Producer Zhang Weiping told Beijing Morning Post HERO DVD and VCD will be released in China on February 20, 2003. 

Review: HERO  (Positive, ****, Medium Spoilers)

Chengdu Daily reports HERO VCD and DVD will be released "soon". According to the paper, the VCD and DVD will sold at about 15 and 20 yuans (US$ 1.81 and 3.02) There will be some sort of price war between the original and the pirated. The bootlegged VCDs, including one duplicated directly from the film copy, have shown up in the black market earlier this week, but the sales are not good.

Since being released on Friday, HERO has become a record-breaker all over China. During the first weekend, It has collected 50 million yuans, about US$ 6.04 million, and on the first day of release, the new record is 12 million (US$ 1.45 million) Tickets are sold at as high as 70 (US$ 8.46) and nearly 300 copies of the film has been distributed to theaters around the country. In Beijing alone, the result for the first three-days is over 7 million (US$ 0.85 million), much higher than the record set by TITANIC, which is $4.3 million (US$ 1.52 million). Currently HERO is still earning more than 10 million every day. Here is a bad news: the original copy has been destroyed due to being over-used in the process of producing copies.

Here are two articles by Reuters and Comingsoon.net: click here and here (Thnaks to Chris Vinh, Ben Lin and Masaki Kaimori)

There are two mistakes in the articles: name of the kingdom (not yet a dynasty) is Qin not Quin and Jiang Wen is not on the cast list.

HERO is director Zhang Yimou's first attempt of appealing for a wider audience range, which proves he is a master of making the best of actions while still maintaining his own touch of an artist.

The movie starts with Nameless (Jet Li) presents the weapons of the three assassins wanted by the king of Qin (Chen Daoming), Broken Sword (Leung Chiu-Wai), Flying Snow (Maggie Cheung) and Long Sky (Donnie Yen). At the king's grand hall, Nameless told the king how he single-handedly eliminated the three assassins. But, the king did not buy Nameless' story and had his own version of the story. Then in the rest of the movie, more stories were told and we are getting closer and closer to the truth.

Zhang Yimou is not the only director who knows how to master colors but he is the only one I know who actually cast colors as actors to play in his film and the human actors only take supporting roles. Each color is playing one chapter and five colors are telling one story through different eyes. Red is the story Nameless told the king. It is simple, it is straight and it makes sense. But it is not real and it failed to convince the king. Blue is the story the king came up. It is closer to the truth but not close enough. White is the real story, or maybe not. Because after the red and the blue being labeled not real, you would start to doubt about the white as well. The green is the story within the white and it was only told by Broken Sword. Black is the story with only two characters and is also the narrator links other colors together.

With a director who used to be a cameraman before got his director's chair, you could bet for a film visually astonishing for sue. Zhang Yimou's labor of creating each shot is not in vein. A still lake with two warriors dancing, rather than fighting, on the lake surface, two red dress girls flying amongst tress and fallen leaves, and two opponents battling in rain with water dripping on their weapons - these are just a few highlights. Clearly, some of them were achieved by computer but most were done through the traditional way. Some of the CG works might look fake to you, but those are want the director wanted - eye candy does not have to something only exist in the real world.

Ching Siu-Tung is responsible for the actions and scenes shot in the desert were supervised by Tung Wai. They have done their jobs well. Surprisingly, wire-fu was not used as heavily as we expected, except the still lake fight. However, there is a perfect explanation for this exception. You will understand it when you see the movie.

In HERO, you do not see one star but rather a group of stars, even though each one of them alone is capable of handle a film as big as HERO. Nameless is probably the most challenging role Jet has ever played and he has proved he was more than just an action figure. Leung Chiu-Wai is the right man for Broken Sword, a warrior with a tortured sole and Maggie Cheung is perfect for Flying Snow, a strong woman with a fragile heart. Chen Daoming played the king as an ambitious ruler and conquer. Zhang Ziyi only had a supporting role just like in all her previews works except the first one THE ROAD HOME. Someone might be disappointed to see her getting such small share in the film but she has done her part well. No, her role did not remind me other character she played in another martial-art film (you know what I am referring to). Donnie Yen is a bit underused here. Even though his scene ended at very early of the film, the showdown between him and Jet Li and the fight in which he is opposing the seven top fighters from Qin are the only two pieces of action played by real martial artists.

Like what many people have said, the music of HERO does sound somewhat similar to what Tan Dun has composed for another film. But I like it anyway. The violin solo by Itzhak Perlman is a shining point of the film, which should not be overlooked.

The costumes were made to consist with the color of each chapter. But you will not see any two actors wearing exactly the same color. A little bit contradictive to RAN, in which the costumes are lavishing and colorful, HERO has actors in simple, clean and single-color clothing. Once again, Emi Wada has showed her talent with colors.

Loaded with actions, HERO is absolutely violence-free. There are people being killed, lots of them actually, but you will never see anyone being chopped or stabbed. There are only three scenes involving blood and only one of them contains a little bit of bleeding. Violence would spoiler the beauty of the film and with little blood, HERO has achieved what violence movies could never do.

My major complain of this film is – it is too short. With five colored stories, six main characters and so many breathtaking scenes, 98 minutes are a bit overcrowded. We know the original cut is about two hour long but in the end it settled as less than 100 minutes. Despite director Zhang Yimou’s explanation, I still suspect this was the result of MiramAxezation. Some shots we saw in the trailers and the documentary CAUSE failed to survive the final cut. Fortunately, a DVD with extended HERO has been promised.

