Criticism of Chinese movie stars Gong Li and Zhang Ziyi
suggesting they're focused on increasing their personal wealth has
been rebutted by director Zhang Yimou who says the two are
passionate about acting and eager to do better.?
Asked to compare Chinese movie stars Gong Li and
Zhang Ziyi, both of whom he worked with early in their careers, the
director said they were both passionate about acting.
"I think they're both natural actresses. For movies
or characters they like they can study them thoroughly even if they
don't rest or eat. They like their work wholeheartedly," Zhang said
in an interview in the current edition of Hong Kong's City
Entertainment magazine.
Zhang disputed criticism that the two actresses
were focused on advancing their personal fortunes and said despite
their international fame, "They still hope to develop their
acting."
Gong has worked with Zhang on movies like Raise
the Red Lantern, Ju Dou, To Live, and the
director's 1987 debut of Red Sorghum. Zhang Ziyi appeared
in Zhang Yimou's The Road Home which was released in 1999.
Both have since moved on to Hollywood. They
appeared together in Memoirs of a Geisha playing rival
Japanese escort geishas. Gong has appeared in Miami Vice,
which is now being screened in Shanghai, and Zhang Ziyi in Rush
Hour 2.
Zhang Yimou recently reunited with Gong on
Curse of the Golden Flower an ancient Chinese epic also
featuring Chow Yun-fat and Taiwanese pop sensation Jay Chou.
Zhang said Gong has improved as an actress. "Her
pace and substance in acting is more mature and she has an
abundance of emotion. Now she will proactively discuss a script.
She has her own opinion. I didn't see this before. She's more
passionate when she faces challenges now," the veteran Chinese
director said.
Of Chou the director said he was impressed with the
pop star's display of emotion despite being a novice actor. He said
Chou was nervous acting alongside big stars Chow and Gong but
displayed "very strong, real emotion."
Zhang also confirmed he's interested in working with Jackie Chan
as well as Steven Spielberg, with whom he's collaborating on
designing the 2008 Beijing Olympics opening and closing
ceremonies, but said no concrete plans have been made yet.
(Shanghai Daily November 21, 2006)
