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Zhang Ziyi grows into international star
(Reuters)
Updated: 2005-08-14 16:27
NEW YORK, Aug 14 (Reuters) - After dazzling audiences with her waifish beauty
and graceful performances in a string of Chinese martial arts hits, Ziyi Zhang
is coming of age as an actress on the brink of international stardom.
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Chinese actress Zhang Ziyi poses at a photocall for Chinese
director Zhang Yimou's film "House of Flying Daggers", which is screened
out of competition at the 57th Cannes Film Festival, in this May 19, 2004
file photo. [Reuters]
| Zhang, 26, gives her
most mature performance yet with a portrayal of a prostitute struggling with her
feelings in Wong Kar Wai's "2046," which had its U.S. opening last weekend, and
stars in the Hollywood version of the best-selling book "Memoirs of a Geisha"
due in December.
Already hailed by Time magazine as "China's gift to Hollywood" and on People
magazine's "50 Most Beautiful People" list among other U.S. pop accolades, the
Beijing native has even Anglicised the order of her name, from the traditional
Zhang Ziyi, ahead of the possible blockbuster impact of "Geisha."
Zhang's rise has coincided with a Western surge of interest in Asian films
starting with her role in the big hit "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon," (2000)
directed by Ang Lee, and moving through "Hero" and "House of Flying Daggers,"
both shot by Zhang Yimou.
"I've been lucky to work with the great directors," said Zhang, who was
directed in "Geisha," by Rob Marshall, who was nominated for the best-directing
Oscar for "Chicago."
"It's fate, it's timing, destiny. I believe in that. There's really a lot of
opportunity right now," she said in a recent interview.
While "2046," a dreamy, steamy reflection on lovers' longings, promises and
betrayals that merges past, present and future, will play in movie art houses,
"Geisha," with Stephen Spielberg as its executive producer, is intended for a
mainstream, worldwide audience.
|
 | | | Ladies' bellybands displayed in fashion show | | |  | | | Wild orgies leave the Great Wall in mess, and tears | | |  | | | Tony Leung to appear in Hollywood film | | |
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