| Jackie Chan in Oxford! |
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| Features | |
| Friday, 30 May 2008 | |
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Jackie Chan has a fearless reputation
for incredible stunts. But when the superstar appeared at Oxford
University in aid of the University's Chinese earthquake relief fund,
he admitted that he's often far from fearless. "I couldn't sleep last night!
I was so scared. Why did I accept this invitation? Oxford's
no ordinary school. What can I teach you? I'm just here as me,
no speeches." The rapturous applause from the student
audience soon had Jackie at ease, chatting happily about his childhood,
his rise to stardom and the work of his many charitable foundations.
Stuntman, martial artist, film director and singer - there are many
sides to Jackie Chan. But it was his humanitarian activity
that had led to this invitation from the University's PPE Society
(Philosophy, Politics & Economics). So, amid conversation
about his remarkable career, Jackie showed video clips of his charitable
activities in China, Africa and across the world - healthcare, care
for the elderly, school-building. If you thought Chan was just
an action man - here was a more complex character. Un-schooled himself, it's no wonder
Jackie was nervous at appearing at the world's most famous university.
But, as the young, multi-cultural audience found, Jackie's life yields
lessons for us all. Amusingly recounting his austere early life
at the Peking Opera School, Jackie raced through his rise from stuntman
to star - and was honest about his early self: "all I cared
about was the number of zeros on the paycheck". But, one day, things changed. Reluctantly agreeing to visit a childrens' hospital, the cocky young Chan felt ashamed when the kids, receiving presents prepared by his managers, thanked him. "I'd done nothing, hadn't wanted to be there" Jackie learned how to give. And now his foundations around the world are branded with a slogan which is trite but true: lessons in love and mercy. Several of Chan's own school foundations were demolished during the recent earthquake in China. "I was filming a commercial against piracy in China when it happened. We kept getting messages about children being killed. I cried all the time." He visited whatever sites he could, mobilizing his own resources to support the organized relief efforts. It's here Chan's lifelong optimism
breaks through. "Out of this bad thing a good thing is
happening. I've never seen China so united." And he
appealed to the young audience - tomorrow's movers and shakers -
to do their bit. "I do what I can. And I just want to
say thank you to people around the world for supporting China at this
time". Jackie famously avoids politics - and
was probably relieved, even surprised, that no one asked him about it.
His heartfelt views were carefully expressed - even about the Olympics.
"Please support the Olympics. I love sport. And I was
so sad to see the torch being attacked. The torch is not China; the
Olympics is not China; the Olympics belongs to everyone; the torch is
love and peace. I was very sad to see people using violence against
it." But he wouldn't be drawn about his
views on the Dalai Lama - Oxford's next important visitor. What
would he like to discuss with the Dalai Lama? Chan's walls went
up: "Movies - that's all I know about. I don't know about
politics" Happily, his movies also got an airing.
No surprise to most Chinese people that Jackie hated Rush Hour,
his big break in the west: "Gorgeous and The Myth
did far bigger business in Hong Kong and China. Rush Hour
is all about language - I don't understand why it's funny". Jackie also talked of his long-time friendship
with Jet Li, with whom he stars and spars in the forthcoming, highly
anticipated American movie, The Forbidden Kingdom. "Jet
Li and myself have been like undercover lovers for years - wherever
we go, we pick up little gifts for each other!" smiled Chan. Speaking confidently in English, Jackie's
certainly conquered his fear of language. Slipping only occasionally
into Mandarin, Jackie comfortably handled every question. He may
be getting older but Jackie's still an icon for young people. This student audience - Chinese, German,
American, British - loved him. And not just for his action movies
but because Jackie Chan is a man who puts his ethics into action. See Jackie Chan's own website for some great pictures from the event: http://www.jackiechan.com/news |
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