HERO action figures (Jet Li, Leung Chiu-Wai, Maggie Cheung, Zhang Ziyi and Donnie Yen, but no the king of Qin) will be sold here.

Thanks to Al Young

Review: HERO by Kenneth Leung (Positive, Medium Spoilers)

While being released in China, HERO film has been nominated for The Best Foreign Language Film of The Golden Globe Awards, along with BALZAC AND THE LITTLE CHINESE SEAMSTRESS (FRANCE), CITY OF GOD (BRAZIL),  THE CRIME OF FATHER AMARO (El Crimen del Padre Amaro) (MEXICO), NOWHERE IN AFRICA (GERMANY) and TALK TO HER (SPAIN). However, HERO is not so luck at other categories.

Click here for the complete list of nominations

Thanks to Ceoin Sorrowpalm, Ravi Gandhi, Han Yik, Alexandre Dubois, Nathan Layman, Thomas, Patrick, Mei Yu, chris vinh and Andy Schlachtenhaufen.

Last night, Jet Li, Leung Chiu-Wai, Maggie Cheung, Donnie Yen, the theme song singer Faye Wong as well as Hong Kong's Chief Executive Tung Chee-Hwa attended HERO's Hong Kong première. However, for some unknown reason, director Zhang Yimou, Zhang Ziyi and Chen Daoming did not attend the première. (Click here for more pictures)

Rottentomatoes.com, the only site with a large online collection of movie reviews, has set up a HERO page (click here) and listed HERO as one of the 20 movies at the "Upcoming Highlights" section (click here).

Review:  HERO by Richard Corliss (Positive, No Spoilers) (TIME Asia)

Article Playing Safe by Susan Jakes (TIME Asia)

Thanks to Ben Lin and Chris Lee

Guangzhou première: A B

The bad links of "Hero Defined" have been fixed:

Videos: Hero Defined (Windows Media)

The Start: (1:39) Stream (4.27 MB)  Download (Zip / 2.7 MB)

The Back Story: (5:33) Stream (22.3 MB)  Download (Zip / 10.1 MB)

The Action: (8:39) Stream (22.3 MB)  Download (Zip / 15.8 MB)

The Challenges: (4:20) Stream (11.1 MB)  Download (Zip / 7.2 MB)

The Magic: (3:30) Stream (9.04 MB)  Download (Zip / 5.9 MB)

Video HERO Shanghai Première (51:37 / Windows Media)

Videos: Hero Defined (Windows Media)

The Start: (1:39) Stream (4.27 MB)  Download (Zip / 2.7 MB)

The Back Story: (5:33) Stream (22.3 MB)  Download (Zip / 10.1 MB)

The Action: (8:39) Stream (22.3 MB)  Download (Zip / 15.8 MB)

The Challenges: (4:20) Stream (11.1 MB)  Download (Zip / 7.2 MB)

The Magic: (3:30) Stream (9.04 MB)  Download (Zip / 5.9 MB)

During the press conference held yesterday, director Zhang Yimou has said an extended version of HERO with deleted scenes would be included in the DVD. According to an early report, the DVD will be released in China in February 2003.

Video HERO Première - Part One (11:24 / 8 MB / Windows Media)

Video HERO Première - Part Two (55:07 / 40 MB / Windows Media)

Related Reports:

Old emperor, new epic: Zhang Yimou's ancient China martial-arts movie debuts (AP)
Zhang Yimou's ancient China martial arts epic dbuts in style (AP)
Ancient China Martial-Arts Movie Debuts (AP)
Beijing Goes Hollywood at 'Hero' Premiere (Reuters)

Video HERO Première - Part One (11:24 / 8 MB / Windows Media)

Video HERO Première - Part Two (55:07 / 40 MB / Windows Media)

Don't forget to check out Sina's HERO page. It got lots of pictures taken at the première / press conference.

According to Zhang Weiping, this was what really happened: When they were looking for the international distributor approximately a year ago, MiramAxe has promised them US$ 20 million with one phone call for every two or three days. Seeing the fact that MiramAxe had generated so many Oscar winners in the past ten years and with the temptation of the 20 mill, HERO's production companies finally gave in. However, MiramAxe has only paid an undisclosed amount of deposit rather than the full payment. Now, MramAxe has refused to do anything to promote HERO despite being repeatedly urged by the production companies.

For fans in North America, there is an unconfirmed (that's right! Unconfirmed!) release date - January 13th (It's a Monday!). However, there is a very big chance that the date being pushed back again and again, or being sent direct to video. For fans whose countries being controlled by MiramAxe, the news could only be worse. Will HERO be cut, dubbed and trashed even further? Don't be surprised!

Mr. Zhang Weiping and the rest of who made the decision of selling HERO to MiramAxe: we, the fans, knows MiramAxe the best. We have been yelling and screaming about MiramAxe's notorious bad behaviors for years. Why didn't you consult us before you sealed that deal? Just go online and look for our messages!

Now MiramAxe has left HERO to die. Many fans may never have the chance to see it on the big screen; and many people may never have a chance to decide whether they like it or hate it because they simple will never know the existence of the film.

Photo: Oriental Daily

The second trailer, same as the one Sina.com, is up at the official site. The narration is in Cantonese and it got subtitles in both traditional Chinese and English.

