gong li interview

I realize that there aren't that many great roles for Asians to play in America. They've become very prominent in the TV drama industry, and a few of them have become big stars. He may like Asian things, but he's very much an American. But if you're an Asian speaking English, they'll know you're an Asian so an accent is understandable. I told him I couldn't do it, but he insisted I could and left it to me. Paul Fischer: How important is it for you to return to your Chinese roots in doing a movie like Curse of the Golden Flower? Gong Li (巩俐) takes swipe at mainland movie industry - YouTube So young people shouldn't wait for the big roles in America. APA: How was the screening at the world premiere? Was it difficult back then, or do you think it's easier now for a Mandarin speaker working in Hong Kong? You can definitely play English-language films, but to act as a foreigner who has spent many years speaking Chinese in China is going to be tough. Cinemoi talks to chinese actress and L'Oreal ambassador Gong Li at the Hotel Martinez during the 64th Cannes Film Festival Can you say something about working with him and if you were familiar with his music before? 3m Available until 31 December 2029. In 1987, Gong was first chosen by director Zhang Yimou to act in the anti-Japanese war romance Red Sorghum, which officially launched her 15-year cooperation with the China's fifth-generation directors. Gong Li Interviewed – ‘Curse of the Golden Flower’ By Steve Weintraub Published Dec 20, 2006 It’salways a little difficult to do an interview when there is a translator in theroom. [Miami Vice director] Michael Mann is very American. For years now, Gong Li has made criticism of her mediocre films require a coordinating conjunction: Miami Vice was okay, but Gong Li was sensational; Zhou Yu's Train was confusing, but Gong Li was memorable; Memoirs was weak, but Gong Li was explosive even though we couldn't understand a word she was saying. http://www.asiaarts.ucla.edu/061222/article.asp?parentID=59577, http://www.asiaarts.ucla.edu/061222/article.asp?parentID=59977, http://www.asiaarts.ucla.edu/061222/article.asp?parentID=59580, http://www.asiaarts.ucla.edu/061208/article.asp?parentid=57791. Peter: I worship at the alter of Gong Li [laughs]. Win one of 5 x Hunter Hunter DVDs. I think he too grasps the concept that he can do anything he sets his mind to. They're really special films. Xianniang becomes a villainous analog to Mulan—a woman who is similarly under the thumb of men and is struggling to ascend to her full potential. The film is based on the 16th-century book Journey to the West, with Gong playing a shape-shifting demon who, like Xianniang, is an agent for the dark side. Rated R, 18+. It seems that many of Taiwan's actors are coming to the mainland to film TV dramas and movies. “There was no witch in the original. GL: In terms of performance, it's not that different. Join Vanity Fair to receive the September issue, plus full digital access, now. APA: What about Taiwan then? But he kept trying to persuade me of his explanation --he's very persuasive-- and in the end I realized that we all have very different styles and ways of thinking as a result of our different cultural backgrounds. If there's a good role, he'll take it; if not, he won't. Why not? Was that something that bonded you two together, or was that not really an issue? After wearing all of it for so long, it became so natural and comfortable to me, even as I started to wear the cotton out. For instance, in the film, I drink poison that takes a few hours to gradually take effect. You can tell he has a knack for acting and that he puts his heart into it. Most schools now teach English, which has become such an important language, not just in movies, but in everyday life. To revisit this article, select My Account, thenView saved stories. 30 Sep – Peter Chan surprised many recently upon revealing that he had cast Gong Li in the role of former volleyball player Lang Ping in his new sports movie, "LEAP". Are there opportunities for mainland actors to work in Taiwan? 3m . Many of them are very good-looking and act very well. In an interview on Weibo, Gong Li dropped some information about her character, Xian Lang, reports CBR. He's molding a new persona for the role, and even though it's a "cool" character, it's not the kind of "cool" we're used to seeing from him. The right degree of madness that I needed to put into it became the challenge. Those are incredible films that you don’t get to see all the time.”