Chow Yun-Fat Turns Sex Symbol in US
By David Cohen and Reuters for the South China Morning Post of December 17th, 1999. Many thanks to John Charles for circulating the URL!
American audiences are finally falling for Chow Yun-fat.
The Hong Kong actor was recently named Sexiest Action Star by People magazine and preview audiences are buzzing over his role opposite Jodie Foster in Anna and the King. Even director Andy Tennant admits Chow, 44, steals the movie, which opens in the US today.
"A buddy of mine said, 'Whenever you're in trouble, cut to Yun-fat'," said Tennant, remembering a screening for his friends. "He said, 'Yun-fat is the movie'."
However, Chow's sex appeal was not immediately obvious to Tennant at their first meeting. "My wife and I had dinner with him and [the actor's wife] Jasmine," Tennant said. "At the end of dinner we got in the car and my wife just went, 'Oh my God, is he sexy!' It was just a typical, lovely evening. You would never know that my wife had almost passed out on the floor.
"Then my assistant met him and I thought I'd have to carry her back to the office. [She whispered] 'Oh my God, he's so sexy'. It was hilarious.
"I'm hoping that with this movie Yun-fat can become a romantic lead, period. Not an Asian romantic lead, just a romantic lead."
Meanwhile, Foster is keen to stress that her school teacher character is not the Anna Leonowens of her parents' generation. Anna and the King lacks the flashy musical numbers of The King and I and the stiff-upper-lip Britishness of the first Anna and the King of Siam, with Rex Harrison and Irene Dunne, in 1946.
Foster's Anna is fiery and independent compared to previous Annas.
"In our version, she's sort of tough and stubborn, but as time goes on she softens," Foster said.
Anna and the King also takes a more Asian point of view than past Hollywood versions, as it tells the tale of the widow who goes to Siam to give the king's 58 children a Western education.
It makes King Mongkut, who in the past was portrayed as temperamental and single-minded, appear thoughtful as he blends his ancient Eastern culture with Western ways to usher Siam, the modern-day Thailand, into the 20th century.
"Frankly, neither of the other two films cared at all about Asia," Foster said.
By TEE HUN CHING for the Singapore Straits Times of December 16th, 1999. Many thanks to John Charles for circulating the URL!
CHOW YUN FAT may be the king in his latest screen outing and in the eyes of scores of Asian movie fans.
But when he flew into Los Angeles for Anna And The King press sessions two weeks ago, there was neither pomp nor ceremony.
Waiting his turn to clear immigration and customs like every other mortal at the airport, his quiet presence, contained in a casual sweatshirt, cargo pants and baseball cap ensemble, caused little stir.
As he strolled out wheeling his luggage trolley, three gawking Singaporean journalists who had also just braved a long flight caught his eye.
"We are here to interview you," one blurted out.
This earned an arched eyebrow, a flash of his pearlies and a brief chat with the 43-year-old Hongkong star, known widely to be gracious almost to a fault.
Fresh from filming Lee Ang's Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon in Beijing, his new, bald look for the action role seemed to have trimmed a few kilos off his tall, tanned frame.
As his Singaporean wife, Jasmine, caught up with him, he tossed over his shoulders: "I'll see you guys. Don't give me a hard time."
With criminal ease, he again charmed the socks off the pack of international scribes the following night at a supper buffet at Le Colonial restaurant pub.
After swapping hugs and intimate chatter with co-stars Jodie Foster and Bai Ling, he left to work the crowd.
Inching around the cramped interior lit mainly by his warm smiles, he dished out personalised greetings and anecdotes as he gave various hands a friendly pump.
When he spotted this reporter, the first question that tripped off his tongue in fluent English was: "Where are your two other friends?"
As homegrown actor Lim Kay Siu, who plays the younger brother of his King Mongkut character, told Life! later:
"He's just incredible. He knows nearly everyone on the set. And when he talks to you, he looks right into your eyes and really listens to what you have to say."
And in Foster's clear, blue eyes, "he's the nicest actor I've ever met".
By the time the official interview rounds swung into action the next day at the Four Seasons Hotel, the press was ready to banter with him like an old pal.
"Did you shave your head to keep Bai Ling company?" one teased, referring to the Chinese actress who had shorn her locks for her part as his reluctant concubine.
"I wanted to let people think I'm Yul Brynner," he responded gamely, indicating his bald predecessor lead in both the stage and the 1956 movie version of the musical The King And I.
Keeping up with the playful air, he fed the press a fat, juicy secret about his on-screen dalliance with Foster that later turned out to be a cheeky hoax.
She plays Anna Leonowens, a British tutor to his 58 offspring, who later shares some tender moments with him.
"We did kiss. It's in the footage but not in the movie version," he said when someone lamented about the restrained physical intimacy.
With the corners of his mouth twitching uncontrollably, he added: "The director, Andy Tennant, asked me to try it for fun to see her reaction because it's not in the script. And we kissed so long. We didn't want to let go because we've been dying to kiss each other."
When the press group confronted Foster gleefully with this precious nugget later, she gave a snort and dismissed it with a hearty laugh: "No! Where did you get that from? Yun Fat? Yun Fat told you that? No!"
Director Tennant, too, attributed the shred of tidbit to Chow's runaway sense of humour.
"But if I kiss Jodie Foster, I wouldn't want to stop either," he quipped.
For Chow, whose previous Hollywood outings had been bullet-spraying action figures in high-octane flicks like The Replacement Killers and The Corruptor, his latest role could well lead to a more rousing airport welcome in future.