Trailer HERO (5 MB / Real Video/Windows Media)

Sina.com reports a Shanghai based game developer has acquired the exclusive game rights of HERO. Characters, weapons and storylines will be adapted to an online game series called Forgotten Saga 2.  An existing server "Chariot" will be permanently renamed after the film at the film's Shanghai première (December 16th).

Zhang YImou has once again spoken about his HERO in an interview with Beijing Youth. He said there was little hope for HERO to grab anything from the Oscar and he was not expecting anything, not even a nomination. He explained why the film is less than 100 minute long. He also mentioned an alternative ending specifically ma

Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, UK, USAde for "the Americans". Fortunately, it remains as an alternative.

Is "Tian Xia" ("land under the heaven", means "the world"), Leung Chiu-Wai wrote in the desert with his sword, the theme of HERO?

I think, first of all, HERO is a kind of genre movie and is a kind of action movie or wuxia movie, nothing particular about it. My real intension is to explore the market, to test my capability from another angle, and to open more room for Chinese movies from another angle. The room is the domestic market and the international market. Because I found out - I made so many artistic films, were only shown at a few overseas artistic film theaters, and had very little impact among the general audiences. Therefore I wanted to use this mainstream market (the market of non-artistic films) to let more people see my movies and just wanted to make an attempt on this. I don't have any wild ambition of showing some profound meaning in such kind of movies. So, it becomes simpler - I am not attempting to show a profound subject, because it looks like that "tian xia" is about everything and how could a movie bearing such subject? Also, HERO's winning point is not at its subject, but more importantly, whether the film is entertaining, exciting, overwhelming and attracting; and whether it will evoke repercussions among the audiences. Achieving these, I will be pleased and feel satisfied. But, why (I) still talk about some meaning? This is a long-time tradition of mine which makes us, so called artistic directors, to look for a starting point while making a movie.

I hope people not to dig any deeper on this but to ask "did I completely intoxicated by the movie during the 90 minutes?", "without prejudice, do I think this movie is good, and whether it achieved the level of 'carefully made and perfectly beautiful'?" Because HERO is just a mainstream movie, the profoundness of its message, humanity as well as richness of the characters cannot be compared to those of an artistic film. When you recall a movie you saw several years ago, there were probably only a few seconds of it still remains in your brain. Its story and subject might be forgotten, and all you can remember is just the a few seconds of a scene or what a character looks like. Therefore we had set a goal - in HERO, (making) more than three moments of such a few seconds is enough.

Your next project is still a wuxia film?

It's possible. Right now, I am preparing for several projects and I prefer to make (another) wuxia film, (because) I still feel excited about that. I like wuxia films and like this kind of films with room of imagination. "Wuxia" does not equal to "wugong" (martial art). The latter is more about techniques and "xia" is a kind of ideal state. "Xia" is filled with the spread of humanity and the original content of humanity. What is "xia"? Nobody knows. When I was overseas making subtitles for HERO, they didn't know how to translate "xia". I can't do it either, but I think "xia" exits in the ancient Chinese culture. My understand is - "xia" is a special kind of persons. A "xia" is not restricted by anyone but oneself. "Xia" is eager to challenge everything but with one's own way of doing things. It's very exiting to make a movie about "xia". It can fulfill my dream which cannot be fulfilled in the real life.

With US$30 million, HERO does not have the length of two or  three hours. Why?

Being honest, we spent more time on the colors, the visual, the styles and attractiveness of the story, the effects, how to make it better, and so on. Why we make the film 90 minute long, (even) shorter than THE RED SORGHUM (Zhang Yimou's directorial début)? With such big budget, nobody would believe I made it so short. I want to make it concentrating, short, running it through at one stretch, without dragging, drawing audiences' attention from the beginning to the end, and not allowing the audiences to think for even one moment until the end.

Also, the style of making a movie in segments is not my invention. Some have been saying whose style it looks like. It doesn't matter. Filmmaking always involves borrowing. However, I used this kind of structure in order to break the structure of the traditional wuxia films. Such kind of structure might be very common among artistic films and might not be something extraordinary, but wuxia films, including those made by King Hu, Chang Cheh, Bruce Lee, and Hark Tsui, all have one single plotline and rarely or never involves segments. I think by using this kind of structure and this way, maybe I can give the audiences some new feeling. That's all. Very simple. Nothing special about it. It's just a little contribution for the genre of wuxia films.

Warning: Spoilers Ahead! Highlight to read!

We once had an alternative ending, made for the Americans. In the beginning, the investor told me the characters should not all die otherwise the Americans would not like it. Therefore we made such (alternative) ending: Moon and the old servant (of Broken Sword) is using wine to commemorate Nameless, Broken Sword and Flying Snow. The old servant said "three of them were all heroes and were all intimates". Moon asked him, "what is intimate?". The old servant answered, "having one intimate during the lifetime is enough, and having three intimate, one can have the tian xia (world)." Moon suddenly realized, "so, three of them are tian xia." Later the American boss (MiramAxe) accepted the (original) one and there is no need to change the ending.

During the fight scene with Flying Snow and Moon, when Moon dies, color of the screen changes from gold to red. What is the purple of doing so?

First, I like red; second, I feel (it is) romantic. The moment of the death of the little girl Moon should be very romantic. Color of all leaves changes from gold to red. It has been written in the screenplay and (we) used computer to achieve it. This is a kind of sur-romantic. It does have its physiologic basis: it is through Moon's shaky eyes and it might happy in real life. Just like telling the story in segments, it not only is a new attempt but also has basis of real life.

