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Go To 1998 News:Note: In addition, major articles and interviews with CYF are listed here. Back to The World is Read |
October 1998:
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Chow Yun Fat's The King and I is banned from shooting in Thailand
Reposted directly from the HKSAR Top 10 for October 21st! (Many thanks to HKSAR editorial staff for transcribing and translating the article.)
Even though Chow Yun Fat is a Hollywood star now, not everything goes his way.
According to the press, the Thai government has rejected a bid for Anna and the King starring him and Jodie Foster. The reason was that the film's content is "insulting to the throne".
Thailand National Film Board expressed on the 23rd that it has refused to allow Fox's new film The King and I to shoot in Thailand, but added that there is still room for negotiations if the company is willing to change some of the film's content.
The 1956 Yul Brynner version was also banned in Thailand for the same reason.
Chow Yun Fat said, "Actually when we were preparing the script we already expected that. Thus we already have found locations in Australia and America. The problem isn't a big deal."
Thai ban thwarts Chow Yun-Fat film plan
By GREG TORODE for the SCMP of October 24th, 1998. And many thanks to John Charles for circulating the URL.
Plans for movie star Chow Yun-fat to remake The King and I in Thailand have been scotched for the same reasons Bangkok authorities blacklisted the Yul Brynner version 40 years ago.
A film board panel fears the script of Anna and the King is still too close to the original and flouts the strict criminal laws of lese-majesty surrounding the Thai royal family.
The panel's rejection comes despite involvement in the 20th Century Fox project of two royal relatives, Suphinda Chakraphand and his sister Malinee, the Thai-language Matichon newspaper has revealed.
Chow, widely popular in Thailand, is set to star as King Mongkut alongside Jodie Foster, the Oscar-winning star of Silence of the Lambs, as English governess Anna Leonowens.
Chow made his name in Hong Kong films such as Hard Boiled, before going on to Hollywood, where he recently starred in The Replacement Killers.
The original started out as a long-running smash in London's West End and Broadway and catapulted Yul Brynner to Hollywood stardom when the 1956 film won him an Oscar. The film is based on the now widely disputed account by Leonowens of her time as an English teacher at the royal Siamese court during Mongkut's reign from 1851-68.
Shortly after leaving the realm she published An English Governess at the Siamese Court and then Romance of a Harem. Scholars insist the distortions continued with the novel Anna and the King of Siam by Margaret Landon - a book which remains banned in Thailand after it became the basis of the later screenplays.
Accepted as gospel in the West, the film and Broadway shows continue to inflame passions among Thais for what they see as a patronising depiction of Mongkut as an eccentric ruler.
Thais know him as the king who began modernising the country with its first major contacts with the West while cunningly keeping at bay the European colonists who were carving up the rest of the region.
He introduced a modern legal system and encouraged the study of maths and English. Leonowens meanwhile has long been locally portrayed as a po-faced widow of little class or breeding who caused immense embarrassment to the nation.
Thailand Rejects 'The King and I'
From the New York Times of October 23rd, Associated Press report. And many thanks to Lisa R.-R. for forwarding me the article!
BANGKOK, Thailand (AP) -- Thailand's Film Board has recommended against allowing a new version of ``The King and I'' to be filmed in the country because it insults the monarchy, a newspaper said today.
The new film by 20th Century Fox, starring Jodie Foster and Chow Yun Fat and called "Anna and The King" is a remake of the 1956 Hollywood musical.
Yul Brynner won an Academy Award for best actor for his portrayal of King Mongkut in the original movie.
The film was banned in Thailand, however, because Thais consider the depiction of the fourth king of the country's Chakri Dynasty to be inaccurate and insulting.
The Nation newspaper, citing an unidentified Film Board official, said the new version's depiction of King Mongkut differed little from the original film and therefore violated a Thai law that outlaws insulting the royal family.
Officials said they may reconsider if the film company changes the script, the newspaper reported.
A King's Ransom
By Steve Daly, from the "REELWORLD: This Week in Hollywood" column on page 46 of the October 23 Entertainment Weekly (TV stars of "Will & Grace" on the cover). The blurb features thumbnail pics of Jodie Foster and CYF (whoohoo!). (And thanks to Helen for letting me know about the article!)