As the first Asian actor to land a major romantic part in Tinseltown, his elegant portrayal of the progressive king trumpeted his sensitive versatility and may well be his big Hollywood break.
His modest response to such compliments was tempered with mild humour:
"I already have black hair, yellow skin and a thick Asian accent. I didn't have to create anything. I just stuck to the script and said my lines. That's why people think my king is different. That's why they think Yun Fat is suitable."
He reminded you gently, however, that he had also made his name in Hongkong comedies and romantic dramas like Man In The Net and All About Ah Long before and after starring in John Woo's monstrous 1986 action hit, A Better Tomorrow.
With a hint of resignation, the farmer's boy who had chalked up almost 25 glittering years in showbusiness added in soft, low tones: "As actors, you have no choice. If the studio says yes, you do it. Sometimes I also feel quite bored, always holding two guns."
In this movie though, he has his hands full with 23 wives, 42 concubines and 58 children.
But it was not a luxury he could afford in real life, he disclosed.
"I love children. But they are a lot of work and headache, and I cannot afford the women. Physically, I cannot afford it. This is why most kings in China die by the age of 50."
Jasmine, his wife of 12 years, controls the reins at home.
"She holds my savings key, my bank cheque. She's my god, my manager, my everything," he said playfully.
"According to an old Chinese saying, you must put women in a situation of hunger so they will always obey you. But this no longer works. Now you have to treat women with respect. You never know when she's going to be your boss," he said.
And his face crinkled with his trademark toothy grin.
From the South China Morning Post of December 15th, 1999. Many thanks to John Charles for circulating the URL!
The makers of the Hollywood film Anna and the King will resubmit the movie to Thai censors for permission to show it in Thailand, a company official said yesterday.
Twentieth Century Fox said it had made an attempt to resolve some issues raised by the censors this year.
A Fox official said the company would submit the full film in a ready-to-screen version with complete Thai subtitles before the year was out.
The earlier submission showed only some parts of the film.
The Film Censorship Division of the National Police refused permission last month to distribute the film in Thailand because some scenes were judged insulting to the monarchy and because the depiction of King Mongkut on the poster was deemed inappropriate.
The poster showed the king, who is played by Hong Kong star Chow Yun-fat, behind Anna and glancing at her.
In Thailand, showing the monarch below or behind commoners is considered inappropriate.
Among other problems, an official at the censor division said Chow "looks like a Chinese swordsman", not the king of Siam.
Fox will submit a revised version of the film poster as well, the Nation daily said.
The film censor division will invite experts, including Thai film-maker Chatri Chalerm Yugala, a member of the royal family, for comments before deciding whether to show the film in Thailand, the newspaper added.
The film is based on the story of Anna Leonowens, played by Jodie Foster, who was an English teacher for children and ladies of the Siamese royal court between 1862 and 1867.
The film was shot in Malaysia after Thailand banned shooting there.
Ang Lee: A Filmmaker Reroutes the Flow of History
By ERIK ECKHOLM for the New York Times of December 16th, 1999. Many thanks to John Charles for circulating the article!
BEIJING, Dec. 13 -- Ang Lee, a sly explorer of family dynamics and social convention in films like "Eat Drink Man Woman," "Sense and Sensibility" and "The Ice Storm," has a simple explanation for why he is here with some of Hong Kong's biggest action stars making, of all things, a Chinese-language kung fu movie set in the early-19th-century Qing dynasty.
"It's a boyhood fantasy," said Taiwan-born Mr. Lee on the set at the Beijing Film Studio, where he is appoaching the end of five grueling months filming "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" at several Chinese locations.
"It's involved a lot of agony, but making a martial arts film is also lots of fun," he said. "For me, it's a new adventure, and a chance to expand my production skills."
"Crouching Tiger" features two Hong Kong superstars -- Chow Yun-Fat is the male lead, and Michelle Yeoh (who was in 1997's James Bond movie, "Tomorrow Never Dies") has one of two major female roles -- along with the rising Chinese star Zhang Ziyi, who is known as the next Gong Li. The central story is a struggle between two female warriors: Ms. Zhang's character, a defiantly free spirit who becomes a criminal in a rigid traditional society, and Ms. Yeoh's, a righteous, repressed investigator who aims to bring her down.
The elaborate fighting scenes between the two women and others, which swoop into the fantastical, often involving the use of harnesses and ropes, definitely posed a new challenge for Mr. Lee. The fighting was choreographed by Yuen Wo-Ping, the Hong Kong kung fu master who worked on the Hollywood science fiction movie "The Matrix."
It seems a sure bet, though, that in Ang Lee's hands this will not be your ordinary grade-B Hong Kong thriller.
As he described his challenge in melding stylized action with high dramatic and acting standards, it sounded as though "Crouching Tiger" could become the first truly highbrow martial-arts film.
In discussing the movie Mr. Lee frequently made comparisons with "Sense and Sensibility," his acclaimed 1995 adaptation of the Jane Austen novel, written by and starring Emma Thompson. It was the witty, subtle, Austen-like perception of social bonds and tensions, apparent in his Chinese-language family dramas, "The Wedding Banquet" and "Eat Drink Man Woman," that led Ms. Thompson to ask Mr. Lee to direct his first major English-language film.
