Just returning from Canada for Hollywood produce
Horsemen,
Zhang Ziyi heard that she was nominated candidate for "most
influential Chinese in 2006" by 10 major Chinese media.
"It's a great honor to me, but I have never thought of myself
anything particularly outstanding," the actress, who starred in "
Memoirs of a Geisha", told Phoenix TV recently.
In her mind, real heroes are those like scientific research
workers who make great contributions to the world but remain
unknown to the public. "For me, I just luckily live in a good time
and have participated in many excellent productions. I'm growing up
in those films," she said.
Many attribute her success to good luck. "Yes, that's true. My
first role was offered by Zhang Yimou (in the film The Road
Home) , and Ang Lee's Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
brought me world fame," she said. "But I cherish each chance and
finish each piece of work with all my heart, so am I today. I don't
think there is a shortcut to success, not at all."
After Horsemen, her next film will again be a Hollywood
produce, a Western love story in the 1960s. In that film, she will
star opposite Korean actor Dong-Kun Jang and work with The Lord
of the Rings team.
Why so many Hollywood directors are eager to work with her? Even
she herself could not tell. Actually, she does not care much about
whether it is a Hollywood produce or not. "The key is if it is
attractive to me and if I have confidence and passion to do it, "
she said.
Zhang is much more careful when choosing a script now. A few
days ago, she was offered a role of an immigration bureau
interpreter. "The script is pretty interesting, but includes some
racial discrimination information." She rejected immediately. "As a
Chinese, I could not lose dignity."
When talking about the three most important Chinese directors in
her life, Zhang said she has quite different feelings about each of
them.
For Feng Xiaogang, director of The Banquet, "he makes
me a friend," she said. "He even tells me about his unhappiness. I
like his directness, his personality, and he always gives me
beautiful confirmation."
For Ang Lee, she said "he could be my life-long friend. It is
not only because of the film Crouching Tiger, Hidden
Dragon, which brought me fame and wealth, but more
importantly, he let me know how to overcome difficulties."
As for Zhang Yimou, "we are buddies," she laughed.
When asked if the God would take away everything she possesses
now - youth, beauty, wealth, health, love and family affection but
let her keep one of them, which one will she keep?
"May I choose two of them love and family affection? " she
asked. "If you can die in the arms of someone who loves you so
dearly, isn't it another kind of happiness?"
(Xinhua News Agency April 2, 2007)
