an hour later Rob and the crew came to see check on us to see
how we were doing. They're like, yeah, it's Jen and
(28:11):
Michelle. Where are they?
They said they learned it and then we just like up the left.
No, I think especially with jet,he is like world champion
mushroom. No, I'm for so many years.
And also with him is like If youknow your ABCs.
Yeah. Why do you have to learn them
(28:32):
again precisely? Yeah.
That's what he keeps saying. He's like that's not really that
I got it's just like if somebodyhanded some sheet music to like
a jazz player, there's my okay. Oh, no little, they know what to
do, they never seen it before. You know, it's amazing, but
you've got really badly hurt during your eye.
When I showed up for that movie,I already had some injuries in
(28:52):
my knees and in my back and I'vebeen dealing with her like years
but that's, you know, just an accumulation just All injuries
that compounded into other ones.So, while I was there, I was
pretty much just making. I mean, I was treating myself
like a gladiator, wrapping everything up and ice and all,
you know, everything, but I was never suffering, you know, but I
(29:13):
do know that suffering of when you need, you know, you feel it,
but you just keep going and, youknow, and I had to change my
thinking, I had to change my thinking after that little talk
with myself, like Brendan, how about you work?
Smart, instead of work hard, youknow that Actually, that is the
best advice. It's true.
I went through a period that waslike that.
(29:34):
It was like, you don't have to prove anything anymore.
You have to do it. Smart be smart about it, be safe
about it. Because yes, when you get
injured, nobody else can help you are stuck with an enduring.
You're no good to anyone that way, either.
But did you have knee surgery? I did.
Yeah, couple times. I had it, you know, ACL and
meniscus. No, no meniscus.
(29:56):
I had a partial ephemeral patella replacement.
Oh, You know what it works now and I'm out of pain, so I'm
that's the main thing. Yeah, that most important part
because the the tricky thing about pain that I've learned is,
is it's kind of like that smoke alarm.
You know what? A smoke alarm goes off and He is
wanting you but you tune it out.Your brain goes.
(30:16):
I don't want to hear that and the pain is like that smoke
alarm and you tune it out and that's not good because you're
walking around with it and only until, you know, you get the
switch. Throne to turn it off.
Then you go. Oh, that's so much better.
No, No wonder I was irascible orno wonder I was difficult to get
motivated to do something. It's because you forget that you
(30:37):
got some physical issues going on.
So it was good for me to take the time after that, to just do
everything you do with it. I mean, I'm great now and I'm
super careful. Also, like you say, they have to
be smart same, same for myself as well.
A couple of times, when I had really not good injuries, you
know, and caused by yourself, right?
(30:59):
Doing, you're doing a son and you're sometimes you don't think
smart, you think, oh, well, it looks kind of easy but its not,
you know, you have to be sensible about it.
And then the easiest sons are the ones that always lose the
ones that get you those, becausethat's the one that you're most
not careful about, right? Focusing on something else.
Exactly. And then it will sweep you off
your foot and you don't even know what happened.
(31:20):
Like the big stuff I've got across an exploding bridge on
the back of a really shy horse. With fuse, blowing up around me.
I could have been thrown I mean,all the things that could have
gone wrong did not because I wassuper prepared for, right?
Right. But then the simple stuff like
run in here and stop on the spot.
That's where you turn your ankle.
Like, I just did that, you know?Hmm.
(31:42):
Because you're not thinking about it thinking ice normal.
Yeah, I think when you have a serious injury, that's when you
have to reflect and start thinking, that's not the start
crew. Oh yeah.
Now I tend to be like, that's why the sun people are there
because I have at them. Because we are very good friends
with most most of them and they say we need a job.
(32:03):
You know, can you? You can't just take away our
jobs like, I'm not trying to do that anyway.
Nowadays, I'm very happy to sit back.
Please just go, you know what? You're going to be great in the
shot. Go get?
Yeah. Yeah, I when I was younger you
used to think oh, you know, it'sjust shameful, I mean, it's
supposed to be you, you're doingthat, right?
(32:25):
How can you pretend and let someone else do it and then
Pretend that it's you doesn't that?
Get back to this, trying to prove everything, exactly it
does. And if we don't feel like, I
have anything to prove. No, I think we've done what.
And we've shown, yes, the world what we can do and what we have
done. So now it's time to step back
and say, just focus on the face.Let's just do acting and let the
(32:49):
audience come to us and say, butyes, I love that statement.
Let them come to us. Yeah, and they will, when it is
it is what they want it when it touches them.
Moves them, you know, and this is something that they were,
they need to, to see. I think that's just so, so true.
We've had really eventful years,haven't we?
(33:10):
For the last two years, three years, the last few years, I
mean, because also, for my group, my community of people,
you know, breaking that glass ceiling of allow us, the
opportunity to be seen more, butto be seen.
We need stories that talk about us and give us rolls too.
To play in and not just say, take the box.
(33:32):
Okay, we have the minorities here, one more.
Okay. Yeah.
And you know, that happens so much and I'm glad that it's
turning around. Oh, yes.
And that this movie is proving that it's the way it should be,
and it can succeed, right? But by allowing those, those
people to be seen and heard and represented.
(33:53):
It's right. It's so refreshing and so
necessary, what we do is holdinga mirror to our South And to our
society and the world. And if we want to be Global, we
have to see all these different cultures, different races,
different color, whatever it is.But I do hope that we get to a
stage where we are caused not byour race or culture or whatever
(34:15):
we are cast because we could do your Humanity.
Yes, it's going there. Slowly is like Wicked.
The role that I play was has always been played by a
Caucasian lady Jon Chu as when know why does it It have to be
that, right? Doesn't need it.
No, no. I think expanding all of those
opportunities are just a boon for possibilities for filmmakers
(34:38):
now. It's not restrictive, right?
It shouldn't be restrictive, andthat's what we do.
Best is to break down barriers, you know, clear the space, make
more space, you know, take more in that's when it becomes
exciting and original and different.
What do I know, right? I just work here.
What are you working on next? Are you just Very focused on
(35:00):
these. Are you, we don't have a job at
the moment, which is okay, because I feel like I've had a
full-time one. In all of this award season
stuff, which is hasn't finished.It's not me.
It's not over yet. It's a moment right now to sort
of pause and feel, like, okay, we made it to the Finish Line.
It is tough. I'm this is the first time I'm
doing its job. It's scary, it's terrifying
(35:23):
every day you go in and you go like I don't know what to do.
