Trailer: HERO

This trailer is in Mandarin Chinese and is almost completely consisted with new footages.

Emi Wada has talked about HERO for the first time - interview with Nangfang Daily:

Director Zhang Yimou had clear requirement on each department. What is his requirement on costume?

I met director Zhang Yimou in November 2000 in Tokyo. He asked me to design the costumes for Qin (note: The King's country) with the terra-cotta figures as reference. I couldn't find record for costumes of Zhao (note: the kingdom being conquered by Qin and also the home country of the three assassins and Moon), therefore they were entirely my own creation.

Who made the decision of which colors and styles to pick, you or he?

I first provided him the design of Zhang people's hairstyles and costumes, then he asked me to design the armors and helmets for the Qin emperor (The King) and his army. We have agreed on everything. Colors and styles of the costumes were all selected by us under his direction.

You have worked with Akira Kurosawa in so many films. Then what is your biggest achievement? Which film's costume is your favorite?

I worked with director Akira Kurosawa in two films, RAN and YUME. I spent three years on making preparation for RAN. It was my first time to work on a project that huge and I had to design all the costumes. It's really hard. (Laugh) Director Akira Kurosawa told me, in Japanese films, my design was the only one of its kind.

What is the different between Akira Kurosawa and Zhang Yimou? Who was more harsh?

It was my first time working with director Zhang Yimou. No matter how bad the whether of the location was, he always stacked to the schedule. Director Akira Kurosawa was the completely opposite: if the whether was just a little bit less desirable, he would cancel the all shoots of that day. Both directors trusted me completely and I always take grave care of all my works.

What's new this time? Did it surpass your previews achievement?

HERO is a costume wuxia film. The clothing of the ancient people will no doubtfully attract the attention of modern day people. I specifically made the materials, the colors and movements look like they were for a dance. I alone dyed the cloths for all costumes at a small dye house in Beijing. There is no dyestuffs (I needed) in China, then I arranged them to be shipped from Britain and Japan. Surpassed my previous achievement or not, this will be judged by the audiences. (Laugh)

From you opinion, what should the costume for a period martial-art film focus on? How did you interpret director Zhang Yimou's requirement?

On the first day of shooting, in the western desert, when the infantry and cavalry showed up wearing the helmets and armors I designed, people were crying out: they were terra-cotta figures came alive. Of course, the terra-cotta figures are not wearing helmets. Because the soldiers we hired were not very tall (about 160 cm / 5' 3"), helmets were just for making them taller. I also wanted to present the momentum of Qin army. At this point, I didn't entirely adhere to the history. In a film, directed by Akira Kurosawa or by Zhang Yimou, the costumes I designed are presenting what the film should focus on. This is a movie, about a tragedy of heroes, and about a theme of love.

Photos: Nanfang Daily

Yesterday, Yu Yuxi from Beijing New Picture has said, on December 14th, the principal members of the cast and crew would start a promo tour for HERO - Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Hong Kong, Korea, Japan and then the US. Yu said this in Chengdu, a city in the southern China while promoting HERO there, and the news has been widely reported by the local media. Two Bombardier Challenger 604 Business Jets have been booked for our heroes' transports. To make HERO qualified for the remaining categories of next year's Oscar, the minimum requirement is releasing at one  commercial theater in L.A. and the deadline is December 25, 2002. Yu has also confirmed that the the full movie will not been shown at the premières in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou, for piracy concern. There are three versions of HERO's US release dates currently available on the web - January 10th, January 13th and January 20th. Both January 13th and January 20th are Mondays, which are very unlikely to be selected for releasing a movie. However, I do not have any solid evidence to support or dismiss any of these three. Readers of this site, please keep an eye on this for me.

Photo: Sing Pao

Nanfang Daily has become the first paper to sit down and talk with Chen Daoming, who played The King in HERO:

How did you feel when you got the script?

Actually I didn't think too much about this film. Zhang Yimou asked me to help him. We worked together in his cinematographing début ONE AND EIGHT (1983). This film should be seen as Zhang Yimou's attempt at a completely new format. Therefore helping him to transform his style is my second cooperation with him. Really didn't think too much. Not much to think about.

Jet Li said he teared twice while reading the script. Did you have the same experience?

I didn't. I only feel Broken Sword is a nicely created character. I think other characters are more or less symbolic.

How did you know that?

You can see it through how each character was wrote in the script. We Chinese often try to understand a film through each  character's emotion and fate. Broken Sword is the only character with fully described emotions. Other (characters) are relatively one-dimensional.

How do you understand The King?

(I must) blend my understanding of the character and my acting style into the style of the film and (I) cannot do it with the routine concept. Therefore basically I didn't play the King of Qin based on the general understanding of him. I portrayed him more as a historical figure, his dressing and his manner. He is in fact a big terra-cotta figure. I played him as a warrior, because before he unified China, he was fighting on the battlefield. That's why he was called "King". "King" means just martialism and wisdom, therefore I think he was a warrior king and a wise king. In this film it is more about the warrior side of him, so I focused more on this side. This might be different from The First Emperor (The King) people have known. He was described very mighty, very enormous, and very glorious. I didn't emphasize on that, because I cannot repeat what has been said. I was not restricted by a frame. I didn't intimidate others to portrait The First Emperor.

Have you deliberately differentiate the King with Kangxi (note: Chen Daoming recently played emperor Kangxi (1661 - 1722) in a TV series)?

Not deliberately to do it, but need to readjust.

Readjust psychologically first?