"Family dramas, and 'Sense and Sensibility' are all about conflict, about family obligations versus free will," he said. The martial arts form "externalizes the elements of restraint and exhilaration," he continued, punching his fist outward. "In a family drama there is a verbal fight. Here, you kick butt." "Cinematically," he said, "the advantage of the martial arts form is that you can really go abstract, or surreal, with the flying fighting." But in the opening scenes, he said, it is crucial to establish the ground rules of the film for the audience, to draw viewers into the kung fu fantasy world while introducing it to the society and its restraints, which will shape the fiction.
"Getting a balance between the drama and the B-movie action element, that's the hardest thing," he said.
The filming seemed more exasperating than fun the other day on an unheated and frigid set at the Beijing studio, a mock two-story wooden tavern. In a heavy blue parka and jeans, the weary Mr. Lee was practically pulling his hair out just trying to get a one-minute fight sequence right as the morning stretched on.
Ms. Zhang's character, a renegade woman who in this scene is dressed in men's clothing, was supposed to fight off an attacking male warrior and twist his arm just so to rip off his sleeve.
It took dozens of takes to achieve the right energy and momentum, with Mr. Lee alternately watching each effort on a video screen and jumping up to talk with the tiring actors.
"This has been the toughest shoot I've ever had," he said of the five months in China. "It's hard to put martial arts and drama together, production-wise."
As reflected in the endless takes for that one small fight, all action scenes must be constructed with meticulous care. Mr. Lee said he could not have made the movie without relying on many of Hong Kong's finest film artisans.
"It's so different from shooting family drama," he said. "If anything looks good, I've learned, it was probably dangerous and very time-consuming." Months of shooting at such locations as the deserts of Xinjiang in the far west, a bamboo forest in southern China, and a multitude of constructed sets had to be altered after Ms. Yeoh tore a ligament in her left knee during a routine flying kick.
For Mr. Lee, who now lives in the northern suburbs of New York City and has already made the rare transition from foreign-language sleepers to major Western movies, the decision to make a Chinese film in China is perhaps surprising.
"This is going back to my cultural roots as well as to my fantasy," he said, noting that his parents had moved from China to Taiwan in 1949 and that he grew up reading Chinese melodramas not unlike his current story, adapted from a 1920's novel. He said he had never set foot on the mainland until recently but grew up dreaming about China.
Much of the film's $15 million budget came from the advance sale of rights in Asia, North America and Europe. Featuring two of Asia's biggest stars, the movie has a good chance of being a moneymaker across Asia, and it seems a natural for China.
The film, which is to be released in the United States late next year by Sony Pictures Classics, will be shown in the West with subtitles, which Mr. Lee acknowledged would limit its audience. "But I hope we can go wider than art-house release," he said.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Ang Lee's back to make a Chinese language film
Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon
Directed by Oscar nominated director Ang Lee (The Wedding Banquet, Sense and Sensibility) and starring Chow Yun-Fat, Michelle Yeoh, Chang Chen, Zhang Zhi-yi, Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon has been started shooting lately in Mainland China.
The film marks the first return of director Ang Lee to Chinese language filmmaking since the critically acclaimed Eat Drink Man Woman in 1994. His first Oscar nomination film is Wedding Banquet in 1992. Four years later, his first English language film Sense and Sensibility also received Oscar nomination. That film was followed by The Ice Storm, and the upcoming American Civil War drama, Ride With the Devil.
The shooting of Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon will last for 5 months. Locations cover the most spectacular scenery of Mainland China such as glacier valleys, deserts, Devil City, Flaming Mt. of Xinjiang; the mysterious cliffs and peaks of Huang Shan and the royal and elegant Beijing.
The shots in Xinjiang had been finished lately. Owing to Ang's quality-seeking personality, the whole crew of over 200 people had to drive 4 to 5 hours everyday for nearly 3 weeks to the very remote areas to catch the real wild and breath-taking scenery. Sometimes, at the end of the day, they even lost way back to the hotel as the place was really too remote that the roads disappeared after a desert shower.
Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon is a film of romance, action and adventure. Set in early 19th Century China, it tells the story of two women. One of them is an aristocrat's daughter who takes on a disguise as the country's most wanted criminal. She struggles hard between aristocratic privileges and freedom to love. The other woman is China's most renowned warrior. She pursues justice and honor for her whole life until it is too late to regret a love unfulfilled. The destinies of the two finally lead them to a violent and …….
Starring Chow Yun-Fat (Hard Boiled, The Corruptor, Anna and the King), Michelle Yeoh (James Bond - Tomorrow Never Dies) and Chang Chen (Happy Together) and Zhang Zhi-yi (The Road Home). Choreographed by Yuen Wo Ping (The Matrix). Digital effects by Manex Visual Effects. Photography by Peter Pao. Screenplay by James Schamus (Ride With the Devil), Wang Wai-ning (Eat Drink Man Woman) and Tsai Kuo-rong. Produced by Bill Kong, Ang Lee and Hsu Li-kung. Distributed by Columbia TriStar Film Distributors International in U.S. and Asia; Good Machine International in Europe.
PR # 2:
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
From the director of
Wedding Banquet and Sense and Sensibility
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, is the most spectacular film of romance, action and adventure. Set in early 19th Century China, the film tells the story of two women. One of them is an aristocrat's daughter who takes on a disguise as the country's most wanted criminal. She struggles hard between aristocratic privileges and freedom to love. The other woman is China's most renowned warrior. She pursues justice and honor for her whole life until it is too late to regret a love unfulfilled. The destinies of the two finally lead them to a violent and …….
The film marks the first return of director Ang Lee to Chinese language filmmaking since the critically acclaimed Eat Drink Man Woman in 1994. His first Oscar nomination film is Wedding Banquet in 1992. Four years later, his first English language film Sense and Sensibility also received Oscar nomination. That film was followed by The Ice Storm, and the upcoming Civil War drama, Ride With the Devil.
