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NEWS ITEMS September 2006
Sept 30: Photographer Chen Mo has been posting on his blog this week photos of Li on the set while filming a Sleemon commercial. He comments that the purpose of posting the photos is "to let everybody have a look at the real advertisement photography process, to understand how the star works." Visit Blog Sept 29: TheManRoom.com reports that the release date of the "Miami Vice" R1 DVD has been moved up one week: "Universal Studios Home Entertainment has announced 'Miami Vice' is headed to DVD and Combo Format HD-DVD on December 5. The DVD version will be available as either the theatrical cut or an unrated director's cut. Both will include anamorphic widescreen 2.4:1 video and Dolby Digital 5.1 audio." (Thanks to Cocoa for the find.) The Hollywood Reporter and Screen Daily are reporting that "Curse of the Golden Flower" is indeed the official choice to represent China in the Foreign Language Film category at the Academy Awards. Members of the Chinese media feel that it was chosen based on several factors: director Zhang Yimou's reputation, Gong Li's and Chow Yun-Fat's visibility in the international film community, the strong human dramatic elements of the film, and the overwhelming praise from audience members during its recent one-week screening in Beijing. Sept 28: Reports in the Chinese media today claim that "Curse of the Golden Flower" has been selected as China's entry for Foreign Language Film. An "insider" reportedly provided the info. It is known that Oscar entries for this category must be submitted to AMPAS by Monday, October 2. So, hopefully, an official announcement from the Chinese movie bureau will be made soon. Whether or not CotGF is the foreign language entry, it will be eligible in the other categories due to its U.S. screenings in December in Los Angeles by Sony Pictures Classics. Sept 27: From another interview with "Curse of the Golden Flower" co-star Jay Chou, who saw a screening of the film this week: "Curse of the Golden Flower will stun foreigners. They have always been interested in kung fu, this movie will make them take even more notice of Chinese culture. Not only does the movie have action, it also has deep inner scenes. Because it is a story after the Tang Dynasty, there's the gorgeous palace and the clothes we wear. Because it cost a lot to make, we hired amazing fine artists. I think it will definitely create a stir." (Translation by Rain[Bi] of jay-chou.net) Sept 26: Thanks to "springwaterfall" for this translation of an excerpt from an interview published today with "Curse of the Golden Flower" co-star Jay Chou: "The director was very kind and warm. Chow Yun-Fat, Gong Li and Liu Ye all joked around on the set, but they looked completely different when they acted their roles. Most of my scenes were with Gong Li, she looked after me. Sometimes I had difficulty to get into the role. She would lead me into my part. In one scene she cried, and then I started crying, too. I felt that was not my acting skill. It's that my heart felt Gong Li's acting and my tears just came out naturally. She had power and I felt it. I think acting skill can improve only when you work with good actors. I hope one day I will become a good actor like them, and I will try my best." Box office update from Conor Bresnan of Box Office Mojo: "As part of a $3.1 million weekend [overseas], Miami Vice scored a pair of No. 1 openings in Malaysia and Singapore over the weekend. In Malaysia, director Michael Mann's cop drama nabbed $132,322 from 35 screens, while, in Singapore, it yielded $281,181 from 25 - each debut doubled what Mann's Collateral started at. Miami Vice has become Mann's highest grossing movie in 15 territories, including France, Germany and Russia, and its foreign stash has grown to $85 million." Sept 25: "Eros" has just been released in the UK, and brief reviews have been published in UK papers. From The Guardian: "Wong Kar Wai's segment, 'The Hand', is truly distinguished. The eponymous hand is applied to the thighs of a young tailor by a Hong Kong courtesan (the beautiful Gong Li) in 1964 to make him properly responsive to the female form and thus create lovely clothes for her. As a result he serves through good years and bad, becomes a professional success, but cannot give himself to another woman." From The Independent: "Wong Kar Wai is the only writer-director who seems to have taken the brief seriously. There's an intense yet delicate air of longing about his tragic fable of a tailor who is devoted to the prostitute (Gong Li) he dresses, but never undresses." Sept 24: "Raise The Red Lantern" will receive a special