Right. Psychologically first. Because I can't portrait The First Emperor as another Kangxi.

First time to do fight scene, have you encountered any difficulty?

Not just difficulty, but big difficulty. First, I am very healthy and dexterous, but I only did action scenes many years ago. This time I was really miserable, because those fight scenes involves real actions. As an actor, I was really not ready in the beginning. But I had to focus on my role first. Second, I must have skills because it is still a martial-art film. My fight must looks real. In the beginning I often didn't have time to think about the whole fight sequence. I was getting better later on. I am not sure.

How long before you felt you were ready?

Not very long. At least I felt I could deal with it.

?

What did director Zhang Yimou require on this character? Or did he ask you to handle it?

(He didn't asked for) too much and he didn't let me handle it either. He just locked me at one spot and wouldn't let me move. This was really painful. It was unspeakable.

He locked you at one spot...

He just let me sit there from the beginning to the end! This was really hard but maybe he has his thought. Zhang Yimou is quite smart and is a very good director. He worked with actors very well. What he asked the actors to do and the actor being cast are just right on.

Did he asked the actors a lot?

Not much. But all very vital.

According to an early report, shots often wrapped up after only one or two takes. What's your experience? Have you done a shot over and over again?

Some shots really required lots of takes and some were done with only one take. But I often did more takes for the shot had already done. Sometimes he asked for it and sometimes I asked for it. The shot with only one take is not good and the take with ten takes is not necessarily better. I must following my instinct. Sometimes it was done only after one take, but though I played it perfectly, there was some technical problem. Therefore usually we shoot several backup takes.

Which shot has the most takes?

I think they all have a lot of takes, especially the fight scenes. I am not sure it was because they wanted to torture me or not.

Many jointed this film because they thought it looked good in their resumes and felt proud of it. Are you one of them?

Do I still need this?

(You're) so confident!

Not confident. Didn't they say I was such such experienced? With such experience, do I still need this? This has no longer attracted my attention. I am not someone just walked out of the school. Just like getting an award. What can it do to an actor? It can only record something you did in the past, right? It has nothing to do with what you will do in the future. Getting an award, then you are just the number one in the nation and the best? No. Without an award, you just can't become a good actor? No. Therefore it is only about the past, not the future. Experience or age, I no long care about those, or be excited by those. I rarely talk about those. I rarely talk about the films I have made. Why do that? That's boring. The audiences will remember you and you don't have to remember it yourself. If the audiences can't remember you, it won't help even you remember it. If anyone asked me to play a role like The First Emperor again, I would turn it down.

For sure? Maybe next time it is a different kind of First Emperor?

No. But just this kind of roles. Because an actor's career is just about portraying characters and this character can still be played differently.

Should have room to explore the role?

Right. This time (I took this role), not only because Zhang Yimou is my friend, but also because Zhang Yimou can create something very unique. For all kinds of reasons. I have said, actors taking roles, some of them are for art and some of them are for money. Which is better? They are all fine.

Photo: Nanfang Daily

According to Hong Kong media, yesterday is the first day of Jackie Chan's five-day work on the set of THE TWIN EFFECT, and the first scene being shot was Jackie Chan wedding! He was quite relaxed on the set because there was no fight scenes.

There is a rumor that Michael Jackson will be cast for RUSH HOUR 3 but Jackie has dismissed it. He said he was still negotiating for the new RUSH HOUR and Chris Tucker and he would collect at least US$25 million each.

Jackie Chan was also complaining about paying US$20 million tax to the US government for dollars he collected from SHANGHAI NOON and RUSH HOUR 2, and he was still being audited by IRS. Fortunately, those tax cops found nothing.

Other shots:

Jackie Chan was wearing tuxedo again: A B

Jackie Chan's "bride" Karen Mok

Jackie Chan and his "bride": A B C

The Twins

Related Stories:

Donnie Yen Talks About THE TWINS EFFECT (KungFuCinema.com) October 28, 2002

Empire Media Group's Press Release

Photo: Oriental Daily

Will HERO be qualified for the upcoming Oscar? This is the question everybody is asking. The answer lie inside the official rules of the Academy Awards, but HERO's fate is in the hand of Miramax. Let us take a look at the official rules:

Rule Fourteen - Special Rules for The Best Foreign Film Award

II. Eligibility
1. The film must be first released in the country of origin between November 1, 2001 and October 31, 2002, and first publicly exhibited by means of 35mm or 70mm film for at least seven consecutive days in a commercial motion picture theater for the profit of the producer and exhibitor, advertised and exploited during its eligibility run in a manner considered normal and customary to the industry. The picture need not have been released in the United States.

Well, the seven day run in October has already made HERO eligible for the "Best Foreign Film Language Award" of next year's Oscar. But, what about other categories?

Rule Fourteen - Special Rules for The Best Foreign Film Award

V. Eligibility in other Categories
1. Films submitted for Best Foreign Language Film Award consideration may also qualify for the 75th Annual Academy Awards in other categories, provided they meet the requirements of the special rules governing those categories.

2. In order to qualify for other categories, the films must be publicly exhibited by means of 35mm or 70mm film for paid admission (previews excluded) in a commercial motion picture theater in Los Angeles County between January 1, 2002, and midnight of December 31, 2002, for a run of at least seven consecutive days after an opening prior to midnight of December 31, 2002.

