On November 1, the film "Old Gun" officially premiered. Previously, the film won the "Best Artistic Contribution Award" in the main competition section of the 36th Tokyo International Film Festival last November and was nominated as an excellent domestic film at the 31st University Student Film Festival in May this year, with lead actor Zu Feng winning the title of "Most Popular Male Actor among College Students."

Poster of the film "Old Gun"

"Old Gun" is the first feature film directed independently by Gao Peng. When discussing the film, Peking University professor Dai Jinhua candidly remarked, "The gunfight scenes break the paradigms of Hollywood and Hong Kong films, bringing a completely different visual rhythm and tension, resulting in a fresh audiovisual structure. The final gunfight is beautifully executed—exhilarating and satisfying."

In the film, Zu Feng plays Gu Xuebing, a man who feels out of sync with his era and alienated from society. Faced with various chaotic situations in the factory, he chooses to remain silent for the sake of personal connections. When it comes to his love for Xiao Jin (played by Qin Hailu), he is shy and never breaks through the barrier of unspoken feelings. Only at the climax, confronted with betrayal from a friend and a robbery by vicious forces, does he awaken an inner fury, pulling the trigger for the final shot, striking true.

Director Gao Peng expressed in a previous interview that the role was tailor-made for Zu Feng, saying, "From the moment he shot his first scene, Gu Xuebing came to life. He is like the soul of the crew. The title of leading actor means leading in every way—not just through performance but also through charisma and professionalism."

It seems to resonate with the film's themes; "Old Gun," releasing when Zu Feng turns 50, reflects a mutual connection with the lead character's inner world. As Gu Xuebing poignantly states, "When you fire your best shot at your peak, everything else fades into silence." Those who know Zu Feng understand that he is a man of few words, preferring his performance to speak for itself, always remaining behind his character, choosing his words carefully.

Recently, in an exclusive interview with The Paper in Beijing, Zu Feng shared that whether portraying Li Ya in "Latent" years ago or now playing Gu Xuebing, certain traits of these characters resonate closely with his own personality.

Actor Zu Feng

"The persistence in distinguishing right from wrong still resides in my heart; however, with age, some edges may become smoother and more rounded, but I don't see this as a compromise—perhaps we have become more tolerant. We begin to realize that the world isn't strictly black and white, with many shades in between. Perhaps behind each mistake lies layers of untold struggles, contributing to this complex world. Similarly, in the realm of cinematic art, diverse voices and perspectives are essential. 'Old Gun' is a unique film, and I believe it will find its audience," Zu Feng stated.

[Conversation]

"Every man still has a young self within"

The Paper: It's well-known that you enjoy calligraphy in your daily life; I heard the film's title "Old Gun" is your work. Could you share the mindset and calligraphy style when you inscribed the title?

Zu Feng: When I was chatting with Director Gao Peng, he suggested that I write the title. I agreed at the time. One day, when I was free at home, I took out a large piece of paper and wrote several sheets. The ink dried quickly, so I would toss finished sheets onto the floor to dry. At that moment, my mischievous eight-year-old Garfield cat jumped on the papers and rolled around. I took a snapshot and sent it to Gao Peng, who ended up choosing the same one my cat had chosen, which became the film's title.

The title "Old Gun" written by Zu Feng

As for the font, my rendering of "Old Gun" can be considered a semi-cursive script within the regular script category, with its size quite large, and the brush felt a bit dry while writing, adding a dry brush effect. The characters appear somewhat clumsy and awkward, perhaps mirroring my character Gu Xuebing in the film, who isn't the most adept in real life.

The Paper: When I think of "Old Gun," the first film that comes to mind is the World War II movie starring Romy Schneider. That film was introduced to our country by the Shanghai Film Studio in the late '80s and early '90s, and I trust you've seen it as well. In a way, Gu Xuebing bears some similarities to Doctor Julien from that film.

Zu Feng: Indeed, the French film "Old Gun" was quite famous back then; I've watched it many times on television. I heard that the village where it was filmed is now a tourist spot. The character Doctor Julien, played by Philippe Noiret, avenges his wife and daughter by taking out the invading Nazi soldiers. He featured in numerous films, including as the projectionist grandpa in "Cinema Paradiso."

When Gao Peng handed me the script, I immediately thought of the film's title, "Old Gun," and the associations came naturally. Doctor Julien also seems refined and elegant, not particularly brawny, similar to Gu Xuebing, who only retaliates when pushed to his limits.

Zu Feng as Gu Xuebing

The Paper: In "Old Gun," there are four screenwriters involved in crafting the script. What resonated with you the most after reading it?