screening at the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles on October 10. The screening is part of the "Cinema's Legacy" program - description: "Inspired by a simple question - 'What filmmaker has most inspired you?' - Cinema's Legacy is an ongoing monthly series of conversations where contemporary filmmakers screen work they credit with encouraging and shaping their art and discuss firsthand the films and filmmakers that have influenced their careers." Actor and director Forest Whitaker chose Zhang Yimou's RTRL, and will attend a Q&A prior to the screening. More Info Sept 23: I added scans from September issues of Faces magazine (English language) and Ladies World (Chinese). Li is the cover girl for both publications. Q: "You must be proud that your work has earned you great acclaim in the West where you are seen as one of the great film actresses?" Li: "Yes, I am very, very happy about that. If you say that I am a good actress, then that's great for me. I just love my work." Sept 22: I scanned the feature article on Li that is included in the September issue of OK! Magazine (Malaysia). It includes an interview and lovely photos. Li says, "So many times it takes me a while to get out of the character once I'm done with it. But for me, it's much more important to do it this way than simply to act or perform the role. What's most important is to actually use one's heart and really get into the character, I feel." VIEW Recap of feedback from "Curse of the Golden Flower" screenings from MonkeyPeaches.com: "According to several Chinese newspapers, Beijingers who have seen the film are almost overwhelmingly praising this US $45 million historical drama. According to some of them, Curse of the Golden Flower shows lavish designs and beautiful cinematography, and above all, a nicely written story presented by a first class cast." Sept 21: A report on sohu.com claims to have audience feedback from a screening of "Curse of the Golden Flower" last night. The reporter writes that audience members feel that the epic story is splendid. When asked about the performances, they replied that it is an ensemble piece and the performances are all great, giving examples of Chow Yun-Fat's hypocrisy, Li's craziness, Liu Ye's pacing back and forth, and Chen Jin's hatred. If one must choose the best performance, most people interviewed chose Li, as they thought her role is the most difficult, and her acting is believable and strong. Movie-goers also said that Li's scenes with Liu Ye were unforgettable. "NewPath" reports that, "Based on different sources, Li's performance is the best one in the film, she has most screen time and is the focus of the whole story." Watch the one minute Chinese trailer here. Thanks to "springwaterfall" for this excerpt from an interview with "Curse of the Golden Flower" director Zhang Yimou, Li's former partner: "I am very familiar with Gong Li's acting; however, her speed and power surprised me. By speed, I mean an actor gets into the character line by line, and emotion comes out of the heart eventually. Actor Liu Ye said that Gong Li can get into her role within seconds, very powerful. Her acting skills are amazing." Sept 20: "Curse of the Golden Flower" update from Xinhuanet - the one-week screening in Beijing has been confirmed... "New Picture Film announced Tuesday the Curse of the Golden Flower will screen in Beijing for one week starting Wednesday. The production company are screening the film for a week to meet the requirements for lodging a Best Foreign Film application at this year's Oscars. Domestic and foreign media will not have any special screenings arranged for them. New Picture Film CEO Zhang Weiping, CEO of New Picture Film said the screenings are completely commercial and only open to normal viewers." "Young Hannibal" news: The novel on which the film is based will be published on December 5, and has been re-titled "Hannibal Rising". Novelist Thomas Harris also wrote the screenplay for the film, still scheduled to be released in February. Sept 19: An interview with Li and full-page photo were included in the August 17 issue of Paris Match. I translated the text and scanned the photo. Excerpt: When Li was asked what she was like as a child, she answered: "Reserved, introverted, not talkative. I hardly spoke. When I became an actress, my parents were a little surprised. They told me, 'It's curious, you don't have a personality appropriate for that'." Read Interview "Curse of The Golden Flower" updates: 1) A report on sina.com today claims that the date and location of the one-week award-qualifying screening has changed. Due to certain concerns over the Shenyang venue (security, piracy, etc.), it is being reported that the screening will begin on the 20th in Beijing. 