Starring Chow Yun-Fat (Hard Boiled, Corruptor, Anna and the King), Michelle Yeoh (James Bond - Tomorrow Never Die) and Chang Chen (Happy Together) and Zhang Zhi-yi (The Road Home) Choreographed by Yuen Wo Ping (Matrix). Digital effects by Manex Visual Effects. Photography by Peter Pao. Screenplay by James Schamus (Ride Width the Devil), Wang Wai-ning (East Drink Man Woman) and Tsai Kuo-rong. Produced by Bill Kong and Hsu Li-kung. Distributed by Columbia TriStar Film Distributors International in U.S. and Asia; Good Machine International in Europe.
From the article '"Devil's" Advocate' by Annlee Ellingson for the December '99 issue of Box Office magazine. Many thanks to John Charles for circulating the URL! The article is mostly about RIDE WITH THE DEVIL, Ang Lee's current release, and then there's a bit re CTHD:
Derived from the popular Shanghai pulp novels written in the 1920s, "Crouching Tiger" is part of "the culture I grew up with," Lee says. "I feel comfortable with that. There [are] a lot of boyhood dreams [involved], such as the martial arts."
Like the rest of his films, "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" is both a radical departure from what Lee's done before and just another piece tothe intricate puzzle that is his body of work--another learning experience, another chance to explore his favorite themes.
"Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon." Starring Michelle Yeoh and Chow Yun-Fat. Directed by Ang Lee. Written by James Schamus and Hui Ling-Wang. Produced by Ang Lee, Bill Kong and Hsu Li-Kong. A Sony Pictures Classics release. Opens December 2000.
Premiere Mag Dec '99 issue kicks butt
Apparently it has not only a salute to CYF's brilliance in AATK, pp. 122-123, with full page colour pic, but also a small CTHD blurb on page 34. Whoohoo! This is the holiday movie special issue, nb. (And thanks to KO for the info!)
Awesome Next Magazine Article & pix
Courtesy of Next Magazine and Wolverine's HKSAR Top 10 site!.
CHINESE COMMUNITY OPPOSES TO CHOW YUN FAT'S HANDPRINT IN CEMENT
From the Oriental Daily of December 8th, 1999. Translated and transcribed at Wolverine's HKSAR Top 10 page!
(ORIENTAL DAILY 12/8/1999) Chow Yun Fat's third Hollywood film ANNA AND THE KING
would be released on the 17th in America. Fat Jai has also begun a series of promotional
activities there. On Wednesday he would place in hand in cement in front of the statue of Dr. Sun
Yat Sen in Chinatown. However some of the Chinese community has voiced opposition, claiming
the act is disrespectful to Dr. Sun.
The Chinese Chamber of Commerce of Los Angeles, the organizer of the event, confirmed
that the ceremony would take place in front of the statue but the exact location of which the
handprint would be placed has not been decided yet.
According to a representative of the opposition, leaving Fat Jai's handprints in front of Dr. Sun's statue is disrespectful to Dr. Sun because in the film he plays the monarch of Siam, completely unrelated to Sun Yat Sen.
Misc pix of the bald look/AATK promo events
Courtesy of Apple Daily, December 2nd, 1999, and Wolverine's HKSAR page.
CHOW YUN-FAT HONORED IN CHINATOWN
Thanks to Dustin Dean at Fox.com for sending me this press release, and to Jeff Koga and Leigh Melton for other circulations of the news!
ACTOR CHOW YUN-FAT HONORED WITH HANDPRINT CEREMONY * IN L.A.*s CHINATOWN
*First Award Ceremony of Its Kind In Location*
LOS ANGELES, December 1, 1999 ... Actor Chow Yun-Fat, who stars in the new
motion picture epic *Anna and the King,* will be honored by the Chinatown
Chamber of Commerce with a special ceremony, in which he will leave his
handprints in cement at the Central Plaza in Chinatown in Los Angeles on
December 8, at 3:00pm.
After appearing in numerous top Hong Kong television and cinema productions,
Chow exploded onto the international cinema scene in 1986 with his electrifying
performance as a gangster in the Hong Kong action-thriller *A Better Tomorrow.*
The film marked the first of several notable collaborations between Chow and
director John Woo, including *The Killer* and *Hard Boiled.*
These and other films led to worldwide acclaim. The Los Angeles Times called
him *The Coolest Actor in the World.* His international notoriety eventually
spread to the U.S., where he had been a cult hero for several years.
Having made his domestic motion picture debut in the thriller *The Replacement
Killers,* followed by *The Corruptor,* Chow currently stars with Jodie Foster
in *Anna and the King.* The epic tale, which will be released in theaters
nationwide on December 17th, is set in Thailand in the late 19th century. It
chronicles the adventures of British governess Anna Leonowens (Foster), who is
hired by the King of Siam (Chow) to educate his 58 children. Soon after her
arrival to this exotic, unfamiliar land, Anna finds herself engaged in a battle
of wits * and a deepening relationship * with the strong-willed ruler.
Twentieth Century Fox is a unit of Fox Filmed Entertainment, a unit of Fox
Entertainment Group.
Awesome Apple Article & pix ...
From the Apple Daily of November 29th, 1999, by the courtesy of Wolverine's HKSAR page. Whoohoo!
