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NEWS ITEMS FEBRUARY 2008 Feb 29: From the Variety article, "Majors vow to reclaim Oscar spotlight": "Certainly the majors [movie studios] appear poised for a strong Oscar presence. But so do their niche divisions and indies." "Shanghai" is mentioned as a contender for the Weinstein Co. Feb 28: Variety columnist Anne Thompson reports: "Producer Mike Medavoy is still hoping to gain access to China this April to shoot the $30 million pre-Pearl Harbor mystery 'Shanghai', starring John Cusack, Chow Yun-Fat, Ken Watanabe and Gong Li, for year-end release. So far, China has barred the film... If 'Shanghai' never clears the gate, the project will lose some $3 million in Chinese pre-production costs and will have to move to Thailand and/or Hong Kong, says Medavoy, who grew up in Shanghai and has developed this project for a decade. 'It's an international movie that should play everywhere. The Asian stars lend luster to it.'" Feb 25: Paul of zhongnanhaiblog.com writes that the "Shanghai" production will be moved to Thailand and London: "As was relayed to us from people closely connected to the film, SARFT officials were reluctant to have a film shot in Shanghai which would portray the Japanese 'villain' in the film (to be played by wonderful actor Ken Watanabe) as sympathetic… Thankfully, the producers of 'Shanghai' are still soldiering on with the film. As has been relayed to us, the vast majority of the production will now be taking place in London, with the China scenes set to be filmed in Thailand, though this has yet to be confirmed." Feb 22: From a new review of the "Curse of the Golden Flower" DVD published on a South Korean news site today: "Leading is no other than the marvelous Gong Li who gives the film a twist as she carries out a mutiny against the Emperor in time for the Chrysanthemum Festival. Prince Jai leads the uprising but only to be shown who truly wields the power. Gong Li's ability to show empathy, hatred, defeat and madness all at the same time while not losing her imperious defiance has always made her the exemplary candidate for a royal personage." Feb 16: Gong Li is ranked No. 52 on Premiere magazine's list of 100 Sexiest Movie Stars of All Time: "Premiere presents a snapshot of timelessly sexy actors and actresses who look gorgeous and strike an erotic chord in audiences... Gong Li - The Concubine -- The Chinese cinema has produced many amazing-looking stars, but only one is a siren revered around the globe. And that's because it's not only her looks, but the power of her longing and humanity on screen that draw you in. She's been the muse of great directors such as Zhang Yimou (Raise the Red Lantern, The Story of Qiu Ju) and Wong Kar-Wai (2046), and in Hollywood, she tamed the savage beasts that are Hannibal Lecter (Hannibal Rising) and Colin Farrell (Miami Vice)." ->Top 100 List Feb 15: Los Angeles Times reporters Don Lee and Robert W. Welkos got an update on the "Shanghai" film permit issue. "In the government's National Film Work Meeting last month, officials emphasized stricter administration of movies with erotic, violent and sensitive content. On Thursday, [producer] Medavoy said he was hopeful that 'Shanghai' wouldn't be forced to shift production. 'I hope everybody rethinks it,' he said of the Chinese concerns, noting that he wanted 'to do something good for the Chinese and good for Shanghai.' He stressed that Shanghai was a period movie and had nothing to do with contemporary China." Filming was scheduled to begin March 10. Feb 13: The main reason for denial of a film permit for "Shanghai" is concern about the script, according to an Associated Press report today. The director of international cooperation for China's Film Bureau said: "We suggest they make some changes to the script and resubmit their application." There is no comment yet from the filmmakers about the latest report, if they will reapply for a permit to film in Shanghai, or definitely move the production to another location. Feb 12: "Shanghai" producer Mike Medavoy commented on the film permit issue, emailing an Associated Press reporter: "Shanghai is a character in the film, its human side, what was so unique about it. There must have been a misunderstanding and I hope they reconsider their decision." When asked about relocating the production to Hong Kong, Medavoy said The Weinstein Co. will make that decision. The film bureau offices should open later this week, after the Chinese New Year holiday period ends. Feb 10: Patrick Frater reported on the "Shanghai" film permit issue in a Variety article posted at 5pm: "While TWC execs say they are still hoping for a reversal of the decision, Hafstrom said the shoot is now headed for Hong Kong. Pic is likely to use the new Shaw Studios for studio work and locations in Hong Kong and Macau for other exteriors. Relocation will not delay production for more than a month, according to the Weinstein Co., and it should not affect casting. In addition to Cusack and Gong, producers have signed Japanese star Ken Watanabe and are in advanced negotiations with Chow Yun-fat." Feb 9: "Shanghai" director Mikael Håfström spoke with a Dagens Nyheter (Sweden) reporter yesterday via phone from Shanghai, and confirmed that the Chinese film bureau has denied the request for a film permit. An Agence France-Presse reporter translated his remarks: "This obviously comes as a shock to all of us. We don't know exactly why we have been turned down. We wouldn't have spent millions of kronor [hundreds of thousands of dollars] in this country over the past six months if we hadn't been completely sure we would receive a permit. This is just speculation, but maybe [the film] was thought to give a distorted image of China and Chinese life. Our situation will scare all reasonable film producers from film-shoots in China. That will be the obvious short term result of this." The Dagens Nyheter reporter wrote that "Håfström sees the answer from the Chinese film bureau as definitive. He will leave China in a couple of days on a trip to Hong Kong, which will likely become the new location... 'Shanghai' could be filmed in Hong Kong at a different studio without a problem." Håfström did not comment on any change in the filming start date. Feb 7: Another L'Oreal advert was uploaded to YouTube yesterday by 'N1Jade' ->Watch Feb 6: Entertainment Weekly is reporting that the Chinese film bureau has pulled permits this week on several Western films, and "Shanghai" is one of those films: "After years of false starts, Weinstein Co.'s China-based 1940s drama Shanghai has hit another roadblock. The film, starring John Cusack, Gong Li, Ken Watanabe, and possibly Chow Yun-Fat (the actor is in discussions for a role), was set to film in China next month, but sources close to the production say the government pulled permits on seven Western films, including Shanghai, earlier this week... Shanghai's crew is hoping to resume negotiations with China's film office but is also scouting locations in other parts of Asia." Feb 4: "Shanghai" was mentioned in an article posted last night on Variety about The Weinstein Co.: "Weinstein characterized the 2008 slate as 'formidable for Oscar'. He listed the adaptation of Cormac McCarthy's 'The Road', Gong Li-John Cusack drama 'Shanghai', Kate Winslet-Ralph Fiennes starrer 'The Reader' and Woody Allen pickup 'Vicky Cristina Barcelona'." Feb 3: Patrick Frater of Variety reported today on the addition of Ken Watanabe to the "Shanghai" cast, noting - as Gong Li said a few days ago - that filming is scheduled to begin next month, and it is the "biggest project so far mounted by The Weinstein Co. through its Asian fund." Feb 2: During the January 31 interviews, Gong Li revealed a little more about her character in "Shanghai". She told a Beijing News reporter that Anna is a woman who had lived overseas and then returned to Shanghai. Chow Yun-Fat plays her "other half", they are a couple, but not a normal couple. She is very excited to work again with CYF and Ken Watanabe. The director's description of John Cusack as a quiet, thoughtful, mysterious man intrigues her. She has been focusing her attention on her English dialog and training for her dance scene.
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