the character’s “chi”: her
personal power, her energy
force. “Xianniang is a very
salient example of what it
means to be a tremendously
powerful woman,” says Caro,
smiling defi antly. “It speaks to
how powerful we can become.”BRINGING
IT HOME
SUCH FEMALE POWER is
the essence of Mulan, and
everything comes back to Caro.
New Zealand women are
“imbued into the fi lm”, she says,
discussing how New Zealand
was the fi rst place in the world
where women had the vote,
and that women had arrived in
the then “incredibly hostile”
country on ships, “got their
hands dirty and had to be strong.
So that’s really deeply embedded
into the culture of New Zealand
women. And I know that I’m very representative
of this movie, as a woman leading a man’s army.
Which is what Mulan does.”
As much as she could, Caro populated the
crew with women. “I think this is the only fi lm
of this scale where the set has been run by three
women. Director, director of photography and
fi rst assistant director — all female. And of
course it all ran very well, because there were
women running everything,” she laughs. But this
is serious. When Empire asks how personal the
fi lm is for her, the 53-year-old takes a moment,
exhales deeply and thinks back.
“Look. When I, as a teenager, started to think
about making fi lms, I didn’t know how I was going
to do it. Because there was no precedent for
a woman to do it. None. I had thoughts of, ‘Will
I have to disguise myself in order to do this job?
Because they’re never gonna let me make movies
if I’m a girl.’ So, now, to be telling this story? To be
literally showing all of my strength, as a director
and as a woman? And to be leading a man’s army?
Because, despite all of my valiant attempts to
have as much parity as possible — and we had
a shitload — a fi lm set still is a man’s army, and
I was very comfortable leading it. So that connects
me really, really strongly to the character.”
The result of all that toil, she hopes, is
a very intimate epic. And not a sassy dragon
in sight.Left, top to bottom: Mulan and
Xianniang cross sword/talons; Far
from the animation, Caro’s aim is
to make her fi lm as real as possible,
including an authentic depiction of
battle; Conversely, the community
enjoy more peaceful pursuits.never stopped, never faulted. I knew at the end
of that day that I’d found my warrior.”
In the mountains, Liu practically fl oats over
to meet Empire — she has an imbedded elegance,
despite the freezing temperature and the physical
work she’s just been doing. “Mulan is about the
now,” she says of her character. “She follows her
feeling. And on the journey she fi nds out who she
really is.” Liu connected to her, she says. “Being an
actress helped me fi nd out not just who I am but
the possibilities and openness to many things. So
I used that as an expression for the character.”
Her fi nesse, though, is deceptive. “She set
the bar so high on set. She was so much tougher
than any of the boys surrounding her. They were
terrifi ed of her strength.” And that’s saying
something, considering this cast features Jason
Scott Lee, Jet Li and Donnie Yen. Li’s Emperor,
says Reed, comparing him to his animated
counterpart, brings it. “Jet Li is one of the
greatest wushu masters of all time. The Emperor
does not just sit on the throne and read scrolls in
our movie.” Discussing his performance, Caro
beams. “Jet himself has huge heart and palpable
soul, but he’s a warrior, okay? So you know at
some point in the movie he’s gonna get off the
throne and it’s gonna go down,” she laughs.
Rounding out the key cast is Gong Li, who
plays Xianniang, a witch. Caro is tight-lipped on
what sort of magic we might see, but talks aboutEMPEROR PUYI
THE LAST EMPEROR (1987)
Stolen from his parents, Puyi becomes
the last Emperor of China at the grand
old age of two. Ruling his dominion
like an all-powerful Richie Rich, he
rises to the challenge and becomes
something of a Jack the lad, although
the fi lm downplays that, and that’s
how we’re judging this, so: good boy.
EMPEROR MARCUS AURELIUS
GLADIATOR (2000)
He may have conquered lands and
spilt blood, but the beloved ruler of
the Roman Empire believes in wisdom,
justice, fortitude and temperance.
None of which are much cop against
his murderous son, who strangles him
after learning he won’t get the throne.EMPEROR ZURG
TOY STORY 2 (1999)
Or, to give him his full title, Evil
Emperor Zurg. Buzz Lightyear’s
arch-enemy has enormously long
teeth and enough power to destroy
a planet. In reality, though, he’s hardly
going to pulverise you with his Nerf
gun, and has a soft spot for his kid.EMPEROR MING
FLASH GORDON (1980)
Ming The Merciless wins evil points
for his beard alone, but there’s more
to him than natty facial hair. Intending
to obliterate Earth merely because he
has nothing better to do, the theatrical
megalomaniac has immense power
and is possibly immortal.
EMPEROR PALPATINE
STAR WARS (1977-2019)
Having insidiously (yes) hustled his
way to the top, Emperor Palpatine
revels in ruthless destruction, cackling
all the way. Even his granddaughter
faces the chop. Beyond redemption,
ol’ lightning fi ngers is bigger than
death. Hate makes him horny.