Apparently, I was wrong about this. I thought HERO could only be qualified for all awards, including "The Best Foreign Language Film Award", if it was released for a run of at least seven consecutive days in L.A. before December 31, 2002. In fact, HERO can bid for "The Best Foreign Language Film" without being released in the States. But would HERO be eligible for the Oscar of 2004, except "The Best Foreign Film Awards", if it was only qualified for this "Foreign" category?

Rule Fourteen - Special Rules for The Best Foreign Film Award

V. Eligibility in other Categories

3. Films nominated for the Best Foreign Language Film Award shall not be eligible for Academy Award consideration in any category in any subsequent awards year. Submitted films not selected as nominees are eligible for Academy Award consideration in other categories in the subsequent year, provided the film has its Los Angeles opening in that subsequent calendar year.

(Thanks to Paul Lee for pointing it out)

The answer is no. HERO would not be qualified for any category in any subsequent year if it did not make to the upcoming Oscar. Here is what would happen:

Scenario A: Miramax arranged the run in L.A., Hero was eligible for all possible awards, then HERO was nominated for "The Best Foreign Language Film Award" and possibly other awards.

Scenario B: Miramax arranged the run in L.A., Hero was eligible for all possible awards, then HERO was not nominated for any award, then HERO will not be eligible for any more Oscar.

Scenario C: Miramax did not arrange the run in L.A., Hero was only eligible for "The Best Foreign Language Film Award", HERO was only nominated for "The Best Foreign Language Film Award", and then HERO will not be eligible for any more Oscar.

Scenario D: Miramax did not arrange the run in L.A., Hero was only eligible for "The Best Foreign Language Film Award", HERO was not nominated for "The Best Foreign Language Film Award", and then HERO will have another chance to bid for all awards of the Oscar, except "The Best Foreign Language Film Award", in the year 2004 (Miramax has to release HERO in 2003).

We are hoping for Scenario A but Miramax might think otherwise.

Related Stories:

HERO News 181 -  HERO Coming To North America In January? (MonkeyPeaches Exclusive) November 23, 2002

HERO News 176 -  Opinion: Real Fans Will Be The Real Losers Of The Oscar Game (MonkeyPeaches Exclusive)

November 18, 2002

HERO News 174 -  Will Miramax Push HERO Back For A Year (Greg's Previews) November 15, 2002

75th Academy Awards Rules For Distinguished Achievements During 2002

The official site of BULLETPROOF MONK has gone live: click here

Thanks to "heyjey" for the tip

You know it's always fun to look for mistakes in movie trailers. See those bucket-like wheels at the Tibetan temple, when Chow Yun-Fat is receiving power from his master? They are supposed to be turned by hands, and they should always rotate clockwise (looking down), unless you want to curse someone. But in the trailer, the wheels on the right-hand side are rotating toward the wrong direction. Also, I saw the logo of Hakim Optical which is only available in Eastern Canada. The film was shot entirely in Toronto and surrounding area. The original location is New York, but after "9.11", Toronto was picked.

Shots striped from the trailer have been posted on "heyjey"'s site.

Trailer: BULLETPROOF MONK (QuickTime)

Photos: Sina.com

The trailer of BULLETPROOF MONK is finally online:

Trailer: BULLETPROOF MONK (QuickTime)

Photos: Sing Pao and Oriental Daily

A website has posted a detail description of a just-under-two-minute teaser trailer for KILL BILL, written by someone anonymous:

"It opens with a shot of an airplane flying overhead. Then the music kicks in (wish I could tell you where it’s from because it does ad quite a bit to the kick-ass nature of the whole thing). Screen goes black and in big, red block letters it reads "MIRAMAX FILMS PRESENTS". Fade out. "THE 4TH FILM". Fade out. "BY QUENTIN TARINTINO". Fade out. Then you hear Quentin say "Action!" in the background as a figure wearing motorcycle leathers opens a car trunk. Quick cut to Lucy Liu walking down a hallway with what looks to be her badass entourage behind her (including pre-teen girls in sailor outfits). Cut to Uma on the back of a motorcycle riding through the streets of Japan/China. Cut to an extremely brief shot from some sort of soirée. Cut to Uma, with her back to the camera, sitting at a bar. Another card comes up; it reads: "UMA THURMAN".

End of (one fan-fucking-tastic) trailer ."

Thanks to the webmaster of The Quentin Tarantino Archives

Photos: Tom.com

Photos: Kung Fu Cinema

The Quentin Tarantino Archives just posted some pictures taken inside Beijing Film Studios They only show the small alley KILL BILL was shot, which is only a very small portion of the huge production compound. I am not sure it was built specifically for KILL BILL. I guess not. It is an exact replica of a typical alley, called Hu Tong in Chinese, from the Qing Dynasty (1644 - 1911). Such kind of alleys can be easily found in Beijing, but are filled with many modern stuffs of cause. Hundreds of movies and TV productions have been shot on the set showing the old Beijing. Some of the most known are THE LAST EMPEROR, FAREWELL MY CONCUBINE, the ONCE UPON A TIME IN CHINA series, and CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON. 

Thanks to Alex Ward and the webmaster of The Quentin Tarantino Archives

Exactly one month until the official release, a same name novel based on the screenplay has been introduced. According to Beijing's Star Daily, the novel was written by Li Feng who also penned the screenplay. It contains the preface by director Zhang Yimou, sixty production stills and behind-the-scene pictures, and bookmarks with the main characters. Wang Bin, who co-created HERO, told the paper that HERO was aiming at the Oscar, therefore length of the film had been limited to about one and half hours and the was somewhat restricted. A novel was the best supplement and continuation of the film. He said it would be better to read the novel first before watching the movie.

