The UFC champion from China, Zhang Weili, remarked on her recent entry into the realm of art-house cinema, calling it a ‘fascinating journey’. She made comparisons between the sphere of martial arts and acting, indicating that they share more similarities than what meets the eye initially. Zhang is seen in a new avatar in After Typhoon, an independent feminist movie, portraying the character of a mute fisherwoman. The movie delves into topics like friendship and sexual assault.
As the foremost UFC champion from China and the reigning strawweight champion, Zhang’s decision to act in a movie comes as a surprise to many. The fighter, known for her swift victories, including one where she secured her UFC title by defeating her opponent in a mere 42 seconds, sees this new endeavour not as a career shift but as a form of experimentation. She’s a firm believer that everything is interlinked in some way and draws parallels between her passions- martial arts and acting.
Zhang, 35, expressed her curiosity towards the art of acting, finding it to be an invigorating experience. Initially, she was hesitant about delving into films. However, she was drawn to the character of A Xi, a part which required her to act completely mute. Outfitting herself in A Xi’s shoes entailed her to communicate emotions solely through body language and eye contact.
Interestingly, her background in fighting seems to have provided a robust foundation for exploring non-verbal forms of communication. Her years in the octagon trained her to use physical cues effectively, which translated well into acting. This has helped her cultivate a diverse language of physicality for her portrayal of A Xi.
The premiere of the movie, initially planned for sometime in April, got pushed back for reasons undisclosed. Zhang hinted at a potential release sometime during the summer, although no official word has been released on this matter yet.
Despite juggling her time between preparing for a future UFC title defence and studying the film script, Zhang managed to learn valuable lessons from her acting stint, which she plans to carry back to her martial arts career. Recalling specific incidents from her time on set, she shared some insights into the art of patience which she learnt during those intense moments of filming.
During the filming process, the director often called for multiple retakes, asking the actors to re-stage the scene several times until it was perfect. This taught Zhang the virtue of patience. Looking back on these experiences, she chuckles as she recognises the parallels in her training regimen, where repeated sets often led to frustration.
Earlier, when her coach would ask for another round of exercise during her training sessions, she would be vexed. However, her stint in the acting world has helped her cultivate patience and adaptability. Now, even after a demanding five-round practice session, an additional command for ‘extra elbow and knee drills’ from her coach is met with a calm ‘Okay, sure!’ from Zhang.
In conclusion, Zhang Weili’s unexpected venture into acting, portraying a character in a feminist indie film has brought about a series of realisations and life lessons. The relationship between the practice of martial arts and the art of acting turned out to be much more interconnected than first assumed, offering her fresh perspectives and growth opportunities.
Zhang’s journey serves as a reminder that elements from various facets of life can overlap and connect in surprising ways, enriching our experiences. It reinforces the belief that embracing new opportunities and challenges, no matter how outlandish they seem, can indeed prove enlightening. This perspective traverses beyond the physical realm of a UFC fighter and an actor, offering lessons in personal growth, adaptability, and patience.
Such experiences enhance one’s repertoire of skills and perspectives, often producing surprising and constructive results. In Zhang’s case, her exploration into the world of acting fortified her physical communication abilities and taught her valuable lessons in patience—all of which she plans to feed back into her UFC career.
People who view the worlds of fighting and acting as disjointed sectors have a lesson to take from Zhang’s narrative. She has beautifully demonstrated how the two seemingly disparate worlds aren’t so separate after all, intertwining and borrowing principles from one another.
It’s a testament to Zhang’s flexible outlook towards life that she was able to grasp the similarities between these two realms. Her journey further reveals that every experience has a lesson to impart if only one chooses to be receptive.
The post UFC Champion Zhang Weili Ventures Into Arthouse Cinema appeared first on Real News Now.
About Author