Zu Feng: When Gao Peng gave me the script, he expressed his hope for me to play Gu Xuebing. After reading it, I felt it told a story not just about adults but fundamentally about a man's growth journey.

Gu Xuebing is a late-blooming individual. Having lived and trained in a closed shooting team, his experience has left him feeling out of place in society. His growth is characterized by repeated confrontations with harsh realities, even suffering severe setbacks, yet he retains a persistence that refuses to go with the flow or be confined by his environment. This quality charm resonates with me greatly.

In truth, we all carry a primal force within us; however, due to external pressures or the instinct to seek comfort, we tend to conceal this energy as we grow.

The Paper: You're turning 50 this year, often referred to as the "age of discernment." Could it be that taking on the role of Gu Xuebing also reflects your own emotional trajectory?

Zu Feng: I don't have much insight into women, but I believe every man carries within him a youthful spirit. There's a saying online—"A man remains a boy until death." The vibrant desire to change the world may still linger in the heart, and the persistent struggle for clarity in right and wrong remains, though with age, some sharp edges may be worn away. I don't consider this simply as compromise; perhaps we've become more forgiving. We begin to recognize that the world is not purely black and white, filled with myriad shades, and perhaps behind each wrongdoing lies a complex backstory, shaping this intricate world.

The Paper: When did the filming of "Old Gun" commence?

Zu Feng: "Old Gun" started filming in 2022 and lasted for over five months, interrupted for more than two months due to unforeseen circumstances. I find that Gu Xuebing shares many similarities with the character I played, Li Ya, in "Latent." They both exist on a sinking ship surrounded by a society driven to survive amidst chaos.

Director Gao Peng (left) with lead actor Zu Feng on set

That old gun: "Give me the blueprint, and I can make it."

The Paper: "Old Gun" is set in a northeast Chinese factory from the 1980s. As a lead actor who grew up during this vibrant era and studied at the prestigious Jinling High School, surely this background influenced your worldview and societal observations. What suggestions did you offer for the film’s period authenticity?

Zu Feng: Director Gao Peng was born in 1984, and since I am a bit older, he, along with the art department, did extensive work prior to filming. I joined the workforce in 1992 and worked in a state-owned factory, returning to study at the Beijing Film Academy in 1996. Thus, I'm quite familiar with factory life from that era. State-owned enterprises were like mini-cities, featuring employee canteens, hospitals, kindergartens, and even post offices—all part of what was known as "enterprise social welfare." In a big factory like the one Gu Xuebing works in with eight thousand employees, the scale is astonishing. "Old Gun" was filmed at a special metal factory in the northeast, which had recently been designated for relocation and lent us the space; it is now presumably abandoned.

The Paper: After watching "Old Gun," what aspects of its period depiction left a lasting impression on you?

Zu Feng: Because we filmed on location, the existing structures provided an authentic texture from the era, contributing significantly to the production's success. Of course, the art department considerably adjusted certain settings—for instance, how the factory accommodations for the lead characters were laid out and what props were added inside. The office of the security department and the armory were also extensively modified. Professionals perform essential tasks; even a desk in the office needs to reflect a sense of time and be arranged to facilitate filming.

In terms of period details, this film is filled with them. For example, Xiao Jin (played by Qin Hailu) rides a flatbed cart to discard old clothes. In the '80s when I was a child, this was commonplace, as there weren't many trendy clothing styles, nor were there proper channels for clothing imports. This concept differs from today’s vintage shops—this was a time when the barriers began to drop, and societal views began to shift, though the market was still limited.

Stills from "Old Gun"

The Paper: Before filming, you likely interacted with the security staff at this special metal factory; what details did you learn from them about effectively portraying a security officer?

Zu Feng: During that era, security personnel in large factories were akin to police officers, especially in state-owned enterprises, where before the enactment of the Gun Control Law in 1996, they were allowed to carry firearms and were responsible for maintaining order within the factory, addressing internal security incidents. Those I interacted with resembled characters like Lao Tian (played by Shao Bing) and Gangzi (played by Zhu Haiyu), many of whom were burly, retired soldiers. In contrast, Gu Xuebing, as a shooting athlete, isn’t muscular; he portrays a more intellectual demeanor.

I had previously acted in police dramas, and by engaging with detectives, I noted how as enforcers they often confront sinister criminals, sometimes even going undercover, necessitating a rugged exterior to maintain authority over offenders. Lao Tian embodies this aura, while Gu Xuebing’s character exudes more elegance.

Shao Bing as Lao Tian

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