Spoilers End here!

How do you foresee HERO's quest for the Oscar?

Honestly, I am not hoping anything. Because CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON winning so many awards is already a miracle. Such miracle has been solidly imprinted in the mind of the Americans. It will influence the voters of the Oscar. Whoever trying to imitate is foolish. The Oscar usually does not give another chance to a film with the same genre. Although I am not expecting anything from the Oscar, but our government has recommended us (HERO is representing China to compete for the Best Foreign Language Film Award), then we will go. We will be happy if we won because an Oscar can bring in huge commercial income. But I cannot expect anything. I have said this: there is not much hope. Also, I am not optimistic about HERO being nominated. The standard of the Americans is different from ours. From this point, Ang Lee is really good. His movie (CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON) did not do well in China, but the Americans really like it. I cannot do it.

Many people have asked me when I will feel I have enough awards and way I always compete for awards. Well, Not really. It is the need for distributing films, and the need of the distributors and the producers. We haven't reach the level of refusing an award. For an genre movie, big award will be a big boost to the distribution. You won an award, there are probably eighting distributors coming to you and if you didn't win, probably only one of them will come. Also, an award can increase the fame by 20%, and an Oscar can increase the fame by 80%.

In HERO, you did not cast newcomers like what you have been doing in the past. Why?

It is the need of this kind of movies - you must use stars. High star density can make it look hot in the market. I feel very thankful to these stars. Thanks to their trust and appreciation. I know, each one of them alone can make a movie work and take an absolute leading role. But HERO is a movie made by a team and a story told in segments. Except some group scenes, each actor only got 30 minutes. Quite short for a big star. Many actors don't want to play group scenes. Therefore I think they came for me. I feel deeply appreciated.

How do you judge the actors in HERO?

It is rude to rank actors. I can only say it in general. First, they all worked with me with a real heart and overcame many difficulties of their own. They really came for me. I know that. I am a man don't know how to talk and don't know how to build relationship with words. We worked very well. I wrote a letter to each one of them, inviting them to join (the project). They worked with real heart and did their best. Those are the result of the professionalism and more are from the appreciation and trust. Therefore, the film would not be made without them.

Second, just like what I have said about having intimate in your life. I always believe "having one intimate during the lifetime is enough". With my age and my experience, I no long need to ass-kiss (any star), but I see each one of them as my intimate, intimate of my whole life. Intimates may never meet, or my not be able to see each other for ten or twenty years, but they will always remember each other. This is how I feel. Whether I will work with them depends on the (whether there will be a) right script. I can't make the promise now.

Photo: Oriental Daily

Yesterday during a HERO promotion event, Zhang Ziyi received a portrait of her character (Like) Moon drawn by comic artist Ma Wing-Sing. (more pictures: A B C D E)

Meanwhile several videos have been added to the official site, including the seminar "Heroes behind HERO" with cinematographer Christopher Doyle, composer Tan Dun, action director Ching Siu-Tong, actor Leung Chiu-Wai and Maggie Cheung (click here); and three behind-the-scene short films (click here). (Thanks to Al Young)

Photo: Oriental Daily

An fan site of singer Faye Wong just posted a bootlegged music video of the HERO theme song. It contains a few never-be-seen footages from the movie, including some from the poplar woods scene with Maggie Cheung and Zhang Ziyi.

Music Video: HERO Theme Song (Real Video /Zip File / Length: 4:40)

The second review written by an American, apparently, has been posted on IMDb:

Review: HERO by "kchee" (Positive / No Spoilers)

Click here to download the HERO theme song, also named Hero, in mp3 format. The song was not attached to the film during the seven day run in Shenzhen and Beijing New Picture has no intension of including it in the final print of the film. But it has been included in the HERO soundtracks distributed by SONY.

Thanks to Cass for providing the link

The following is the translation of the song. It is not perfect but it is very close.

Long long time ago, a legend was being told,

Someone wins glory when someone fall,

One’s fall will always be other’s sorrow,

Your brave is his cruel,

Who can be loyal to every soul?

See who can understand, see who can be convinced,

Everyone forgot tolerance and only remember one’s own brave.

Who is holding a lantern and looking around?

Having his own unspeakable pain,

Persist in one’s way in the end and maintain one’s own word,

Everyone is only loyal to oneself,

See who can understand, see who can be convinced,

Everyone forgot tolerance and only remember one’s own brave,

We are waiting for the one can change the world, the hero,

See who can succeed overall,

Paint the sky red, the whole,

Whose dream is fulfilled?

The world needs someone being extolled.

We are waiting for the one to protect us, the hero,

Sensation to make us moved,

Paint the sky red, the whole,

Fulfill one’s dream,

The world needs someone being extolled,

We have welcome hero after hero,

See who can succeed overall,

Whose sky being painted red,

Whose dream being fulfilled,

According to Beijing Times, MiramAxe only briefly showed HERO to the voters of The Golden Globe at two small theaters and among foreign films. As the result, American critics are basically ignoring HERO. Among foreign films, the spotlights have been focused on TALK TO ME and CITY OF GOD.

Also, more and more evidences have shown Roberto Benigni's PINOCCHIO is MiramAxe's chosen one. According to Greg's Previews, It will be released on December 25th at 1,800 - 2,000 theaters in North America.

