July 28: Harvey Weinstein attended the Ischia Globalfest and was interviewed by a reporter for the Italian publication La Stampa. The reporter wrote, "And then there is 'Shanghai'. Seeing just a 15 minute taste of the spy story... a taste that brings desire to see the rest." Weinstein responded to a question about Shanghai being a complicated production, and I translated from the Italian report as follows: "Complicated. For various reasons. The epic with Gong Li and John Cusack is set in the thirties and forties, is a spy story and the background is the fall of the city. I had obtained all the permits to shoot on the spot, we went and suddenly there were no permits. We were driven out. Then we shot in Thailand and in England where I did replicate the colonial structures, typical construction carried out by the English in China... I am stubborn and we are successful."

July 26: Thanks to Cocoa for reporting a remark from "Shanghai" second unit director Vic Armstrong. He had mentioned the film on his blog recently, and she asked him about working with Gong Li. He replied, "Yes, I have been working with the gorgeous Gong Li. She is stunning and very regal, but also has a warm heart, and as you say very talented."

July 18: Vietnamese actress Vu Thu Phuong, who has a role in "Shanghai", was interviewed for ThanhnienNews.com. She said: "I really feel surprised and blessed. I felt worried at first, but after spending some time with the crew and stars in Thailand, I feel much more confident. They treat me well and there is no discrimination between the stars and non-stars at all. I'm so impressed with the crew's and stars' professionalism and friendliness. Gong Li is so friendly and helpful. She has been giving me tips on how to play my role."

July 17: Two small photos of Gong Li on the set of "Shanghai" have been published in a Hong Kong weekly magazine:

July 13: Sophie, the intern with Living Films for the "Shanghai" shoot in Thailand, has updated her blog this weekend. She normally works in the office, but has had to fill in at night as assistant to second unit director Vic Armstrong. She had the opportunity to observe some of the set ups, including those done at a train station location last night, saw John Cusack, but has not yet seen Gong Li filming.

July 8: Thanks to "Sutasinee" in Thailand for contributing these photos of Gong Li taken during a break from filming "Shanghai":

July 7: Sophie, who is a Living Films production intern for the "Shanghai" Thailand shoot, is writing on her blog about her experiences. She wrote that filming in Bangkok began yesterday.

July 6: Kong Rithdee writes in Variety this afternoon: "In an effort to attract more location shoots, the Thai cabinet last week approved in principle a master plan to add more tax incentives for foreign productions filming in the kingdom... Later this month the Weinstein Co.'s 'Shanghai,' starring John Cusack, Chow Yun-fat and Gong Li, will start shooting in various locations around the country."

July 3: "The In-Betweener," who wrote last month on his blog about having been hired to "improve" the "Shanghai" script, added the following update to his blog tonight: "The shooting permit [for China] simply came too late... But getting the shooting permit does allow a second unit to go to Shanghai and shoot additional exteriors if needed. It might also clear the way for the film's future release in China. Of course the title has to be changed. Already heard one version of the new title: or The Wind and Cloud over the World of Espionage - when translated directly."