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NEWS ITEMS January 2007
Jan 31: Cinematical.com has up a report on a recent press conference to promote "Hannibal Rising". Gong Li said: "I'm not sure if I can really say if [Hannibal is] just good or bad. Even if you look at the relationship between Hannibal and Murasaki, it's quite complicated. One reason why they have such a close relationship is that they have a similar background and similar feelings in their hearts, because of the experiences that they've been through. With her as well, I don't think you can really just say that Murasaki is a good person or a bad person. You really sort of have to watch the film carefully and think about it yourself." --> Video clip of Gong Li and Gaspard Ulliel in a scene from the film. "Hannibal Rising" producer Dino De Laurentiis told MTV News: "I presume that we created a success with this new franchise about young Hannibal Lecter, and I want to start to think about going ahead with the story." He said that the story would focus on Hannibal and Lady Murasaki. "You see in the movie that ... it's an attraction, but nothing serious happens. In the future, maybe something happens, if we go with [another sequel]." The results of AskMen.com's Top 99 Women of 2007 poll are up today. Gong Li placed No. 34. Their 2007 Career Forecast: "Gong only has one film scheduled for release in 2007, Hannibal Rising, but it's almost certain to be a hit… Gong plays the enigmatic Lady Murasaki, a character who ultimately instills in the young cannibal his refined tastes and penchant for blood-soaked irony. It's a meaty role (no pun intended) that will surely win Gong a host of new fans; however, it's clear that she has no plans to turn her back on movies from her homeland." Jan 30: There are several reports in the Chinese media today about the "Hannibal Rising" press screening last Friday. From hinews.cn: "Hannibal Rising received its first screening in Los Angeles. The international media highly praised Gong Li's performance as 'beautiful and scary'. Gong Li smiled at the reporters and said: 'You and I are face-to-face. Am I frightening?'" She told reporters that Lady Murasaki and Isabella (in Miami Vice) can be considered bad women, but her biggest challenge was in bringing their humanity and tragedy to the surface. "Curse of the Golden Flower" had a nice opening weekend in South Korea. From today's issue of Variety: "Zhang Yimou's Curse of the Golden Flower has reversed a string of disappointing bows for Chinese films in South Korea with a solid No. 2 opening. Pic, distributed by Cinema Service, grossed an estimated $3.2 million from Thursday to Sunday on 278 screens." According to Box Office Mojo, gross from North America and Asia is $47 million as of January 28. An interview with actress Yu Nan (winner of the best actress award at the 2003 Golden Rooster Awards) is included on the sina.com site. She said Gong Li is her idol; "nobody can match Gong Li." Jan 29: Li has been nominated for an Asian Film Award for Best Actress for her performance in "Curse of the Golden Flower". The film also received nominations in the Best Film and Best Visual Effects categories. The awards event will be held March 20. The new James Bond, actor Daniel Craig, attended the "Casino Royale" premiere in China today. He was asked if he would be interested in working with Chinese filmmakers, and replied: "I'm a huge Gong Li fan, I could happily watch Jet Li until I'm blue in the face." (source: Agence France Presse) According to additional reports in the Chinese media, Craig also said: "I very much hope I can work with Gong Li, I appreciate her strength, thought and independence." "Casino Royale" co-star Eva Green said: "I was ten years old when I first watched Raise The Red Lantern. This movie impressed me deeply, and I appreciated Gong Li's acting." Jan 28: Thanks to NewPath for this update on "Hannibal Rising": Taiwan United Daily reported from Los Angeles that there was a HR pre-screening to international media Friday. Variety has a report from the screening (thanks, Cocoa). Li said: "Lady Murasaki wants to help Hannibal stop his violent behavior and in the end, she doesn't quite want him to do that, but at least she tried. They start out as relatives but on top of that, it turns out they share a lot in common. Both of their families had a bad experience during the war, so it draws them closer together and they develop a kind of rapport. A very special kind of love develops between them." Thanks to SailorMars for this item from a Time Magazine article about the Oscar nominations: "Actress - Who Will Win: Helen Mirren, The Queen. Who Should Win: Judi Dench, Notes on a Scandal. Who Was Robbed: Gong Li, Curse of the Golden Flower." Jan 27: From Horror-Movies.ca: "Could it be that we will get a Hannibal Rising 2? Well