|
NEWS ITEMS JANUARY 2009 Jan 22: Two bloggers reported seeing Gong Li at the U.S. Embassy in Beijing today where she applied for a visa. One wrote about spotting her standing in the same line he was in: “Gong Li was quickly identified by the people around her, ‘fans’ who immediately rushed to get her autograph. Gong Li was gracious to all comers.” The category of visa for which she applied can't be disclosed at this time, but since she has a Singapore passport, she doesn't require a visa to visit the U.S. So, fans are hoping that an official announcement about her next project will be coming soon. Jan 15: Thanks to "尹口菜菜子" for the link to video of the complete “Interview with Yang Lan” program that was broadcast last Sunday in China (43:44). -> Watch “Red Sorghum”, Gong Li’s film debut, has been released in the U.K. for the first time on DVD, and is the Telegraph newspaper’s DVD of the Week. Excerpts from Benjamin Secher’s article: “When it won the Golden Bear at the 1988 Berlin Film Festival, Red Sorghum brought the world's attention to two extraordinary talents who, in the years since, have changed the way we think about Chinese cinema. Director Zhang Yimou, the creative mastermind behind last summer's Olympic ceremonies… and actress Gong Li both made their feature debut with this peculiar tale of a beautiful woman who is married off to a leprous old winemaker, and takes on his business after his death. The setting, an isolated distillery, surrounded by swaying fields of sorghum grass, is ravishingly shot, and Gong Li is a bewitching mixture of innocence and fury.” Jan 14: Chang Chen, who co-starred with Gong Li in “Eros”, made the following statement about working with her during a new interview in the South China Morning Post: "In the past few years, I felt it was necessary for me to concentrate on being an actor - that it was best if I had a good crack at this job first, before thinking of other things. Maybe it was about working with Gong Li. She was already a superstar but you still felt the passion she had for her art, something which came from deep within her. And I thought, you can't achieve anything if you don't have that enthusiasm for what you do. It's all about going back to the basics. I was very moved by that." Jan 13: “ExPatInAsia” posted the following on the imdb.com “Shanghai” forum: “I met Gong Li on the set of Shanghai - I did several scenes as an extra. She is absolutely gorgeous, and outgoing… she spoke to anyone who approached her. I've been in love with her for 20 years, and now I can die a happy man!” Jan 12: A previously reported September 4 release date for “Shanghai” is confirmed tonight in The Hollywood Reporter: “Weinstein also has slotted its John Cusack starrer ‘Shanghai’ for wide release Sept. 4 after originally shooting for a late-2008 slot.” Jan 11: Sohu.com published a video report on Gong Li’s interview with Yang Lang (6min.) that was broadcast in China today. ->Watch Jan 9: A video report on Gong Li’s appointment in 2000 as a United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization Goodwill Ambassador was uploaded today to YouTube:
Jan 7: A new L’Oreal commercial is online. ->Watch Jan 6: The cover of the January issue of Metropolis Biba magazine is online. The article has been pieced together from previous publications and interviews.
Jan 4: On the day of the December L’Oreal media conference, Gong Li was interviewed by Yang Lan for a one hour program that will be broadcast in China January 11 at 11:30pm. A recap of the interview was posted today on People.com.cn, along with screen caps:
Update, Jan 5: A partial transcript of the interview, along with video, are on the Sina.com site. Jan 3: I received this Happy New Year's message from Gong Li via her manager: "I send many warm wishes to you and the beautiful friends in the world for good health, happiness and continued success.” Gong Li is currently in England, working on ADR (additional dialogue recording) for "Shanghai".
|
