Liu Yaxi, The interview: the forbidden city and the policy of the only child

This interview with Liu Yaxi is published in number 12 of Vanity Fair, on newsstands until March 18, 2025.

With the woman with a flaming red dress in combat pose that appears in the poster of The prohibited citythe film by Gabriele Mainetti who sees her protagonist, the girl who appears to me in front of Zoom has little or nothing to do. Liu Yaxi is in fact very shyhas such a faint tone of voice that you have to isolate yourself from the surrounding noises to capture its words, and to regular intervals drinks from a cold tea glass bottles to refresh the throat and buffer the emotions that overcome it every now and then. What we do at a distance – Liu is in the province of Zhejiang, also known as Chinese Hollywood – is his first interview. Not just because The prohibited city, A wonderful pot-poor that brings martial arts, the amatriciana and Mina together,, It is his first important role in Italian cinema, but also because before Mainetti knocked on his door Liu Yaxi was used to working in the shadows and lending the body to other interpreters. “I have always loved action films and that’s why, growing up, I decided to make the stunt,” says Liu, 33 years old, who in 2019 was also the stunting of Liu Yifei in the live-action of Mulan.

Now, however, the music changes. Because in the new film by the director of They called him Jeeg RobotLiu has not only a body, but also a voice. That of Mei, A girl who arrives in Rome from China to look for her sister mysteriously disappeared. His story is particular because, when he was a child, Mei had been forced to hide because of the Single child politicsin force in China until 2013, which prevented families from bringing the world more than a child to avoid the problem of overpopulation. An experience that Liu Yaxi also lived on his own skin.

He came to the world despite the rules did not allow him: what life did he have?
«I was born when the only son of the only child was still in force but, fortunately, I was not forced to hide as it happens in Mei. My family was able to allow you to pay a fine. I had a quite quiet life, even if we still suffered some repercussions ».

What kind?
“My father, for example, was demanded in his work and could no longer play the role he had before paying the fine.”

From the outside the policy of the only child endorsed by the Chinese government appears cruel: what did you leave?
«I and the others of my generation we tend not to talk about past events like this: in our country it no longer works like this. We prefer to confront each other on the future, without looking back. “

What does his family do?
«My father worked in the mine while my mother has a small grocery store. In addition, I have a sister, with whom they are in excellent relationships. I often thought of her during the filming of the film to make the dramatic scenes more credible. I also have a brother: from an early age we have practiced martial arts together ».

When did you start?
«At five years, by my father’s will. For a long time it was something that I didn’t like but, growing up, I started appreciating this art and I did a job. “

Did he dream of cinema?
“I wouldn’t say. I didn’t know what it meant to act and stay on a set. I only know that when I saw Bruce Lee in the cinema it seemed to me that it flown. And I wanted to fly exactly like him ».

Remember the very first day on the set?
«I was in Beijing, it was night and made a pungent cold that I will never forget. At the same time, however, I was concentrated because I wanted all my movements to be perfect ».

Did you want to be invisible?
«I don’t think I was, because all the professionals I worked with have recognized my value. And then I don’t think the actors are more visible than us stunt, considering that one cannot live without others ».

Gabriele Mainetti allowed her to unite both souls. Do you remember the first meeting?
«I was very nervous because I had never recited following the binary of emotions. I remember having tried a scene many times trying to trust Gabriele’s advice, who has been close to me and was very precious ».

Mei is a strong character, he survived many pains. And her?
“I also had to endure a lot. My father has always been very severe with me and my brothers and, even if that hardness hurt me, I tried to face everything with a smile. I think being optimistic is a real act of strength and power, today (it is moved) »

What makes it optimistic?
«Think that tomorrow there will be a better future. Once you have touched the bottom, you can only go up, and it is this belief that has always given me the push to move forward ».

Do you see actress in your future?
“I don’t think I have to continue this path: it would be enough for me to always work in the cinema.”

What do you like about cinema?
«Freedom and creativity. I am a very free person who hates being controlled by others, and that is why I appreciate art so much. In order to release, he needs not to have stakes around him. Not to mention that I feel I still have a lot to give as a stunt ».

Gabriele Mainetti and Yaxi Liu.© Andrea Pirrello

Working in Europe, has ever collided with some prejudice on his country? «Fortunately I have always been related to people curious to know my world and my culture without any kind of prejudice. I realize that I am part of a reality very different from the western one, but I think the most important resource we have both diversity and respect for the different points of view ».

Would you ever live away from China?
«I would not be able to see myself in another country because I could never leave my family. I would suffer too much ».

What is he afraid of?
«When I was a child I didn’t want to go to school and, when I grew up, I didn’t want to work: today, however, I could never see myself firm. I would say that I chose the right profession to never bore me ».

You are 33 years old: have you ever felt a certain social pressure to “settle” to be made?
«Compared to the past, there have been some steps forward. I am not married as there are not many colleagues who do the same job: the fact of being able to work and to be independent economically was a great conquest because it allows us to finally decide for ourselves without making us influence from others ».