according to the young star of the current film it could very well happen. We caught up with Gaspard Ulliel to pose the question of whether he would be in a sequel to Hannibal Rising and he told us that the studio was waiting to see how the film does first." Jan 26: Daniel Morin wrote about "Top 10 Hot Chicks You've Never Heard Of" for AskMen.com; the article was picked up by Fox Sports. Excerpt: "These 10 girls may not be household names, but their sizzling good looks make them A-listers in our books... No. 3 -- Gong Li is one of China's most famous and celebrated actresses. Her films include Farewell My Concubine (1993), Chinese Box (1997) and The Emperor and the Assassin (1999), which happened to be the most expensive movie in Chinese film history at the time. In 2006, this Asian beauty starred beside Colin Farrell and Jamie Foxx in the film adaptation of the hit television series Miami Vice. Gong Li's subdued elegance and temperament prove that it isn't necessary to succumb to a Sunset-Strip wardrobe, a la Pamela Anderson, in order to exude sex appeal." From Variety: "The Motion Picture Sound Editors have handed out 40 nominations in half a dozen categories for the org's Golden Reel awards. Winners will be announced at the 54th annual MPSE Golden Reel Awards Feb. 24 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel… Foreign feature mentions went to Casino Royale, Pan's Labyrinth, Babel, Children of Men, United 93, Curse of the Golden Flower, Lucky Number Slevin and The Black Dahlia." Costumes from "Curse of the Golden Flower" will be on display at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising Museum & Galleries in Los Angeles. From the Press-Enterprise: "The exhibit, which is in its 15th year, opens Monday… Selections from best-costume [Oscar] nominees Curse of the Golden Flower, Dreamgirls, Marie Antoinette and The Queen will be on display." Jan 25: From Charles Cotayo's article, "Gong Li, Asian Perfection" for El Nuevo Herald: "Based on her achievements to date, Gong Li could retire and maintain the mystique of a Greta Garbo, a Bette Davis, a Katherine Hepburn, or a Meryl Streep. Nevertheless, she continues to work with more frequency. Her performance as the Japanese Hatsumomo in her Hollywood debut, Memoirs of a Geisha, based on the novel by Arthur Golden, won her the best supporting actress prize from the National Board of Review. It also demonstrated her presence, beauty and incomparable talent to a new audience. The combination of Gong Li's achievements and gifts is a rare artistic miracle that we could call 'absolute perfection'." Jan 24: From EventGuide.ie: "The Dublin International Film Festival runs from Friday 16th – Sunday 25th February. Many of the titles included in this year's festival have received Oscar nominations - one that is certain to prove a crowd pleaser is the latest from Zhang Yimou, Curse of the Golden Flower. The director is a master of sumptuous visuals, and this production will not disappoint. Starring two of that country's biggest stars, Gong Li and Chow Yun Fat, this is certainly one of the many must-see films in DIFF 2007." Jan 23: The first reports from the "Hannibal Rising" promotion interviews that were held during the past weekend have appeared in the Chinese media. I translated sections of an article on stars.zaobao.com. The reporter noted that while there has been criticism in the past of Chinese actresses playing the roles of Japanese women, Gong Li doesn't worry about it. "I don't care about the criticism, this is unimportant. The movie has nothing to do with politics. I am only participating in creating a role. The most important thing is the character, whether she is Japanese or Chinese is unimportant. As long as the character is strong, I have an interest in it." The reporter also noted that her mood during the press conference was "open and bright", and she was "beautiful and elegant". Regarding the January 11 photos of Gong Li with the same man with whom she was photographed last April, the reporter wrote that she teased: "Now every Chinese person has a mobile phone, and they casually take my picture to sell to newspapers. This is not a good phenomenon, but it is useless for me to be angry. I have nothing to hide." One reporter "immediately challenged her": "Really, you aren't angry? You don't get angry when asked questions about your personal life?" She then immediately said: "I just choose not to answer them!" Nominations for the 79th Academy Awards were announced this morning. "Curse of the Golden Flower" received a nomination for Achievement in Costume Design. Jan 22: The Hong Kong Film Critics Society has announced awards winners today, and Gong Li was named Best Actress for her performance in "Curse of the Golden Flower". Other winners: "Election 2" (Best Picture); Johnnie To (Best Director