Fan Bingbing: The Fan Moment

It is a pure coincidence that Fan Bingbing’s first project as an actor was titled Powerful Woman. She may have played a minor role in it, but she certainly turned out to be a powerful woman in the Chinese film and television world.

The 36-year-old actor is known for her portrayal of strong women, with a special leaning towards science fiction and superhero films. Case in point, she played Blink in X-Men: Days of Future Past and had a cameo in Iron Man 3. Even her latest Hollywood venture, The Meg, is a science fiction film.

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Excerpts from an interview with the actor, singer and television producer as she poses pretty in Louis Vuitton Cruise 2018 collection with the French brand’s iconic Capucines bags.

How would you describe your style?

I think it is a bit difficult to define my style, as I prefer a balance between comfortable and striking.

What does fashion mean to you?

Fashion exists to help you explore your individual beauty, rather than following certain trends blindly. Every woman has unique senses and preferences. Anything pretty — dresses, shoes, bags, sunglasses, hats — fascinates me.

Did you always dream of becoming an actor?

Yes, ever since I was a child. People on television and movies intrigued me. I devoted myself to this amazing career and never looked back.

Which has been the best advice so far?

Someone once told me to be kind and to act with my heart.

Any role models?

Monica Bellucci.

You are also a part of Hollywood, having acted in X-Men: Days of Future Past, Iron Man 3, and The Moon and The Sun. How is the experience different from working in a Chinese film?

A lot! Difference in the way the films are produced, shoots are done. There are a few things that the Chinese filmmakers can draw from.

Have you ever thought of moving to Los Angeles?

Not really. It is one of my favourite cities though.

How important is it to protect independent voices in cinema, something that you have always stood up for?

It is the need of the hour. There are plenty of unforgettable films and excellent indie directors in China with great body of work. I support them and want them to pursue their dreams and passion for filmmaking.

What are your favourite films?

The Square by Ruben Östlund and The Beguiled by Sofia Coppola are my absolute favourites.

You have 3.3 million Instagram followers. How do you decide what to post?

I like sharing interesting moments from my life with my fans, mostly on Weibo and INS.

How do you let your hair down?

I am a home bird. I catch up on films, put on a face mask or play with my pets.

What are your upcoming projects?

I am shooting for my television series Win the World. The Meg is going to release in August this year.

Louis Vuitton is relatively synonymous with travel and as an international actor, travelling is a part of your life. Is this what excites you about the House?

I am always on a tight schedule, so my time spent on a plane feels like a vacation. The brand is like a close friend who never ceases to surprise me, and a constant travel companion.

What do you love the most about Louis Vuitton’s creative director Nicolas Ghesquière’s work? Any favourite outfits?

I feel, his designs exude feminine strength that truly reflect his idea of a woman. For years, Louis Vuitton has been associated with outstanding women such as Jennifer Connelly, Alicia Vikander, Léa Seydoux and Michelle Williams. Nicolas’ aesthetic suits my fashion philosophy. The Louis Vuitton Cruise show in Kyoto that I attended was a perfect combination of nature and metropolis. What a brilliant representation of evolution from tradition to modernity.

I am fond of the pink lace gown inspired by the Cruise show in Kyoto that I wore for the 70th anniversary of the Cannes Film Festival. The other one is the printed maxi dress from Resort 2018 collection that I wore at the Louis Vuitton perfume launch in Shanghai.

Talking of Cannes, you were a member of the jury. How was the experience?

It was one of the most memorable experiences. They were two amazing weeks because it felt like a vacation to me. On top of all that, I got to watch many great films from around the world and have very rich discussions with the rest of the jury. I was inspired by their ideas and opinions of the films and the stories behind them.

Conversations with Pedro Almodóvar must have been exhilarating, a director known for his incredibly in-depth representation of women in his films.

Absolutely! His acute views never failed to astonish me. I learnt so much from him.

Photography: Patrick Demarchelier. Styling: Victoria Sekrier at Lalaland Artists.

From the January 2018 issue of L’Officiel India.