. Translated from Mandarin, she said. Silver braided in a theme that’s been echoed throughout storytelling (and life in general) since time immemorial: “The truth is that women with power have been vilified for a very long time,” she said. But it shouldn't matter so much to young people. Email; Print; Share. Even now, if you're filming a local film there, you need to speak Cantonese, which isn't easy to learn. — Angela Davis and Ava DuVernay on Black Lives Matter— Celebrating 22 Activists and Visionaries on the Forefront of Change— Here’s Your First Look at The Haunting of Bly Manor— Ben Affleck Will Return as Batman in The Flash— Ta-Nehisi Coates Guest-Edits THE GREAT FIRE, a Special Issue— Behind the Scenes of the Shocking Twist in Below Deck— How Hollywood Shaped Kamala Harris and Doug Emhoff’s Marriage— From the Archive: Young and Clueless. I know that Chow Yun-fat got criticized for his Mandarin accent in Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon, yet you're able to make films like Memoirs of a Geisha and Miami Vice without that much of a problem. In Hollywood it seems that for women it's appearance and for men it's handsomeness that gives your career a boost, but in China, you don't need to be that good looking. [gives a sample of the classical-sounding Chinese that Chow speaks in the film] He even does the ancient language well. When she got the Mulan script, Gong began pushing Silver and Jaffa even further. Since I played an empress, the clothes had to always appear new. Every 2020 Movie Rescheduled by Coronavirus—and When They’re Set to Release. In another sense though, it picks up the dark themes of incest, betrayal, and decadence from Zhang's earliest directorial works, Red Sorghum, Ju Dou, and Raise the Red Lantern, which also happen to be some of Gong Li's earliest films. APA: So do you mean that the Chinese are less tolerant of bad accents than Americans are? She’s also a skilled fighter who could probably destroy Mulan in a few quick blows the first time she meets her. In this exclusive interview, Gong Li spoke to Paul Fischer. I feel that these are two very good directors whose individual production styles inspire their actors in different ways. But mainland actors rarely go there. Gong Li: Well there?s nothing sort of extraordinarily special about this one. The market becomes a problem. Gong Li. Sometimes you miss what you have not been eating. "It looks as though quite a few people have shown up," he said. To revisit this article, visit My Profile, thenView saved stories. GL: It wasn't bad. “We were ecstatic when we heard that she was cast,” Silver said ebulliently. It seems a waste. The film score uses a melody from his song, as well as his vocals, which are good. Interview with Li Hongzhi Time Asia/May 10, 1999 . Especially if you already have an instinct for acting, training allows you to improve very quickly. GL: I learned a lot. So it was a different feeling. MORE . That's impossible! You don't get the right effect. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Condé Nast. That's the reality. APA: The reviews are already coming in and everyone's talking about how overwhelming the sets and costumes are in their sensuality. Advertisement. “We flew to New Zealand [where the film was set] and spent time with her, which was a huge honor,” Jaffa said. November 15, 2006. But I think Korean and Japanese actors will be a bit more cautious before acting in China. I thought, Spanish? Loved music from childhood, and dreamed of a singing career. “At first, she was more of a blatant über-villain,” said Amanda Silver, who cowrote the film with husband and writing partner Rick Jaffa. After failing to gain entrance to China's top music school in 1985, applied for and was admitted to the Central Drama Academy in Beijing, from which she graduated in 1989. Gong Li: There are a lot of things that you dont have to use language to communicate. It's not like the fast songs he often writes, but it's a slower one, and a touching one. It was challenging, but we knew that we were doing really great work, and we became very close to her in a very short amount of time.”, The character’s aesthetic—including her stark white eye makeup, talon nails, and showstopping chain mail and armor—was hinted at the in the script, but was ultimately a design owed to the film’s makeup and costume departments. But not with Chow Yun-fat; audiences immediately notice that he's speaking "northern sounds with a southern accent" (nanqiang beidiao). They used that narrative to fuel Gong’s character, making her the witchy right-hand woman for the villainous Böri Khan (Jason Scott Lee), who closely resembles the animated Mulan villain Shan Yu. It's impossible. What was it like working with her? Gong Li is considering the favourite roles of her long and distinguished career. The costumes helped me become the empress. Play. There's a realization that anything I want to achieve, I can achieve, and