Chow Yun-Fat's mother still swimming

Some years ago Chow Yun-Fat saw to it that his mother took swimming lessons even though she was not too happy about taking them. Because of her health CYF was determined she would exercise by swimming. Now at 85 years of age, when she attended an event recently, she was quoted as saying she still swims an hour a day. - Netease

The Aunt's Postmodern Life to miss the 2006 Venice Film Festival

There were high hopes that the first film Chow Yun-Fat has made in Hong Kong in a decade would be accepted at the Venice Film Festival this year. The list was released on the festival website and the Ann Hui directed film The Aunt's Postmodern Life was not among the movies listed. There is a complete list of the Asian films that will be either in or out of competition on Monkey Peaches.

Curse of the Golden Flower to be in theaters this Christmas

Article from La Creme D' Asie Forum: Oscar nomination hopes for new Zhang Yimou movie: Producer Hong Kong, July 17: The makers of Zhang Yimou`s new film "Curse Of The Golden Flower", are targeting an Oscar nomination in the Best Foreign Film category, according to one of its producers. "Even before we started filming the movie, Yimou and I had already talked about competing for the Oscars," producer Zhang Weiping said on China`s state-run TV channel in footage. "We started preparing for competition in the Oscars before shooting started," he said. "Curse" revolves around ancient Chinese imperial politics involving a King, Queen and their children. It stars Chow Yun-Fat, Gong Li and Taiwanese pop sensation Jay Chou. Zhang Weiping said the film`s showcasing of Chinese culture will be a draw in the West. "Whether it`s the architecture in the film, including the architecture of the palace, or the queen`s head gear, wardrobe, or the uninterrupted tradition of Chinese herbal medicine, they are put on a very exciting display in `Curse,`" he said. The movie`s Oscar hopes are boosted by the recent decision of Sony Pictures classics to buy the North American and Latin American distribution rights. Zhang Weiping said Sony Pictures classics plans to release the movie in the United States this Christmas, when the film is also scheduled to open in China - an unprecedented move.

Chinese films usually begin in Asia and open later in the West. http://www.zeenews.com/znnew/articles.asp?...&ssid=1&sid=ENT

News about the film The Bitter Sea

From an article on Michelle Yeoh Web Theatre
Update on another WWII project, The Bitter Sea (aka Children of Huang Shi (Guangxi)): last year we reported this historical drama, to be directed by Roger Spottiswoode (director of Tomorrow Never Dies) and stars Brendan Fraser as British journalist George Hogg (see News of Aug. 1, 2005 and Sept. 29, 2005). Earlier this month an Australian Chinese language newspaper published an advertisement on behalf of Anousha Zarkesh Casting looking for a young actor. The paper said they are inviting Michelle and Chow Yun-Fat to star. The actor they are looking for will be a 15 year old boy, Chinese, fluent in English and able to understand some Mandarin. No acting experience required. If interested, email picture and resume to heidi@chinatown.com.au . The film will be a co-production of Australia, China, and the UK. It is scheduled to be filmed in China from October to February 2007. Based on what is from the paper it seems the film will be in English.

The Great Wall

Director Yuen Wo-Ping has invited Chow Yun-Fat to guest star or cameo in his The Great Wall (literal title). The original articles all state that Jet Li has officially joined the project as the lead. Some rumor says Jackie Chan might also land a role in the movie but of cause, it is just a rumor. Yuen Wo-Ping and screenwriter Zou Jingzhi is now working on the script, which is still just a rough storyline. The movie is talking about defending homeland and fighting the nomadic invaders, but according to producers of the movie, the real idea is about keeping peace. Monkey Peaches

Pirates of the Caribbean 3 revealed

Pirates of the Caribbean 3 Footage Revealed! Source: Brent July 23, 2006
With Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest about to take the top box office spot for a third weekend in a row, Walt Disney Pictures unveiled the first footage from the third installment at the San Diego Comic-Con on Saturday. While it was previously believed to carry the subtitle "At World's End," those words were not included in the presentation and we're expecting you'll be hearing a new subtitle soon. (Spoilers ahead!)The footage was about two minutes long and included brief interviews with producer Jerry Bruckheimer and Orlando Bloom. Chow Yun-Fat's character had many speaking lines in the clip, which featured lots of Singapore floating village shots, a rescue Captain Jack Sparrow scene, a scene where Sparrow has to convince the crew to run back and forth on the shipdeck to rock a ship over, Jack the undead monkey in Chinese Warrior armor, shots of Barbossa and Sparrow amid a huge shipboard sword battle, and a swordfight between Sparrow and Davy Jones atop a crows nest in a giant storm. The teaser poster for the third film was at the event as well. Pirates of the Caribbean 3 hits theaters on May 25, 2007. comingsoon.net

What Johnny Depp said about working with Chow Yun-Fat

When asked by If Magazine what it was like to work with Chow Yun-Fat, Johnny Depp answered:
"DEPP: I think once we get into the ring, no matter where you’re from, everyone has their own process, everyone has a different approach to the work. I knew he was a good actor obviously, I’d seen him in CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON and I knew his work was terrific. More than that, I was really impressed with who he is as a human, as a guy. He’s very down to earth, a lot of fun. Probably the best way to describe the guy is adorable. He’s a super-sweet, very together, very centered man. I was really pleased to get to know him."