2) Co-star Liu Ye spoke about working on the film during an interview this week. Liu, who plays the oldest son of the Emperor in the story, said that he thinks the film is Zhang Yimou's most beautiful. The reporter noted that "Liu Ye commended Gong Li's strong performing skills again and again". Sept 18: International box office total from The Hollywood Reporter; for the weekend Sept 15-17: "In the fourth spot was Miami Vice, which grossed an estimated $3.8 million from 48 territories, raising its international total to $80.4 million." Domestic total as of Sept 14, 2006: $63,166,665. Sept 17: Thanks to Meggieli for posting on our forum a link to a video interview with "Curse of the Golden Flower" producer Zhang Weiping. The video includes footage from the Chinese trailer. This latest Zhang Yimou / Gong Li collaboration looks wonderful in every aspect! View Sept 16: Site Update - I added to our Gallery a "Curse of the Golden Flower" album that includes publicity stills, set photos, press conference photos and trailer caps. View Sept 15: An interview with Li is published today in The Electric New Paper (Singapore). "It doesn't matter if I work here or go to work in Europe or whatever, I don't actually want to settle down and live there. It's just a job. I hope to be a free person, career-wise. I don't want to go somewhere and restrict myself. Where I want to go, I'll go. Where there is a good director, a good script, a good role, there I'll go. This freedom will let me learn new things and take my career to new heights… [About working with Colin Farrell] We were like colleagues, like siblings, like lovers. He's a very nice guy. He has a very good heart. He's great to all the cast and crew. Ask any of them. They'll say Colin is the nicest guy. He's not the sort of guy everyone thinks he is. He's not that playful. He's very professional." Read the article Sept 14: Nicolas Cage mentioned Li during an interview this week to promote the release of "World Trade Center" in China. He said that he enjoys watching Asian films and noted that some Asian actors have been able to cross over to Hollywood films, "for instance Gong Li, who very successfully acted the leading female role in Miami Vice." Cage pointed out that he has worked with director John Woo in the past, hopes to work again with Asian filmmakers, and perhaps shoot a movie in Asia. Sept 13: Thanks to NewPath for posting on our forum scans by "Admiring" from the October issue of Elle magazine (China). View From a review of "Miami Vice" in a Malaysian publication: "Miami Vice sizzles in both its action and romance departments - with Colin Farrell, Jamie Foxx and Chinese screen siren Gong Li delivering the goods. Under the direction of Michael Mann, this updated crime thriller is both stylish and intense, keeping our adrenaline pumping almost throughout the movie." Sept 12: "Curse of the Golden Flower" is one of the films included in Variety's fourth annual screening series. From a press release issued today: "The series showcases the studios' most high-profile year-end films, followed by discussions with filmmakers and actors. It has become an awards-season tradition for industry members, voters and kudos hopefuls… The Variety Screening Series is by invitation only for guild members." The COTGF screening is currently scheduled for November 13 at the Arclight in Los Angeles, and Li, Yimou and Yun-Fat are scheduled to attend the Q&A. Sept 11: International box office update from The Hollywood Reporter: "Coming in third for the weekend was 'Miami Vice', with $6.1 million in 44 territories, taking its overseas total to $74 million. The Michael Mann actioner opened at No. 2 in Spain with $1.5 million, just behind local hit 'Alatriste', which drew $3.5 million in its second weekend. Other action for Vice included Japan and Germany ($1 million each). The next big openings are Italy on October 6 and China on November 1." Sept 10: Thanks to Cocoa for the link to a video clip of Li on the red carpet at the L.A. premiere of "Miami Vice" in July. -> Watch Sept 9: Another magazine alert! Li is the cover girl for the October issue of Elle magazine (China). Teaser pics: Cover Image1 Image 2 www.ellechina.com Sept 8: Li is the cover girl for the September issues of two Malaysian magazines: "Ladies World" and "Feminine". An interview with Li is also included in the Malaysian edition of OK! Magazine. I posted small scans of the article pages are on our forum yesterday, courtesy of a magazine seller. I will post larger scans as soon as I receive the magazines. Intro from OK! mag: "Her sultry sensuality