ZY: Yes, without a doubt. I'm happy that Asian directors are increasing in notoriety.

THC: How do you feel about the fact that many of the most popular Asian films here are martial arts related--Chow Yun-Fat or Jackie Chan? Is therea need for more artistic endeavors?

ZY: They are indeed a part of the Chinese film history and repertoire. But they alone are insufficient, more variety is called for. The existence of those films adds to the color of the overall Chinese film industry. But it's more important to have films that focus on the day-to-day lives of the modern Chinese people.

THC: Mr. Jia, could you maybe tell us more about your film series at the Harvard Film Archive?

Translator: The goal is to expose the American audience to the quality works by Chinese directors and foreign directors in general, which is the goal of the Harvard Film Archive. Because of the prevalence of Hollywood, foreign directors like Zhang Yuan are not as widely known here as they are in Europe.

THC: What has your impression been of Harvard so far?

ZY: Well this morning, I walked around for 20 minutes. It's been ten years since I have graduated from college. I came upon a car accident, a minor one. I'm surprised how seriously they react here--there were five police cars and a fire engine.

THC: That wouldn't happen in China?

ZY: No, probably not.