"WHAT WOMEN WANT"

Starring Andy Lau and Gong Li

 

 

 

PRESS RELEASE EXCERPTS

 

Synopsis:  Written, directed and produced by Chen Daming, and starring Andy Lau, Gong Li, Yuan Li and Julian Chen, What women Want is a romantic comedy based on the Paramount Pictures, Nancy Myers-directed film of the same name, revolving around a chauvinistic executive (Lau) who gains the ability to hear what women are really thinking - including his workplace rival, an aggressive advertising executive (played by Gong Li). Using his newfound ability to his advantage, he becomes an expert on female psychology - and romance blossoms.

China Lion Film Distribution will open the Mandarin-language remake of What Women Want (Wo Zhi Nu Ren Xin), starring Andy Lau and Gong Li, on the first day of the Lunar New Year, February 3rd, at select theaters throughout North America, as well as day-and-date in China and releasing in Australia and New Zealand... The film is currently slated to open February 3rd, 2011, at specially-selected AMC theaters in Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York, Toronto, Boston, Seattle and Washington, D.C., and at Cineplex theaters in Vancouver.

 

 

PHOTO ALBUMS

                                        

 

 

VIDEO REPORTS

                                       

                                       

 

 

 NEWS / INTERVIEWS

March 1: Positive review of "What Women Want" from Derek Elley for FilmBiz.Asia: "Andy Lau and Gong Li shine in an improved remake of the US rom-com... Gong, 45, in her first rom-com, acquits herself in relaxed style and forges a mature chemistry with Lau that really does drive the movie. With a younger actress in the part, it would have been a different - and lesser - film."

Feb 1: Michael Rechtshaffen reviews "What Women Want" for the Hollywood Reporter. Excerpts: "Easy chemistry between its amiable leads - box office royalty Andy Lau and the ever-radiant Gong Li. Opening day-and-date with China, where Feb. 3 coincides with the start of New Year's festivities, the picture should score with female-skewing Asian-Americans in the market for slick, mainstream escapism... Aside from the spirited give-and-take of its photogenic leads, the film boosts the glam factor with Zhuoyi Li's gleaming art direction and costume designer Yikai Li's impeccably chic wardrobe selections." 

Jan 28: I attended the Los Angeles media screening of "What Women Want" last night. Thanks to the folks at China Lion Entertainment for inviting me and for providing a media kit!  I added more hi res publicity stills to the photo album.

Jan 27: A media conference and premiere were held in Shanghai for "What Women Want". Gong Li, Andy Lau, director Chen Daming, and other members of the cast attended. (See Video links)

Jan 26: The cast and director of "What Women Want" attended a media conference and premiere in Beijing.

Jan 25: Visit the official U.S. website for "What Women Want" for list of  theaters screening the film as of Feb 3.

Jan 20: The official "What Women Want" website has been unveiled (in Chinese). It includes the videos and publicity stills previously released, along with wallpapers and character descriptions.

Jan 11: Several new publicity photos from "What Women Want" have been released. 

Jan 10: Music video from "What Women Want', featuring Andy Lau singing over film clips.

Jan 9: Interview with Gong Li, Andy Lau released (recorded Nov 18) to promote "What Women Want".

Dec 14: An interview that Gong Li accepted on the 9th has been published in the Hollywood Reporter. 

Dec 9: After the NASDAQ opening bell ceremony, director Chen Daming and Gong Li met with reporters. An interview with Chen was published in the Hollywood Reporter. "I worked with the two biggest stars in Asia...  It was a fantastic experience. We became very close. Being an actor myself, I think I understand actors better than most Chinese directors. You know how sensitive actors can be. For Gong Li, this is a completely different role. She never played a business woman before. When we worked on the script, I realized she is a real woman and sensitive, polite and has a sense of humor. She is not what you see in other movies. I wanted to see her in this role - the real Gong Li."

Nov 18: A media conference to promote the film was held this afternoon.  Gong Li and Andy Lau attended, and the first trailer was screened.

Oct 6: The director and producer of "What Women Want" spoke with Louisa Lim of NPR. Producer Dede Nickerson: "A lot of my successful Chinese [male] friends are businessmen, playboys who like to party down, and many of my girlfriends are very hard-working, successful career women... The film has a different kind of depth than the original has because of what is going on right now [in China]. They didn't have these issues 10, even 20 years ago. There wasn't this thriving, commercial go-getter mentality that's really so pervasive in society today."  Director Chen Daming commented: "What I want is to do is make the female character stronger than in the original film. China's a little bit different, because being a Chinese woman living in China is harder than in the States because you have to fight for everything."

July 29: The first official publicity photos have been released.

July 24: Gong Li was spotted Thursday in Beijing filming a scene with Russell Wong for "What Women Want". From ScreeningChina.blogspot.com: "China's queen of the screen Gong Li was filming outside the cinema on Thursday afternoon in the futuristic surrounds of the MOMA [cinema] complex. The shoot took place just outside Kubrick cafe, located opposite the cinema.

July 14: Gong Li and Andy Lau attended a media conference to discuss their project that is currently filming in Beijing. 

 

 

Thank you to China Lion Entertainment and Gong Li's manager, Mr. Tseng, for providing promotional materials!

 

 

 

OFFICIAL SITE - U.S.

 

 

 

"I worked with the two biggest stars in Asia.  It was a fantastic experience. We became very close... For Gong Li, this is a completely different role. She never played a business woman."

~ Director Chen Daming

 

 

 "It was a new challenge for me. It is the first time I play a modern woman in Chinese films. She is not just a modern woman, but a very contemporary woman... She is in a very complicated situation. She is a deep character with a lot of layers."

~ Gong Li

 

 

"My character represents most men, wanting to able to read what women are thinking... Because the character has many levels of conflicts, I needed to spend a lot of time thinking about... how to bring it nearer to our lives."

~ Andy Lau

 

 

 

 

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