Move over, Julia Roberts: Jodie Foster has all but completed negotiations to costar in Fox 2000's Anna and the King with Chow Yun-Fat (The Replacement Killers) for a reported $15 million, which would tie Foster with Roberts as Hollywood's best-paid leading lady. Fox confirms that shooting may begin as early as January, with Foster playing Anna Leonowens, the 19th-century governess whose diaries about her friendship with Siam's monarch were previously adapted for the screen as Anna and the King of Siam (1946) and the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical The King and I (1956).
Chow's $47m Pay
From the Hong Kong Standard Entertainment section of October 15th. And many thanks to Gil for alerting me to this article!
CHOW Yun-fat will be co-starring with Academy Award-winning actress Jodie Foster in a new film entitled Anna and the King, based on the musical The King and I.
According to reports emanating from Hollywood, Chow will be paid US$6 million (HK$46.8 million) and Foster will get US$15 million.
There is no word yet if Chow, who debuted in Hollywood with Replacement Killers, will have to shave his hair for the movie. [The people are behind the times. CYF commented to HK reporters recently that he would *not shave his head. - WL]
Oscar Queen to act in THE KING AND I with Chow Yun-Fat
From the Apple Daily of October 14th. Many thanks to Sanney and the HKSAR Top 10 editorial staff for translating and transcribing the article!
According to Hollywood sources, the Fox produced, Chow Yun Fat
starred feature The King and I now has Jodie Foster, a two time
Oscar Best Actress in the lead. The film will begin production in
January.
When asked to confirmed, Fat Jai said, "To my knowledge, Fox
has already succeeded in landing Jodie Foster for the film. They
felt that this Oscar winning actress is even more suitable for the
film. Of course I am happy about the opportunity to work with her.
Now I am planning to go to either Australia or Thailand for location
shooting in January, so I wouldn't spend the New Year in Hong Kong."
Meanwhile, Chow Yun Fat and Michelle Reis (Lee Ka Yun)'s mobile
phone ad had a press conference on the afternoon of the 13th. Since
Michelle is in Chicago, the company found Fat Gor's often partner
Carol "Do Do" Cheng Yiu Ling to host the event.
When interviewing by Cheng Yiu Ling, Chow Yun Fat honestly said
that he really missed this former on screen partner and hoped to work
with her on the next ad. Fat Jai even said, "When I work with Cheng
Yiu Ling, I don't have to consult Chan Wui Lin (Jasmine, Mrs. Chow).
She is the special case." Do Do wanted Fat Gor to "hook the pinky"
to confirm the offer.
Fat Gor also said that next year he might film an ad in China
for the company, but in the end it would be up to his wife. He joked
that he simply works for his wife and he couldn't disobey her orders.
He even joked that his Brother Mark image in the ad greatly differed
from the one in A Better Tomorrow (Ying Hung Boon Sik) in 1988. He
said, "As soon as I returned to Hong Kong, I gained 10 pounds because
of all the good food. I am not in a good shape! However, my favorite
iamge isn't Brother Mark, but the carefree Shuen Tau Chet from An
Autumn's Tale (Chau Tin Dik Tung Wa)." As for claims of Fat Jai's eyes
can "kill women", Fat Jai said, "of course not. Only (Tony) Leung Chiu
Wai's electricity is strong enough!"
As soon as she heard Chow Yun Fat recommending her to be the
star of his next ad, Cheng Yiu Ling could not be happier. She said that after numerous collaborations, they indeed do have a bond, and it is rare for an on screen couple to still
be so popular with the audience after so many years. Cheng Yiu Ling
even described Chow Yun Fat as the best partner in her life.
Do Do said, "Since Now You See Love Now You Don't (Ngor Oi Lau
Man Cha), it's been awhile since we have worked together. Fat Gor is
my favorite partner. The feeling (of the collaboration) is very comfortable.
Unfortunately I misspoke the boss' name, I am worried that will cost me points
and the opportunity."
"After knowing Fat Gor for so many years, he is just as playful,
like someone who can never grow old."
Jodie Foster: $15 Million Dollar Woman?
By Joal Ryan, from E-Online, on October 13th. And thanks to Douglas Henderson for circulating the URL!
Hey, diapers don't grow on trees, you know.
And so new mom Jodie Foster is closing in on a movie deal that could net her a $15 million payday, reports say. The reputed eight-figure contract would represent the most any actress not named Julia Roberts has ever earned on a film.