I don't know what to say. I don't know.
I don't understand what's going on.
I'm This whole process is a it'sa different process of when you
made the movie because when we made the film we did not start
making the movie. Thinking this is what we are
going to go through. This is right right?
This is the end product of it. I mean it's the ultimate dream
(35:43):
for any filmmaker that at the movie, be validated the actors.
You know the cast and crew everyone is going to be like up
there for to be cheered on by the world, to get the flowers
and the hope it is. And, you know, I was just such a
weird and wacky, wonderful movie, A lot of people with and
(36:03):
that's not really, that kind of film, right?
I beg to differ. No, no, I disagree, it is.
No, you gave the people what they wanted, that's what it was
that film was the popular choice.
The whale is more of an audiencefilm than it is a critics film,
is sort of 50/50 is a critics film, go.
(36:24):
Really? But yeah, you can look at
percentages and all this stuff but I think what it comes down
to is it's an audience. You know, that's what if it
speaks to the people, it doesn'tspeak to the The Brainiac people
who are the whose job it is to write and criticize.
You know to be Anton ego in Ratatouille, know it speaks to
the people who are seeing the film you know it speaks to
(36:46):
people who are eating Ratatouille's food, that's who
it is. But also, as a Critic, they do
have a responsibility. They had like kill a movie
before he even gets a chance to live a lie.
Yeah, there's that. It's Times, you can be so
brutal. It's like just give us
sometimes, it's heavy handed, I know, but that's, that's
sometimes. But sometimes there's films that
(37:07):
get found years later, they get a Resurgence or because, you
know, Nostalgia, I think also sometimes it's because it's what
we say before its time. Yes, you know, break maybe the
audience are not ready for that,kind of film, it's a little
prescient and then later on It. Go like, oh, that actually, that
makes some sense right now and we should revisit it and go
(37:28):
like, wow, that Actually was a pretty good movie.
Why didn't we see that before the thing about everything are
all at once is, it's not in time, it's a Timeless film.
Yeah, it will make it would've been relevant 18 years ago.
It would have been 18 years fromnow, you know, it would have
been and I think that would be yeah.
Like, that's the Daniels, that'sthe beauty about the Daniel's,
you know, they said, what have we got to lose?
(37:49):
We're just going to put in everything that people's tell us
what we can't do, you know what what that won't work.
And that's the I love the Daniels because, you know, Two
people work together and you're afraid ego gets in the way,
right? And when I first met them
because I had to say, you know, when you meet the film maker
(38:09):
which is the most important thing, what is paper is still on
paper, do they have the vision? Do they do?
They have the passion and I findthat sometimes, especially when
you are young filmmakers when it's your first or second movie,
you are like you put your heart and soul and everything into it.
And it's it's not that the greatMasters don't.
Do the same thing but they are so Laden with expectations of
(38:33):
how they should tell their storyand then we as the audience go
like, oh, that's disappointing. Why did he do that?
You know, because you expect a certain thing from them but with
the Daniels is like they are weird their wacky because you
know and my people will say it'sa bit of a risk, you know.
Because it's kind of out there that does important because they
take the risks. Yes.
They go towards the danger, you know.
(38:54):
That's where you get something good.
I mean you should take original in art in Art not life.
I think. Well you're gonna find that some
growth will occur if I do something that's, you know, out
of your comfort zone. But that's an actor, you have to
do that because you want to be challenged the whole time,
right? And want to be learning evolving
(39:15):
and be doing something different.
Something, you know that it's going to put, like, you said out
of your comfort zone, sort of dangle you out the window, which
is safe in the movie but not in real life, exactly.
Yes, it went. When I met with them, it was the
as how they work together. That was the most impressive
(39:35):
when they speak about their movies like her.
The only thing, I remember saying to them, giving them a
hard time with like, you cannot call Evelyn the character
Michelle Wang. No.
But then they don't, they're like, but no.
No, we wrote it with you in mind, I know.
No. But this is, I'm not a
laundromat on. I know nothing about that, kind
(39:56):
of thing, and also she's that. No, every woman that needs the
voice, you know, she has. She deserves to be seen and hers
that family as a whole needs us to tell their story.
But like for themselves, not with me sticking my face in
there and my name in there whichdoesn't work because as an
(40:16):
audience you'll be so distracted.
Is that Michelle? Oh God.
What is like my mom but she cannot differentiate between
when I'm acting. I mean movie you say, why do you
look so old? Why can't you just Look like,
you know the one you look up. Oh my God.
(40:37):
She's like the Evelyn Wong with her daughter.
The first, if I don't see her for months.
The first thing, she'll say to me.
Why don't you cut your hair? Yeah, you're so you're so dark.
I'm like I love you too. Mom.
Haven't seen you for you know it's great.
This Chinese mom's its cultural right.
I mean yeah everybody has the same mother like everyone can
(40:58):
identify it so yeah. Totally, you know, they always
tell you what is wrong and I think that's where the commune
communication gap that generational Gap that they young
people keep talking about is like, you always put me down,
you always tell me that I'm not good enough, you know?
Yeah, you're not there. You're not that you should get a
(41:18):
haircut, you should lose weight,you should do this, but they the
thought is from love and care isso that you will be better.
So that you will improve, right?Not that to say that.
That you are not enough. In fact, what I love about the N
sequences what. She says Evelyn is telling the
daughter is like no matter what you are you will always be
enough for me and I think that was the most beautiful message
(41:42):
that it was. It was absolutely gorgeous.
Oh no, whatever it was thank you.
So is yours. I have to tell you really
quickly and I think we might be short on time here, but I want
to make sure that I acknowledge that key and I have worked
together before. No, no.
Yes. I know.
It's such a privilege to see himagain.
I know it's you know it's thank God he never lost his love for
(42:06):
filmmaking. So he went and did you know
amazing things back in Asia in Hong Kong behind the camera,
that is so nice and so gratifying that he's able to pop
up again because he's so good atwhat he does.
We have been so blessed with this.
This whole cast he is the same as I remember him from, you
know, 30 years ago, I filled with that, huh?
(42:29):
High voice. Yes perennial buoyant
enthusiasm. And he's always thinking about
other people. No way he puts everyone else
first. Yeah.
See we had such a generous cast.Key did that?
Jamie Jamie Lee does that all the time?
We were just like basking in love time even though it was so
(42:50):
intense, the shooting. It was fun, right?
Yeah. You would not imagine that.
