Passage 1
Scripts
In 1978, as I applied to study film at the University of Illinois, my father objected and quoted me a statistic, “Every year, 50,000 performers compete for 200 available roles on Broadway.” Against his advice, I boarded a flight to the US.
Some years later, when I graduated from the film school, I came to understand my father5s concern. It was nearly unheard of for a Chinese newcomer to make it in the American film industry. Beginning in 1983, I struggled through six years of annoying, hopeless uncertainty. Much of the time, I was helping film crews with their equipment or working as editor’s assistant. My most painful experience involved shopping a screenplay at more than 30 different production companies, and being met with harsh rejection each time.
That year, I turned 30. Yet, I couldn’t even support myself. What could I do? Keep waiting, or give up my moviemaking dream? My wife gave me strong support. Her income was terribly modest. To relieve me from feeling guilty, I took on all housework - cooking, cleaning, taking care of our son - in addition to reading, reviewing films and writing scripts.
It was rather shameful for a man to live this kind of life. Afterward, I enrolled in a computer course at a community college. At that time, it seemed that only the knowledge of computer could quickly make me employable. One morning, right before she got in her car to head off to work, my wife turned back and - standing there on our front steps - said, “Ang Lee, don’t forget your dream.”
Sometime after, I obtained funding for my screenplay, and began to shoot my own films. After that, a few of my films started to win international awards. Recalling earlier times, my wife confessed, “I’ve always believed that you only need one gift. Your gift is making films.” And today, I’ve finally won that golden statue. I think my own perseverance and my wife’s immeasurable sacrifice have finally met their reward.
Q1: When did Ang Lee come to understand his father’s concern about studying film?
Q2: What was Ang Lee’s most painful experience according to the passage?
Q3: Why did Ang Lee enroll in a computer course at a community college?
Q4: What did Ang Lee’s wife think of him according to the passage?