CHOW YUN FAT STILL SEES HIS WIFE AS TREASURE
NEXT MAGAZINE, ISSUE 508, ENTERTAINMENT HEADLINE
SEVENTEEN YEAR LOVE ANNOUNCEMENT
CHOW YUN FAT : I CAN'T AFFORD TO FOOL AROUND!
* Chow Yun Fat in ANNA
AND THE KING not only has to speak English, he has to speak Thai as well.
During production in Malaysia, though he has a day off every week, he
still used it to practice with his Thai tutor.
FAT SOH BREAKS THROUGH
OBSTACLES OUTSIDE
VALUABLE RELATIONSHIP CANNOT
AFFORD FOOLING AROUND
FALLING FOR A HERO MAY 96 TIME first introduced
Fat Gor, the newcomer to Hollywood, and how he was doing in America. It
described Fat Gor's gun totting images in the movies as "strong as steel"
heroes. JULY 96 A (Asian American magazine) has Fat
Gor on the cover, and greatly praised him as the Hong Kong Robert DeNiro.
JULY 97 LOS ANGELES TIME has
stills from Fat Gor's first Hollywood film THE REPLACEMENT KILLER on the
cover OCTOBER 97 In FAR EASTERN ECONOMI REVIEW, Fat
Gor expressed that the Hong Kong film industry has limited room for
development and hopes for even higher achievements in Hollywood. NOVEMBER 97 DETAILS listed
Fat Gor as one to watch in 98. JANUARY 98 Former Columbia Pictures executive
in TIME's interview with Fat Gor pointed out that as the audience's demand
becomes higher, Hollywood continues to need new faces. Fat Gor fits the
bill. FEBRUARY 98 John Woo (Ng Yu
Sum) in ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY's interview with Fat Gor pointed out that Fat
Gor is an equivalent to America's Tom Cruise. MARCH 98 PEOPLE pointed out Fat Gor's image as
friendly, to which Fat Gor modestly says, "Everyone treats me like a
brother." MARCH 98 Mira Sorvino (THE
REPLACEMENT KILLER lead actress) in PREMIERE's Fat Gor interview says that
"Just by looking at Fat Gor, I already have learned a lot." AUGUST 99 NEWSWEEK's cover was Fat Gor's new
film ANNA AND THE KING's regal look. This was Fat Gor's first time
without a gun. He only courts and romances his partners. NOVEMBER 99 Fat Gor is chosen
as PEOPLE's Sexiest Action Star. Bai Ling calls Fat Gor handsome, John
Woo also says that he is like old time movie star Cary Grant, but Fat Gor
modestly says, "Maybe now people think stability and modesty is sexy!"
WORDS : CHAN KA BO; ASSISTANCE :
WONG MAN LO; PHOTOS : LAW KAM BO
NEXT MAGAZINE, ISSUE 508, ENTERTAINMENT HEADLINE
SEVENTEEN YEAR LOVE ANNOUNCEMENT
CHOW YUN FAT : I CAN'T AFFORD TO PLAY
*
Fat Soh in Chian poses with the passing ducks. Fat Soh
honestly says that she really likes this place because places that have
been untouched by the city life are becoming few and far between. China
allows her to deeply experience that. (Chow Yun Fat photograph)
*
This is a handful of Fat Jai's 80 some children in the film.
He doesn't have one of his own, but he can share his care with others.
He is just as happy.
YOU ARE HAPPY SO I AM HAPPY
ABANDON EVERYTHING TO RETURN
TO SINGAPORE
FAT GOR NEW FILM EXPRESS ANNA AND THE KING
CROUCHING TIGER HIDDEN DRAGON
ESTABLISH FUND TO REPAY
SOCIETY
Pix from Apple Daily's coverage of an AATK promo event, via Jerry's HKSAR page.
Pix from Oriental Daily (I think), via Jerry's HKSAR page.
November 1999:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(11/29/1999) Chow Yun Fat (b) Fat Jai likes to fish on his free time (c) Fat Soh takes care of everything while Fat Jai works in Canada (d) Fat Jai looks regal in his new film (e) For Fat Soh, Fat Jai is willing to retire early (f) ANNA AND THE KING (1999) (g) First Hollywood film : THE REPLACEMENT KILLER (1998) (h) Top of his game : AN AUTUMN'S TALE (1987) (i) Turning into a hero : A BETTER TOMORROW (1986) (j) Box office poison : STORY OF WOO VIET (1981) (k) Hit it big: THE BUND (1980) (l) On the rise : HOTEL (1976) (m) Small time television actor DAI GONG NAM BUT (70s) | |
(APPLE DAILY 11/29/1999) Among Hong Kong actors, Jackie Chan and Chow Yun Fat have both successfully broken into Hollywood as international stars. Both has a lot in common in terms of background -- both came from poverty, with minimal education, a wife who silently supports him. Toward the recent "Dragon Seed" storm, Jackie Chan with his "uneducated" defense is obviously different in terms of family, career, and media than the just as educated Chow Yun Fat.
Chow Yun Fat and Jasmine Chan Wui Lin has been married for ten years. After the wedding he never had any rumor. With Fat Jai's attractiveness, conceivably he would face a lot of temptation. His will power is indeed unbelievable.
Fat Jai days ago accepted an interview with his wife. Facing this problem, the couple smiled at each other, then Fat Jai lightly grabbed Fat Soh's hand and said, "She lonely came from Singapore to Hong Kong and followed me for so many years, gave up so much for me, so far, she is the best wife in my eyes. If I still screw around, I have to be the dumbest and the worst man on earth."