It could have been fun, but no. Yours cannot have been fun.
Yours was so Heart-wrenching. Oh my God.
Hmm, I did have moments of fun and I was usually in the makeup
chair. I would watch YouTube videos of
Street cooking in Hong, Kong in Korea.
(43:12):
I love Street cooking videos, you know, all this bizarre
unique foods that have you watch.
Have you worked feet? Phil comfy drill.
Yes, that's why I and I flesh what I do that as well, you
know, when everything is so beautiful and out there and
eating local fear Yeah, I'm sorry.
I'm at home and I have a little dog in my lap.
(43:32):
You maybe did someone just know he's like I need some attention.
Sorry for means there's somebodyat the door, okay.
It was so nice to talk to you. I wish I wish we had more
(43:54):
opportunity before. It's an open in touch.
Yes. Now that I'm not going to say
Goodbye. Miss A Farewell.
That means I know that was soon.I will see you soon.
I send my love. Thank you.
Thank kiss. Thanks for listening.
(44:14):
The 824 podcast is produced by us a 24 special.
Thanks to our editor Tom Wyatt and robot repair who composed
our theme
Hey and welcome back to the a 24-hour podcast, Brendan Fraser
and Michelle. Yeoh first met 15 years ago
while filming The Mummy 3. In China.
Today, they're two of the busiest actors on the award
season circuit with Oscar nominations for their roles in
the whale and everything everywhere all at once.
Fresh Off Their wins at the Screen.
Actors Guild Awards, here's Brandon and Michelle.
(00:26):
Hi I'm Michelle yeoh I'm with she's with Brenda In Fraser in
this is the 824 podcast so it's just a part.
We talk to each other. I guess for 50 minutes.
We're just going to fill in our.All right?
Come on mr. Fraser we can do this right.
Where are you right now? You home.
No, no. I'm I just got back to LA.
(00:49):
So I'm just here until Monday and then I go back to London
because I've been, I've been filming there.
I'm filming Wicked. You doing Wicked.
Yeah. Oh man, this is so cool.
Is it head to toe? Make up for you like, Green
makeup. Know, who are you?
No, no, no. I don't play the wicked witch.
Even though I am the wicked witch.
I play Madame morrible. It's so it's Ariana.
(01:11):
Grande and Cynthia. Are evil.
Cynthia. Place that wicked witch ice.
Amazing. The sets are just spectacular.
You know how wonderful that is not to be working just with
green or blue screens. The whole practically is the way
to go. Also, it's great to work with
actors. Yeah.
And costume. Yes, yeah, it just seems
(01:32):
ridiculous to do it any other way.
After you know, what you're doing when you're doing it for
real, but when you get the whale, how long was that whole
prosthetics for hours to get into it in the morning so holy
shoot. And how long will the shooting
hours? Pretty long like 12 to 14 but it
was only like 30 something days.So he was okay I didn't mind it
(01:53):
that much to tell you the truth.I mean, I really liked getting
all the gear on because then I knew I was, I was going to be
able to play character. Yeah, you can.
The part A Lot. Usually, and it's, again, like
you said, it's not a digital creation.
So, no, no, it wouldn't work. No, it wouldn't work at all, you
know, you have to feel it and tofeel that you have to be, you
have to wear it. That's like your costume but you
were so beautiful in it. Thank you.
(02:15):
Would just mesmerising I love the way seriously.
I would one thing I would do is like hug Darren because she
brought you back to us. That's one thing I want to do is
like, give him the biggest hug because he he brought You back
to us. And I was so precious, so, so
precious. Yes.
But what are you thinking of coming?
(02:36):
Will you waiting for a script? Will you waiting to do
something? I was hopeful that this was
going to come together because for the whale, it was it was
shot during time of covid, everything.
Everywhere was also right? No.
No, we were, we were so lucky the last day of the night, shoot
the next morning was locked down.
Well it's finished on the day oflockdown.
Wow, we had only one day of green screen where You have, I
(03:00):
was in London or Paris and the Daniels key Jonathan was in LA
and New York. So that was the only day when we
had to work. You know, you work with the iPad
that I phoned, you know, and allthe different things.
So I didn't have someone to workwith just myself which ending
but it was it was quite quite amazing though that we got we
(03:22):
managed but it was also interesting because Paul our
editor, he stared at me for two years but good.
There was some is so much footage for him to sift through.
Well, I guess all those montageslike it.
Yeah cards. Flipping your face all the way
through the back please exactly.And his wife, we met for the
first time when we were South bySouthwest where we had the
(03:44):
premiere and she said, you've been in my house for two years,
I was wow. Oh you shot for only 30 days?
That's right. In Newburgh New York here, I'm
in Upstate, New York right now at home.
Oh, that's nice. You're walking not so far away
from home. When you were shooting that I
could come home for the weekends, which was great, you
(04:05):
know, right? Yeah.
It doesn't, it makes a big difference, doesn't it?
It really does. It's hard to be living out of a
suitcase. So many months, a year, and I
know Hotel life can really get to you after a while because
Hotel can be anywhere in the world.
And you don't know where you're from anymore.
She just keep waking up in the same Hotel everywhere.
Oh, my God. And I've walked into like the
closet, I walked into the wall, you know, in the middle of the
(04:27):
night, when you have to go to the bathroom and you say, aye.
You don't think right? You think oh, I think I'm in
London, Doom. Oh my God, I don't know.
I'm so crazy, but it is just it's hard and you are away from
because my family is in Malaysia.
Yes. So it's been hard to go back and
see them because it's a much longer Journey when you needed
(04:51):
during the covid. We did yes, shot we I met Darren
in January of 2020. And then he told me the the log
line. The movie.
It's a man who's been living alone and he's been overeating.
He's very unhealthy, and he needs to reconnect with his
daughter for his salvation and that in his body is hundreds and
hundreds of pounds and that was the challenge to cast a role.
(05:12):
So right after like you say, we had to do Prosthetics to create
Charlie from the outside in and then we did a staged reading in
the East Village in New York at st.
Mark's theater too kind of audition it right?
For Samuel D Hunter the screenplay writer and some
producers and you know, other various people and And then it
was suddenly March 2020. And we all know what happened.
(05:33):
We all went home for a while so I felt yeah.
Like no. Another ship has sailed, you
know, and right it's something that I know I've encountered
plenty of times in my career, you know, you work on something
for a while you're hopeful for it and it doesn't really come
along. And then for some obscure reason
and it goes away. It goes away.