for "Exiled"); Jet Li (Best Actor in "Fearless"). Source: AFP (thanks to Cocoa). More on the awards from ent.tom.com: "On January 22 at noon, the 13th annual Hong Kong Film Critics Society award winners for 2006 were announced. The award ceremony will be held on March 6 in Hong Kong… It is reported that during the voting, movie queen Gong Li won relatively easily. Her competition was Qin Hailu, Zhou Xun, Mao Shun Jun, and Shu Qi… Best Actor was the most difficult choice. In addition to Jet Li, in the running were Chow Yun-Fat, Tony Leung, Anthony Wong. Chow Yun-Fat gave the most competition to Jet Li, and the association members had the most difficulty with this category." From Sina.com: "Gong Li's manager said that she is delighted, and pledged to continue working hard." "Curse of the Golden Flower" will be released on R1 DVD on March 27! My contact at the UK firm handling promotion for "Hannibal Rising" confirmed info that was posted recently on a movie forum. A premiere screening in New York is scheduled for January 31, a premiere may also be held in Italy, and she notes that "all dates and events are being organized by the local distributors and are likely to change." Jan 21: Weekend box office estimates are in. Sony Pictures Classics' marketing campaign for "Curse of the Golden Flower" has left a lot to be desired. Most people I have told about the film had not heard anything about it. The folks at Box Office Mojo forecast that CotGF will earn $901,000 on 1,149 screens during the Jan 19-21 weekend. Gross to date in North America: $5,897,000. "Miami Vice" certainly received mixed reviews, but Ray Gustini of the Badger Herald chose it as his No. 1 film of 2006: "Mann's crime plotline is secondary for his own study of the future of heroism, sacrifice and, ultimately, genuine human contact, within the confines of a global economy that Mann presents as determined to bring our minds closer together while simultaneously isolating the soul. This is the first movie that tries to truly understand the role we play within an economic system that seems capable of perpetuating itself without our help. Mann is the only director bold enough to philosophize - with clear eyes and open heart - about this world we have made." Jan 20: Nice mention of Li in a Chinese publication: "Gong Li, born in the northeast, grew up a Shandong woman. She speaks expressively and with laughter, is not affected in the slightest, is unconventional. In 2006, Gong Li starred in three films that were shown to the whole world, Memoirs of a Geisha, Miami Vice and Zhang Yimou's Curse of the Golden Flower. She is also starring in another Hollywood Film, Hannibal Rising, that will soon be seen by world-wide audiences. More than ten years ago, Gong Li's status was declared at the Berlin Film Festival when she wore a Chinese dress and self-confidence to face the cameras, drawing the attention of the Western media. With the passage of time, her light has not faded due to age; on the contrary, it is more brilliant, more scorching." The Hannibal Rising official U.S. site was updated yesterday afternoon; it now includes the theatrical trailer and cast/filmmaker bios. Mixed review of "Hannibal Rising" from writer Paul McAuley. He feels it is "a handsomely staged period movie, with good direction… Gong Li brings a watchful stillness and quiet resolve to the part of Lady Murasaki, Hannibal's aunt… [but] despite Ulliel's hypnotic performance, it's hard to muster sympathy for Hannibal's devil." Jan 19: During a recent interview, Gong Li was asked: "As a woman, what experience can you share with people, or what advice can you give?" Li replied: "You must express your love, you must treasure the opposite party, this is very important… If you have some setbacks, that does not matter. If you obtain something, that is very good, but if you do not, you cannot have regrets, you cannot remain hurt… I think there is nothing you cannot overcome. I think people are supposed to be joyful all the time. If you are joyful, you can also bring joy to others. (Smiling) Enjoy every thing, enjoy every day." "Curse of the Golden Flower" is included in the line-up of the Jameson Dublin International Film Festival, being held February 16-25. Jan 18: The promotional tour for "Hannibal Rising" begins today in London and continues through Jan 21. My contact at the PR firm tells me that Gong Li is scheduled to arrive in London Friday morning. I am also told that there will not be a premiere in France, "but possibly elsewhere in Europe". The Art Directors Guild announced nominations this morning for their Annual Excellence in Production Design Awards for 2006. Nominees for motion pictures are split into three categories: Period, Fantasy and Contemporary Film. "Curse of the Golden Flower" received a nomination in the Period Film category. Jan 17: The short list of films in the running for an Academy Award in the Foreign Language Picture category have been announced. "Curse of the Golden Flower" did not make the cut. A special committee of AMPAS members have selected: "After the Wedding" (Denmark); "Avenue Montaigne" (France); "Black Book" (The Netherlands); "Days of Glory" (Algeria); "The Lives of Others" (Germany); "Pan's Labyrinth" (Mexico); "Vitus" (Switzerland); "Volver" (Spain); "Water" (Canada). Jan 16: Box Office Mojo is reporting that as of yesterday, "Curse of the Golden Flower" has earned $40,575,641; $4,786,000 of that figure is from North America and $35,789,641 is the take from China. From a CCTV report: A event was held on Jan 14 in Beijing to celebrate Curse of the Golden Flower's box office earnings in China. According to the production company, the film has taken in $281 million yuan as of the end of last week (it opened Dec 14). Director Zhang Yimou and producer Zhang Weiping were accompanied at the event by supporting actors Li Man and Qin Junjie. The lead actors, Gong Li and Chow Yun-Fat, did not attend (the reasons are quite apparent to many fans). From jndaily: "Yesterday at the celebration meeting, Zhang Yimou said the ultimate box office target is 300 million. He said: 'Curse of the Golden Flower has now exceeded Hero. We estimate that it could reach 300 million… but more than Titanic is still difficult.'" It should be noted that the ticket prices for "Titanic" were much higher than normal due its running time. Jan 15: From a review of "Curse of the Golden Flower" in the Syracuse Post-Standard: "The story would register sooner as a soap opera were it not for the fact that Gong Li portrays the empress eloquently and Chow Yun Fat, as her husband, makes a magnificent ruler and foe. Zhang Yimou has to be counted among the greatest living directors. Brilliantly, he mixes the intimate, the grand and the grisly." Jan 14: Humberto J. Vergara of the El Paso Times writes that "Curse of the Golden Flower" is "a dazzling, visually stunning piece of art… [with] a heartbreaking turn by Gong Li as an empress and a silenced, yet powerful turn by Chow Yun Fat as the emperor." George Lang of NewsOK.com writes: "Gong and Chow are not to be dismissed. Both actors are fascinating to watch, especially Gong, a longtime muse for Zhang who made her debut in the director's first film, 1987's Red Sorghum. Gong is riveting as a matriarch being driven insane by her paranoia and her husband's creative chemistry… As a showcase for this beautifully maturing actress, all that gold and finery frames Gong perfectly." Box Office Mojo reports that as of January 11, "Curse of the Golden Flower" had taken in $38.1 million world-wide ($2.3 mil domestic in its limited 3 week run; $35.8 mil foreign). CotGF expanded to 1,234 screens in North America on Friday and is forecast to double its domestic receipts over the holiday weekend. Jan 13: The folks at Asia Pacific Arts include Li on their list of Best of 2006 - Female Performers: "Gong had quite a banner year in Hollywood. Zhang Yimou's erstwhile muse tried her hand in her first big budget Hollywood film set primarily in the U.S. playing Cuban-Chinese seductress, Isabella, opposite Colin Farrell. In a huge change of pace, and a return to her origins, Gong reunited with director Zhang Yimou to play the female lead of his most recent epic, Curse of the Golden Flower. Gong inhabits the character of Empress Phoenix with overpowering gravitas. Paired with screen sparring partner Chow Yun-fat, Gong is part of one of the most volatile and scintillating screen partnerships in recent memory. Gong will be continuing to crossover to Western screens in 2007 with the role of Lady Murasaki in Peter Webber's Hannibal Rising." Yahoo! Movies has a page up about "Hannibal Rising" that includes the new theatrical trailer. Jan 12: "Curse of the Golden Flower" has been chosen the closing night selection for the Glasgow Film Festival that runs February 15-25. Excerpt from a review of the film in today's edition of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel: "Empress Phoenix holds no power over the scheming Emperor Ping. But Gong's acting is the absolute rule. She alone relays the film's key emotions -- a fierce yearning, anger and despondency against Ping's corruption." From the San Antonio Express-News: "Some actors might get lost in the brightly colored majestic robes or the ornate scenery. Gong and Chow wisely make the elaborate golden costumes an extension of their characters. They don't disappear into them. They are them… Do yourself a favor: See this one only on the big screen. You won't be sorry." Jan 11: Li has been in Shanghai, working on an ad campaign. A press conference was held today to announce that she has been chosen spokesperson for a home appliances company. From a