Photo: NetEase

Photo: Nanfang Daily

Many readers of this site has asked me to comment on the reported Miramax's decision of pushing back HERO's release date to November 2003. Though I have little influence on Miramax, I do have something to say.

The Oscar is no longer the award for the best of cinema, but the award for the best among the most popular, or sometimes, just the most popular. Bidding for the Oscar has more and more become like a political campaign. Studios are sending in their bid for each possible category and are hoping to cash in from a few awards they grabbed. An award will transform a movie, an actor, a director, or a producer, into a cash cow for the studio.

Oscar is not the award for the best of the world. It is not an international films festival, which often welcomes the best from each corner of the world. Oscar is a domestic award of the United States. Only handful of good foreign movies are released in the States each year and only they have the seniority to join the Oscar race. Even though, they still have an uphill battle against US productions and other English language productions.

Studios who made HERO are hoping to repeat the CROUCHING TIGER's glory, for fame, for pride, and most of all for money. However, there is only one CROUCHING TIGER, and it will always be the one. HERO will always be seen as a copycat of CROUCHING TIGER and a "copycat" will not be awarded for its "copying". HERO may still grab something and we can only wait for the turnout.

Miramax's bad reputation among fans of foreign films is quite well known and it has made selecting Miramax to present HERO in the world a bad decision. According to a Chinese paper, the reason the makers of HERO chose Miramax is that they "saw Miramax's accomplishment of making Oscar campaigns". Miramax does has a long list of success story - THE ENGLISH PATIENT, SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE, LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL... But the question is: did Miramax choose HERO as their bid. If you open Miramax's official site, you will see dozens of titles, made in America and foreign imports. HERO is not among them. Miramax had done absolutely nothing to promote HERO - no stills, no trailers, no official site, no press release, no nothing...

I am confused: if Miramax really was aiming HERO at November of next year, then what is their intention. Only three kinds of movies will be released in the last two months of the year, big blockbusters like HARRY PORTER, little known but Oscar hopeful like ABOUT SCHMIDT, and of cause, the miscellaneous. Clear HERO does not belong to the first and the third category. But if Miramax has reserved HERO for the next after the next Oscar, how do you explain the seven-day Oscar qualification run just held in China. Do HERO's makers and Miramax have different thoughts, do they have communication breakdown, do they have some surprise plan... So many questions and so few answers. Maybe readers of the site and whoever working for Miramax can give me a few tosses.

HERO will be released in China this December and if Miramax indeed pushed HERO back to November next year. Fans outside the eastern portion of Asia will have to wait for a year to see it on the big screen. One year is more than enough for DVDs and VCDs to conquer the whole world.

Miramax has paid big bucks for HERO's international distribution rights. To get their money back, there is nothing they will not do. Re-editing, cutting scenes, replacing soundtrack and bad dubbing are just some examples. According to the producers, HERO has been restricted to about 100 minute long. This really sounds Miramaxism.

The real fans will never care about any award. They will always want to see a decent representation of the director's mind. Manipulating a film in order to fit in the frame of an award, pushing the release date back again and again for catching the best "timing", and sacrificing the integrity of a work of art to make a cheap sale, will make the real fans the real losers.

Photos: Sina.com and Oriental Daily

Reporter from Goat City Evening News just had a few minutes of chat with composer Tan Dun. He did not say too much about his music in HERO, but from the interview, you can get to know a little bit about the composer himself:

Your music in CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON has earned an Oscar for you. Now you have done music for Zhang Yimou's HERO. Are you expecting another award?

Not at all. I think CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON is my daughter and HERO is my son. The daughter has the tenderness of the South (of China) and the son is very vigorous like the North (of China).

When HERO was shown in Shenzhen, some audiences said the music had reminded them CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON. What's your opinion?

As what I know, the scale of HERO's screening in Shenzhen is very small. (There are) only less than three hundred audiences (each time). It's normal they said that, because they are both my works and are all attached with the label of Tan Dun. Just like listening to Beethoven's music.

Do you prefer doing movie scores?

Nowadays, composers often cross many fields, like musical, opera, movie score, and so on. I am a professional composer, of cause I do movie score. It's different from the classic music.

What do you want to achieve through your music?

I don't have any specific goal. I only wish the orchestras around the world can play my music, to promote Chinese Culture and let Chinese Culture have a big leap forward in the 21st Century. Earlier I have worked with China National Symphony Orchestra. Half of the program was my works. We were very successful in Australia. I can feel I am running very fast, because the world is changing very fast.

I heard you will attend the Golden Hawk Awards Ceremony (note: the top TV award in China) and Zhang Yimou (HERO's director) will host your concert.

(My) opera "The Gate" was originally rehearsed for the Golden Hawk. But because of the 16th National Congress (of the Communist Party), Golden Hawk has been pushed to December. I will have other concerts by them, so I cannot come.

During last year's Golden Hawk, people of Hunan (Province) saw you as a national hero.

I also feel quite warm here in Guangzhou. I am excited to work with Guangzhou Symphony Orchestra. In the past, I have worked with New York Philharmonic Orchestra on it. At that time, I felt they were actually trying to play Chinese music. This time I feel Guangzhou Symphony Orchestra is performing my music. Only the Chinese can have such sympathetic response. Guangzhou Symphony Orchestra has great potential and it will become the best of China.

In "The Gate", there are three women, Yuji from China, a Geishas from Japan (Madam Butterfly?) and Julie from Europe, talking in the underworld. (note: they are all fictional characters who committed suicide for love) What do you want to say (in this opera)?

