StudioLA's Jim Ferguson interviews Ming-Na Wen Star of Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within

Ming-Na talks about the sci-fi CGI flick Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within

Jim: Ming-Na, nice to see you.

Ming-Na: Nice to see you.

Jim: Congratulations, what a great job [your voice job] on this movie, Final Fantasy . And we did this for Mulan a long time ago.

Ming-Na: Yes we did.

Jim: And youre even more beautiful now.

Ming-Na: Oh, well thank you [laughter]. I would like to think that my baby had something to contribute to that. She makes me really happy.

Jim: Congratulations that too as well. Do you think that this film, Final Fantasy , is a somewhat of a new and provocative look at the science-fiction genre? I do.

Ming-Na: I do. I mean, when I first came on board three years ago, I knew that they were trying to climb this mountain that no one has climbed before. You know, to create CGI where skin and human beings look real, rather than kind of waxy and that theres a 3-dimensionality to the images; and they have achieved it beyond my expectations.

Jim: The technology is unbelievable.

Ming-Na: Mind-boggling.

Jim: Yeah, I mean wed need an hour to talk about or longer, what they did in this movie. Youre much more beautiful than your characterAki [pronounces the name incorrectly], is that the name?

Ming-Na: [corrects Jim] Aki.

Jim: Aki Ross.

Ming-Na: Aki Ross.

Jim: Dr. Aki Ross.

Ming-Na: Uh huh.

Jim: Who I felt was totally dedicated in her beliefs and philosophies.

Ming-Na: Absolutely. You know, she is a woman of conviction: she is confident and self-assured, and fearlessreally, in pursuing what she believes will help save the Earth. Just a you know, just a little, a personality.

Jim: But fearless in one area: to fall in love. A little bit afraid.

Ming-Na: Yes, personal stuff very very very very afraid. You know, shes sort of in denial in that respect, but when it comes to something where she has to risk her own life, shes not concerned about that. On the other hand, Im a romantic, I dont mind to fall in love. But put me in a room with a monster and Ill be peeing in my pants [laughter].

Jim: You know, I love this idea of the philosophical versus the scientific and, working together.

Ming-Na: Yes, yes. Well you know its interesting because Sakaguchi-san is the creator of this project.

Jim: From Tokyo.

Ming-Na: From TokyoLegend of animation. He has created what seems like a Western genre of action films you know, a lot of big guns and huge explosions and then incorporated the Eastern philosophies of what he terms, the term is the Gaia, which is the energy of the Earth and how were connected to it, were all connected: plants, animals, beings, and we

Jim: So theres a little bit of John Woo

Ming-Na: Yeah. Yeah, exactly mixed in with a little bit of, you know, Hinduistic, Buddhistic, Zenistic tendencies [laughter].

Jim: Its a wonderful story.

Ming-Na: It really is.

Jim: Youre voice is just beautiful in this. And in my last minute, could you do me a little favor?

Ming-Na: Yes, sure.

Jim: Could you tell the people at AsianConnections.com hello and to see the movie.

Ming-Na: Oh, absolutely.

Jim: And maybe do one for StudioLA.com.

Ming-Na: Ok.

Jim: Ok.

Ming-Na: Hello AsianConnections.com, I am Ming-Na and Im here talking about Aki Ross and the film, Final Fantasy coming to the theatres in July. And what, StudioLa?

Jim: StudioLA.com

Ming-Na: Hi StudioLA.com, Im Ming-Na and Im here to talk about Final Fantasy , and I play Aki Ross. Hope you well!

Jim: Thank you so much Ming-Na.

Ming-Na: Ok, and thank you.

Jim: And dont miss Final Fantasy .

Ming-Na: Yeah, thanks.

StudioLA and AsianConnections would like to thank Ming-Na Wen for making this interview possible and AC team member Dexter Lee.