Gong Li, whom the Marmot very much enjoys, is apparently Hollywood’s darling, according to Joy News 24 (Korean). Having just completed filming Rob Marshall’s Memoirs of a Geisha, she’s apparently been cast as Lady Murasaki in Peter Webber’s upcoming Behind the Mask, the fourth movie in the Hannibal Lecter series. Then, of course, there’s her role in the movie version of the hit 1980s TV series Miami Vice (!), where she’ll star alongside Colin Farrell and Jamie Foxx. That film should be coming out in 2006.
Like I said, I love Gong Li and all, but I remember her role in Chinese Box. I enjoyed the film, but I seem to recall that she couldn’t speak English particularly well. That’s not to take anything away from her — I don’t know too many U.S. actors that can speak Chinese other than Mira Sorvino (Harvard, East Asian Studies) — but a lack of English skills would seem to me something of a barrier in Hollywood. Well, maybe she’s been working on her linguistic skills.
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‘2046′ has great set design, cinematography and costumes, but the storyline is slow and nothing great IMO. Can’t complain, though, about any movie that has Gong Li, Zhang Ziyi and Faye Wong in it.
Wish any of those three would ‘open themselves up more fully’ to the camera. I hope Gong Li gets a good reception in the US, but she does not have much time left.
Hell, George Bush doesn’t speak English very well, and he got elected president of the U.S. You know, for a minute there I thought you were trying to say that actors in Hollywodd need some sort of talent to make it.
I’m still waiting for my 2046 DVD to come in from netflix… anybody see that yet? Marmot?
Gong Li is an excellent actress. Have you seen raise the red lantern or any other chinese film she has been in? Hell, it’s not like Arnold could speak English when he started acting in the states and look where he is now. Also Jackie Chan Jet Li…
Talking just ruins it
(^_^)
I thought 2046’s story was fine, if a bit tough to keep track of at times. It’s certainly worth a DVD rental. I was quite impressed with Tony Leung’s performance, actually. Wasn’t sure what to expect from him before watching it.
?™???Œ?¹? — I’ve seen just about every film she’s been in. The only reason I cited Chinese Box is because, as far as I know, that’s been her only English-speaking (sorta) role. Saw her give an interview with Larry King once as well where she needed a translator.
Hell, it?€™s not like Arnold could speak English when he started acting in the states and look where he is now.
Are you trying to suggest that Gong Li might become governor of California?
I guess some of you have checked out In The Mood For Love, which I thought was awesome eventhough the script and camerawork was vague as all gets out. I too had trouble following the storyline, and maybe another reason is because it was all subtitled (sometimes things get lost in translation or don’t come out the way they’re always meant to be).
Oh yeah, Maggie Cheung was gorgeous in that movie.
IN THE MOOD FOR LOVE is one of my favorite films, and certainly my favorite Wong Kar Wai film. Or should I say, my favorite Christopher Doyle film?
I believe the DVD for 2046 has a lot of the Zhang Ziyi stuff that was cut from the film (yeah!). Now if someone would only put out a DVD of IN THE MOOD FOR LOVE that has the cut bedroom stuff….
anonymous guy,
I have the DVD with the deleted scenes of them shagging, if that’s what you mean. Nothing is even shown, but you know enough to know what’s going on.
*SPOILERS*
While we’re on the subject; eventhough the scene was cut, were they still supposed to have slept with each other? I didn’t know anything happened until I watched the deleted scenes. That’s how f*cking vague that movie is. Or maybe I’m thick-skulled, but still…
I think the point of the film, like BEFORE SUNRISE, is that we’re not supposed to know whether they slept together.
But if you have a DVD showing the scene, I hate you.
Apparently, I, too, like CHINESE BOX.
M: I don?€™t know too many U.S. actors that can speak Chinese other than Mira Sorvino (Harvard, East Asian Studies)
That’s right. And not many US actors star in Chinese movies, except as the token Caucasian bad guy.
Hey, don’t forget Chungking Express. Definitely one of my all-time favourite films, although I have to admit I haven’t seen either In the Mood for Love or 2046 yet. One of the things that sticks in my mind is Wong Kar Wai’s constant repetitive use of the same songs on the soundtrack (’California Dreaming’ and some Bob Marley song, I can’t remember which) a very effective trick that along with the wild camera work sort of sucks you into a trance.
There is the ’sequel’ too of course: ‘Fallen Angels’.
The reggae tune in “Chungking Express” was “Things in Life” by Dennis Brown.
Go to this page to hear the tune. It really takes you back to the movie!
Thanks for that Antti. Shows that my Reggae knowledge must be getting a bit rusty…
[Funny how Finland is regarded as part of the EU whereas the UK isn't]