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May
8: It was reported in Chinese media recently that Gong Li is one of three
actresses who recorded narration about various Chinese cities for
Soundwalk. Promotional photos were released today:
More
on the product: "Soundwalk is a new form of media, whereas one
virtually interacts with his or her surroundings. How is it done? Easy,
you purchase the walk, go to the starting point, put your headphones on,
press play, start walking. Soundwalk appeals to the individual rather than
the group. Soundwalk is a cinematic experience, a way to explore and
understand a new culture and others, feeding you historical and trivial
facts all the while." The mp3's by Gong Li (Beijing), Joan Chen
(Shanghai), and Shu Qi (Hong Kong) will be available June 16.
 May
5: A photo taken "just days ago" of Gong Li at the Beijing
airport was published on sina.com today. "Shanghai" was
scheduled to begin filming today in England.
May
1: L'Oreal Revitalift ad posters featuring Gong Li and Pierce Brosnan
(separately) will be featured on 2,000 Korean Air food trolleys. It is
estimated that the three-month promotion that begins in June will be seen
by over 1.7 million passengers. Korean Air Vice President Heather Cho
said: "It's the first time we've had advertising on the cart. I've
had this idea for a long time, but I couldn't find the right partner. Now
we have a great partnership."
April
30: Andrew Field wrote in his Shanghai Journal about "Shanghai"
co-star John Cusack's recent research trip: "Lately I've been dusting
off my old photographs of Shanghai to show a man who plans to play an
American in a film about Shanghai in 1941. Last week John Cusack arrived
in Shanghai with his mate/producer/handler, Nick Gillie... John was here
to research his role. He plays an American who ventures to Shanghai in
1941 to investigate the death of a friend. He naturally becomes involved,
Tintin-like, in a viper's nest of underground politics. Just the kind of
thing I've been researching all these years... We talked a lot about the
influence of opium on the city and how every power broker was involved in
some way or other. We also discussed what Shanghai was like under a
precarious combination of Western and Japanese colonial rule. I was
genuinely impressed with the depth of his questions - obviously he'd done
some prior research in preparing for his role."
April
24: John Cusack mentioned "Shanghai" during an interview
published on ComingSoon.net: "I'm going to do a movie called
'Shanghai' with Gong Li and then I'm going to work with Mikael Håfström
again. China revoked the permit for some reason, so we're going to go to
London and Bangkok. Actually, I have to go right around the time of
Tribeca [film festival, April 23-May 4]."
April
22: NewPath found a mention of "Shanghai" in today's edition of
a Hong Kong newspaper. Pop stars "2R" (two sisters) said that
they will appear in "Shanghai", playing characters connected to Chow Yun-Fat's character.
April
20: A movie fan spoke with "Shanghai" costume designer Julie
Weiss at Heathrow airport today. "We chatted about her work. She said
she was here for the film Shanghai, which is being filmed at Twickenham
film studio." (Thanks, Cocoa)
April
15: Anne Thompson reported on her Variety blog today that
"Shanghai" will start filming in London on May 5. She also noted
that the Weinstein Co. has set a North American release date of December
25.
 April
10: Sina.com reports that Gong Li has been invited by the United Nations
to participate in their Environmental Program as a "Global
Environmental Ambassador". She is one of six Ambassadors; the others
are: Mikhail Gorbachev (politician), Richard Branson (businessman), Samuel
Etoo (football), Angelique Kinjo (singer), Gabriel Yared (musician). Posters promoting World Environment Day on
June 5, 2008 will be on display. The message on Gong Li's
poster is: "My name is Gong Li. In today's fast-developing world, the
way we produce and consume is creating vast amounts of waste. This trend
will become a serious threat to the environment if we don't take measures
to stop it. In China, I have submitted a proposal on environmental
protection to the public, and I call on citizens of all countries to work
together with their leaders to protect the environment." Fans may
recall that during the 2007 Chinese People's Political Consultative
Conference (Gong Li served from 1998-2007), she introduced a proposal on
cleaning up open garbage, one of the environmental issues in China.
April
9: Included in a sina.com article are remarks by actress Rinko Kikuchi
("Babel"). She said that she will travel to the U.S. soon for an
audition for a film, and so may have the opportunity to work with Gong Li.
She did not name the film, so we don't know if the audition is for a role
in "Shanghai", or a future project. (Thanks, NewPath)
April
4: "Curse of the Golden Flower" will be released in Japan on
April 12. Excerpts from a review in Japan Times: "The good thing
about the film is that Zhang is again working with his former flame and
muse, Gong Li, who split with the director - personally and professionally
- after 1995's 'Shanghai Triad'. Gong is an exceptional actress... The
costume design by Yee Chung Man is equally imaginative, and the
bosom-boosting bodice he squeezes Gong Li into is beyond description. Gong
is never better than when she's playing an ice queen, and her barely
contained fury here is something to watch."
