Coffee With The Rza
The opportunity to have coffee with a genius, one of Hip Hop's greatest minds, doesn't come around too often. That very opportunity fell into my lap a couple weeks ago, on a cold and rainy October morning in the windy city. Rza was in town promoting his new film, "The Man With The Iron Fist", and sat down with me at the People's Lounge before starting a press junket at the Double Door down the street.
"The Man With The Iron Fist" is Rza's directorial debut, and a story that goes all the way back to his childhood in "Shaolin". His love for Kung-Fu flicks, a love that found its way into the very core of the Wu-Tang Clan, served as a driving force behind his new film. And it was his experience leading the Wu-Tang Clan, and his own career in Hip Hop, that prepared him to take the director's seat. He explains in the video below.
Shot and Edited by Andrew Zeiter. Read more from the interview here... Don't tell Jim Jarmusch.
[Interview] Rza: The Passion
Two weeks ago, on a rainy and cold Saturday afternoon, I had the opportunity to sit down with the Rza and pick his brain about the Wu-Tang Clan and his upcoming film, "The Man With The Iron Fist". Over coffee in Wicker Park, Rza opened up about his abilities as a filmmaker, how being the leader of the Wu prepared him for his current endeavor, and his secret weapon: passion. Peep Rza insights below, and look for our video feature to debut next week along with the release of "The Man With The Iron Fist".
Passion as a secret weapon:
"I'm a capable person. I think I've proved that through my musical career and really starting from zero and being able to take not only myself, but a bunch of families with me. I proved my capability. When I'm passionate about something, I'm the first fan of it. I'm the first dedication and I think people know one thing, my passion definitely did help inspire them. It's been proven when I'm passionate about something, I bring it to life."
How Wu-Tang Clan prepared him for a film career:
"It was actually the best training I could ever have. I didn't know that. I wasn't conscious that all my trials and tribulations, good times and bad times with Wu-Tang would help me become this kind of psychiatrist of thinking towards other artists and talents. But also one of the biggest things that helped me is that I'm an artist. I understand the grind, the gripes. I understand right now we're getting out early in the rain to sit here and talk to you about a film instead of on the bus, curled up warm. I understand how it feels, so I appreciate what an artist does. As a director, I'm going to have compassion. There was a situation where we just had a problem, some of the producers were like, 'push through it, push through it, push through it.' I was like, 'no, no, no, no, no. You're not going to push through it. You're not going til he's ready."
Success was certain:
"I was sure that music was the savior of me, and my community, and my buddies... I don't need to be praised for nothing. There were days I would come to the neighborhood and be talking my mouth off about what we needed to do, what we were going to do, and how it's going to be. Sometimes they'd talk this way, talk that way, cause they weren't sure, but I was sure. I guess now that I think about it, I was passionate and my passion brought them along, and they agreed with me. It's a blessing. I knew musically it was going to succeed. I was very confident... The difference between me as a director and me as a Hip Hop artist is that I know that Wu-Tang and myself and this organization was the best! I knew I was the best. Now, in film I can't say that yet. I got a long way to go. But in a few years, if I really master this craft, I won't be shy to say, oh, I got the belt right now."
Coffee With The Rza...
It pays to be early sometimes.
I had an interview with Rza yesterday. It was scheduled for 12pm at the Double Door. In the hours before the interview, it was raining outside, and a little cold. Perfect weather to not be doing interviews at the Double Door on a Saturday, especially when your apartment has coffee, old Law & Order episodes, and plenty of good refreshments (virtual wink-wink).
I got to the Double Door early, only to find that it was still locked. This was a surprise to all involved, as the people setting up this press day with Rza were outside the Double Door as well, umbrellas in one hand, cellphones in the other. They were nice too, offering me an umbrella, repeatedly thanking me for being early. It's cool, I said, my Saint Alfred Penfield jacket was all the protection I needed. After a couple calls to someone went unanswered, the production people moved to plan-b, scoping Milwaukee Avenue for a place where we could grab a few words with Rza, who was in town to talk about his upcoming film, "The Man With The Iron Fist".
People's Lounge provided what we were looking for. It was open, it was almost empty, and they turned off the music without acting like jackasses about it. We setup our equipment at a corner table by the window. A couple minutes later Rza walked in, and eased himself into the booth, ordering coffee with brown sugar. While I can't get into the details of the interview or the movie just yet, you'll have to wait til October 29th for that, I can say that speaking to Rza in the restaurant rather than the Double Door is a small detail that makes a big difference. The conversation flowed a little better, the room was a little brighter, and we captured a picture that is almost iconic given Rza's film and music history. I'm pretty sure Rza did a slew of interviews yesterday, and I'm sure they were pretty good, but none others at a window table with coffee and brown sugar.
It pays to be early sometimes.
RZA Reimagines George Washington Painting, Directing Feature Film
For decades RZA has had his hands in all sorts of things from acting in movies developing scores for movies, and literature. More recently The RZA has got together with the art collective known as When Art Imitates Life to create "Victory or Death" (pictured above). Filled with 70 different Wu-Tang elements you can find RZA, ODB, and Gza. Personally I think I enjoy this piece much more than the original with President George Washington. With his hands in art now, the LA Times says that RZA is working on his very own film called "The Man With the Iron Fist". The film is written and directed by him and produced by "Hostel" director Eli Roth. No word when the film is going to drop but keep your eyes open for it. Also, check out a close up of shot of the painting above right after the jump.
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