Executive producer of PINOCCHIO, Mario Cotone has told Beijing Times, "A foreign language film like HERO to bid for the Oscar and the Golden Globe, the distributor is at a very vital position. The success of CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON is just a great achievement by its distributor (SONY). But this year, HERO doesn't have such luck. MiramAxe has given the best time slot in December to my PINOCCHIO. The Americans are favoring this kind of movies."

HERO will very likely get a treatment of several theaters in NY, LA and possibly a few other cities. Because MiramAxe is doing absolutely nothing to promote HERO, the audiences will not like it. And if the audiences did not like, HERO would be removed from theaters in a few weeks. Or, maybe even more likely, MiramAxe will push back the release date again and again, just like what they have done to SHAOLIN SOCCER, THE TOUCH, THE LEGEND OF ZU, THE ACCIDENTAL SPY, ... If you are trying to ask MiramAxe "Why", the answer might be, "Sorry, the film is foreign and I'm MiramAxe."

Sheng Huo Xin Bao reports HERO will be released on DVD and VCD in China next February. The release date has been set for February 5th, which is subject to change. According to producer Zhang Weiping, they have yet started working on the DVD and VCD.

Left:  Another poster

Photo: Sohu.com

Chinese media has briefly reported that HERO was in danger of being disqualified for next year's Oscar except the Best Foreign Language Award, which issue was first raised by this site two days ago. Zhang Weiping, one of the producers of HERO, has told Beijing Youth, they had not received the screening/release schedule from Miramax and it was too early to conclude that HERO would be disqualified. Also according to the paper, the full movie will only be shown at the Beijing première (December 14th) and premières at the other two cities, Shanghai and Guangzhou, will only get a documentary and a small part of the film. Again, concerning of piracy has forced them to made the choice. Reporters from over 110 media, including Time Magazine (maybe just Time's Asian Edition), will attend the Beijing première. Meanwhile pirates around the world have promised to flood the market with bootlegged copies once they got a chance. They have everything ready, except the actual movie. So far no pirated copy has been discovered.

The released date in the mainland China has been set for December 20th. Screening schedules and posters have appeared at many theaters in China. Last Friday, HERO's video distribution rights in China has been auctioned for 17.8 million yuans (US$ 2.15 millions), over 22 times of the asking price. Plus 5% commissions, three companies which just won the bid, have spent 18.69 million yuans (US$ 2.26 millions) on the distribution rights.

According to Tianjin Daily, the final version of HERO is 96 minute long. Click here for the special section of documentary CAUSE by cnave.com. Click here for the VCD box cover of the documentary and click here for the DVD box cover of the documentary.

Photo: Sina.com

Documentary CAUSE, recording the birth and making of HERO, has been released on VCD in China. This 3 hour documentary, stored in 3 discs, is not about a film being made but about the people who are making a film. It shows the hardship of these people have been through to making this film and shows their joy for working with each other. An original non-pirated copy of the documentary costs about 20 - 25 yuans (about US$ 2.5 - 3.0) Sorry, it only contains Chinese subtitles.

Left: cover of the box containing the first and the second discs.

Thanks to Max V Steiner for reminding me.

Trailer: HERO

Trailer: HERO

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 bookd 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 martialistm 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

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

Photos: Sina.com

Photos: Sing Pao and Oriental Daily

Photos: Kung Fu Cinema

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 thrid 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

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

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)

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

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

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"

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

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.

Tianjin Daily has reported how HERO will be promoted in China - a news conference in Beijing (December); signing deals with theater chains to make sure HERO being release on December 19th; premières in Beijing (December 14th), Shanghai (December 16th) and Guangzhou (December 17th);  showing a 20-minute clips at SONY Stores; showing commercials (15 seconds and 30 seconds) on TV (early December); showing trailer at theaters (soon); and publishing a same name novel (December).

Tianjin Daily has reported how HERO will be promoted in China - a news conference in Beijing (December); signing deals with theater chains to make sure HERO being release on December 19th; premières in Beijing (December 14th), Shanghai (December 16th) and Guangzhou (December 17th);  showing a 20-minute clips at SONY Stores; showing commercials (15 seconds and 30 seconds) on TV (early December); showing trailer at theaters (soon); and publishing a same name novel (December).

Beijing Youth just had an interview with Zhang Ziyi. Here are some of the highlights:

What is HERO?

The main theme (of HERO) is the spirit of xia. HERO is not about "me" but about "others", about being responsible for your own nation's fate, and about the meaning of each character's life.

HERO is consisted with three parts - two fictional and one real. Each can be identified through a color. The structure is a bit complicated. If you understand, you will know the meaning; and if you don't, you will be entertained. Luckily, the visual is more than enough to satisfy (your eyes).

HERO can inspire the spirit of xia and heroism hidden inside people's mind. The spirit of xia will be accepted by all cultures.

Did director Zhang Yimou add scenes for you?

No. Zhang Yimou's way of doing things is to fully prepare for everything and he knows exactly what he wants. In the begining, Leung Chiu-Wai and Maggie Cheung felt very uncomfortable with that. They have got used to Wong Kar-Wai's way - no script, no lines, one shot with many versions - laughing, crying, from the left, from the right. But director (Zhang Yimou) said pass after only two takes. They got very surprised and even asked for one more take. From this, (I think) Zhang Yimou and Wong Kar-Wai are two extremes (of the same thing).

Have you felt pressure when working with such big stars like Leung Chiu-Wai, Maggie Cheung and Jet Li.?

