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ASIAMS.NET |
ASIAN AMERICAN ISSUES
Zhang Ziyi: Major Talent or Lucky Starlet?
or some she was the most memorable part of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. They were mesmerized by the dark energy she brings to her portrayal of a freespirited young adventuress. For others she was one more annoying thing about a glacial, poorly edited sword-fight flick. They were left cold by the hard, souless gleam of her obsidian eyes and her puckish face.
Regardless of your opinion of Zhang Ziyi, one fact is indisputable: since the release of CTHD in late 2000, the media has lionized the gamin-faced actress. Virtually every glossy and tabloid has hailed her as the hot new Asian female actor and/or great new beauty. In the heat of CTHD's surprise success Zhang was signed to several projects, including Rush Hour 2, The Legend of Zu, 2046 (a science fiction flick), Hero (a Jet Li kung-fu flick) and Musa (a Corean film set during the wars between the Yuan and Ming Dynasties).
Luck is essential to every success, but Zhang Ziyi appears to have enjoyed more than her share during her brief acting career.
She was born February 9, 1979 in Beijing to an economist father and a kindergarten teacher mother. At the age of 11 she enrolled in a dance school. Four years later she decided to switch to acting despite some promise as a dancer. She went for a shampoo commercial audition and was picked out by the legendary director Zhang Yimou to play a schoolgirl who falls in love with her teacher.
When The Road Home was released in China in 1999, the young actress was promptly dubbed "Little Gong Li" on the popular suspicion that she had followed the great actress into Zhang Yimou's bed. (Zhang Yimou had discovered Gong Li in 1987 and lost her in 1994 when she left him to marry Singaporean businessman Ooi Hoe Siong.)
The Road Home received no attention in the U.S. but won the 2000 Jury Grand Prix Silver Bear at the Berlin Film Festival. It also caught the eye of Ang Lee who was casting Crouching Tiger. No one suspected that the low-budget film he was planning to shoot in China would go on to become the next year's most profitable film, ultimately grossing $150 million worldwide. It turned Zhang Ziyi into an international superstar in one fell, elaborately-wired swoop.
Is Zhang Ziyi really a great beauty and first-rate actor? Or is she a second-rater whose fame is as un-credible as her CTHD fight sequences?
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WHAT YOU SAY
[This page is closed to new input. --Ed.]
(Updated
Tuesday, Apr 1, 2008, 05:50:01 PM)
To Virgule:
She was spotted yes, Ang Lee, and that's how she got her role. Ok, so what I said, was a little vague, but that's the truth.
The William Morris Agency had nothing to do with how she became a superstar, and that was what I was trying to say during my post, or can you not read properly?
And oh yeah, I enjoy debating with
blatantly ignorant people.
Chinese21
Saturday, January 19, 2002 at 11:13:46 (PST)
I actually enjoyed CTHD but ZZ's acting is comparable to that of Buffy's - a frowned look for anger and a wooden stare with those lackluster eyes. There are tons of Asian actresses much more beautiful than her. Whether or not she worked hard for the movie is besides the point. Of course it is major luck! If CTHD wasn't such a huge hit, most AAs (except for those from Mainland China) would probably have never known about her. Russell Crowe became a big star all of a sudden because of one movie, not because he acted better in that (i.e. LA Confidential). It was simply a matter of promo, hoopla, and right timing for the Gladiator. Her participation in Rush Hour 2 is enough evidence that she is not going to go far.
ObjectiveMovieWatcher
Saturday, January 19, 2002 at 06:57:29 (PST)
some insight for all.
she was casted in the korean movie "musa:the warrior" prior to her role in crouching tiger.
kendall
Friday, January 18, 2002 at 23:05:08 (PST)
To IMO :
I always believe that success SHOULDN'T be measured by the accomplishments that one has attained.
Rather, it should be measured by the
obstacles that one had to over come in order to obtain success.
From my perspective, Ziyi is already a success by mearly overcoming all the obsticle, trials, and tribulations that came her way; And by managing to take all this criticism from the public and to learn and grow from it, is a sign of a remarkable individual... (actress or not).
page
Friday, January 18, 2002 at 18:51:12 (PST)
She needs AA support to make it in America? What drug are you on 'cause I'd like some. The only support she needs is an American movie going public, some of the best directors on earth and the support of about 100 of the key movie critics in America, all of whom like her stuff. Hey IMO, what part of '400 million in US box office' don't you still understand.
