Quotes by Donnie Yen

About Donnie Yen:

Donnie Yen is a Hong Kong actor, martial artist, film director and producer, action choreographer, and multiple-time world wushu tournament champion.
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Martial art is a form of expression, an expression from your inner self to your hands and legs.

Donnie Yen

I always tell younger filmmakers, it's not just about the acting or the art itself. It's about how big of an audience watches your film.

Donnie Yen

In Hong Kong, particularly, we craft this art for decades. The action choreographer actually is the action director. He takes over and he choreographs with - by himself or with his team, and place the camera where he feels cinematic effect to bring o...

Donnie Yen

Whether I'm acting or making it, at the end of the day it's telling the story; action, drama. You want the audience to feel it - the story, the action, the scene, or a particular shot. I just keep working on crafting my art, on how to make action mov...

Donnie Yen

I just like to choose projects that will allow me as an artist to make my art.

Donnie Yen

I got nominated for my second film as best young director in the Aikido Film Festival in Japan.

Donnie Yen

From my experience as an actor, choreographer, action director, and producer, I understand the elements and the dynamics of being a film maker.

Donnie Yen

Like any other actor, I draw on life experience.

Donnie Yen

It takes years of building that experience as a filmmaker, as well as physically. You have to have a high level understanding of martial arts.

Donnie Yen

I love working with older actors because number one, I can learn so much from them because they have so much experience. And it's fun to hear their stories from their era, some of the jokes.

Donnie Yen

I always used to wonder why American actors were getting fat, then I made a U.S. movie. I'm seeing all the food every day, and there's lots of waiting around because making an American movie is very slow.

Donnie Yen

Many friends of mine told me that normally only guys like a kung fu movie and the girls would be turned off - they want to see a love story. But Ip Man is a family man, so the women see this and go: 'I want my husband to be like this man. He'll be a ...

Donnie Yen

There's a lot of thinking when you choreograph something. You're not just choreographing some bodies, arms, legs flying around to look cool. It's a lot more complicated and sophisticated. You also have to deal with the connection of the whole film, s...

Donnie Yen

I certainly hope 'Dragon' can leave some legacy behind.

Donnie Yen

A lot of Chinese martial arts films were based on Chinese martial arts novels. And these novels created a world of putting history, calligraphy, and martial arts into one.

Donnie Yen

I have always been a great fan of Peter Chan and many other great directors who specialize in anything outside of action.

Donnie Yen

My mum lives in Boston; she's famous for teaching wushu and t'ai chi. So from when I was young, my mum and aunt were like: 'You're training; you're not playing baseball or football.' Training every day was normal. Later, when I was almost a teenager,...

Donnie Yen

Better to be called something positive and inspirational than something negative.

Donnie Yen

I think action movies bring more excitement than tears, but I always want to take it to another level. I mean, I think if one appreciates anything in life to a certain degree, it could possibly bring tears to your eyes.

Donnie Yen

I act according to the requirements of the character, and if I try to play the role, then I play it truthfully. In my daily life, I'm a laid-back, peaceful guy. I'm just doing my job to act.

Donnie Yen

Author Bio

  • NameDonnie Yen
  • DescriptionHong Kong actor
  • AliasesZhen Zidan
  • BornJuly 27, 1963
  • CountryPeople's Republic Of China
  • ProfessionActor; Film Producer; Film Director; Choreographer; Judoka