Through "O" and "The Gate", I want to tell the evolution of symphonic opera (?) during the last decade. "O" is the first letter of the world "origin". Through my music, I want to say, no matter how the world changes, the traditional culture will not die out, not even the age of Internet can wipe out symphony. Actually, symphony is only one of the carriers of world culture. What I did is introducing elements from Chinese culture and the Buddhism to (symphony) and transforming symphony into a carrier of our own culture.

Are you religious oriented?

I have never been influenced by religions. I am only influenced by cultures.

The foreigners want to see my Chinese side and China is also the root of my music. The technique of music is very important and one must have a solid basis. China Music College is very strong at teaching. Graduates from this college have all received decent training on technique. But the downside is being ignorance to the change of historical styles and is relatively artistically less-developed. Music belongs to the world. Ten years from today, half of China's symphony will be consisted with foreigners. The East and the West are all our homes. I want to say: China's belongs to the world and the world's belongs to China.

Looks like you are quite an explorer in your music. Such as you introduced water utensils to the traditional symphony. Your innovation is somewhat controversy. Like Chinese conductor Bian Zushan. He didn't like you.

The Chinese music critics have given me lots of labels, like "unconventional", "vanguard", "experimental", and so on. But the westerns still consider I as doing the classic music. Our gang was introduced to the symphony by Beethoven. Such innovations are all for better representation of the music. An innovation being watched and being controversy are normal. I challenge the society and in the meantime, the society changes me. I want to say to the younger generations, to have your own idea, you must be bold, must have the courage to show what you want to show. The age of multiculturism and multimedia has come. Our Chinese should not hesitate any more.

Photo: Goat City Evening News

The 39th Golden Horse Awards Ceremony can be call the night of Hong Kong cinema. Among 20 categories, Hong Kong has collected at least 14 of them.

Others

Do you think the differences between the sixth and the fifth generation of directors are very oblivious? (Note: Zhang Yimou belongs to the fifth generation and Lou Ye belongs to the sixth generation)

A director always says what he wants to say. He is not a tool. Like the costume. He wants to show a forward idea or a relaxing idea through the costume. No matter you are from the fifth generation or the sixth generation. In HERO, what you will see is exactly what (he) wants to say.

After CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON, the Hollywood has formatted you as an "action girl". Will HERO reinforce it?

Just go with it. I never thought about someday I would be called "action girl". I never dreamed about making a martial art film.

Do you feel more confidence of doing actions?

I can't say I am very good at it. (I) just more and more like it and want to make more learn learn more. When watching CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON now, I ask myself how I went through it. I can't remember how did I hold out till the end. At that time, I didn't have time to think about what the film would bring to me. I was quite naive. I just concentrated on doing my job without any vanity. Later I started work under heavy pressure. Part of it was added myself and part of it was from the environment. Without that kind of pressure, maybe I would not achieve all these.

Do you think you have made any progress during the past year?

I hope the progress would not be noticed by me. That's better. In other word, (I) should not try to think whether I made any progress or not.

What have you achieved through the films you made this year?

This year I only made PURPLE BUTTERFLY. Only one film a year. That's a bit sad. But I will not regret turning down so many projects. If I cried when reading a script, or if something from the script suddenly caught my eyes, I would know I have found a good role. (I put) a lot of efforts on PURPLE BUTTERFLY. Just wait to see (what will turn out).

Are you hoping to play several characters can be remembered by the audiences?

I am not doing it for the audiences. Of cause, If people liked you, supported you, it would be great to do it for them. But more important, (you) must challenge yourself.

You are eager to do everything well?

I don't know about now, but in the pass, I was really eager to do everything well. Gradually I have become afraid of being so eager. I hope I can rem my own individuality, people like it or not. Do not care too much about what people say and you will go through it. There hasn't been anything (tabloid news) on me except that thing about Gao Feng. So ridiculous! (Note: Gao Feng is a Chinese singer has passed away in September and according to some tabloid report, Zhang Ziyi was his last girlfriend) This year, there hasn't been anything too bad or too good for me. Very quiet and I feel very calm. But I don't know whether the quietness caused the calm, or the calm caused the quietness. I have tried not to let myself floating on the surface and wanted to stay deep quietly. I hope people can see me making progress and that's all what I'm asking for.

If you were asked to do a few minutes in a foreign project, would you take it?

No, absolutely not. I can only say a few (English) words and I can make English language movie? Being able to do skillful performance with my mother tongue, is what makes me happy the most. I have tried to speaking English in a film (RUSH HOUR 2), but didn't have much confidence. What would happen if I went to the Hollywood? They would only give me a symbol. How about that? (I) am not in a big hurry to do something. This is my biggest change during the year.

Are you worried about your fame would fade out?

No. I don't have a choice and I will go with it. I believe how much effort and time I have put in will have a payback in my film.

(Originally published by Nanfang Daily)

HERO News 172 -  Zhang Ziyi Interview - HERO, PURPLE BUTTERFLY, And Others - Part One (MonkeyPeaches Exclusive)

 November 14, 2002

Zhang Ziyi Interview - HERO, PURPLE BUTTERFLY, And Others - Part Two (MonkeyPeaches Exclusive)

 November 15, 2002

Photo: Xinhua News Agency

According to Greg's Previews, Miramax has pushed the North American released date to November 2003. By them the DVD and VCD, original and pirated, will flood the market. Because Miramax is notoriously of trashing foreign films, real fans will not wait to see it in the theater.