(05:54):
Yeah, but this time it came back, he's hung in there.
He's, we figured out how to Makeit look as an industry, we
figured out. Okay well we need these
protocols, safety measures here and Union.
The unions were great and we were able to get to get back to
work. Yeah so we started again.
(06:14):
I think you're right. Our industry was one of the
first to get back to work and it's hard because you know our
industry is also so spread out and there's so many cast and
crew and so many different things happening at the same
time to keep everyone safe in a bubble.
That really took much commitmentfrom everyone who was involved,
I know. And especially, because, you
(06:35):
know, we're actors, we need to be in one another's.
Personal space exactly the time.And so, it's partially, at that
time. It was a calculated risk.
Really, you were basically in one room, right in your house is
Charlie's apartment. Is a two-bedroom apartment.
Yeah, which is which helped withthe situation as well.
It felt like we were in a silversafer, right?
(06:57):
- yeah, you know. If they kept everything out, I
guess I'm surprised. Aaron didn't lock.
You all up and say no one's going anywhere.
Just in this is a roast. I'm pretty sure that he probably
crossed his mind. Now, I'm going to keep everyone
safe and no one gets to leave until I am done.
(07:17):
That's right. But did you get a lot of
rehearsal time? 824 gave us three weeks.
Did you guys rehearse to? Unfortunately, we didn't have
well, it was different because Iwas finishing a TV series.
Star Trek Discovery in Toronto and that didn't end until almost
end of November before just beginning of December.
(07:38):
So I couldn't get to the Daniels.
So, basically, by the time I finished Christmas and New
Year's Eve, I went back the first week of January and we
literally started shooting a week later.
Yeah, so I didn't have so much rehearsal rehearsal but I was
very glad that key and Stephaniebecause they had worked Yes.
(08:00):
They had a little bit more time with the diagonals which was
great because they are so brilliant and what they do, did
they have everything figured outlike storyboarded was the movie
in their mind already before they went to just do the work
and shoot it or was there a lot of Discovery on the day there is
such boat. Yes.
So much that they already had put down so they do work in that
(08:22):
kind of you know they know all the things that are going on and
how it's going to come. When you read the script, you
will understand that this all Onpaper because when you read it,
you go, oh God, how does this? Go into the Japanese Chef
universe and then is the raccoonand then it jumps back to hear.
It takes a lot of figuring out. I had like a big bought for
(08:43):
myself, so the Daniels have a big flash pot.
Yeah, that's right. So we could compare.
Okay. What is your child looking like?
So there's is like on this giantBlackboard and it's all these
arrows going over here and then coming back there.
So they did have it. Because this is something that
cannot happen randomly. No, it's gravy.
(09:05):
All had to be thought out mappedout very, very carefully.
But one thing I will say about a24 words like they did us a
huge, huge favor. They not only believed in us,
that's wacky. Little crazy movie.
Yeah. But they held onto it and never
sort of, you know, say okay, let's Dream.
It's just yeah, right? It didn't just fall down the
(09:26):
river. No, that's and then it would
have been added. It would not have happened.
It wouldn't have seen in the audience.
It wouldn't have found its its people don't that you have to be
locked into your seat. You know, you can't be
distracted because it's already so fractured.
And so happiness, that you have to give it your okay.
Stratification. Put on your safety belt and go
(09:46):
for that crazy, right? Yeah, it's a gripping story to I
mean, you don't want to go anywhere your mind, doesn't
wander at all, from all of the parallel universes and the
heartfelt story of mother and daughter.
All the way through got me rightin the heart.
Like it just braiding the feels yes that you're right.
Because even though it's so it looks so messy.
(10:08):
So frantic and chaotic which is what life is right?
Yes. But then at the core of it is
this really hot felt very authentic.
Story about an Asian immigrant family, which everybody has find
so many things to relate to, andit resonates very, very deeply
with. So many people on so many
different levels, which was Thatwas what it was beautiful.
(10:31):
If you think about it, the whaleand everything everywhere.
All at once, could not be more different.
I mean, the same with the core of the love for your daughter
for you know, that longing to reconnect longing for
forgiveness and somehow, you know please let's be a family
again but our pace is so crazy whereas yours is so still and so
(10:55):
chamber piece it's like a right you know quieter something which
is so Which is so nice to see the contrast of films that are
being appreciated, right? I vote for our audience to have
this. But what I love about it is that
a sense of healing? Because I think we need movies
like this so that we can feel wecan be emotionally drawn in and
(11:20):
have you, have you, have you heard from any audience?
I mean, over the world who've been affected in a way that,
that makes them feel like maybe I changed my thinking about
something or I'm inspired now tohave a conversation that I
couldn't have because that's happening a lot to me right now.
Always happen to all of us sincethe movie came out in March last
year. So can you imagine this whole
(11:41):
journey? And some of it has been so
beautiful, okay. My generation of they come up
and say, okay, I don't really get your film, but my daughter
who have been estranged from fora while, called me after she saw
your movie and say, I think we should have a conversation and
that has been Yeah, and that really makes you feel like.
(12:03):
That's what I hope. I'll movies do.
That's how I hope that I would story will affect you in this
way and some youngsters, I love it.
The Young The Young Generation before you know, I they don't
really see me, they don't reallyknow me.
Right? Because you know if you think
about James Bond and Memoirs of a Geisha, Crouching Tiger, that
was like 20, something years ago, they were not even
(12:26):
conceived yet problem right now.But now Now they walk up.
They literally walk out to me there in like, in their late
teens or early 20s and they say,yeah, pretty cool.
Can we take a selfie with you? I'm Ian, they that totally rocks
my world or they just come up and they hold your hand and they
just look at you and you can seethat they're so emotion
(12:48):
emotional they can speak and they just want to, I'm sure
they're doing that right? They do that to you too.
Yes, I get that frequently. But isn't that beautiful?
It's nice. I'm hearing from a lot of
fathers who are telling me that they're now feeling more
comfortable, or at least it encouraged too many chances.
(13:10):
Yeah, with with their, their families, certainly, you know,
fathers and daughters in particular I'm hearing from.
I'm also hearing from people whoare, who are struggling with
obesity and they've become encouraged to seek a bariatric
procedure or make some sort of life-altering change in the way
they have to. Improve their health because
(13:30):
they have taken the story of thewhale.
Not exactly as a cautionary Tale.
But it is, it's really is an inspiration for them to feel
like, okay, I have to do something, you better do
something here, and this is a good time to start, because they
felt something as a result of seeing this film.
