he air of Shanghai is dripping with romance, mystery and history. That's exactly the feel director Mikael Hafstrom is trying to achieve with his film of the same name. He has the help of several big stars renowned for their ability to project heavy moods — Gong Li, Chow Yun-Fat and John Cusack.
Chow Yun-Fat gives a traditional Thai "wai" greeting as Gong Li looks on.
(AP Photo/Sakchai Llait)
Gong Li had to wait seven years after reading the script to start shooting Shanghai. During that time the script was rewritten five times for a complete makeover of the main characters. It was also decided that the only way to evoke pre-WWII Shanghai was to shoot in Thailand.
This Hollywood concoction by the Weinstein Company has Cusack's character returning to Japanese-occupied Shanghai four months before Pearl Harbor to learn that a friend has been killed. He eventually discovers what many film directors and novelists have discovered — that Shanghai is an ideal town for intrigue.
Known for alternating between mainstream Hollywood and independent films, John Cusack says his latest movie "Shanghai" is a rare middle ground between the two genres.
(AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)
Speaking at a set visit in Bangkok on Saturday, the 42-year-old star of movies like "Serendipity" and "Being John Malkovich" called "Shanghai" a unique project that combines the artistry of independent film with the resources of a commercial movie.
"To do something that has a big budget, a great scope with a great director and great actors that has the quality and level of writing and the level of production design ... is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," Cusack said.
Shot in London and Bangkok, "Shanghai" is budgeted at more than $10 million Ñ still small by Hollywood standards but big for an Asian production.
Cusack said once he heard the filmmakers were interested in casting him, he aggressively lobbied for the part.
"Any actor in his right mind would want to do this film Ñ would die to do it," he said.
The movie also features Japan's Ken Watanabe.
Cusack called his co-stars "the greatest artists from Asia" and said it was an honor to work with them.
Shooting for the first time in Asia, the American actor said he hasn't had the chance to explore Thailand because of a busy shooting schedule but has enjoyed the warmth of the Thai people.
"I would really come back for the people. The Thai people seem to be incredibly generous, warm, kind of loving people. So it's very nice to be around them. The crews are magnificent and everybody I've met in my brief time off has been lovely," he said.
08/03/2008 6:25 AM
Chow Yun-Fat, Gong Li and John Cusack pose together.
(AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)
he air of Shanghai is dripping with romance, mystery and history. That's exactly the feel director Mikael Hafstrom is trying to achieve with his film of the same name. He has the help of several big stars renowned for their ability to project heavy moods — Gong Li, Chow Yun-Fat and John Cusack.