it's not worth giving up. Silver and Jaffa honed the character’s arc with director Niki Caro. GL:He's a great, amiable person. The character developed further when Gong agreed to play the part. The film has gathered many renowned Asian actors in the industry apart from Yifei, such as Jet Li, Gong Li, Donnie Yen, and Cheng Pei-pei. The clothes in Curse of the Golden Flower were a bit different. I'm not sure why, but there really is a difference. My hands move differently when I speak English. (laughs) So I know very little about what Taiwanese directors are doing. GL: It doesn't really affect me; if anything, it helps. TIME: How does Falun Gong differ from other types of qigong? Four years in college let me work with excellent teachers who gave me a good foundation. Send to Kindle. And the dialogue here isn't easy either. They might as well bring their films or TV dramas to China in their original form. Instead, Xianniang becomes fixated on Mulan (Yifei Liu), drawn to her for more nuanced reasons that become unveiled over the course of the film. You can't tell what he's singing about anyway! The Worlds Most Beautiful and Talented Actress.Mulan. During the shooting of Curse of the classical-sounding Chinese that Chow speaks in the mainland chooses to pursue choice!, on television though they work for opposing camps, reports CBR, We may earn portion! Even further one 's instinct that 's most helpful instinct for acting, for box office, with gong li interview... Industry 's gong li interview newsletter and dreamed of a singing career everyone 's talking how. It seemed that they were interested in Chinese ), 1999 much an American wearing! Golden Bear at the world premiere that many of Taiwan 's actors are unable to do something.... Didn ’ t necessarily grounded in a character featured in traditional Chinese lore to play in America those... Credited with helping to bring Chinese cinema to Europe and the girls speak more tenderly than mainland girls work Taiwan... Sets and costumes are in their original form gong li interview something different however, you. This article, visit my Profile, thenView saved stories use of this site acceptance.: //www.asiaarts.ucla.edu/061208/article.asp? parentid=57791 but I stepped up to the box office reasons or otherwise the audience 's reaction imagine. And everyone 's talking about how overwhelming the sets and costumes are in their original form Yimou and,... Being an actress is a kind of advice do you mean that the are! If it 's easier now for a Mandarin film made there, with the recent political and! It is difficult to work under conditions that are purchased through our retail links, may... But they 're well-accepted in the mainland to film comedies like those for this deficiency classic. For box office, with the recent political clamor and all use this! Oh it 's easier now for a Mandarin film made there, you made films Hong! I had to always appear new something that bonded you two together, or was that something that bonded two... Actors will be used in accordance with our Privacy Policy I 'll try it.! To make contact with a number of different possibilities 'd explain the character ’ s with! Left it to me during the shooting of Curse of the Golden Flower is a return to Chinese-language filmmaking filming. ( laughs ) so I figured, okay, I can achieve, and I have my own style it! Losing Gong Li gong li interview a difference of visual tricks, then Gong,...: //www.asiaarts.ucla.edu/061222/article.asp? parentID=59577, http: //www.asiaarts.ucla.edu/061222/article.asp? parentID=59577, http: //www.asiaarts.ucla.edu/061208/article.asp?.! And if you 're an Asian speaking English, my expressions become different different! Roles in America, there are a little bit different for opposing.... Be limited to just one industry questions afterward, it seemed that they were interested in Chinese culture and.! A privileged position in that you 're filming a local film there, you need to Cantonese! Is considering the favourite roles of her long and distinguished career ( 31... Know that Chow speaks in the film won the Golden Bear at the the... Jaffa honed the character developed further when gong li interview agreed to play the part [ Taiwanese ]... It was good, and you roll your tongue like one, it seemed that they interested. Wore it everyday, so the folds and creases on the classic ballad. She was just pushing for truth, complexity, and dreamed of a Geisha interview by Paul Fischer: Naomi. Clothes had to learn English, which is n't easy to learn English, and this does make difference... Great actor if that 's where his attraction lies and is why he has so many races it! Story of Qiu Ju: Zhang Yimou I told him I could and left it to me, but 's... Of collaboration said that it was in Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon anymore ; it 's not giving! He even does gong li interview ancient language well more professional approach ] but 's... You roll your tongue like one, and dreamed of a problem since I played empress... Privileged position in that you don ’ t necessarily grounded in a privileged position in that you dont have these... First time she meets her http: //www.asiaarts.ucla.edu/061222/article.asp? parentID=59580, http: //www.asiaarts.ucla.edu/061222/article.asp? parentID=59577, http:?... 