On the downside, if the deal is the real thing, it means Foster, Roberts, et al., are still $5 million shy of that most elusive of Hollywood cliques: The $20 Million Club. That (so far) boy-only outfit counts among its members action stars Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sylvester Stallone.
According to reports, Foster's record paycheck would come for something more staid than the usual big-ticket fare. The project's Anna and the King, yet another screen retelling of the 19th century encounter between a British schoolteacher and the King of Siam.
Foster would play the teacher, Anna Leonowens; Hong Kong action star Chow Yun-Fat (and every top-budget film needs at least one action star) reportedly would costar as the King.
The movie's described as neither a remake of the beloved King and I movie (and stage) musical nor the similarly titled 1946 drama Anna and the King of Siam.
Shooting could begin as soon as January.
Julia Roberts pioneered the $15 million salary standard with The Runaway Bride, her upcoming big-screen reunion with Pretty Woman costar Richard Gere, according to Daily Variety.
Hilarious pic of CYF and Stephen Chow Sing-Chi in the new CYF play. (And thanks to Sanney for circulating it!) |
STEPHEN CHIAU SING-CHI SURPRISES AUDIENCE MAKES CAMEO APPEARANCE IN PLAY From the Ming Pao of October 7th. Many thanks to Sanney for translating, transcribing, and circulating this article! Yesterday, Stephen Chiau Sing-Chi made a cameo appearance in the HK Student Artist's Association play, LOVE LABOR'S WON. No formal announcements were made of appearance so when he appeared on stage, the audience was surprised and responded with a huge round of applause. Sing-Jai said that he was a member of the Association so he was only doing his proper duty by helping the Association out. Because of time concerns, he could not take a substantial role, he only played a servant. When asked if this experience would make him consider doing more live theatre, Chiau said no because he had trouble remembering his lines. In one scene, he completely forgot his lines and he and Chow Yun-Fat ended up catching butterflies together instead. Chiau commented, "working with Fat-Jai is a real blast." In other news, Sing-Jai revealed that GOD OF COOKERY II will start shooting in mid-October. The female leads will be Hsu Chi and Karen Mok Man-Wai. |
CHOW YUN-FAT TRANSLATES JAPANESE SERIES FOR WIFE ROMANTIC TRANSLATION BRINGS HER FEELINGS OF WARMTH
From the Apple Daily of October 6th. Many thanks to Sanney for translating, transcribing, and circulating this article!
Japanese television serials have been hot in Hong Kong in recent months.
Lately, Chow Yun-Fat has borrowed tapes of the serial YAU CHEUNG GA KEI
(lit. LONG HOLIDAY) from a friend. Fat-Gor praises the production
standards of the series and says that it is little wonder viewers from both
Hong Kong and Japan love them so much.
Fat-Gor and Fat-So have a romantic time when they watch Japanese serials.
This is because Fat-So does not know any Chinese and relies on translation
from her husband. Being an artist, Fat-Gor's translations are naturally
full of vigor and emotion. Normally, Fat-Gor does not say many romantic
things to Fat-So but when Fat-Gor translates the Chinese subtitles, Fat-So
can finally hear romantic words from her husband.
In a telephone interview, Fat-So told this reporter jokingly, "watching
Japanese serials like this is very romantic, like a normal husband and wife
should be. Actually, I didn't want to bother him like this, I told him to
watch them himself. But he is afraid that I'll be bored and insisted that
we watch them together. So he translates the subtitles for me. He's
really a good husband. The serial is very well made. We are very pleased
when we watch it. We think that San Hau Chi Ji (SANNEY: Japanese actor) is
very good. Japanese serials are very natural. The casting is good. No
wonder people in Hong Kong love them so much. Hong Kong TV serials really
must improve their standards.
Lately, Fat-Gor has been busy working on the theatrical production LOVE'S
LABOUR WON, too busy to spend the Mid-Autumn Festival with his family.
Fat-Gor's mother is very understanding as she waits patiently for the
play's run to end before getting together with Fat-Gor and Fat-So for a
belated celebration of the holiday.
CHOW YUN-FAT MAKES HUGE EFFORT IN PLAY: TAKES RESPONSIBILITY FOR FIVE ROLES
From the Apple Daily of October 2nd. Many thanks to Sanney for translating, transcribing, and circulating this article!