and sensitive portrayals in Zhang Yimou's Red Sorghum, Ju Dou and Raise the Red Lantern turned her into an instant art house movie star. But as L'Oreal's spokesperson and with roles in Farewell My Concubine, Memoirs of a Geisha and now Miami Vice, Gong Li has certainly also found commercial success." Sept 7: After filming a commercial for Sleemon a few days ago, Li was interviewed by a Beijing News reporter. She spoke about the challenges of working on "Miami Vice" and stated that the experience changed her life. She said that there are more opportunities now for Asian actors in Hollywood, as screenwriters have become more interested in depicting what Asians are truly like. The reporter asked Li if she still enjoys her work after being an actor for 20 years. Li responded that she still finds her work challenging, it's "impossible to not work". Even so, "love still places first" in her life, and work comes second. More on our forum (plus new pics) A spokesperson for the "Curse of the Golden Flower" production company told a reporter that editing is complete, the music score is currently being added, and post-production should be finished in a few days, just in time for the Oscar-qualifying screening in China. NoPoint's music video of "In The Air Tonight" from "Miami Vice" is online, and includes a lot of material from the film. Watch Video Sept 6: From Box Office Mojo's "Around The World Recap": "Miami Vice had a solid opening in Japan over the weekend, trafficking $1.7 million from 291 screens. The undercover cop drama has made good in France ($9.9 million total), Germany ($6.8 million) and the United Kingdom ($13.7 million). Overall, Vice had a $7.7 million weekend for a $64.5 million [international, excluding domestic] total, and it will enter Spain next weekend." I have uploaded several new "Miami Vice" publicity photos of Li; they can be viewed in this thread of our forum. Sept 5: Li is the cover girl for "Faces" magazine (Malaysia). The mag includes a nice article about Li's achievements as well as an interview about working on "Miami Vice", opening in Malaysia September 21. Excerpt: "I am sure that things will get easier for me [using English] as things progress, but as long as they don't have me do another foreign accent - like an Indian accent. This time I practiced for a while… So as long as next time they don't ask me to do an even more difficult accent I'm sure it'll be ok." Read the article Both teaser trailers for "Curse of the Golden Flower" can be downloaded/saved from IGNFilmForce. GO! Sept 4: China Daily includes a report on the Sleemon press conference last Saturday: "Renowned Chinese actress Gong Li said she hopes to try her hand at playing a range of different characters in different genres next year, especially comedy. While shooting an ad for a bedding product in Guangzhou, Gong Li said she would like to play a comic role next because she would relish the challenge of this difficult genre. The actress plans to shoot two or three Hollywood movies but says she will consider non-Hollywood productions if the scripts are good." Sept 3: Li attended a press conference yesterday in Guangzhou (Canton) to promote a line of Sleemon Furniture mattresses. A reporter asked Li if she has a plan to make a new movie. Li answered that she must first do promo work for "Young Hannibal" and "Curse of the Golden Flower". She hopes to get some rest by the end of the year (good tie-in to getting rest on a quality mattress). She said that at the beginning of next year she has two or three film projects lined up. The reporter asked if she can disclose the titles, and Li answered that details have not yet been finalized, so she cannot make an official announcement yet. During an interview at a Chinese film festival in South Korea, actress Jin Xishan ("The Myth") stated that the Chinese star she most likes is Gong Li, their conversations are extremely congenial, and she wishes she had the opportunity of meeting her sooner. Sept 2: From a Time Magazine article: "Hollywood used to excel at injecting romance into virtually any film, but nowadays that passion is almost nowhere to be found… The summer's one notable exception to that generalization was 'Miami Vice', which featured the rip-snorting bedroom ballets of Gong Li and Colin Farrell. There was hunger in their encounters, and inexplicable need, and, for the audience, the joy of seeing two handsome people heedlessly enjoying one another." (Thanks to Cocoa for the tip.) Sept 1: A second teaser trailer for "Curse of the Golden Flower" is online, and is available in high definition: Watch Trailer View trailer captures
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