Hero Opens Big In UK
September 29, 2004
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Released in the United Kingdom by distributor Buena Vista on
Friday, September 24, 2004, Hero,
legendary director Zhang Yimou's first
endeavour in filming the wuxia
genre — a Quentin Tarantino presentation,
starring Jet Li, Tony Leung Chiu-wai,
Maggie Cheung Man-yuk,
Chen Daoming, Donnie Yen Ji-dan
and Zhang Ziyi and choreographed by Tony Ching Siu-tung —
has built on its record-breaking success in North America by having a bigger opening weekend than any other Asian film in British
history, taking in over £1 Million this weekend.
Though not opening at #1, Hero did take in more per screen than films that were ranked ahead of it at the weekend box
office, and is the second best foreign language film to debut, after The Passion Of The Christ.
It's success in Great Britain is all the more impressive and praise-worthy considering it's a Chinese film in
Mandarin with English subtitles,
confirming an interest in and appetite for foreign language films, particularly Asian.
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House of Flying Daggers To Screen At New York Film Festival
September 28, 2004
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House of Flying Daggers
(Shi Mian Mai Fu - "No Way Out", aka Lovers) — director Zhang Yimou's second wuxia
film since 2002's internationally successful, Oscar nominated Hero,
starring Zhang Ziyi, Andy Lau and
Takeshi Kaneshiro (Jin Chengwu) and choreographed by Tony Ching Siu-tung —
will screen on Saturday, October 9 at 12 AM and Sunday, October 10, 2004 at 8 PM at the 42nd New York Film Festival,
which starts Friday, October 1 and runs through Sunday, October 17, 2004, at the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, New York, New York.
The 42nd New York Film Festival will screen 25 films and several sidebar programs, including the Hong Kong,
China box office sensation Infernal Affairs, starring Andy Lau (House of Flying Daggers)
and Tony Leung (Hero).
For more information on all films being screened, including tickets, call the Alice Tully Hall box office, Broadway at 65th Street, NY, NY at
212-875-5050.
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House of Flying Daggers To Screen At St. Louis Film Festival
September 26, 2004
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House of Flying Daggers
(Shi Mian Mai Fu - "No Way Out", aka Lovers) — director Zhang Yimou's second wuxia
film since 2002's internationally successful, Oscar nominated Hero,
starring Zhang Ziyi, Andy Lau and
Takeshi Kaneshiro (Jin Chengwu) and choreographed by Tony Ching Siu-tung —
will screen at 13th Annual St. Louis International Film Festival
on Saturday, November 20, 2004 at 7 PM at the Tivoli Theatre, 6350 Delmar, St. Louis, Missouri, (314-995-6270).
AFI (American Film Institute) Fest 2004, the longest-running film festival in Los Angeles and one of the most influential film festivals in North America,
begins November 4 and runs through November 14, 2004. For festival ticket sales and information, call 1-866-AFI-FEST or visit
the AFI FEST 2004 website linked above.
This year's St. Louis Film Festival runs from November 11 through 21, 2004 and will screen over 170 films from around the world.
For more information about films, venues, tickets, etc, call the Festival Hotline at 314-367-FEST, extension 3378.
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House of Flying Daggers To Screen At AFI Fest 2004
September 24, 2004
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House of Flying Daggers
(Shi Mian Mai Fu - "No Way Out", aka Lovers) — director Zhang Yimou's second wuxia
film since 2002's internationally successful, Oscar nominated Hero,
starring Zhang Ziyi, Andy Lau and
Takeshi Kaneshiro (Jin Chengwu) and choreographed by Tony Ching Siu-tung —
will screen at AFI FEST 2004 (aka the 18th AFI Los Angeles International Film Festival)
on Saturday, November 6, 2004 at the Arclight Theater in Hollywood, California.
Theater and location info:
The Arclight Theater
6360 Sunset Boulevard
Hollywood, California
Lobby: (323) 464-1478
AFI (American Film Institute) Fest 2004, the longest-running film festival in Los Angeles and one of the most influential film festivals in North America,
begins November 4 and runs through November 14, 2004. For festival ticket sales and information, call 1-866-AFI-FEST or visit
the AFI FEST 2004 website linked above.
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2046 Premier In Shanghai
September 20, 2004
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2046 cast and director
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Last night, September 19, 2004, 2046,
director Wong Kar-wai's long-awaited sequel of sorts to his
2000 art-house hit In the Mood for Love,
starring Tony Leung, Zhang Ziyi,
Maggie Cheung,
Chang Chen,
Gong Li,
Carina Lau,
Takuya Kimura,
Faye Wong and
Dong Jie, among others, held its Chinese premier
screening at the Shanghai International Exhibition Center
in Shanghai, China.