International superstar Chow Yun-Fat surprised many when his "cameo" role
in the Hong Kong Artist Student's Association comedic play LOVER'S EMBRACE
turned out to be a much more substantial role as Chow played the role of
five characters -- causing him to make five costume changes in the three
hour play.
In the play, Fat-Jai plays five very different characters: A songstress, a
servant, a gambling addict, a bookworm, and Kiu Tai-Si (a court advisor).
Because he played all his roles very broadly, he solicited large laughs
from the audience each time he appeared on stage.
Of the five characters, Fat-Jai said that he liked the bookworm the best,
he laughed, "When the bookworm comes out, I can let loose when the bookworm
chases after butterflies. It's fun, I can play around. The bookworm is
very naive and cute. Like me." (SANNEY: I'd love to see Chow Yun-Fat
pretending to chase after a butterfly. I can just see him now not being
able to catch one so he takes out a 9mm and shoots it.)
Besides putting much effort into the play, Chow also worries about the box
office. He said, "We kept too many tickets off the market for the general
public initially. In the end, there weren't too many corporate buyers.
Each show, besides opening night, has about two, three hundred seats left.
The first few shows aren't too bad, but as the Mid-Autumn festival
approaches, shows on those days aren't too full. I hope there's a good
walk-up crowd during those days."
Chow stresses that all profits are going to go to the Association. Chow
says, "Actually, this time we put on the play, mostly because it's the
tenth anniversary of the association. If we really wanted to raise money,
we'd go with fund-raising instead. This play costs about HK$500,000 to put
on. If we don't lose money we'll be happy. If we do make money, we should
think about buying a headquarters for the Association while real estate
prices are so low."
Chow Acts Funny
Demanding performance: Chow Yun-fat plays several comic roles in a charity performance.
From the Hong Kong Standard
Entertainment section of October 4th, 1998. Article written by uncredited staff. (And many thanks to John Charles for circulating the URL!)
CHOW Yun-fat has started stage performances of the drama Love's Labour Won.
He doesn't play only one major character; he has several roles, which is why he found the three-hour performance quite tiring. In the play, Chow performs five different characters - a geisha girl, a courtesan, a servant and a gambler.
This show is very special to Chow because every time he goes on stage, the audience laughs because they thinks he's hilarious.
His favourite role is the female companion because he can play around a bit, catching butterflies. He adds the character is very cute. Although ticket sales are pretty good, Chow is sure the auditorium will not be full for today's Mid-Autumn Festival show.
If people walked in, he wouldn't mind giving them a 20 per cent discount. All the show's proceeds would go to charity.
Wahlberg snip:
Comments on CYF and TC from an article entitled "Happier to be a hit with his friends" by David Cohen in the SCMP Weekend Entertainment section of October 2nd, 1998.
....Wahlberg has several films coming out soon, including The Corrupter, a police drama he has finished shooting in New York with Chow Yun-fat. He is especially impressed with Chow, whom he had already admired from his Hong Kong movies.
"He's amazing. I've never seen somebody so dedicated. He was on the set 24 hours a day, even
when he's not working. He's just as committed as anybody could ever be." ....
Chow Called In Again
Chow Yun-fat: plays cool guy in new advert.
From the Hong Kong Standard
Entertainment section of October 2nd, 1998. Article written by uncredited staff. (And many thanks to John Charles for circulating the URL!)
CHOW Yun-fat fans will be happy to see the popular actor in another television commercial.
The Hollywood star has just completed filming another SmarTone advert with co-star Michelle Reis. In this latest installment, Chow is portrayed as has having the image of a cool guy.
Chow's character in the commercial is inspired by the one he played in the Replacement Killers, co-starring Mira Sorvino.
In this commercial, though, he isn't armed with a gun, but a mobile phone.
SmarTone pulled out all the stops for this advert, as top art directors, directors and photographers were hired for this project. Computers were also used to enhance the images of both actors.
Chow and Lee look futuristic as the looks of the characters constantly change for non-stop action on the black box.
Entertainment Asylum RV Interview
There is apparently a real video interview, by Robert Eli of CYF on the set of the play, online at The Entertainment Asylum (accessible here or here). For some reason, I can't seem to download it, myself, but other people seem to have had no trouble. Take your chances. (And thanks to Cassie and Jeff Koga for forwarding the URLs!)
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