I think that happens when you genuinely touch them.
(13:52):
Yeah. You know, and they are
genuinely, they sort of take a step back, and that's what I've
found with our film is like a Ofpeople at taking a step back and
say, okay, I'm not going to judge, I shouldn't be judging,
right? I should just open my heart's
and we keep saying, we all have superpowers in us.
I was super power is kindness. You ain't love and compassion,
(14:15):
and if we can exercise that superpower more, our will be
will be such a better place. Charlie has a superpower to his
superpower, is to bring out the good in other people's when they
can't see that in themselves. Science is power.
That's one thing 11 line that you say in there something about
people can't stop caring and we shouldn't work incapable or
(14:39):
incapable of not caring. That's time.
People are incapable of not caring I was going to say
something to you about. Oh yes, the let's talk about
life, our favorite scenes and everything I wrote all at once.
Mine at first. Our is the is the moment when
you and Stephanie are leaving the laundromat and I can see.
So Much that she wants to tell her daughter that she's she's
(15:04):
perfect and I love you and everything's going to be all
right. But the only words that come out
or so fat, comment about yes. And just end in the line that
plays on the response that Stephanie makes, is just
shattering how she knows. You're better than that.
Mom, but you just can't be in this moment.
Oh no, I it's it hasn't changed it.
(15:27):
Just and then to go in that emotional journey to America.
End that by stories and is so gratifying.
Mmm, that's the Daniel's they just such.
They are there. They're Evil Geniuses now they
are thank God. They're not certified believe in
saying but they are so good. They were Relentless.
They never they never stopped, you're not being, original is
(15:49):
one thing trying to be original.We keep hearing that, you know,
you have to be original but actually fighting to be a
regional and keeping that originality is one of the Ches
ches because that's where 824 really helped us.
They didn't give them notes to say.
Yeah. What?
What's so, what was with the hotdog fingers?
You know, what is usual? Like, breathe down the
(16:10):
filmmakers. Yes, it make it more safer and
more easily, digestible for an audience.
You know, the typical Studio stuff that you see the big
studios. And it just feels like films of
become directed by committees from nameless panels.
Yes, is far away that have nothing to do.
Or a party from ensuring that they can curate a storyline that
(16:35):
is unoffensive or doesn't take an opinion or doesn't have you
know, a vision and write a 24, doesn't get in their way.
I love that top and Del Toro, Guillermo del Toro.
He's such an amazing generous director when he saw our movie.
The first thing he said, was he see this is the Brilliance of
(16:57):
the next generation of filmmakers and Is what we need,
but that's true because, you know, only when you're very
confident of who you are, you would never be afraid that the
young people are coming from theback.
Right. Right.
The next wave has to come. Do you I'm looking for them?
I'm like, where are there? That's how my people, you know.
There's some as you energy. Yes.
(17:18):
And you you need that? I mean, they have set up the
Daniels have set up their own film language.
Almost really? Yeah.
I mean, even the way they shot the movie, The Waves.
Yes. They They wrote the movie, they
had the courage to write this. It sounds like a very boring
simple. You know, about an Asian
immigrant family ho-hum like, nope.
(17:40):
For the longest of time. Everybody thought was so
interesting but they made it so interesting that you have, you
know, that this whole culture ofpeople are being seen for the
first time, that's the Trojan Horse that you put the audience
in and sneak them behind the walls and then surprise.
Yeah, I love it but that's what It's an audience.
That's what we want, right? We want to be constantly like
(18:03):
surprised or like oh deep thinking or not, or just be
entertained. That's the magic, something
unique and magical in the ordinary.
Yes, you know very ordinary family becomes so extraordinary
and can save the universe. Yes.
Yes. It's so inspiring on so many
levels. I think that's what I would.
(18:24):
Both of our movies have done is like it has been inspiring.
It's helping with A lot of healing process.
We've gone through such a bad time the last few years, you
know. Yes.
I know all the politics because we will never give up.
Right. No, I mean, we have a job.
(18:44):
Where we at least I'll speak formyself.
I still feel like they're payingme to do this.
You know, I mean I love my job. Like the dirty secret is.
We would do this, whether we were being paid or not quiet.
Tell anyone don't say that out loud.
And press the mute button on here.
Nobody's sure. I think you have to do this,
(19:05):
this job, with passion, real passion.
And, you know, when you get the script and you go like, oh my
God, this is such a jam, right? This is so good.
And then you go. Okay.
What are the filmmakers that thedirectors do that?
They have that kind of vision tobe the an amazing storytelling.
Can it be supported? I mean in just cracking think it
(19:26):
up. Doesn't mean you can do it.
I mean, normally. Yes, you can.
You can An in a way. But, is it done properly?
Is it? I supported?
Yes. And it has to be.
Yeah, he's kind of germs. Have to have that kind of total
collaboration from all the parts, you know, not just
getting the right access to do it, but behind the scenes, I
mean our crew. You have such a diverse
(19:47):
discipline of filmmaking, disciplines everything from
cinematography set, the height of the affect the right.
Shaming is just I the hair and makeup everything and everybody.
If more than one story, that when the Daniels told us, it was
really funny. Remember, the raccoon.
I'm having some on Harry. Shum show head.
(20:08):
Yes, animatronics, where the hell would we get money like
that, right? So they were envisioning.
Well, you know, it'll be like, the, the doll hanging, where you
whack it with me, maybe that andit would be like a little
puppet, a hand puppet, because we don't have that kind of
money, but, but our prop master.I wish I was special effects
people. They went out and they They
(20:29):
sought people out to say come onlet us have play with your
words. They were so good if you build
it they will come. Ratatouille is one of my
favorite movies of all time. I have three sons and when they
were growing up I would cook in the kitchen for them.
We watch radically you will. And also at the end of
Ratatouille when Anton ego turnsin his final restaurant review,
(20:54):
I've gone back and looked at that passage of dialogue many
times because it's To the creative process from the
standpoint of a Critic. And ego says, it's fun to write
mean things about people and, and to take credit for other
people's work. And then, of course for his but
he changes his heart, of course.And that's the point.
And I think there's some, there's a message there that
(21:17):
really speaks to us as filmmakers, also stick to what
your vision is, stay to your truth.
It's time to let the people cometo you instead of the other way
around. If your vision is bold enough
and your storytelling is good, they will come to you agree.
I agree. It's hard.