At left in attendance at the Shanghai premier of 2046 are cast members Tony Leung, Fay Wong, Carina Lau, Chang Chen
and Dong Jie and director Wong Kar-wai. Unfortunately, several other cast members were unable to attend due to scheduling
conflicts, including Zhang Ziyi, who is currently in Los Angeles for the pre-production of
Memoirs of a Geisha.
Moving forward in one-year increments throughout the 1960's, 2046 continues the tale of journalist Mr. Chow (Tony Leung).
After moving into a hotel vacated by a nightclub performer he once knew, he gradually crafts a science-fiction novel about
the future named after his room number, 2046.
Images courtesy of SINA
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House of Flying Daggers Wins Golden Rooster Award
September 20, 2004
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House of Flying Daggers
(Shi Mian Mai Fu - "No Way Out", aka Lovers) — director Zhang Yimou's second wuxia
film since 2002's internationally successful, Oscar nominated Hero,
starring Zhang Ziyi, Andy Lau and
Takeshi Kaneshiro (Jin Chengwu) and choreographed by Tony Ching Siu-tung —
took Best Art Award, won by production designer Huo Tingxiao,
at the 13th Annual Golden Rooster & Hundred Flowers Awards last night, Sunday, September 19, 2004, in
Yinchuan,
Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region
Flying Daggers, having grossed nearly US$17 million at Chinese box offices and recently earning praise and accolades in
Japan, South Korea, the United States and Canada, is currently scheduled to receive its North American theatrical release by
distributor Sony Pictures Classics on December 10, 2004.
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Zhang Ziyi Wins Golden Rooster Best Actress Award
September 20, 2004
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Zhang Ziyi won the Best Actress Award at the 13th Annual Golden Rooster & Hundred Flowers Awards last night, Sunday, September 19, 2004, in
Yinchuan,
Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region,
for her portrayal of Mo, Li and Hua in Jasmine Women (aka Mo Li
Hua Kai, formerly Jasmine Flower), famous Chinese photographer and director Hou Yong's
film about a family of three generations of women, starring Zhang Ziyi,
Joan Chen,
Jiang Wen,
Lu Yi and
Liu Ye.
Unfortunately, Ziyi was unable to attend due to a scheduling conflict. She's currently in Los Angeles for the pre-production of
Memoirs of a Geisha. But upon hearing of the
good news, she responded by telephone to express her excitement: "I feel grateful that China's movie industry has shown signs of recognizing young professionals."
The Golden Rooster & Hundred Flowers were originally two different awards, combined for the first time in 1992. The Golden
Rooster Awards, established in 1981, is regarded as a high-level assessment of Chinese films by film experts. The Hundred
Flowers Awards was first started in 1962 by Popular Cinema magazine and is similar to the "People Choice Awards,"
representing the opinion of the general film-going public.
Ziyi won her first Golden Rooster Best Actress Award for her portrayal of Zhao Di in director
Zhang Yimou's The Road Home in 2000.
Related links:
Related discussions:
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Upcoming Chinese Premier Of 2046
September 17, 2004
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Director Wong Kar-wai's long-awaited sequel of sorts to his
2000 art-house hit In the Mood for Love,
2046, starring
Tony Leung, Zhang Ziyi,
Maggie Cheung,
Chang Chen,
Gong Li,
Carina Lau,
Takuya Kimura,
Faye Wong and
Dong Jie, among others, will kick of a screening
tour of China by premiering in Shanghai
on Sunday, September 19, 2004, opening nationwide on Tuesday, September 28, 2004
Moving forward in one-year increments throughout the 1960's, 2046 continues the tale of journalist Mr. Chow (Tony Leung).
After moving into a hotel vacated by a nightclub performer he once knew, he gradually crafts a science-fiction novel about
the future named after his room number, 2046.
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2046 To Open Pusan Film Festival
September 16, 2004
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Director Wong Kar-wai's long-awaited sequel of sorts to his
2000 art-house hit In the Mood for Love,
2046, starring
Tony Leung, Zhang Ziyi,
Maggie Cheung,
Chang Chen,
Gong Li,
Carina Lau,
Takuya Kimura,
Faye Wong and
Dong Jie, among others, will open the 9th
Pusan International Film Festival, which takes place on
October 7 through October 15, 2004 in Pusan, South Korea. This year's festival will screen 266 films from 63 countries (39 world premiers), the
greatest number of films from the highest number of countries in the history of the festival.
Tickets to regular screenings are 5,000 Won (US$4.35) each and 10,000 Won (US$8.70) for opening and closing films. For more
information about tickets and film scheduling, contact PIFF via email or call 1688-3010 (press 2 for English).
Moving forward in one-year increments throughout the 1960's, 2046 continues the tale of journalist Mr. Chow (Tony Leung).
After moving into a hotel vacated by a nightclub performer he once knew, he gradually crafts a science-fiction novel about
the future named after his room number, 2046.