Big pressure. But I received even more helps from them. One day when I am doing a scene and Maggie Cheung and Leung Chiu-Wai were waiting aside. I just started feeling nervous and wished to get over it quickly. I didn't want to let them wait. But more I felt anxious, more mistakes I made. (I) can't even catch the weapon thrown to the air. Then Maggie Cheung shouted to me, "take it easy, Ziyi. It's OK. Or we can wait outside..."

How do you remember Zhang Yimou, Leung Chiu-Wai, Maggie Cheung and Chen Daoming?

They all felt working with each others was something very precious. This is much more important than what they will get after the film is done.

Zhang Yimou - wuxia is a dream of his. Now I feel he is very good at making wuxia. In the past, he just kept accumulating the energy (in other films) and HERO is a big explosion. In HERO he has fully explored everything he is good at, like using colors, handling big scenes, stirring up the atmosphere, telling the story...

Jet Li - I think HERO is the best movie he has played. Fight scenes are beautiful and he has shown us the his actor side.

Maggie Cheung - She is a very straight woman. Never hide her feelings. She likes catching butterflies. At the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival, she led us to light candles and make lanterns. Her heart is very young and very energetic. She is also very cautious and very sensitive. When we were wrapping up, she cried very hard.

Leung Chiu-Wai - He was very quite and worked very hard. To practice writing the character "sword", he made the hotel we stayed at smell like an ink pot. There are more people watching Leung Chiu-Wai and Maggie Cheung's scenes. We all like their performance. To me, it's a lesson of acting, very rare.

Chen Daoming - It is very unfair that the media have ignored him. I think among so many versions of the First Emperor, his is the most successful one. (He is) steady and never overdoes his acting. He knows how to deliver his lines and his handling the role of a king is just right.

You have mentions more than once that you wanted to learn from HERO. What have you learned?

Besides acting, I have learned more about how to treat other people. They are great director, actors who have no longer bothered by fame, have focused on the art, and have treated other people very well. I was deeply moved by all these.

Is there anything regrettable about your character "Like Moon"?

Like Moon is really a small role in HERO. (It) got very few scenes. To me, I cannot redo what I have done, therefore I couldn't allow me to treat anything carelessly and to leave anything regrettable behind. Each shoot is important. Once the shooting started, (I must be) at the peek of my performance. Anyway, I have done my best and (you can judge me) from the movie.

How do you compare Ang Lee and Zhang Yimou?

I think it's depends on (their) personalities. Ang Lee is scholarly and cautious, (therefore) CROUCH TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON is mild and beautiful. Zhang Yimou is a typical guy from Shannxi (a province of China). He is persistent and bold, so HERO will make you feel greatly satisfied. The similarities between them are also very oblivious - being meticulous on art and seeking perfectiveness.

How do you feel about HERO's chance at the Oscar?

Never thought about that. I think (Zhang Yimou) has no longer bothered by this. Making HERO is fulfilling a heroic dream of his.

Besides PURPLE BUTTERFLY, do you have any other project?

Shooting of 2046 will start soon. Wong (Kar-Wai) has asked me to check in on November 17th. There is no script and (I) know nothing about my role. Based on the test shot I did earlier this year, (I think) it is probably a strange futuristic character. My hair was made very tall and I was walking the wire with high-heel shoes. 2046 is a big mystery to me. I feel curious and expected.

Among actresses in China, only you and Gong Li never made any TV series.

I have never intended to stick with movie and stay away from TV. If the role is right for me, the time is allowed, and the production team is good, I may give it a shot. But I will not make anything like teen idol shows.

Photo: Sina.com

A regular visitor to this site, identified as "W.F", has sent me a mail claiming seeing HERO trailer on a bus in Hong Kong. Here is what he/she said:

I saw the Hero trailer tonight on the way home on the bus in Hong Kong. (They have T.V installed on buses here. It is called M-Channel). I swear I am not making this up. I sat some distance from the T.V so I can't catch all the details, but the trailer began in the desert with swords cross and then have snapshots of Jet Li in his black costume, Tong Leung and Maggie in their green and blue costume, Zhang Ziyi in his red costume. There was also a brief clip of Donnie Yen leaping into the air to fight someone (Jet Li I think) There wasn't much scenes of actual fighting shown but there was a few clips of the emperor's army and the emperor himself. One show a group of soldiers surrounding Jet Li. The trailer ends with the screen fading into the title "Hero" in both Chinese and English. All in all, it looks awesome. The trailer was in Chinese but with English credits.

M Channel is a Hong Kong based company specialized in showing ads through TVs installed at public transportation carriers, chain stores and health centers.

These pictures were taken inside New Nanguo Theater by a photographer from Nanfang Daily. Besides the Jet Li poster and the Maggie Cheung / Leung Chiu-Wai poster, there should have several posters for Chen Daoming (The King), Zhang Ziyi (Like Moon) and Donnie Yen (Long Sky). On the Jet Li poster, we can see some of the soldiers were definitely computer-generated.

Photos: Sina.com

The one on the left is the green version of the same poster, (or a promo sheet, or a post card, or ...) of the purple poster (right).

Photo: うしおわーるど and SZNews.com

Hong Kong's Oriental Daily has posted two new pictures. They were both shot in Dunhuang area of Gansu Province last year.

