British actor savors roles in Chinese dramas

His recent filmography is impressive: Palin is a crusader who escapes to China in the Sino-American coproduction Outcast that will premiere in January. The film also stars Hollywood actor Nicolas Cage. Palin will also be appearing in the upcoming all-star historical epic The Cross, which premieres in December.

"I've been fortunate enough to work with some A-list Hollywood stars and also some of the top stars in China. It's also an opportunity to watch how these major stars perform and pick up some tips," he says.

"It has also given me a certain amount of confidence, so that I can move on to play bigger roles in such productions."

Palin may be eager to play leading roles in major Chinese films but he hopes he will not be stereotyped.

"I've acted in many historical dramas, but I want to expand my range," he says.

He will try to do so by taking on roles in low-budget cult films. One advantage he has is that he has his own financing company, which can invest in such films.

Among the most familiar foreign faces in Chinese cinema are Japanese actor Koji Yano, who often plays Japanese soldiers in World War II-related TV series, and the Chinese-American comedian Mike Sui. Apart from these Asian faces, it has been uncommon to see a foreigner play a leading role in Chinese blockbusters since Paul Kersey, the US actor known for his war dramas Grief Over the Yellow and Hong He Gu (Red River Valley) in the 1990s, even though Westerners have been quite active in Chinese entertainment shows and the music industry.

Nevertheless, Palin says he will stay focused on Chinese cinema and try to make a difference.

"One reason why there are not that many multicultural stories may be because most Chinese screenwriters have been locally nurtured," Palin says. He notes that he has written scripts for psychological thrillers from a cross-cultural perspective.

"Sino-foreign coproductions are increasing and more major Hollywood pictures are now being shot in China," he says. "Our opportunities to be cast in such films are good."

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