Fat Jai said with a smile, "After so many years, actually Lin Mui has given up so much for me. When she first came with me to Hong Kong, she has no identity (at the time they were just living together). You know living with my ma takes skill (grins), Lin Mui has done a great job. When we got married, my career started to get better and better, her role was no longer Chow Yun Fat's housewife, in my career, she is an ultimate good partner."
"I don't know how other men think, but a man with several women definitely must be up to his armpits in trouble. Everyone is fighting for his favor, everyday there is nothing but arguments at home, how can he enjoy it? Basically a man after marriage should bear the responsibility of the marriage. I have experienced a failed marriage, so for the second one, I found a woman who is very suitable for spending the rest of my life with. I feel I am required to respect her, to make her feel secure."
"Lin Mui is very innocent, she is very direct, very independent, strong. She is not the type of woman who would keep quiet and hide at home and cry when her husband is screwing around outside. If the husband is unfaithful, she definitely will leave and it will be very hard to get her back. However when she is confident that you are a good husband, naturally she will be loyal, she will even be willing to give her life for you." Fat Soh heard her husband's words and did not say a word. She only leaned against him. The warmth of love filled the air.
Fat Soh once said, "In this life, the Lord has given me the best present -- being Chow Yun Fat's wife, because this husband not only good to family, wife and friends, even to a fan he has never met, he would try his best to satisfy the fan's request."
Fat Jai continued, "Several years ago when I prepared to head for the American market, I was still uncertain because I lacked confident, I didn't know any English, what was I thinking? Yet Lin Mui said if I don't know I can learn! How would I know if I don't try? She really had patience when she taught me. Everyday she spoke English to me, and forced me to watch English television, read English books, English newspaper. At first when I spoke English to her because I couldn't understand, I was frustrated, but she still was very patient with me. She also helped an English tutor for me. Sometimes after I threw a tantrum at her, she would go to the kitchen and cook for me. I really was mad at myself, why am I treating my wife like that? So I would put more effort into studying, sometimes I waited until she was asleep then I would sneak into the study to study."
Though Fat Jai can already speak a mouthful of fluent English, Fat Soh is still his tutor. Once Fat Jai had to prepare an English speech, when he read it back, the reporter saw Fat Soh patiently correcting Fat Jai's pronunciation. Fat Jai behaved like a good student and listened to his tutor's instructions. Thus the credit for Fat Jai's quick English goes to Fat Soh.
Whenever Fat Jai works overseas, Fat Soh always follows. Is Fat Soh worried that her husband would cross the line while away, or is there another reason?
Fat Jai said, "We are such an old couple, how can she not trust me? Once I went to Japan for work, she had a high grade fever and couldn't go with me. When I arrived in Japan, I called her at night to check on her. Then she said when I am not by her side she couldn't sleep. Thus the next morning after work, I left for Hong Kong early. She is so dependent on me, and I am so dependent on her to care for my daily activities, naturally I really needed her by my side."
Fat Jai before marriage had plenty of energy and rumors. Besides Yu On On and Idy Chan Yuk Lin which everyone knows about, there was Cora Miao (Liu Hin Yun), Carol Cheng Yiu Ling, Cherie Chung Chor Hung and others. Among them naturally there were fact and there were fiction.
Fat Jai said, "Basically we have no secret, even my romances before marriage, I told her everything. Husband and wife should be honest and shouldn't hide anything from the other."
Fat Jai said, "In terms of my career, my wife and (Terence Chang) Cheung Ka Chun (Fat Jai's manager) have given a lot of effort to help me. Lin Mui told me to let my effort for onscreen performances and leave everything else to her. I see her getting up every morning at 6AM and contact the American film company, after that she would cook breakfast for me. Then she does her own Hong Kong company stuff until it is time to cook dinner. Though we have servants at home, but she likes to cook for me personally. After dinner she can finally rest and watch TV with me, maybe chat a little." The reporter said, "Seeing your wife like that, have you thought about retirement?"
Fat Jai lovingly looked at Fat Soh and said, "Of course! She has always been prone to illness, seeing her like that really hurts me. She once said she wasn't used to Hong Kong's lifestyle, so I asked her if she wanted to live in Singapore. I could try to live with her and live a peaceful life there so she could really get some rest."
Then Fat Soh immediately cut in, "My husband is so young, for him to retire early and move to Singapore for me, I know he might not be used to it. On top of that his mommy is in Hong Kong. He is doing that for me, but since I am his wife, I have to give on his behalf, so everything is worth it. I live for Chow Yun Fat. As long as he is happy, I am happy. Thus I don't want him to retire at such a young age with me in Singapore!"
Jackie Chan because of the "Dragon Seed" incident hates the press, and claims the media reports are 90% false. How does Fat Jai see Hong Kong media?
Fat Jai said, "Honestly, the Hong Kong press reporting method now is really different from before. You are like sharks, wherever is a wound you flock out and bite until there is nothing but bones left. However reporters are making a living too. I know it's not up to you. Which reporter enjoys standing outside someone else's home and freeze?"
"Within my ability, I try to collaborate with the media as much as I can, but at the same time I hope the press can respect me back. I say to the paparazzi, actually Chow Yun Fat is a boring person. Normally I go to the market, swim, bike, garden, drive my wife and ma around. There is not much rumor that you can follow me for."
Jackie Chan could not felt more troubled because of the "Dragon Seed". To Fat Jai and his wife, currently the only thing missing is the next generation. Since the last miscarriage (92), they no longer have plans for children.
