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NEWS ITEMS MAY 2008 May 31: John Cusack mentioned "Shanghai," currently filming in London, during an interview: "It's a movie about Shanghai in 1941 just before the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, and Japan had taken over most of China, but there was sort of an uneasy truce because Shanghai was an international city so they didn't want to declare war on the British or the Americans yet. So it was a very tense situation over there. So it's got myself, and Chow Yun-Fat, and Ken Watanabe, and Gong Li is the female lead. It's got a great cast." (Thanks, Cocoa) May 29: Bill Thompson reports in his column for the Post and Courier on a series on the Turner Classic Movies cable channel. "Race and Hollywood: Asian Images in Film," will be broadcast Tuesdays and Thursdays at 8 p.m. in June. Thompson writes, "Noting the work of Asian filmmakers has never been more popular in the West than today, TCM will provide an updated chronicle of the enduring careers of contemporary Asian stars like Gong Li and Jackie Chan." May 26: A Shanghai newspaper reporter claims to have interviewed Gong Li last week via phone. She reportedly said that she asked for a couple of days off from filming "Shanghai" in London in order to return home to Beijing for a recent fundraising event to aid the Sichuan earthquake victims, but her request was denied. She was asked about her contributions, and answered that she arranged her monetary contribution (500,000 yuan) to the Chinese Red Cross with the assistance of a friend at home. She also spoke about her contact with United Nations FAO personnel. She said that she has been watching reports about the disaster on CNN and BBC News and did some fundraising while attending the Britain's Best Awards ceremony. When production of "Shanghai" moves from England to Thailand, she hopes to have some time off so that she can visit the disaster area. Filming of "Shanghai" is expected to be completed in August. May 23: A man who worked with Gong Li on a L'Oreal commercial last year has posted on his blog today four beautiful photos that he took during the shoot. ->GO May 19: Columnist Liz Smith mentioned in her Variety blog the project that Gong Li is currently filming: "Our favorite movie mogul, Harvey Weinstein, operates in the grand tradition of MGM's Irving Thalberg and Louis B. Mayer. Harvey's film studio, the Weinstein Company is still getting its sea legs, and great things are expected later this year from the World War II romance, 'Shanghai', starring John Cusack, Li Gong and Ken Watanabe." May 18: Gong Li attended the Britain's Best 2008 Awards tonight in London. The event is described by a2mediagroup: "In association with The Sun [newspaper] and sponsored by Walkers, this star studded event will honour those [British citizens] that have achieved the highest level of international acclaim in their chosen fields over the past twelve months." More photos are posted in the Gallery.
May 14: Gong Li is one of the many Chinese celebrities contributing to the Sichuan earthquake relief efforts. In addition, while currently in London working on "Shanghai," she is reportedly working with the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization to provide food to survivors. (She was named FAO Ambassador in 2000.) -> For more info on supporting the relief efforts, visit the American Red Cross site. May 13: A Variety article published today about "Shanghai" includes the info that the project "has consistently been at the forefront of the Weinstein Co.'s slate ever since the launch of its Asian fund some 18 months ago and will topline its sales slate at this year's Cannes." Co-star John Cusack remarked, "I like hearing that Harvey [Weinstein] thinks it's a company-defining movie because that means his full attention is there, all the brain power and considerable savvy." Producer Mike Medavoy commented, "The story is set just as the whole place is about to change and the safety these people thought they had is about to get undone. It's not just another movie for me. When I took my dad back to China a few years ago, he started crying because that was the place that saved his life and mine. I've carried the memories of his tears ever since." May 12: It was announced today that wax figures of the most classic Chinese film characters will be included in an exhibit at the China Film Museum around the time of the Olympics. Gong Li as Qiu Ju ("The Story of Qiu Ju") is one of the choices. Yang Yongan, curator of the museum, told reporters this morning that museum visitors will be able to "have close contact with the stars" and have their photos taken with the wax figures, which are being produced in a 1:1 ratio with the actors who played the characters. More on the Soundwalk city guides from Women's Wear Daily: "The French luxury giant [Louis Vuitton] has created MP3 audio guides for three Chinese cities, with one-hour walking tours narrated by famous actresses: Gong Li for Beijing, Joan Chen for Shanghai and Shu Qi for Hong Kong. They will be available for download for $17 at Vuitton's Web site and louisvuittonsoundwalk.com starting June 16. The Vuitton audio guides, produced in collaboration with New York-based media firm Soundwalk, are an offshoot of its City Guides and launched in tandem with the Olympic Games in Beijing this summer." May 8: It was reported in Chinese media recently that Gong Li is one of three actresses who recorded narration about various Chinese cities for Soundwalk. Promotional photos were released today:
More on the product: "Soundwalk is a new form of media, whereas one virtually interacts with his or her surroundings. How is it done? Easy, you purchase the walk, go to the starting point, put your headphones on, press play, start walking. Soundwalk appeals to the individual rather than the group. Soundwalk is a cinematic experience, a way to explore and understand a new culture and others, feeding you historical and trivial facts all the while." The mp3's by Gong Li (Beijing), Joan Chen (Shanghai), and Shu Qi (Hong Kong) will be available June 16.
May 1: L'Oreal Revitalift ad posters featuring Gong Li and Pierce Brosnan (separately) will be featured on 2,000 Korean Air food trolleys. It is estimated that the three-month promotion that begins in June will be seen by over 1.7 million passengers. Korean Air Vice President Heather Cho said: "It's the first time we've had advertising on the cart. I've had this idea for a long time, but I couldn't find the right partner. Now we have a great partnership."
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