Lee Kang-sheng to Reprise Role in Tsai Ming-liang’s ‘Walker’ Series
Taiwanese actor Lee Kang-sheng is confirmed to return to his beloved role in the upcoming installments of the acclaimed “Walker” series directed by Tsai Ming-liang. This marks another chapter in Lee’s longstanding partnership with the auteur, which commenced in 1989.
Collaboration with Tsai Ming-liang
Lee shared the news with Variety, expressing excitement about his ongoing work with Tsai. “Director Tsai is making two films in the Walker series soon. So I’ll be doing those,” Lee stated. His latest project, the surveillance thriller “Stranger Eyes,” has garnered attention, especially following its premiere at the Venice Film Festival, where he earned a nomination for Best Supporting Actor at the Asian Film Awards in Hong Kong.
Improvisation in Acting
Discussing his collaborative process with Tsai, Lee noted the unique creative freedom it allows. “There’s a lot of influence, because director Tsai isn’t a director who works with a full script. He often gives me a synopsis, so there’s a lot of room for improvisation,” he explained. Lee highlighted Tsai’s tendency to prolong takes, allowing actors to explore their roles more dynamically: “Director Tsai doesn’t like to yell ‘cut’ right away… I’m still acting. And once I finish what I have to do, I kind of have to figure out what to do next. It really gave me training for improvisation.”
This approach has shaped Lee’s method in other films, including “Stranger Eyes,” where he encouraged director Yeo Siew Hua to adopt a similar strategy. “I told him, ‘Don’t yell cut so quickly. Let me improvise a little.’ And being a fan of Tsai Ming-liang, Yeo agreed,” he recounted.
Shifting Career Goals
Known for his minimalist and naturalistic acting style, Lee remarked on his desire to diversify his roles. Primarily engaged in serious performances, he expressed interest in exploring different genres, stating, “I’d like to try out Wu Xia or action films, because you don’t see much of those in Taiwan, but they should have called me when I was younger. I also want to try out comedy, because actually I’m quite humorous. I think I want to bring some joy to audiences.”
Future Projects and Global Cinema
Apart from the two forthcoming films in the “Walker” series, Lee has a busy schedule. He recently completed work on “Fuxi: Joy in Four Chapters” directed by Qiu Jiongjiong, which is currently a work-in-progress selection at the Hong Kong — Asia Film Financing Forum (HAF). Additionally, he is reuniting with Wu Lang, director of his film “Absence.” Lee indicated that he is juggling multiple scripts, with several potential projects yet to be confirmed.
Reflecting on the evolution of Asian cinema, Lee noted, “I think it’s getting better. Korea, Singapore, Thailand, Taiwan – they’re all making excellent films.” He emphasized the critical role of international film festivals in enhancing visibility for Asian filmmakers, contributing to broader recognition within the global cinematic landscape.
About the “Walker” Series
The “Walker” series, which began in 2012, features Lee as a monk who traverses urban landscapes at a deliberately slow pace. This artistic choice creates a meditative commentary contrasting ancient spiritual practices with contemporary city life.