fragile beauty

De Bont to direct Zhang in ‘Mulan’

admin — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 16:27:12 +0000

Hollywood hitmaker Jan de Bont has signed up to direct Chinese actress Zhang Ziyi in an independently-produced, English-language co-production of the classic tale of Hua Mulan, the legendary young heroine soldier who joins an all-male army. Mulan is set to start shooting this fall outside Shanghai, where de Bont will attempt to bring romance, action and drama to screenwriter John Blickstead’s recreation of the Chinese Joan of Arc story that was first described in a 6th century poem. The story was popularized around the world in the 1998 Walt Disney animated film of the same name. Mulan will be co-produced by Movie Plus Productions of Canada, Global Film Finance of the U.K., Beijing-based Bona International Film Group and SIMF Pictures, with Zhang, Ling Lucas and Beaver Kwei, the producers who brought China Zhang’s 2009 romantic comedy boxoffice hit Sophie’s Revenge, directed by Eva Jin. Source: HollywoodReporter.com

Ziyi covers Harper’s Bazaar (China)!

admin — Sat, 28 Aug 2010 22:09:52 +0000

Ziyi is featured in the September issue of Harper’s Bazaar (China). Previews below:

Promotional film to tell world how to view China

admin — Sun, 22 Aug 2010 17:20:07 +0000

China’s “National Image Promotional Film” sponsored by the Information Office of the State Council began filming in Beijing recently. The outside world became increasingly interested in China after the 2008 Olympic Games, and the “China Image” will show them how to view China, Zhu Youguang, chief producer of the film crew, said. The “National Image Promotional Film” consists of two parts. One is a 30-second TV commercial introducing Chinese celebrities that can best represent China and help build a positive national image. It will be broadcast worldwide through media agencies, including the BBC and CNN, before China’s National Day. The other part is a 15-minute TV special named “Perspectives,” which will be used in foreign affairs activities to display contemporary Chinese society from multiple perspectives. “China Image” has an all-star cast, including 50-plus famous people from the business, entertainment, academic, science and technology and enterprises circles. They want to demonstrate the energetic national image of China through the concept of “Chinese people.” These Chinese people including Li Jiacheng, Wang Jianyu, Ma Yun, Li Yanhong, Lang Ping, Deng Yaping, Yao Ming, Liu Xiang, Guo JIngjing, Zhang Ziyi, Zhou Xun, Ma Yanli, Yang Liping, Song Zuyin and Tan Dun. Source: PeopleDaily.com

Tom Harper Directing Lost for Words

admin — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 22:30:28 +0000

Deadline is reporting that British director Tom Harper (The Scouting Book for Boys) has taken over the directing reins for the long-in-development Working Title/Universal romantic comedy Lost for Words, written by Richard Curtis and his brother Jamie. The story follows a Western movie star working in China who ends up in a love triangle with a gorgeous Chinese actress and her translator. Tom Cruise was attached to star in the movie last year after frequent Curtis collaborator Hugh Grant dropped out, and for a long time, Chinese actress Zhang Ziyi (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon) was attached to star in the lead female role. Harper will likely start from scratch looking for a new cast, one that’s presumably younger than the original plans. Source: ComingSoon.net

Zhang Ziyi serves as AIDS prevention ambassador

admin — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 20:30:34 +0000

Chinese actress Zhang Ziyi has been named image ambassador by the China Red Ribbon Foundation (CRRF), an organization working to prevent HIV/AIDS, Sina.com.cn reports. The actress appeared Sunday (August 8) with 100 AIDS orphans at an event in Beijing to help launch a summer camp co-organized by CRRF for the children. The children came from Sichuan and Henan provinces. Zhang has recently finished shooting her role in Gu Changwei’s new film A Tale of Magic, about an HIV-impacted village. “I am honored to be involved in this campaign for the prevention of HIV/AIDS, and thanks to the movie A Tale of Magic, I had the chance to get to know AIDS patients,” Zhang was quoted as saying. She also shared a story of an HIV-infected boy, who is also an actor in A Tale of Magic and gradually became optimistic during the filming process. Zhang said she was happy to see the child’s changes which made her believe in the importance of helping people affected by HIV/AIDS. Source: English.News.cn