About the Oscar issue, if HERO was released in 2003 in the US, it would only be qualified for the Oscar of 2004. Because HERO was first released in China in 2002, it will not be qualified for the "Best Foreign Film" category of 2004's Oscar. What a mess!

Click here for Greg's Previews on HERO

PURPLE BUTTERFLY

Let's talk about PURPLE BUTTERFLY. It is a story of the relationship between a female spy and several men?

Taking it, I finally got a movie in which I had more than just a few minutes. (Laugh) I think it is not about a "story". Lou Ye (director) still sticks to his own style. The style cannot be found in the script, and it is invisible. But it is not purely just about a story or just about love.

I heard there is a very hot passion scene in the film. Have you ever hesitated?

Yes.

How hesitating?

It's a kind of mood. I played an underground worker. To approach the target, I returned to my ex-lover, the character played by Nakamura Tôru. His superior was also my superior, and was (also) in love with me. He sent me to the boy (Nakamura Tôru's character) and his heart was tortured. There is a scene: I agreed to be his date. I rediscovered the feeling from the past and the feeling of real love came back. This is the scene I remember the most. We left a room and walked to the end of an alley. He kept walking and I started to walk back. We left each other without a word. I kept walking but still wanted to see him. (I) walked slower and slower and suddenly turned around. I run to the end of the alley, once reached the boy, I lighted up a cigarette and stopped. Lou Ye said "cut". Then the only thing left for me was just running back to the boy and giving him a look. But after several takes, I have become very excited and felt there was more to unleash. (I) asked Lou Ye, "can you give me a little bit more time? Don't just let it end now." Lou Ye agreed. At that time my emotion was very high. After run back, once saw him, I started to cry.

To be a good actor is really something extraordinary. I must thank Nakamura Tôru. He didn't have to do anything, but he watched me very cooperatively. Lou Ye was also smart and he had moved in front of me. (?) I just couldn't control myself. I felt that was not acting, couldn't stop, just kept crying. You loved him so much. Then he quietly tried to calm you down. The next was that passion scene. Maybe just walked into the house, left the door open, and jumped to the bed directly. The scene would be done like that.

You just jumped to the bed directly?

No. Because we didn't know much about each other and had few conversations. We were quite reasonable. Nakamura Tôru even said, "to shoot this kind of scenes, our Japanese usually sit down, have a cup of tea, and talk, to gradually built up (the mood)." But the mood had already built up and we didn't have time for any tea, probably just rushed in and left the door open. It was really like that. But we didn't make it too rush. We had a hug first. That scene was a good test for me and (I) didn't have any distracting thought.

Were you asked to wear less?

No. I wore just like everyday. It was to show a kind of attitude. Looks like some people think passion scene is just "bed scene", must stripping and having sex. Some passion scenes, like Moon's big cry after those two persons' death, were also big passion scenes.

Among Nakamura Tôru, Liu Ye and Feng Yuanzheng, who cooperated with you the best?

I remembered the most is the scene with that boy. The most relaxed was Liu Ye. I have known Feng Yuanzheng for a long time. He has shown in many movies and TV series. My mom likes him and even went to see him once. Liu Ye, Feng Yuanzheng and I are all working for the same troupe, China Modern Drama Troupe. So does Li Bingbing.

What is your look in PURPLE BUTTERFLY?

I curved my hair. This is where the misunderstanding came from: Liu Ye said I changed my look for the film. Later it became I had some plastic surgery. Liu Ye is a bit clumsy (note: not a bad word in Chinese). My look in the film is quite simple, the Qipaos (a kind of traditional Chinese dress) I wore are not as gorgeous as those from IN THE MOOD FOR LOVE. Lou Ye wanted a kind of documentary style. Therefore the actors did not wear makeup and the lightning was also very simple.

(Originally published by Nanfang Daily)

HERO News 172 -  Zhang Ziyi Interview - HERO, PURPLE BUTTERFLY, And Others - Part One (MonkeyPeaches Exclusive)

 November 14, 2002

Tomorrow: Zhang Ziyi Interview - HERO, PURPLE BUTTERFLY, And Others - Part Three

Photo: Zhang Ziyi CSC

According to Hong Kong's Oriental Daily and its sister paper The Sun, during the meeting with fans yesterday in Hong Kong, called "HEROES behind HERO", Christopher Doyle said, "I like sun and moon, so I often use natural light during filming. To catch a great shot, I think I should not only love the lens, but also love the person in the shot. Therefore recently I love Maggie Cheung the most, just like I have been dating her. If I was a woman or a gay, Leung Chiu-Wai would be my love."

(Left) Cinematographer Christopher Doyle, the topless dud, and Maggie Cheung. The set was built in the desert of Dunhuang region and was portrayed as a city under attack by the King's army.

Here is Zhang Ziyi's another interview with Nanfang Daily:

HERO

How do you see HERO's influence upon your acting career?

(It is) a film I am proud of. It won't bring anything to me and I still put myself aside. (???) I am very happy I have joint the production team, a team with very strong cohesion.

With so many good actors, did you feel being pressured?

Not much. I am just a participator, felt curious, never thought about what my role would be, and just wanted to participate. I have believed I can learn a lot of new stuffs (from it).

(Some) audiences said without your character, maybe the story might still work.