When so many things around you sometimes you know try and pull
you in different directions and make you wonder and feel like,
(21:40):
oh, maybe I'm not doing it right.
Yeah. This and fill you with
self-doubt and all know, but we were very lucky with the Daniels
with Jonathan Wong, our producer.
And then of course, with Jamie and James and key and Stephanie
we just and lock in our GP. We just huddle, you know, it was
like we are Everything bagel I, nobody's gonna come in between
(22:03):
us. It hasn't gone away.
I mean I've been on the road with you guys in a way for the
last three months and I feel like, I feel like your mascot.
Oh, wait a minute. I thought we were yours.
I want to be with the team, you know.
I'll be the water boy, our family, our CEO family.
(22:25):
It's just it's quite amazing. Would you guys had me backstage
too? To take a picture with you.
However, like Critics Choice Awards, right?
It's a highlight of my life, that was so sweet of everyone
was so sweet of you to come and join us.
Do know, he's we adored you for a long, long time, right.
So it's it was so natural and you should be part of the
(22:46):
family. I just I hope that will be
taking more pictures like that soon.
Yeah. I hope we get a chance to work
together again. How about that?
Let's just put it out there. I think the third mummy movie
was great for all kinds of reasons.
Since because, you know, you have a job and it's exciting and
it was its own movie part of a franchise and I know as a little
controversial because it was a different director and the
(23:07):
casting was a little bit different.
But for the film that we made, it was made in Montreal.
And yes. And in China in China yeah for
me to work on a film with Chinese crew and Chinese value
production values and everythingwas a dream.
Come true. Oh good.
I loved it. I'm so glad you enjoyed the
(23:28):
instant very Different atmosphere.
You know everybody is just like rushing in.
If you say get this thing done it's done.
It's time. I know.
It's like an anthill. Just goes to work on what
everybody goes the battle at theend of it I think now.
(23:51):
Oh my God that's yeah I heard that was like a military
facility, they used for trainingtanks or something.
So it's sand and big bro. There were big number - yes and
Rob had a camera somewhere and there was a background that
didn't work for the shot the Sunmoved.
I don't know what, but they wenton.
No, we can't move the camera andwe can't move the set.
(24:12):
What do we do? And so what did the crew do they
leave? The mountain will just shift
this and they brought sand in and they filled the mountain, he
created a mountain. And it happened so fast.
Yeah, and remember that big expensive said of the wall.
(24:36):
Obviously, it was gonna get rained on at one point and to
keep shooting. So they put the scaffold a,
that's in a bamboo. A plastic and turned into a
studio overnight. It was a credible.
I know they are so resourceful so creative, you know?
And it's about possibility, you know?
They say never say, no, no. Don't know how to say.
(24:57):
We say, why not? When it's like, when it's
amazing, know, we had such a good time, I hope that we get to
reconnect with Jet Li these dayshe's doing really well.
He's both his daughters like here in America studying.
So I had the pleasure of meetingup with him.
Well, actually his daughters wanted to meet up with me.
(25:17):
Haha, not kidding, but jet is wonderful.
Jet is Jed. Get is you know remember Jed
he's exactly the way here. Yes, the food is great.
The first time I met him was in Montreal and And I was in a car
with a driver and we I think I was going back to my apartment
but just by chance in traffic ahead of us was his car.
(25:38):
He had just come from the airport, he is just Landing to
come to the production and then the driver said oh that's
Arcaro. Jetson that car and we both cars
from figured it out. So we pulled over to just say
hello and I am so Jen and I met on the streets of Montreal for
the first time and when I got out to greet him and say hello,
I was on the sidewalk and I instinctively I Took a step down
(26:00):
into the street so that the curbwas a little bit higher than
here. So because I'm right, yes,
you're 6 foot 3, right? And he's about my like me taller
than me. I'm really sensitive.
You know, like to intimidating people like I want to keep my
head a little lower than theirs because you're not like towering
over here. Nice to meet you.
(26:22):
You know what he did. He stepped down into the street
at me. That's to there is yellow.
That's him, right? Yeah.
Is judged that he's such a. I love this guy.
Yeah he's well hopefully we can find something to do together
that would be that would be fun.Don't be so fun eating.
I loved working with his his flight crew because they had
everything working and their doubles and I remember there's a
(26:46):
there's one battle Jet and I areactually going to throw some
moves and I'm like what do I know it's and I've been working
with his double and I was prettygood at it.
I was okay. And then it came time for jet to
come in and his double just pretty much whispered in his ear
what to do, what to do, didn't know and Kind of like this that
this that just went and got it and he hadn't rehearsed it
before or anything and he was like, one move ahead of me the
(27:06):
whole time. Like, no, he pushed my elbow and
off campus is all because, you know, we're both just actors, we
both want to go to lunch, you know, if you just want to get
this now you get it on, get it done.
We can go get something cold to drink in it.
I remembered that we had to because we have a little bit of
a fight scene with the sword andall the other things.
(27:28):
So of course, The Rob. Had it arranged so that we would
have rehearsal time. Remember where we come from in
Hong Kong, or in China when we do an action sequence?
We don't really get rehearsal time, we get on the set in our
full costume and then someone will show us what are the moves.
We learn it and we should it right away.
(27:50):
Yeah. So we go to rehearsal room and
so both of us anyhow I think so we go through the motions 10:15.
Minutes later, we're like we're done, right?
Okay, let's go. So we left and then I think half
an hour later Rob and the crew came to see check on us to see
how we were doing. They're like, yeah, it's Jen and
(28:11):
Michelle. Where are they?
They said they learned it and then we just like up the left.
No, I think especially with jet,he is like world champion
mushroom. No, I'm for so many years.
And also with him is like If youknow your ABCs.
Yeah. Why do you have to learn them
(28:32):
again precisely? Yeah.
That's what he keeps saying. He's like that's not really that
I got it's just like if somebodyhanded some sheet music to like
a jazz player, there's my okay. Oh, no little, they know what to
do, they never seen it before. You know, it's amazing, but
you've got really badly hurt during your eye.
When I showed up for that movie,I already had some injuries in
(28:52):
my knees and in my back and I'vebeen dealing with her like years
but that's, you know, just an accumulation just All injuries
that compounded into other ones.So, while I was there, I was
pretty much just making. I mean, I was treating myself
like a gladiator, wrapping everything up and ice and all,
you know, everything, but I was never suffering, you know, but I
(29:13):
do know that suffering of when you need, you know, you feel it,
but you just keep going and, youknow, and I had to change my
thinking, I had to change my thinking after that little talk
with myself, like Brendan, how about you work?