April
1: Variety reported last night that there is not yet a definite release
date set for "Shanghai", although all indications are that
various sources consider it to be a 2008 awards contender. "The 2008
awards season is starting to take early shape as potential contenders lock
in fall release dates... A number of possible awards contenders have yet
to be dated... The Weinstein Co. also hasn't dated 'Shanghai' and 'The
Reader'."
March
31: Video of the award presentation to Gong Li Saturday night has been
posted online.
->Watch
entire presentation (7:11) ->Watch
clip of Gong Li's speech (1:28)
 March
29: Gong Li is one of the winners of an award (in its second year) that
recognizes outstanding achievements of Chinese who have made a major impact in
their professions. The "2007 Chinese World Influence Award - Bringing
Charm to the World" is
sponsored by several newspapers and magazines. The award ceremony was held
at the Beijing University Centenary Hall tonight, and Gong Li attended. 40
photos are in the gallery.
March
28: David wrote on his blog about spending time with Gong Li in Singapore
on Monday: "I went shopping with her and she bought watches. She also
bought jewelry from me. We had coffee and she even took pictures of
herself wearing the jewelry in my salon. Amongst so many people, she only
came to visit me. She will be in Singapore only for a few days because she
came here to rest. After accompanying her, I had to go back to work...
Actually, I'd rather have dinner with Gong Li instead of attending the
event."
March
25: Chow Yun-Fat mentioned "Shanghai" during an appearance
tonight: "Shanghai was originally supposed to be filmed in China, now
they have to move the production to Thailand. They had some problems with
the script, so they had to make some changes. A part of the film will
still be filmed in China, but the bulk of the lensing will be in
Thailand." He did not mention a specific start date, but said that he
will go to Thailand "soon". (Thanks,
NewPath)
March
23: Gong Li was spotted in Singapore today. A blogger wrote, "Saw
Gong Li at work today… oh man, she's damned pretty and fair… almost
fainted when she looked me in the eye… it's not everyday when you get to
see an international celebrity."
 March
22: Gong Li attended a Perrier-Jouet special vintage launch dinner party
at the Paris Opera Wednesday night. I posted 30 photos in the gallery.
March
19: Spotted in Paris today -- From the International Herald Tribune:
"Undeterred by swooning financial markets, the world's super-rich are
jostling for the latest limited-edition deluxe offering: Champagne that
costs about $6,300 a bottle… The Perrier-Jouet officially goes on sale
Thursday after a glitzy launch party at Paris' Opera Garnier… The price
tab includes a one-on-one session with cellar master Herve Deschamps, who
helped Chinese actress Gong Li pick her Champagne on Wednesday."
(Thanks, FanfromPR)
March
18: Harvey Weinstein confirmed during an interview with Variety's Patrick
Frater the relocation of production of "Shanghai": "Hong
Kong doesn't have the colonial era setting we need; it is difficult to
find a building here less than 50 stories high. So we will be going to
Thailand and, believe it or not, England." (Thanks, NewPath)
 March
14: Chow Yun-Fat mentioned Gong Li during an appearance today in Hong
Kong. Photographs that he has taken over the years are included in an
exhibit, "Moving Pictures". He remarked that his favorite is a
photo he took of Gong Li when they were making "Curse of the Golden
Flower". He did not mention "Shanghai", unfortunately.
March
8: Sohu.com has two short video reports of Gong Li attending the party last
night in Shanghai. It looks like she had a lot of fun! ->Vid
One
(best viewed on IE) ->Vid
Two
 March
7: Gong Li attended a party hosted by Chivas Regal tonight at the Shanghai
International Exhibition Center. From a report on xwwb.com: "Dressed in a black
evening gown, Gong Li's appearance on the red carpet was the focus of
media attention, the media was most concerned about her film 'Shanghai'…
She disclosed that the film will begin shooting in April... but did not disclose the filming
location." She also said that it will take 3-4 months to film her
sequences. ->Event
Gallery
Jim Carrey was asked about the status of "Ripley's Believe It Or
Not" during an interview published today. He said:
"I think it's still in the works. It's maybe a little
ways off. They are still talking about it."
March
6: Gong Li was spotted in Shanghai tonight at the
Four Seasons Hotel. She dined in the private room of the Japanese
restaurant. The host wrote on his blog that he was
struck by her beauty and great figure. (Thanks, NewPath)
March
5: According to a report in United Daily News (Taiwan), the
"Shanghai" crew has moved to Thailand to prepare for filming of interior
sequences. The producers are still hoping to obtain a permit to film
exteriors in Shanghai. (Thanks, NewPath)
March
4: CCTV 10 recently broadcast a special program about Gong Li's career.
Xinhuanet posted the program online (best viewed on Internet
Explorer). ->Watch
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