It will not. Moon (Zhang Ziyi's character) played a key role (in HERO). It's like a button which links (everything together). She can deliver the love between Flying Snow (Maggie Cheung) and Broken Sword (Leung Chiu-Wai), and through the "pretending" between them, through her (Moon's) love to Broken Sword, to unleash Flying Snow's deep love of Broken Sword, to sent Broken Sword's heart and intension to Nameless (Jet Li). I never thought about whether (the story) will work without the role, but I think (without it the story) will be somewhat incomplete.

Looks like there is no ending for Moon?

By the end she is still alone. (She) didn't die.

If you can have a second chance, will you take the role of Flying Snow?

To be able to take the role, (I) will need a lot of time to steel myself. During the filming, maybe because director (Zhang Yimou) was too bold, other characters have become invisible. (?) Actually all these roles are not easy to handle and maybe I just couldn't handle. Like the character Moon, I have asked director whether it would be fine to cast a newcomer and he said although (the role) had very few scenes, it was not easy to handle. (Then) I (started to) feel heavily pressured.

Tomorrow: Zhang Ziyi Interview - HERO, PURPLE BUTTERFLY, And Others - Part Two

Photo: New Cinema Magazine

(Left & Mid) Nameless (Jet Li) and Moon (Zhang Ziyi) fighting in the library

(Right) Nameless crossing swords with Broken Sword (Leung Chiu-Wai)

Hong Kong's Oriental Daily reports, last night Jackie Chan was involved in yet another accident, while making a "saving a kid from fire" scene. His hair and hands were burned but he said those were nothing. Jackie Chan is currently making additional scenes for, according to Hong Kong media, the US version of HIGHBINDERS. On November 18th, he will fly to Toronto for some undisclosed business.

Click here and here to see Jackie Chan's hair and hands

According to Hong Kong's The Sun, Maggie Cheung's costumes were very bulky were layer after layer. It usually took a long to put them on or take them off. Therefore she had to set a restriction on her water consumption to reduce the frequency of her trips to the washroom.

Photos: Sina.com

Left: Broken Sword (Leung Chiu-Wai) and his maid Moon (Zhang Ziyi)

Right: Moon (left) and Flying Snow (right / Maggie Cheung)

Photos: NOW.COM.HK

These pictures were scanned from a Chinese magazine and were posted at the HERO Page by 21CN

Photos: 21CN

Yuen Cheung-Yan is responsible for the action of CHARLIE'S ANGLES and the sequel. He is also assisting his brother Yuen Wo-Ping on THE MATRIX sequels.

Click here for the trailer

According to 21dnn.com, Beijing born Hong Kong singer Faye Wong has spent two days recoding the theme song of HERO, which is also named Hero. It was composed by Zhang Yadong, not Tan Dun. Soundtrack of HERO, including the song, will be distributed by SONY.

Also, from November 5th to December 20th, Hong Kong's Cable TV will air a 35-episode special called "Hero Enlightenment" at the Entertainment Channel. Each is 5 minute long. (Thanks to W.F for this one)

Photos: Beijing Youth

These are the high quality print of the two posters being displaced at the New Nanguo Theater in Shenzhen City during HERO's Oscar qualification run.

Photos: Sina.com

(Left) Flying Snow (Maggie Cheung) surrounded by Qin soldiers

(Mid & Right) A practicing match with Broken Sword (Leung Chiu-Wai). Making this beautiful scene was actually very dangerous. The rocks were slippery, the costumes were bulky, and the swords were heavy.

Photos: Sina.com

Hong Kong media report last night Jackie Chan just made some additional scenes for HIGHBINDERS at Hong Kong's Mong Kok, a shopping and dinning district. Jackie Chan's scenes include eating some dumping and boiled squid, running in the street (with clothes on), and jumped into a cop car. But the car door was so tight that  after many takes, he still couldn't open it. Of cause, he has made the onsite audiences laugh.

Photos: Sing Pao, Oriental Daily and The Sun (Hong Kong)

Zhang Ziyi just had another interview with Beijing Times. She talked about her experience with HERO, her understanding of the plot of 2046 and her memory of PURPLE BUTTERFLY.

HERO

You have said you didn't get too many scenes in HERO and hoped for less media coverage for yourself. Is there anything unforgettable to you personally?

It's indeed I only played a supporting role. Since the day the shooting began, I always tried to participate in this movie as a student or an audience. There are many unforgettable moments. If (you are asking for) anything special, it is probably the maple forest (note: should be diversiform-leaved poplar forest) fist scene with Maggie Cheung. We were all hanging in the air. When making the shot with I diving onto (her), I felt my eye almost burst out off the sockets. I was holding the twin sabers. It's very heavy.

Many are not expecting HERO to get anything from the Oscar and say the music is too similar to that of CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON (note: both were composed by Tan Dun). Do you have any prediction?

Saying they are too similar, because they don't understand HERO. I think there is no violence in it and it is a passionate film which can warm your heart and inspire your soul, and is about a nation's cohesion. The American audiences, have been through the "9.11", will like it.

2046

Are you going to start working on 2046 this month?

Yes. Even my mom could be tired of it, if it was delayed any further. If I remembered correctly, Wong Kar-Wai said he had been working on the film for almost three years. It's probably a new record of the longest pre-production for a film. Design of my character has been finalized and it has been announced at the Cannes Film Festival, but there is just no word on when the shooting will begin.

Do you know the plot line of 2046?

I haven't read any final outline, but based on several conversations with Wong Kar-Wai, I think 2046 is actually the sequel of IN THE MOOD FOR LOVE. "2046" is actually the number of the room Leung Chiu-Wai and Maggie Cheung met. After Maggie Cheung has left, Leung Chiu-Wai stays in the room alone and has many recalls and imaginations, maybe are about the past or the future. Later Maggie Cheung returns to room 2046. I think this is probably the plot of 2046. Maybe only this kind of structure can include more and more actors being mentioned by the media. It's Wang Kar-Wai's improvisation.

