Jackie Chan Criticizes Hollywood’s Profit Focus, Praises Asian Filmmakers’ Craft

At the Locarno Film Festival, Jackie Chan received the prestigious Pardo alla Carriera award and delivered a pointed critique of contemporary Hollywood, lamenting that studios prioritize profits over creativity, making it difficult to produce quality films. Chan emphasized that modern studios act more as business entities concerned with recouping investments rather than true filmmakers passionate about storytelling. Reflecting on his career, he shared his breakthrough with Rush Hour, which he described as a pivotal project that reshaped Hollywood's perception of Asian actors and bridged cultural divides. Chan also recounted his early days working alongside Bruce Lee and how he resisted being pigeonholed as a martial artist, aspiring instead to be recognized as a versatile actor akin to Robert De Niro. To adapt and sustain his career, he learned to sing to avoid being typecast solely as a stuntman, highlighting his belief in continual reinvention. Throughout, Chan underscored that true cinema requires passion and creativity, not merely financial calculations.