A senior Shanghai citizen is sharply blaming actress Zhang Ziyi
for changing her plan not to attend the ongoing Shanghai
International Film Festival.
According to the local-based xmnext.com website, the Wu-surnamed
granny called the website on Tuesday night, and went on to express
her disenchantment with the Memoirs of a Geisha
actress.
She accused Zhang Ziyi of not supporting the domestic film
industry while trying to pursue an international fame with what the
granny said "her face instead of her acting skills."
Zhang Ziyi appeared at the 60th Cannes Film Festival as a guest
in May.
The website says the actress previously accepted the Shanghai
film festival committee's invitation to walk the red carpet at the
opening night on June 16, but reportedly changed her schedule,
citing reasons of having to shoot a film in the United States and
prepare for Chen Kaige's new film Mei Lanfang.
Ms. Wu urged the website to pass on her hope to the Shanghai
festival committee that they will stop inviting Zhang Ziyi in
future.
No comments are yet available from Zhang Ziyi's side.
The Shanghai International Film Festival, running its 10th
edition, is one of the two Category A international film festivals
in Asia.
Its star-studded guest lineup includes American actress Sharon
Stone, Chinese actress Maggie Cheung, and Lee Jun-ki from South
Korea.
(CRI.cn June 20, 2007)