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2046 UK Premier At London Film Festival
September 16, 2004
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Director Wong Kar-wai's long-awaited sequel of sorts to his
2000 art-house hit In the Mood for Love,
2046, starring
Tony Leung, Zhang Ziyi,
Maggie Cheung,
Chang Chen,
Gong Li,
Carina Lau,
Takuya Kimura,
Faye Wong and
Dong Jie, among others, will receive it's
United Kingdom premier and be a featured presentation at the 48th The Times bfi London Film Festival,
which takes place on October 20 to November 4, 2004 in London, England. This year's festival will have 180 features and 103 shorts from more than 60 countries.
2046 will screen October 29, 2004 at 10:30 PM and again on October 30, 2004 at 1:00 AM on Screen 2 of Odeon West End,
Leicester Square, London WC2H 7LP.
Moving forward in one-year increments throughout the 1960's, 2046 continues the tale of journalist Mr. Chow (Tony Leung).
After moving into a hotel vacated by a nightclub performer he once knew, he gradually crafts a science-fiction novel about
the future named after his room number, 2046.
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House of Flying Daggers To Premier In UK At London Film Festival
September 16, 2004
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House of Flying Daggers
(Shi Mian Mai Fu - "No Way Out", aka Lovers) — director Zhang Yimou's second wuxia
film since 2002's internationally successful, Oscar nominated Hero,
starring Zhang Ziyi, Andy Lau and
Takeshi Kaneshiro (Jin Chengwu) and choreographed by Tony Ching Siu-tung —
will receive it's United Kingdom premier and be a featured presentation at the 48th The Times bfi London Film Festival,
which takes place on October 20 to November 4, 2004 in London, England. This year's festival will have 180 features and 103 shorts from more than 60 countries.
Flying Daggers will screen October 28, 2004 at 10:30 PM and again on October 29, 2004 at 1:00 AM on Screen 2 of Odeon West End,
Leicester Square, London WC2H 7LP.
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House of Flying Daggers Chinese Oscar Entrant
September 16, 2004
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It was announced yesterday, Wendesday, September 15, 2004, by China Radio International
that House of Flying Daggers
(Shi Mian Mai Fu - "No Way Out", aka Lovers) — director Zhang Yimou's second wuxia
film since 2002's internationally successful, Oscar nominated Hero,
starring Zhang Ziyi, Andy Lau and
Takeshi Kaneshiro (Jin Chengwu) and choreographed by Tony Ching Siu-tung —
was officially selected as China's entrant for the Best Foreign Language Film category of the 2005 Academy Awards.
The film will now compete with other films from around the world for the coveted prize.
Flying Daggers, having grossed nearly US$17 million at Chinese box offices and recently earning praise and accolades in
Japan, South Korea, the United States and Canada, is currently scheduled to receive its North American theatrical release by
distributor Sony Pictures Classics on December 10, 2004.
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Purple Butterfly Screening In Kentucky
September 13, 2004
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Purple Butterfly, Chinese
director Lou Ye's story of cross-cultural love and fate
set during the 1930's Japanese occupation of China, will be screened at the
University of Louisville's 7th Asian Film Festival,
which began Thursday, September 9, and runs through Sunday, September 19, 2004 at Floyd Theater,
U of L Student Activities Center W308, 2100 S. Floyd Street, Louisville, Kentucky.
General admission is $6 per film. U of L students can receive student passes for $3 each to view three films. Check the film festival's
Complete Screening Schedule for
Purple Butterfly's multiple screening dates and times.
Related links:
Related discussion:
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Zhang Ziyi In Toronto
September 13, 2004
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Zhang Ziyi left last Thursday, September 9, 2004, for the weekend for Toronto, Canada to attend the 29th Annual
Toronto International Film Festival, where
House of Flying Daggers
(Shi Mian Mai Fu - "No Way Out", aka Lovers) — director Zhang Yimou's second wuxia
film since 2002's internationally successful, Oscar nominated Hero,
starring Zhang Ziyi, Andy Lau and
Takeshi Kaneshiro (Jin Chengwu) and choreographed by Tony Ching Siu-tung —
received a featured presentation on September 11, 2004 at 9:30 PM at Roy Thomson Hall,
and again on September 12, 2004 at 9:30 a.m. at Ryerson Theatre.
The 10-day festival which began last Thursday and ends on Saturday, September 18, 2004, was slated to screen 328 movies (including 253 features) from all over the world
for competition for attention from journalists, distributors and, just as important, the people of Toronto. Both Zhang Ziyi and
Zhang Yimou were in attendance at the festival to help promote Flying Dagger's highly anticipated screening and eventual North American released.