Smart, instead of work hard, youknow that Actually, that is the
best advice. It's true.
I went through a period that waslike that.
(29:34):
It was like, you don't have to prove anything anymore.
You have to do it. Smart be smart about it, be safe
about it. Because yes, when you get
injured, nobody else can help you are stuck with an enduring.
You're no good to anyone that way, either.
But did you have knee surgery? I did.
Yeah, couple times. I had it, you know, ACL and
meniscus. No, no meniscus.
(29:56):
I had a partial ephemeral patella replacement.
Oh, You know what it works now and I'm out of pain, so I'm
that's the main thing. Yeah, that most important part
because the the tricky thing about pain that I've learned is,
is it's kind of like that smoke alarm.
You know what? A smoke alarm goes off and He is
wanting you but you tune it out.Your brain goes.
(30:16):
I don't want to hear that and the pain is like that smoke
alarm and you tune it out and that's not good because you're
walking around with it and only until, you know, you get the
switch. Throne to turn it off.
Then you go. Oh, that's so much better.
No, No wonder I was irascible orno wonder I was difficult to get
motivated to do something. It's because you forget that you
(30:37):
got some physical issues going on.
So it was good for me to take the time after that, to just do
everything you do with it. I mean, I'm great now and I'm
super careful. Also, like you say, they have to
be smart same, same for myself as well.
A couple of times, when I had really not good injuries, you
know, and caused by yourself, right?
(30:59):
Doing, you're doing a son and you're sometimes you don't think
smart, you think, oh, well, it looks kind of easy but its not,
you know, you have to be sensible about it.
And then the easiest sons are the ones that always lose the
ones that get you those, becausethat's the one that you're most
not careful about, right? Focusing on something else.
Exactly. And then it will sweep you off
your foot and you don't even know what happened.
(31:20):
Like the big stuff I've got across an exploding bridge on
the back of a really shy horse. With fuse, blowing up around me.
I could have been thrown I mean,all the things that could have
gone wrong did not because I wassuper prepared for, right?
Right. But then the simple stuff like
run in here and stop on the spot.
That's where you turn your ankle.
Like, I just did that, you know?Hmm.
(31:42):
Because you're not thinking about it thinking ice normal.
Yeah, I think when you have a serious injury, that's when you
have to reflect and start thinking, that's not the start
crew. Oh yeah.
Now I tend to be like, that's why the sun people are there
because I have at them. Because we are very good friends
with most most of them and they say we need a job.
(32:03):
You know, can you? You can't just take away our
jobs like, I'm not trying to do that anyway.
Nowadays, I'm very happy to sit back.
Please just go, you know what? You're going to be great in the
shot. Go get?
Yeah. Yeah, I when I was younger you
used to think oh, you know, it'sjust shameful, I mean, it's
supposed to be you, you're doingthat, right?
(32:25):
How can you pretend and let someone else do it and then
Pretend that it's you doesn't that?
Get back to this, trying to prove everything, exactly it
does. And if we don't feel like, I
have anything to prove. No, I think we've done what.
And we've shown, yes, the world what we can do and what we have
done. So now it's time to step back
and say, just focus on the face.Let's just do acting and let the
(32:49):
audience come to us and say, butyes, I love that statement.
Let them come to us. Yeah, and they will, when it is
it is what they want it when it touches them.
Moves them, you know, and this is something that they were,
they need to, to see. I think that's just so, so true.
We've had really eventful years,haven't we?
(33:10):
For the last two years, three years, the last few years, I
mean, because also, for my group, my community of people,
you know, breaking that glass ceiling of allow us, the
opportunity to be seen more, butto be seen.
We need stories that talk about us and give us rolls too.
To play in and not just say, take the box.
(33:32):
Okay, we have the minorities here, one more.
Okay. Yeah.
And you know, that happens so much and I'm glad that it's
turning around. Oh, yes.
And that this movie is proving that it's the way it should be,
and it can succeed, right? But by allowing those, those
people to be seen and heard and represented.
(33:53):
It's right. It's so refreshing and so
necessary, what we do is holdinga mirror to our South And to our
society and the world. And if we want to be Global, we
have to see all these different cultures, different races,
different color, whatever it is.But I do hope that we get to a
stage where we are caused not byour race or culture or whatever
(34:15):
we are cast because we could do your Humanity.
Yes, it's going there. Slowly is like Wicked.
The role that I play was has always been played by a
Caucasian lady Jon Chu as when know why does it It have to be
that, right? Doesn't need it.
No, no. I think expanding all of those
opportunities are just a boon for possibilities for filmmakers
(34:38):
now. It's not restrictive, right?
It shouldn't be restrictive, andthat's what we do.
Best is to break down barriers, you know, clear the space, make
more space, you know, take more in that's when it becomes
exciting and original and different.
What do I know, right? I just work here.
What are you working on next? Are you just Very focused on
(35:00):
these. Are you, we don't have a job at
the moment, which is okay, because I feel like I've had a
full-time one. In all of this award season
stuff, which is hasn't finished.It's not me.
It's not over yet. It's a moment right now to sort
of pause and feel, like, okay, we made it to the Finish Line.
It is tough. I'm this is the first time I'm
doing its job. It's scary, it's terrifying
(35:23):
every day you go in and you go like I don't know what to do.
I don't know what to say. I don't know.
I don't understand what's going on.
I'm This whole process is a it'sa different process of when you
made the movie because when we made the film we did not start
making the movie. Thinking this is what we are
going to go through. This is right right?
This is the end product of it. I mean it's the ultimate dream
(35:43):
for any filmmaker that at the movie, be validated the actors.
You know the cast and crew everyone is going to be like up
there for to be cheered on by the world, to get the flowers
and the hope it is. And, you know, I was just such a
weird and wacky, wonderful movie, A lot of people with and
(36:03):
that's not really, that kind of film, right?
I beg to differ. No, no, I disagree, it is.
No, you gave the people what they wanted, that's what it was
that film was the popular choice.
The whale is more of an audiencefilm than it is a critics film,
is sort of 50/50 is a critics film, go.
(36:24):
Really? But yeah, you can look at
percentages and all this stuff but I think what it comes down
to is it's an audience. You know, that's what if it
speaks to the people, it doesn'tspeak to the The Brainiac people
who are the whose job it is to write and criticize.