report in China News: "It is understood that Gong's work on the television advertisement shoot has been basically completed. Currently, they are in the post-production process... South Korean director Kim was ultimately selected to be the director for the television advertisement." In related news, Li is in the running for "2006 China Brand Personality of the Year". As one reporter notes, "2006 was Gong Li's year. From movies to fashion, she is already the representative of the Chinese brand in the eyes of the international media." The Costume Designers Guild announced their award nominees this morning. "Curse of the Golden Flower" received a nom for excellence in costume design, period film. Congratulations to Chung Man Yee. From Neil Morris' review of "Curse of the Golden Flower" for The Independent Weekly: "Zhang reunites with former muse and lover Gong Li for the first time since 1995's 'Shanghai Triad'. The sumptuous Gong proves the one actor able to compete with Zhang's often oppressively opulent set designs, her captivating visage an undulating veneer of ruthlessness and melancholia… Though the wuxia be woozy and the plot overblown, 'Curse of the Golden Flower' is an impressive, entertaining entry in the filmography of a versatile filmmaker." Jan 10: The nominations for the 38th NAACP Image Awards - dedicated to the promotion of diversity in the arts - were announced Tuesday. "Curse of the Golden Flower" is one of the nominees in the Independent/Foreign Film category, along with "Days of Glory", "An Inconvenient Truth", "Tsotsi", and "Volver". Heather Leszczewicz reviews "Curse of the Golden Flower" for OnMilwaukee.com: "The movie goes to the Emperor and Empress. Chow and Gong are two of the most powerful actors on screen. Chow's Emperor is quiet in his ways, knowing what's going on and being able to take care of it with a few calm words. The one time he loses control, his anger and cruelty are shocking and vile. And as the Empress, Gong is beautiful and deadly; a femme fatale for action films. As China's official entry to the Academy Awards, Curse of the Golden Flower should be a strong contender in the foreign films category." Jan 9: "Hannibal Rising" update -- My contact at the firm handling promotion informs me that an international junket will take place in London January 18-21. At that time TV and print interviews will be held with world-wide press. I am also told that a U.S. tour is being planned, and there may also be a trip to Paris. As of today, there are no confirmed dates for premieres. There will not be a premiere in London and plans by the French distributor to hold a premiere are currently unconfirmed. Also, the U.S. distributor is "still making plans for the release". Jan 8: I added to our site the Production Notes for "Hannibal Rising". Producer Martha De Laurentiis said: "Gong Li is able to emote in her face, in her eyes, she doesn't need words. She's the kind of film actress that you only come upon once in a decade, someone who has great depth of intelligence combined with incredible ability as an actress, as a film star." Director Peter Webber said: "Gong Li was shooting Miami Vice which overran and we had to change our schedule. It caused all sorts of problems. But it was worth it. Every minute that she is on screen is a moment of truth and beauty. She's so subtle but so strong. She is an actress who is at the top of her powers." Anna Sheppard on the costuming: "It was quite nerve racking because I met [Gong Li] just once when I went to Miami to discuss her character, then I didn't see her until she arrived on set. All her costumes were made without fittings, so there were a lot of alterations. I was dreading it slightly, but she was fantastic, putting on costumes she had never seen and then going straight out on scene - it worked out perfectly." Li says about her role in "Hannibal Rising": "The most important thing for me is the character of the woman; whether she is Japanese or Chinese is not important to me. It's all about the character that I am playing and in this case how strong and interesting a woman she is. She is a very mysterious woman. She is lonely but also strong. She is able to gain so much strength from her culture, for instance in the way that she worships the armor of her ancestors every day. She has her good side as well as her bad side. She understands Hannibal, and what they have in common is a painful background. She knows that Hannibal has suffered a lot in his childhood, and she has also suffered. She tries to use her good side to bring him out of his darkness. The problem is that it is too late." North American box office update from Variety: "Sony Classics' 'Curse of the Golden Flower', by Zhang Yimou, has taken in $2.23 million after three weeks in 55 play dates. Its most recent per-play date average was $6,436."