I guess TIME Magazine is also wrong in declaring her a superstar on its cover.
http://www.monkeypeaches.com/hero-cover-time.jpg
You let me know won't you if Zhao Who EVER makes it on the cover of Time.
"not going to be super easy..." You are talking in future tense, which is your first mistake. Z already is a superstar. She doesn't have to 'try at it', she's already there, unlike a lot of struggling chinese actresses who project, anticipate, plan and hope to make it, but won't, Zhao Who included.
Virgule
Friday, January 18, 2002 at 18:24:02 (PST)
A Z fan, please re-read my 1/16 post: "...Zhang Yimou made her [referring to Gong Li, not ZZ] in the beginning, and she looks good, but WITHOUT TALENT [GL again] she would've been over in just a film or two." GL has been in more films than ZZ so far, so that comment would be hard to apply to ZZ. It's amusing that we're assessing someone who hasn't been in the business that long, and picking apart her looks. Hey, I wouldn't mind wearing a size zero, but I'll keep my boobs, thank you!
nkg-47
Friday, January 18, 2002 at 14:39:08 (PST)
When I first her in The Road Home I was like who is this little stick of a Chinese hick. She was so annoying in that movie.
Then I saw her on the layout of a few Chinese mag. I could never recognize her because she had a totally different image everytime.
I'm glad she has matured well and has the beginnings of a great career in entertainment ahead of her.
AC dropout
Friday, January 18, 2002 at 12:03:24 (PST)
I applaud Zhang for opening the door for all Asians. We live in a world where blue eyes and blonde hair make heads turn. It's about time we're acknowledged for more than just our brains. We have beauty too!
Korean Bumpkin
Friday, January 18, 2002 at 11:35:03 (PST)
Zhang Ziyi my dear readers is not that attractive. The only reason why alot of you find her so is because you are probably desperate for an Asian female face to be seen on TV.
By the way is'nt she supposed to be starring in a movie with Adam Sandler about a mail bride order thing?
There are plenty of prettier Asian females out there than ZZ -- like Korean and Japanese movie/pop stars and models. Just check it out on the internet.
Two Wongs
Friday, January 18, 2002 at 10:10:12 (PST)
Just want to make clear that I in no way dislike or wish to discredit other hard working film stars -- those other than Zi. In fact, not only am I looking forward to seeing Vicki in SHAOLIN SOCCER and HEROES OF HEAVEN AND EARTH for the first time, but I'm also looking very much forward to seeing Hsu Chi and Karen Mok in VIRTUAL TWILIGHT for the first time as well. They, and other such stars, each must have something very special for which their fans are so endeared to them. I'm anxious to find out for myself just what that is. And I'm very willing and open-minded enough to become a fan of each as well.
As for this and other similar polls, my problem is and always has been with those bashers of MY idol (typically her fellow Chinese of all people!), who not only slander her good name with insults but also continue to propagate illconceived notions of her being a "sell-out" only because she was fortunate enough to garnish such great international success at a relatively young age and ahead of her older and more experienced contemporaries. Chinese (and asians in general) should be beaming with pride at her outstanding accomplishments and desire to showcase to the world all that is unique and special about her homeland. Instead, and as a general rule, they attack her with such visciousness that only translates in my opinion as open jealousy in name of their own stars and without concern for her feelings.
Though Vicki is incredibly sweet, likable and beyong reproach in character, her fans on the other hand are evil incarnate! I usually stay out of debates with them for the very reasons previously stated -- the most important being that there's little reason in arguing and even less chance of changing another's well entrenched opinion. But as long as such people continue to attack Zi and misconstrue her emerging importance to asian (and world!) cinema, I will likewise continue to fight what I see as their ignorance by spreading what is only the gospel truth! Of course, without personally attacking either them or their idols.
I'm personally not looking to engage in a war of slanders and viscious insults with any one... only to educate what I see as ignorance with documented facts. In aiding this ongoing campaign, I anticipate that the overwelming critical approval and box office success of HERO and of Zi's own performance in the film in mainland China will quell much of this nonsense currently taking place online about her being a "western" star and not one to be endeared by the Chinese themselves.
Zi haters, it's time to spread the word... for wherever there's a group of you congregating in the darkest corners of the internet to share and spread misinformation about Zhang Ziyi, her fans will be there enforce to defend her good name and honor!. . . .
Southern Crane
another187@hotmail.com
Friday, January 18, 2002 at 09:38:15 (PST)
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