NEWS ITEMS

MARCH 2008

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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