Excerpts from new reviews of "Curse of the Golden Flower": The Jakarta Post: "Zhang Yimou's latest epic involves a grandiose palace setting and very elaborate costumes. Gong Li definitely steals a great deal of attention every time she appears on screen... This is a thrilling movie-going experience." Palm Springs Life Magazine: "A powerful, gripping story... You could not ask for richer, more stunning cinematography; this film could survive visually even without the story. However, it's the plot that really grabs your attention. The sets, costumes, swordfights, martial arts, chases, and climactic battle scene put Curse of the Golden Flower in a world of its own. Don't miss this film on the big screen." Jan 6: Gong Li met with reporters a couple of weeks ago at the Shangri-La Hotel in Hong Kong to promote 'Curse of the Golden Flower', and the interview was published this week in the Chinese media. Highlights: Hearing reporters recite her achievements, Li said with a laugh that they didn't need to make such a big deal. "Maybe people just watch my movies and think I work hard." She spoke about the ease of working with Zhang Yimou again after so many years, saying that they have a deep understanding. When asked the identity of the most important man in her life at the moment, she smiled and said, "The most important man? One is a good thing?" When asked what are the most essential things in her life, she replied, "My mother and photos of my dogs." A reporter also asked what career plans and objectives she has now. She said, "I am a person who doesn't have goals," noting that if one sets goals and then doesn't achieve them, one will be very unhappy and not move forward. So, it is best for her to not set specific goals. "For me, to not set a goal is a goal." Film Stew reports on websites that rank movie-goers' recommendations: "Two highly trafficked sites have tackled the age old nut of how to write reliable, accurate movie recommendation software with the answer: 'Easy; you take the software out of the equation and replace it with a simple transom for like-minded movie fans.' The results are an increasingly fascinating Vox Populi alternative to all the movie poster blurbing. Take for example FilmAffinity's list of top, group-ranked new theatrical releases. It's a veritable tonic for the soul: Curse of the Golden Flower and Babel are tied for the lead with a 7.8 rating." I just checked the site, and CotGF is at this moment in the No. 1 spot with an 8.1 rating. Jan 5: "Curse Of The Golden Flower Breaks Box Office Record" -- From Pacific Epoch: "Zhang Yimou's film 'Curse of the Golden Flower' recorded 270 million Yuan in mainland China box office sales through January 3, 2007, reports The First. The film was released on December 15. The film is the new top grossing domestic film in China, beating out 'Hero' (2002) with 250 million Yuan in box office sales." Angela Dawson of Entertainment News Wire spoke with Li recently; the interview was published today. Regarding English language limitations, Li said: "The simple stuff I have no problem with. But more in-depth or complicated stuff, like an interview, there are some things I can't say in the right way." On the topic of her next release, "Hannibal Rising", Li remarked, "Filming it was quite satisfying for me. It's a mysterious, strange kind of character that I like a lot." From the folks at Bratton Online (Central California): "Curse of the Golden Flower -- If you've been seeing the previews of this magnificent film, forget them. The film is much better. There is very little martial arts, not much flying through the air or walking on tree tips kind of thing. It's a classical Chinese court drama more like Shakespeare or Grand Opera than Crouching Tiger or Hero. It is one of the biggest, most spectacular films I've ever seen. It won't open here for a few weeks, but get ready to see it. You'll love it, and Gong Li and Chow Yun Fat have never been lovelier." Jan 4: Li was interviewed by Sarah Kuhn for Backstage magazine. "One thing that I very much enjoy about acting is the opportunity and the challenge to go into someone else's world, to become that other person. So for me what's really important is the process of getting there and acting and being that other person. When I come out of it [and] I see the finished film, I can enjoy that, too - but