Fat Jai said, "We have always let things take their natural courses when it comes to a baby, Ah Lin is already so busy with this big baby, if she has to take on the responsibility of a little one, I am really afraid that she couldn't take it. So I have never forced it. Actually in this day and age, having children or not is no big deal. It's not like I have to keep the family going. In the future even if I donate my life savings to charitable organizations to benefit the society it's no big deal!"
By Richard Corliss for Time Magazine, November 29th issue. Many thanks to John Charles for circulating the URL!
CYF on the set of CTHD. Pic from the cool "photo essay" at Time Magazine November 29th, 1999. Paul Hu (I think) is the photographer. |
Another fabulous Richard Corliss article, online here. All kinds of info I hadn't known:
|
From Apple Daily of November 22nd, 1999. Translated and transcribed by Wolverine; thanks to John Charles and Sanney also for circulating this info!
MICHELLE YEOH INJURED HAMSTRING ON THE SET
The film CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON (NGOR FU CHONG LUNG) yesterday held a press conference in Beijing. Due to contract issues Chow Yun Fat could not attend. The film's other lead Michelle Yeoh (Yeung Chi King) injured her left hamstring on the set and still required assistance from the crew yesterday.
The Ang Lee directed Columbia Pictures Qin costume swordplay film NGOR FU CHONG UNG yesterday held a press conference in Beijing Studio. Yeung Chi King, Chang Chan (Cheung Chun) and Zhang Yimou's rumored new flame, Mainland actress Chiang Chi Yi attended. The only one missing was Chow Yun Fat.
Actually during the production of ANNA AND THE KING, Chow Yun Fat signed a contract that prohibits him from promoting other film in the West. Any violation might cost him more than HK$100 million.
Yeung Chi King earlier injured her left hamstring during a fight scene. Yesterday she still needed assistance when she walked. "I injured my left hamstring. It still hasn't healed yet. I am still doing physical therapy."
Yeung Chi King has suffered shoulder, hip, right knee, arm, legs, back and other soft tissue injuries.
"My boyfriend will visit me tomorrow. After the film wraps, I will spend the New Year in Hong Kong, then return to America to treat my foot."
Yeung Chi King said that she is already engaged to her foreign boyfriend. "The wedding date has not been confirmed yet, but most likely we will wed in Malaysia. However after my marriage I won't retire. I haven't thought about a baby yet."
How does she see Elaine Ng Yi Lei's Dragon Seed incident? "If the baby's father is Jackie Chan, he should take responsibility. The baby girl has it the worst, having to live with the name of Jackie Chan's illegitimate daughter."
Also, Chiang Chi Yi denied that she is Zhang Yimou's girlfriend.
Censors set to ban film for 'offensive' sword-wielding
By James East for the SCMP of November 20th, 1999. Many thanks to John Charles for circulating the URL!
The Hollywood remake of The King and I is almost certain to be banned by Thai censors unhappy at the way Hong Kong star Chow Yun-fat wields his sword.
Anna and the King is due to be released worldwide next month but an attempt by 20th Century Fox to convince Thailand's board of censors to allow it to be shown has already caused offence.
Board members say Fox's teasers might be thrilling but details about King Mongkut, played by Chow Yun-fat, are insensitive, historically inaccurate and lack respect for the monarchy.
Member Pattamavadee Juravorn said: "Chow Yun-fat wields his sword like a Chinese swordsman. That's not what we would expect to see from a Thai king."
Other scenes show Jodie Foster, as English teacher Anna Leonowens, arguing with the king, and rebels clambering over the palace.
Advertising posters fail to take into account Thai sensibilities by picturing Foster above the king. This is considered a great insult by Thais and possibly lese-majesty, an attack on sovereign authority. Thai royals must be pictured above commoners.
Although the enforcement of such strict laws abroad would be met with cries of censorship, in Thailand they are welcomed even by film producers.
Director of the annual Bangkok Film Festival Brian Bennett, whose film My Teacher Eats Biscuits was banned in the kingdom, said authorities had every right to bar Anna and the King. He could think of no one in the Thai film world who would object.
"If the film is supposed to be a true story then it should be accurate," he said. "It is good the Thais have not sold themselves out."
News courtesy of John Charles and Sanney's HK Entertainment site for November 20th!
TVB held its lavish Anniversary show last night. The winners of this year's TVB awards are:
Favorite Male Actor: Louis Koo Tin-Lok (DETECTIVE INVESTIGATION FILES IV)
Favorite Female Actor: Jessica Suen Huen (DETECTIVE INVESTIGATION FILES IV)
Favorite Acting Ensemble in a Drama Programme: Gallen Lo Ka-Leung and Flora
Chan Wai-Shan (FEMININE MASCULINITY)
Favorite Ensemble in a Non-Drama Programme: Eric Tsang Chi-Wai, Chin
Kar-Lok, Jerry Lam Hiu-Feng (THE SUPER TRIO SHOW).
TVB also announced five winners in each of the Most Memorable categories instead of the expected one each. This has led to criticism, especially given Adam Cheng Siu-Chow's exclusion and Lawrence Ng Kai-Wah's inclusion, that TVB is using the awards for promotion rather than for recognizing achievement.