You know to be Anton ego in Ratatouille, know it speaks to
the people who are seeing the film you know it speaks to
(36:46):
people who are eating Ratatouille's food, that's who
it is. But also, as a Critic, they do
have a responsibility. They had like kill a movie
before he even gets a chance to live a lie.
Yeah, there's that. It's Times, you can be so
brutal. It's like just give us
sometimes, it's heavy handed, I know, but that's, that's
sometimes. But sometimes there's films that
(37:07):
get found years later, they get a Resurgence or because, you
know, Nostalgia, I think also sometimes it's because it's what
we say before its time. Yes, you know, break maybe the
audience are not ready for that,kind of film, it's a little
prescient and then later on It. Go like, oh, that actually, that
makes some sense right now and we should revisit it and go
(37:28):
like, wow, that Actually was a pretty good movie.
Why didn't we see that before the thing about everything are
all at once is, it's not in time, it's a Timeless film.
Yeah, it will make it would've been relevant 18 years ago.
It would have been 18 years fromnow, you know, it would have
been and I think that would be yeah.
Like, that's the Daniels, that'sthe beauty about the Daniel's,
you know, they said, what have we got to lose?
(37:49):
We're just going to put in everything that people's tell us
what we can't do, you know what what that won't work.
And that's the I love the Daniels because, you know, Two
people work together and you're afraid ego gets in the way,
right? And when I first met them
because I had to say, you know, when you meet the film maker
(38:09):
which is the most important thing, what is paper is still on
paper, do they have the vision? Do they do?
They have the passion and I findthat sometimes, especially when
you are young filmmakers when it's your first or second movie,
you are like you put your heart and soul and everything into it.
And it's it's not that the greatMasters don't.
Do the same thing but they are so Laden with expectations of
(38:33):
how they should tell their storyand then we as the audience go
like, oh, that's disappointing. Why did he do that?
You know, because you expect a certain thing from them but with
the Daniels is like they are weird their wacky because you
know and my people will say it'sa bit of a risk, you know.
Because it's kind of out there that does important because they
take the risks. Yes.
They go towards the danger, you know.
(38:54):
That's where you get something good.
I mean you should take original in art in Art not life.
I think. Well you're gonna find that some
growth will occur if I do something that's, you know, out
of your comfort zone. But that's an actor, you have to
do that because you want to be challenged the whole time,
right? And want to be learning evolving
(39:15):
and be doing something different.
Something, you know that it's going to put, like, you said out
of your comfort zone, sort of dangle you out the window, which
is safe in the movie but not in real life, exactly.
Yes, it went. When I met with them, it was the
as how they work together. That was the most impressive
(39:35):
when they speak about their movies like her.
The only thing, I remember saying to them, giving them a
hard time with like, you cannot call Evelyn the character
Michelle Wang. No.
But then they don't, they're like, but no.
No, we wrote it with you in mind, I know.
No. But this is, I'm not a
laundromat on. I know nothing about that, kind
(39:56):
of thing, and also she's that. No, every woman that needs the
voice, you know, she has. She deserves to be seen and hers
that family as a whole needs us to tell their story.
But like for themselves, not with me sticking my face in
there and my name in there whichdoesn't work because as an
(40:16):
audience you'll be so distracted.
Is that Michelle? Oh God.
What is like my mom but she cannot differentiate between
when I'm acting. I mean movie you say, why do you
look so old? Why can't you just Look like,
you know the one you look up. Oh my God.
(40:37):
She's like the Evelyn Wong with her daughter.
The first, if I don't see her for months.
The first thing, she'll say to me.
Why don't you cut your hair? Yeah, you're so you're so dark.
I'm like I love you too. Mom.
Haven't seen you for you know it's great.
This Chinese mom's its cultural right.
I mean yeah everybody has the same mother like everyone can
(40:58):
identify it so yeah. Totally, you know, they always
tell you what is wrong and I think that's where the commune
communication gap that generational Gap that they young
people keep talking about is like, you always put me down,
you always tell me that I'm not good enough, you know?
Yeah, you're not there. You're not that you should get a
(41:18):
haircut, you should lose weight,you should do this, but they the
thought is from love and care isso that you will be better.
So that you will improve, right?Not that to say that.
That you are not enough. In fact, what I love about the N
sequences what. She says Evelyn is telling the
daughter is like no matter what you are you will always be
enough for me and I think that was the most beautiful message
(41:42):
that it was. It was absolutely gorgeous.
Oh no, whatever it was thank you.
So is yours. I have to tell you really
quickly and I think we might be short on time here, but I want
to make sure that I acknowledge that key and I have worked
together before. No, no.
Yes. I know.
It's such a privilege to see himagain.
I know it's you know it's thank God he never lost his love for
(42:06):
filmmaking. So he went and did you know
amazing things back in Asia in Hong Kong behind the camera,
that is so nice and so gratifying that he's able to pop
up again because he's so good atwhat he does.
We have been so blessed with this.
This whole cast he is the same as I remember him from, you
know, 30 years ago, I filled with that, huh?
(42:29):
High voice. Yes perennial buoyant
enthusiasm. And he's always thinking about
other people. No way he puts everyone else
first. Yeah.
See we had such a generous cast.Key did that?
Jamie Jamie Lee does that all the time?
We were just like basking in love time even though it was so
(42:50):
intense, the shooting. It was fun, right?
Yeah. You would not imagine that.
It could have been fun, but no. Yours cannot have been fun.
Yours was so Heart-wrenching. Oh my God.
Hmm, I did have moments of fun and I was usually in the makeup
chair. I would watch YouTube videos of
Street cooking in Hong, Kong in Korea.
(43:12):
I love Street cooking videos, you know, all this bizarre
unique foods that have you watch.
Have you worked feet? Phil comfy drill.
Yes, that's why I and I flesh what I do that as well, you
know, when everything is so beautiful and out there and
eating local fear Yeah, I'm sorry.
I'm at home and I have a little dog in my lap.
(43:32):
You maybe did someone just know he's like I need some attention.
Sorry for means there's somebodyat the door, okay.
It was so nice to talk to you. I wish I wish we had more
(43:54):
opportunity before. It's an open in touch.
Yes. Now that I'm not going to say
Goodbye. Miss A Farewell.
That means I know that was soon.I will see you soon.
I send my love. Thank you.
Thank kiss. Thanks for listening.
(44:14):
The 824 podcast is produced by us a 24 special.
Thanks to our editor Tom Wyatt and robot repair who composed
our theme
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