PURPLE BUTTERFLY

Is PURPLE BUTTERFLY a pure drama?

I don't know. We must judge a film after it is completed, especially for a film made by such young director like Lou Ye. PURPLE BUTTERFLY has a very legendary main storyline but it's up to Lou Ye - to be a drama or a very stylized film. I don't know his intension. Young directors are often unpredictable and this is the main reason I chose PURPLE BUTTERFLY.

Will this film be shown at next year's Cannes Film Festival?

Yes, basically. I hope PURPLE BUTTERFLY can be as successful as CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON (at Cannes).

How do you judge director Lou Ye?

All Chinese directors I want to work with are talented, including Lou Ye. When I decided to take PURPLE BUTTERFLY, I got a big support from director Zhang Yimou. He said there were many (I) can learn from this generation of directors like Lou Ye.

The Next

Have you chosen your next project?

I have read some scripts and director (Zhang Yimou) has told me Gu Changwei and Hou Yong  were planning their maiden films. They are the best cinematographers among the Fifth Generation (of filmmakers). I think to be a good film director, most importantly, you must show your own artistic style and as the same time, knows how to tell a story to ordinary audiences. Therefore, I think Zhang Yimou is the best.

Photos: Sina.com

According to a massage at the forum of the official Jet Li site (JetLi.com) posted by "nico", Danish release date has been aimed at April 4, 2003 but this might change. If so, released dates in other European countries will very likely be in the coming April as well.

Click here for the original post by "nico"

Photos: Beijing Times

A Chinese magazine has posted some new pictures from HERO, including some of the library fight scene with Jet Li and Zhang Ziyi.

Click here

Hong Kong media report former Show Bros. martial-art star Lo Lieh has died from heart attack this morning in Shenzhen, just north of Hong Kong. Lo Lieh, birth named Wang Lida, started his career in the 60s and was one of the top stars of Show Bros during the 70s. Some of his best films include TIE SHOU WU QING, TIAN XIA DI YI QUAN (FIVE FINGERS OF DEATH), LIU XING HU DIE JIAN, TIAN YA MING YUE DAO, and TIAN WANG (KIDNAP). His last big screen appearance is in GLASS TEARS in 2001. Lo Lieh died at the age of 62 (64, according to some other sources).

Click here for the trailer

The official site has confirmed the pushing-back of the release date to February 7, 2003. Also, more Jackie Chan diary has been posted.

Thanks to Marie M

Here are the transcript of the English version of the trailer (translations are in Italic):

It was a time of courage and sacrifice.

Flying Snow (Maggie Cheung): We must go (to kill the king?)

Broken Sword (Leung Chiu-Wai): Go, it's certain death.

Flying Snow (Maggie Cheung): Then die together.

It was an age of obsession and lost love.

In a distant war torn land, three assassins conspire the ultimate plan, two lovers share a secret vow.

Moon (Zhang Ziyi): Broken Sword and Flying Snow live and die together. (They) never separate, nor do (their) swords.

An ambitious king plans to rule the world.

King (Chen Daoming): The Calvary (representing the army) of the Great Qin (kingdom) to conquer a vast land.

And one man stands in their way.

Nameless (Jet Li): Good handwriting.

Broken Swords (Leung Chiu-Wai): Good swordplay.

From internationally acclaimed director of RAISE THE RED LANTERN, come with a moving saga of uncommon valor, and unfulfilled passion.

The general: Charge!

How far would you go to defend your country, how far would you go to fulfill your duty, how far would you go to preserve the honor, and how far would you go to become a hero.

Many readers of this site have complained about the bumpy connection with HERO trailer. Here is one way to download the trailer:

1. Click here to download Streambox VCR Suite (Note: downloading this program is no longer legal in the US and possibly some other countries. Please check it first)

2. After installing the program, open Streambox VCR 1.0 Beta 3.1

3. Copy any one of the following addresses:

    Cantonese version  Real 56K: http://playlist.yahoo.com/makeplaylist.dll?SID=3467931

                                 Real 300K: http://playlist.yahoo.com/makeplaylist.dll?SID=3467932

                                 WMP 56K: http://playlist.yahoo.com/makeplaylist.dll?SID=3467928

                                 WMP 300K: http://playlist.yahoo.com/makeplaylist.dll?SID=3467930

    English version       Real 56K: http://playlist.yahoo.com/makeplaylist.dll?SID=3467936

                                 Real 300K: http://playlist.yahoo.com/makeplaylist.dll?SID=3467938

                                 WMP 56K: http://playlist.yahoo.com/makeplaylist.dll?SID=3467934

                                 WMP 300K: http://playlist.yahoo.com/makeplaylist.dll?SID=3467935

4. Under Streambox VCR 1.0 Beta 3.1, select "Edit" then "Paste Link"

5. Select "Time" then check "Unlimited Attempts until not crash"

6. Select "Connections" then select "TI LAN" as your Bandwidth

7. Click "OK"

This program can be used to download all kinds of stream videos.

According to ycwb.com, a deal about issuing a set of HERO postal stamps has been signed with "some authority". The set stamps will feature all main characters from the film. China Post will not put living persons on stamps and it is also unlikely for the stamps being issued in Hong Kong. We have to wait to see whether this is real or just a rumor.