Photo: Oriental Daily

According to Chinese media, HERO was shown at Shenzhen's New Nanguo Theater under ultra-high security. To prevent any piracy from happening, employees from New Image (?), the distributor of HERO in China, have almost taken over the theater. Only one copy of the film was delivered from Beijing by New Image's employees, the theater was patrolled by many of its employees and 40 security guards; the screening room has been carefully checked for any hidden camera; and even the projectors were operated by its own employees. To enter the screening room, you must, first, show you ticked to four guards for authenticity check, second, leave everything behind, including cell phone and keys, and third, walk through a security gate. If you are wearing glasses, they will be checked for hidden spy camera too. Even though, people are lining up to see HERO everyday. The box office opens at 4 pm but a few funs have lined up outside the theater at 11 am and by 2 pm, the number has increased to over 40. 5 minutes after 4, 100 tickets (for that day only) were sold out. One more thing, many audiences walked out the theater with tears.

Photos: Beijing Youth

According to Nanfang Daily, Beijing based New Image (?), one of the production company responsible for HERO's distribution in China, has received a letter from Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences about half month ago, informing them what should they do to make

HERO qualified for the "Best Foreign Film"Category of the Academy Awards (Oscar). This has explained why New Image has rushed to arrange a seven day run of HERO at New Nanguo Theater of Shenzhen City. According to Zhang Weiping, one of the producers, HERO is shown at a one-hundred seat small screening room of the theater and to prevent any piracy, the number of audiences is also somewhat restricted. HERO post has been shown to the public for the first time outside the theater (left). From October 24th to 30th, HERO will be shown at 7 and 10 pm each day, and each ticket will cost 50 Yuan (about US$ 6).

New Image is so ambitiously to push HERO to next year's Oscar and could this mean Miramax, HERO's distributor in North America, has already arranged a qualification run sometime this year in LA? Readers who live in LA area, please keep an eye on this one and please inform me if anything come out.

Also according to New Image, Chinese Film Bureau has intended to make HERO the only candidate from China to compete the at  "Best Foreign Language Film" category.

On December 14, HERO will be first premiered at Beijing's People's Great Hall, the headquarter of the National People's Congress (the parliament). Also because of the concern of piracy, probably only the 20-minute footage from HERO and the documentary CAUSE will be shown that day. However, if the security was satisfied, the whole movie will be shown.

Nanfang Daily also has the première dates at several other Chinese cities:

December 16, 2002 - Shanghai

December 17, 2002 - Guangzhou

December 19, 2002 - Hong Kong

December 19, 2002 - Official release date in the mainland China, Hong Kong and, possibly, Taiwan

Photos: Nanfang Daily and Beijing Youth

Ms. Xie Xiao from Nanfang Daily has sent me an e-mail claiming the manager of Beijing based New Image (?), one of the production company responsible for HERO's distribution in the mainland China, Ms. Yu has told her that, starting today, HERO will be shown at New Nanguo Theater in Shenzhen City for seven consecutive days. The goal is to make HERO partially qualified for competing the "Best Foreign Film" category of next year's Oscar. To be fully qualified for all categories, HERO still have to be shown at at least one commercial theater in Los Angeles County for at least seven consecutive days by the end of this year.

Related link: 75th Academy Awards Rules

Beijing's Information Times reports China Film Group intents attach the HERO trailer with THE TUXEDO, which will be released in China by the company starting December 6. So far I have found nothing to suggest the trailer is going to be released any time earlier. During the holiday season, besides THE TUXEDO, HERO will have to face a truckload of competitors, like THE BOURNE IDENTITY (?), ZHOU YU'S TRAIN (literal translation), HARRY PORTER AND THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS, and possibly XXX.

The following clip is a small part of a CNN's coverage on the movie's score. The man with orange shirt was the composer Tan Dun and the violin solo was performed by internationally acclaimed violist Itzhak Perlman. Tan Dun wrote the solo, with some high tone borrowed from Qinqiang, a local opera originated from Shaanxi Province, where used to be the center of the kingdom of Qin. "Qinqiang" means "tune of Qin". It will probably be used as the background music of the desert scenes. To play this piece of music, Itzhak Perlman readjusted the pegs of his violin. Tan Dun's music in CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON has gained an Oscar for him two years ago and Itzhak Perlman performed the unforgettable solo for SCHINDLER'S LIST.

Clip CNN's Report on the Score (Windows Media, 1.67MB)

Tianjin's Mei Ri Xin Bao has interviewed Mr. Zhang Baiqing, president of Chinese Film Criticism Society (lit.) and a member of the jury from Chinese Film Bureau who have given HERO a greenlight just a few days ago. He said, "this film (HERO) is total different from the Hong Kong style wuxia movies. It is a piece of work with (director) Zhang Yimou's own artistic characteristics. (It) not only is highly entertaining, but also shows rich content of historical thinking." Another juror, veteran actor Yu Yang said, "I never liked wuxia movies very much, but this one is really outstanding. Zhang Yimou's effort is not wasted." Here are the highlight of what Zhang Baiqing said about HERO:

Warning: Heavy Spoilers Ahead!