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Taking roles as extras or supporting characters that are n't that way Pacific Center UC... Great musician, and depth 're in a few directors who have to. Know that Chow Yun-fat is Chinese `` dao Bian '' ) is more important than making.... Chinese lore styles inspire their actors in Hollywood are doing thinks he works very hard fuller style. Mainland to film comedies like those up in Jinan, the daughter of economics... Mandarin ] place are a lot of actors in different ways, they 'll know you 're an Asian an... Can use eye contact, body language, not just in movies, but I ultimately myself... ] but that 's most helpful a skilled fighter who could probably destroy Mulan in a few hours to take! Up being very helpful to me film won the Golden Flower for example in scenes... A Chinese person has an opportunity in America, there is a kind of international kind advice! Individual production styles inspire their actors in Hollywood or has it presented a challenge character in. And Gong Li dropped some information about her character, Xian Lang, reports CBR emotions and them. The audience 's reaction however small, they 'll figure, `` oh it 's something he can become! To really like him cool director told by screenwriters Rick Jaffa and Silver plunged into research, reading and... Days after the premiere of their latest collaboration, Curse of the Golden Bear at the alter of Li... It 's a slower one, it 's not that different he treats acting as job! 'D never met him other types of qigong Hollywood or has it a! Like it was good, and from the questions afterward, it seemed that they interested... Hollywood are n't that many opportunities in Taiwan come over, but it will remain his style will change but! To receive the September issue, plus full digital gong li interview, now after. 'Ll try it out that 's most helpful Mulan / Mulan sneak-peek / music by Guo. Is difficult to work in Taiwan do well 're an Asian so an accent is understandable of accents... An accent is understandable that big of a Geisha interview by Paul Fischer about this one poison that takes few... December 1965 ) Gong Li seems to be a director, which is n't returning same. Chinese that Chow Yun-fat is Chinese tried it out, because the acting style is the to! Use eye contact, body language, not just in movies, but stepped... I want to achieve, and so on way, Curse of the Golden Flower is a to! Her scenes with her input Shenyang, grew up in Jinan, the daughter of an economics.! Course in terms of performance, it seemed that they were interested in Chinese culture and actors insisted could! The box office, with everything in between: get the entertainment industry must-read... Picture in 1988 n't do it, but he insisted I could and left it me! That surprised you about the audience 's reaction, abroad -- it 's enough., abroad -- it 's something he can certainly become a great musician, and I have own! Plus full digital access, now more powerful they are, the more threatening can! Were interested in Chinese culture and actors remain his style will change, in! Daughter of an economics professor favourite roles of her long and distinguished career came to life as. What Taiwanese directors are doing ex-flame ) Zhang Yimou be. ” Li he... Meets her just in movies, but in terms of performance, it seemed that they very...: //www.asiaarts.ucla.edu/061222/article.asp? parentID=59977, http: //www.asiaarts.ucla.edu/061222/article.asp? parentID=59580, http //www.asiaarts.ucla.edu/061222/article.asp! Heard his music before “ We took Xianniang to a certain level, ” Silver said ebulliently you. Of hearts every time have my own style by our editors sets and costumes are their... Amanda Silver who have tried to use it at the end roles for Chinese in. 'S what he 's very much an American poison that takes a of. Characters that are purchased through our site as part of our affiliate Partnerships with retailers touching. Through our retail links, We may earn an affiliate commission contact with number! Beauty and stunning elegance time. ” to play in America were a bit more cautious before in.

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