Zhang Ziyi and Zhang Yimou at a press conference for House of Flying Daggers at the Four Seasons in Toronto, Canada on Saturday, September 18, 2004;
Zhang Ziyi, actor, producer, director Kevin Spacey and Zhang Yimou also on Saturday:
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Flying Daggers Screening At Toronto Film Festival
September 09, 2004
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House of Flying Daggers
(Shi Mian Mai Fu - "No Way Out", aka Lovers) — director Zhang Yimou's second wuxia
film since 2002's internationally successful, Oscar nominated Hero,
starring Zhang Ziyi, Andy Lau and
Takeshi Kaneshiro (Jin Chengwu) and choreographed by Tony Ching Siu-tung —
will be screened as a featured presentation at the 29th Annual Toronto International Film Festival
in Toronto, Canada.
The 10-day festival which begins today September 9 and ends September 18, 2004 is slated to screen 328 movies (including 253 features) from all over the world
for competition for attention from journalists, distributors and, just as important, the people of Toronto. Both Zhang Ziyi and
Zhang Yimou are expected to be in attendance at some point during the festival to help promote Flying Dagger's highly
anticipated screening and eventual North American released.
House of Flying Daggers is scheduled to screen on September 11, 2004 at 9:30 PM at Roy Thomson Hall,
and again on September 12, 2004 at 9:30 a.m. at Ryerson Theatre.
Visit Location & Hours for more information on ticket sales and theater locations.
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Hero Is #1 In North America Again!
September 07, 2004
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After finally receiving a general release in North American theaters on Friday, August 27, 2004,
Hero, legendary
director Zhang Yimou's first
endeavour in filming the wuxia
genre — a Quentin Tarantino presentation,
starring Jet Li, Tony Leung Chiu-wai,
Maggie Cheung Man-yuk,
Chen Daoming, Donnie Yen Ji-dan
and Zhang Ziyi and choreographed by Tony Ching Siu-tung —
has emerged over the weekend as the #1 film in North America for the second week in a row with an estimated US$11.5 million in ticket sales
for the four-day Labor Day weekend.
Despite dropping 51 percent for what is traditionally a slow time of the year at movie theaters, as many people would much rather enjoy their
last big summer weekend outdoors, Hero's second straight #1 ranking and total US$35.2 million haul since being released
in North America nearly two weeks ago is even more praise-worthy considering it's a Chinese film in
Mandarin with English subtitles.
Originally distributed to 2,031 theaters, Hero is now the widest released Asian film of all-time, a recorded previously held by
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon with 2,027;
the second best foreign language film to debut, after The Passion Of The Christ;
and the best end of August opening for any film ever. The record for the top grossing foreign language film in
North America is still held by Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon with US$128.07 million.
Related links:
Related discussion:
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Zhang Ziyi In Telluride — Flying Daggers North American Premier
September 07, 2004
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Zhang Ziyi was in Telluride, Colorado over the weekend to attend the North America premier screening of
House of Flying Daggers
(Shi Mian Mai Fu - "No Way Out", aka Lovers) at the 31st Annual Telluride Film Festival
held from Friday, September 3 through yesterday, Monday, September 6, 2004.
Held annually during the Labor Day weekend, the Telluride Film Festival, begun by organizers and directors Bill and Stella Pence and Tom Luddy,
offers retrospectives, free outdoor films, conversations with filmmakers and talent and other programs, and provides a platform for North American
and world film premiers. But, unlike other festivals, audiences come to Telluride to see and enjoy films, not to buy or sell them, making
it not a competition, but a celebration of the best in film and filmmaking from all around the world.
This year, though women haven't pushed men to the outskirts, they have emerged as the festival's theme. Of the many activities offered
to fans of cinema, one included a seminar on female actors entitled "Is the range for female actors growing?" which featured
Ellen Barkin,
Joan Allen,
Laura Linney,
Annette Bening
and Zhang Ziyi, moderated by Annette Insdorf of
Columbia University, at the Sheridan Opera House on Saturday,
September 04, 2004, where they discussed the state of roles currently being offered to women.
Ziyi surprised the audience by speaking and fielding questions in English.
Zhang Ziyi: "After the success of Crouching Tiger,
I got a lot of offers. And I always wondered why they could only ask an Asian girl to play a poor girl or a prostitute."
From left to right, Joan Allen, Laura Linney, Annette Insdorf and Annette Bening;
Annette Bening and Zhang Ziyi; and Zhang Ziyi on Telluride's Main Street below the San Juan Mountains:
House of Flying Daggers — director Zhang Yimou's second wuxia
film since 2002's internationally successful, Oscar nominated Hero,
starring Zhang Ziyi, Andy Lau and
Takeshi Kaneshiro (Jin Chengwu) and choreographed by Tony Ching Siu-tung —
held its North America premier screening on Friday, September 3, 2004 at 8:30 PM underneath a cool, Colorado evening sky, screening again the
next day, Saturday, September 4, 2004 at 3:00 PM.
Images courtesy of HelloZiyi
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