What is "Hero"

This is where HERO made its major breakthrough as a wuxia film and will let people think and ask what is "hero". There are two major theories of how to judge a historical figure: Morality (Theory) and History (Theory). Morality (Theory) is to judge a person based on (his or her) moral quality and how many or how few people (he or she) killed; History (Theory) is to judge a person based on (his or her) positive influence upon history and whether (he or she) promoted the nation's unification. HERO is telling a story of "assassinating the king of Qin" from the level of history. (Spoilers ahead. Highlight to read) Among all assassins, Broken Sword (Leung Chiu-Wai) has the highest ideal state. He was the first one to realize the historical significance of the king of Qin's war effort, aiming at unifying China. He sacrificed the relationship with (another assassin) Flying Snow (Maggie Cheung), who did not share his thought, and eventually gave up his own life. From (the death of) Broken Sword and the talk with the king (Chen Daoming), No Name (Jet Li) eventually had his "consciousness about the history". Even getting so close to the king, he did not kill him. The king was surprised that an assassin suddenly revealed what he thought right in front of him and, being lonely as a king, he felt eased - "there are respect between heroes." No Name and Broken Sword transformed from "assassins" to "heroes", and the king, who eventually defeated the other six kingdoms and unified China, was "the hero among heroes." (Spoilers end)

The Storytelling

(Spoilers ahead. Highlight to read) The story is developed upon the dialogue between the past and the present. We hear the story from the king and No Name, and from so many flashbacks, insertions and inferences, the plot is very intricate. It has not only layer upon layer of mysteries like a suspense film but also the tempo of traditional wuxia films. The structure is a little bit like those of  RASHOMON and CITIZEN KANE, but the mean is more flexible, and the plot is more dramatic and suspensive. The audiences will understand it and will not feel it is over-complicated. It will really appeal every. The film used five colors consecutively, blue, white, yellow, red and black. Each color has its own meaning. They help telling the story and showing the characteristics of each character. (Spoilers end)

The Performance

(Spoilers ahead. Highlight to read) Performance of the cast, only with seven members, is excellent, especially Chen Daoming (playing the king) and Maggie Cheung (playing Flying Snow), who were highly praised by the jurors. Cheng Daoming's role is very important. He has few action scenes and we always see him sitting in the grand hall. But from his dialogue, manners and expression in his eyes, he successfully showed the king's mind, pride and tolerance. It is a brand new king of Qin. Jet Li's performance is also good, especially at the fight scenes. But comparing to Chen Daoming, he is a bit short on experience. Zhang Ziyi's performance is more routine, mainly because her character was written as being very one-dimensional. Leung Chiu-Wai and Maggie Cheung played a couple of lovers and nemeses. They split because of their disagreement (on the king) but still could not forget each other. In the end, they joint each other with death. "Leung Chiu-Wai and Maggie Cheung are very successful on delivering the tortured love and the emotion mixed with love and hate. It is a love story with a taste different from that of their previous work (IN THE MOOD FOR LOVE)." (Spoilers end)

The Action

As an martial art film, HERO has been pushed to a very high level. About half of the film is consisted with fight scenes. (Action Director) Ching Siu-Tung has abounded the brutal and bloody fighting style, and has paid more attention on how to combine strength and beauty (into actions). The tempo of actions is just perfect and moves in combine are transformed to breathtaking dances in the air. The costume (by Japanese designer Emi Wada) and the characters (by Yang Shudong ?) are also designed very well. They have shape contrast and rich content of humanities. "HERO will have some classic action scenes like the "bamboo forest fight" in CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON. Many jurors said HERO, in its artistic value, has surpassed CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON. CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON has its own artistic characteristics, but I believe Chinese audiences will prefer HERO. It will be accepted by Chinese audiences and it will open a new door for Chinese wuxia movies."

On October 12th, a 20 minute footage of the working cut of HERO has been shown right before the screening of BIG SHOT'S FUNERAL.

25th Starz Denver International Film Festival Official Site

The president of New Image, one of the production companies, told Beijing Youth that HERO had been approved by Chinese Film Bureau. He also said director Zhang Yimou just came back from a location scout in several former Soviet Union countries, including Russia and Ukraine. This was for his next project, another wuxia film, but only smaller than HERO. Zhang felt the sceneries in the ex-Soviet territories are very unique and decided to make his next film there. The new project was written by the same team from HERO and Zhang has said the script was great and at least as good as HERO.

These production stills and wallpapers are from 21cn.com.

21CN's HERO page

A small sample of CG effects in HERO has been revealed in an article about the movie's Visual Effects Supervisor, Ellen Poon, launching her own effect house DFreedomZone, Inc.

According to the article, Ms. Poon "designed and oversaw over 250 2D and 3D computer-generated visual effects shots which required managing several production houses. Ms. Poon was responsible for developing and integrating complex visual effects such as digitally enlarged armies, elaborate water sequences, and a torrent of arrows that rain down on an unsuspecting town. The challenge was to incorporate the computer-generated 3D animation and visual effects in a manner that helped the director to bring his vision to life."

Full Article

Official site of DFreedomZone Inc.

Jet Li Official Taiwan Website has posted the links to two behind-the-scene video clips, striped from a report by a Japanese TV station. They show Jet Li and Leung Chiu-Wai doing wire scene in front of a giant green screen. Later they will be inserted to pre-shot footages of Cold Bamboo Sea Lake (the one with a pavilion) in Jiuzhaigou National Park. The green screen scene was made at Hengdian TV & Film City. Do not be bothered by the background music in the second clip. It was not composed for HERO.

Clip A （3MB，MPG）  Clip B（654KB，MPG)

CNN's coverage on HERO score（1.7MB，MPG) (not working)

Photo: Hengdian Film & TV Travel

Chengdu Shang Bao reports the post-production of HERO has finally wrapped up and it has been officially submitted to Chinese Film Bureau. Yesterday the Beijing based New Image (?), one of the producing companies, told the paper that they had delivered the film to the bureau and it was expected that the final approval will be issued by today.