it's sort of like the whole thing seems so far away from me now, because in fact what's important was the process of going through it at the time." Kuhn noted that Li is often referred to as China's Garbo. "I'm sure I'm not up to that," Li said with a smile. "Greta Garbo is one of my idols." Regarding her next project, Li said: "I'm considering some scripts now. For me, it's important that I find something fresh and not just redo another role that I've already played before." Gerard Kennedy previews a couple of the guild awards (costume designers, editors, sound mixers) in his Tech Support column for the InContention.com site. "Chung Man Yee was assigned a costume showcase on 'Curse of the Golden Flower'. But that's a very foreign effort for an American guild to embrace." Will the guilds and members of AMPAS overlook the visual splendor of CotGF because it is viewed as "very foreign", compared to other foreign films in other genre? Jan 3: From a review of "Curse of the Golden Flower" in Premiere magazine: "Gong hasn't worked with Zhang since 1995's 'Shanghai Triad', but she is still a natural in front of his camera. She eases the transition between the story's halves, deftly playing a meticulous schemer one minute and an emotional crackpot the next… Zhang's expert way of ratcheting up the tension within the royal family makes the epic battles actually mean something. He also is unparalleled in his use of color, which makes Flower nothing short of a moving painting." Add Daniel Craig to the list of admirers. From Zaobao.com: "Craig was interviewed by the media in New York and said he will definitely go to China to promote 'Casino Royale'. He is looking forward to his first trip to China. He said he has watched 'Raise The Red Lantern' and appreciates Gong Li very much."
Excerpt from "Director With a Midas Touch"; Li spoke about working on "Curse of the Golden Flower" during a November interview published in today's Los Angeles Times: "My challenge was how to convey a sense of my character's past without showing past events, how she's in pain and suffering without going overboard. Cao Yu expressed this brilliantly in his play. In a male-supremacist society, even a woman with all the privileges in the world is still under the thumb of one man, her husband. She isn't sick, but when her husband commands her to take her medicine three times a day, she has to, even though she knows it's poison. This is the tragedy in a feudal society; everyone becomes twisted. Even those who gain power still have many desires. At some point, it can become madness - people can become like this, a whole country can become like this." Four-day, holiday weekend (Dec 29-Jan 1) estimates from Box Office Mojo: CotGF is estimated to have taken in $610,000 on 60 screens in North America. Gross receipts: $1,681,000. Jan 1: Li spoke about her character in "Curse of the Golden Flower" with Kung Fu Magazine: "She really is a complex character. She's crazy, and I must admit it was a great opportunity to work with Zhang again. I needed to develop different emotions and feelings with respect to the relationships that the empress has with the people she is surrounded with... Well, it just adds up to one rich, challenging character." On the topic of action films, the writer notes: "Although most Hong Kong and Chinese actresses don't practice martial arts, many have made their name and fame by starring in martial arts films. Gong is one of the few big Chinese stars who has melded an incredibly diverse career without starring in a martial arts film. 'It is easier to do action films because of course you can have action doubles and make it look like you have good fighting ability. But...' Gong pauses for an emphatic stare. 'As an actor, I don't wish to follow the trend, and I want to keep doing drama films knowing that I don't need a double. Like in any film an actor must do, I don't want a director to waste my talent.'" North American box office update -- Weekend estimates were posted Sunday afternoon at Box Office Mojo. For the period December 29-31, "Curse of the Golden Flower" is estimated to have taken in $502,000 on 60 screens (up 4.9% from last weekend). Gross as of today is $1,574,000.
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Jan
2: The Asiance Magazine site has been updated today with the January
issue; Li is the 