Chow Yun-Fat appears at event

UPDATED: (7/7/2006) Chow Yun-Fat and Cherie Chung Chor Hung yesterday appeared in a Piaget store (jewelry) opening in Shanghai. Chow Yun-Fat's attraction led the press conference pace. Like a stand up comedy routine he talked about three women -- Chung Chor Hung, Gong Li and his wife Jasmine. Yun-Fat praised the happily married Chung as more attractive than before. She returned the favor and called him the boyfriend who she has never dated. When CYF compared her with Gong Li, he said that both are outstanding Chinese beauties. Because he has just worked with Gong Li on CURSE OF THE GOLDEN FLOWER (WONG GUM GAP) he has a love hate relationship with her. In the film Gong Li's queen character did not like him. In reality he felt Gong Li was a good woman. She personally made dessert which made her even more lovable. He also gave his performance in CURSE OF THE GOLDEN FLOWER 200 points. Everyone will see not the usual Chow Yun Fat. Other co-stars Jay Chou (Chow Kit Lun), Liu Ye all performed greatly. In the film he plays the Emperor. CYF has beauty luck. Later he will work on BATTLE OF RED CLIFF (CHET BIK JI JIN) with Lin Chiling. The event arranged for several children to present flowers to guests. One child fell before getting on stage and started crying. Before anyone else reacted CYF leapt off stage to pick up the child. He and Jasmine used all their tricks to cheer up the child. They were very gentle and warm, but the child kept on crying. Chow Yun-Fat could only carry the child off stage. (Story from article on Hong Kong Film Top 10)

Sohu.com UPDATE More pictures from Sina.com 2nd UPDATE Pictures added UPDATED 07/10/06 Video

Zhang Yimou director of Curse of the Golden Flower will now do post-production

From the following reports from Admiring Gong Li forum, Chow Yun-Fat's newest film Curse of the Golden Flower is ready for post-production:

1. From a report on Sohu.com dated July 5: "The dramatic team has filmed the last major war drama" in Hebei province. It seems they are also reporting that principal photography has wrapped (?): "yesterday afternoon [July 4] about 3 o'clock the most expensive mainland movie is official".

2.The filming was officially wrapped up in Beijing yesterday afternoon. There were 2,000 extras involved in yesterday's shooting. All the major actors/actress finished their parts weeks ago in Heng Dian.

3. Yes, we knew that Li and Yun-Fat were not involved in the Wulong shoot. Some fans thought that they may shoot more scenes when the production moved back to Beijing recently.

4. Producer Zhang Weiping disclosed that because Gong Li, Zhou Runfa (aka Chow Yun-Fat), Zhou Jielun, and so on, had already left the group, the dramatic team only held a simple closing ceremony yesterday. Now, Zhang Yimou's complete energy will be concentrated on post-production… will also be completed in the U.S. and Australia.

Zhang ZiYi and Gong Li to be in competition

Chow Yun-Fat's film Curse of the Golden Flower is raising a lot of press coverage for several reasons. Gong Li and Zhang Yimou working on a film together for the first time in many years, Jay Chou who is surrounded by the press at all times, CYF in a new role in an Asian movie, and the latest is the competition between Zhang ZiYi and Gong Li. This article from CRIENGLISH:

Chinese director Zhang Yimou's martial arts films "Curse of the Golden Flower" and Feng Xiaogang's "The Banquet" are the two hottest movies in China this year to receive nominations for the Best Foreign Film Award at the 79th Academy Awards. 　　
The movies pit the two lead actresses, Gong Li of "Curse of the Golden Flower" and Zhang Ziyi of "The Banquet," up against each other. 　　
Zhang Ziyi will promote her film "The Banquet" at this year's Venice Film Festival along with cast members Ge You and Zhou Xun. The film will premiere in China, Hong Kong and Taiwan on September 15th. 　　
"Curse of the Golden Flower" is scheduled to hit cinemas during the Christmas season. 　　
The Academy Award nominations will be announced in January and the 79th Awards ceremony will be held on February 25, 2007. Picture from Sina　

Article in the China press as appeared on the Admiring Gong Li forum:

Per today's China press, Curse of the Golden Flower will be released simultaneously in the U.S. and in mainland China in December. This will be the first time for a Chinese film to be released simultaneously worldwide. It was reported that this was included in the contract with Sony. In addition, the film may attend this coming Oscar, which means they have to complete post-production and have a limited screening in September (Zhang Weiping indicated that this should not be a problem). Zhang Weiping said 80% of the editing is already done.　　

The Aunt's Postmodern Life is announced to be at Venice Film Festival

Article as appeared on La Creme D' Asie Forum:

Chinese Films to Once Again Grace Venice 2006-07-02 10:21:32 hkfilmart.com Poster of Feng Xiaogang's "The Banquet"Chinese-language films are expected to once again have a prominent presence in the upcoming Venice Film Festival. Festival director Marco Mueller was recently in Hong Kong and met with many people in the industry, such as Johnnie To. Sources close to Johnnie To have said that Mueller urged the director to finish his two upcoming film projects "Sparrow" and "Exile" as he was keen to include them in the Venice line-up. Mueller also showed interest in Yau Nai Hoi's "Eye in the Sky," New Wave director Patrick Tam's comeback film "After this our Exile," Ann Hui's "The Aunt's Postmodern Life" starring Chow Yun-fat, and "Dog Bite Dog." It has been predicted by some industry insiders that Mueller might bestow Feng Xiaogang's "The Banquet" with the prestigious spot of opening or closing film. Mueller is currently travelling around Asia and finalizing the Venice line-up, which will be announced on July 27th in Rome.

Last year's Venice Film Festival displayed an impressive array of HK films, including Tsui Hark's "Seven Swords" as opening night film, and Peter Chan's "Perhaps Love" as closing night film. http://en.chinabroadcast.cn/3086/2006/07/02/44@109351.htm