Most Memorable Male Characters:
Chow Yun-Fat (Hui Man-Keung in SHANGHAI BEACH aka THE BUND; SEUNG HOI TAN)
Damien Lau Chung-Yun (Lok Siu-Feng in LOK SIU-FENG)
Andy Lau Tak-Wah (Yeung Gor in THE RETURN OF THE CONDOR HEROS 1984 SUN DIU
HUP LUI)
Dicky Cheung Wai-Kin (Suen Ng-Hung in JOURNEY TO THE WEST SAI YAU KEI)
Lawrence Ng Kai-Wah (Ching Chi-Mei in HEALING HANDS MIU SAU YUN SUM)
(SANNEY: I bet you more people remember Felix Wong Yat-Wah's Kwok Jing than they do Lawrence Ng's doctor character. Talk about a travesty!)
Most Memorable Female Characters:
Josephine Siao Fong-Fong (Lam Ah Chun in DIM CHI GAM GAN DAN)
Lisa Wong Ming-Chuen (Lok Lam in GA BIN)
Nancy Sit Kar-Yin (Auntie Ho in KINDRED SPIRIT JUN CHING)
Chiu Nga- Chi (Fung Ching-Ching in SHANGHAI BEACH aka THE BUND SEUNG HOI
TAN)
Maggie Cheung Ho-Yi (Ching Bo-Chu in OLD TIME BUDDIES NAN HING NAN DAI)
Most Memorable Television Programs:
ENJOY YOURSELF TONIGHT (FOON LOK GUM SIU)
THE SHELL GAME (CHIN WONG CHI WONG -- lit. KING OF ONE THOUSAND KINGS)
TA NOI CHI GONG WU (lit. HE CAME FROM THE TRIAD)
THE RETURN OF THE CONDOR HEROS 1984 (SUN DIU HUP NUI)
SHANGHAI BEACH (aka THE BUND; SEUNG HOI TAN)
TVB's spared no expense for its show. The company even provided fireworks.
From Cinescape.com sometime circa Nov 11. Many thanks to John Charles for circulating the info!
Crouching Tiger Info
Producer James Schamus is revealing tidbits of info on Ang Lee's Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon project, currently shooting in China. While talking to regular Cinescape contributor Cindy Pearlman for her syndicated column, Schamus revealed that the film is "Sense and Sensibility with martial arts." The film tells the story of China's greatest warrior and it stars Michelle Yeoh and Chow Yun Fat. "Chow is the greatest male warrior who meets his match in Michelle." Schamus adds that the film is "a grueling, horrifyingly difficult, physically painful shoot where we go from deserts to mountains" whose payoff will include "fantasy martial arts moments where Michelle and Chow float to the top of trees and then leap on to tall buildings."
By Liz Hodgson from the SCMP of November 6th, 1999. And many thanks to John Charles for circulating the URL!
Hong Kong actor Chow Yun-fat has been named "sexiest action star" in the annual list of hunks compiled by People magazine.
The 44-year-old actor, who will next be seen playing the king of Thailand in Anna and the King, opposite Oscar-winner Jodie Foster, won high praise from his wife, from co-star Bai Ling and old friend John Woo for his allure. His wife of 13 years, Jasmine, 39, revealed that even strangers found her man desirable.
"At an airport four years ago, this group of women came over and kissed him on the lips," Jasmine said.
Bai Ling, who has a love scene with him in Anna, said: "Yun-fat was so handsome it seemed surreal. He was like a beautiful sculpture."
And film-maker John Woo said: "He reminds me of an old-time star, like Cary Grant. He has charm like an angel."
The actor, who enjoys a quiet life with Jasmine, gardening and cooking at their Kowloon mansion when he is not filming, said: "Maybe people feel that being decent and humble is sexy."
People's sexiest man alive for this year is actor Richard Gere, 50.
Fans Still Obsessed with CYF's Hui Man-Keung
Excerpt from the article "TWENTIETH CENTURY TELEVISION FIGURES" in THE SUN of November 6th, 1999. Translated and transcribed by Wolverine at his HKSAR Top 10 site!
Last time's Television's Immortal Legend talked about the classic series of the millennium and received passionate reactions from the readers. This time the paper decided that for an encore it will take a detailed look at past television figures!
In the television name list, due to either the popularity of the show or the actor, the artist standing out or the performance standing out, stars over the 30 years are as many as those in the sky!
Adam Cheng Siu Chau's heroic style, Chow Yun Fat's regular street folk, Lisa Wong Ming Chuen's iron lady, Alex Man Jin Leung's madness, Carol Cheng Yiu Ling's outstanding acting, Felix Wong Yat Wa's honesty, Andy Lau Tak Wa's heroic flavor, Tony Leung Chiu Wai's electric eyes, Stephen Chiau Sing Chi's humor, Liu Wai Hung's "Chan" flavor......
[snip]
CHOW YUN FAT : THE BUND'S HUI MAN KEUNG
Muk Jui Fai's catch phrase once could be heard in every home. Later when Fat Jai played Shanghai mobster Hui Man Keung who in the end was shot amidst machine gun fire outside a nightclub kept the entire city of Hong Kong mesmerized. Viewers even madly called TVB to complain. The classic phenomenon remained a television legend.
[snip]
80S CLASSIC CHARACTERS
CHOW YUN FAT - Made a name for himself in 76 with HOTEL (KONG CHIU)'s Siu Wa San. Later with CHUN CHING (FAMILY LOVE)'s Muk Jui Fai, THE GOOD THE BAD THE UGLY (MONG JUNG YUN), THE BUND (SEUNG HOI TAN)'s Hui Man Keung he became TVB's top idol. Currently working in Hollywood, he is one of the highest achievers among the television training classes.
[snip]
CAROL CHENG YIU LING - In 79 her three minute kiss scene with Chow Yun Fat in MONG JUNG YUN was one of television's classic scenes. At the same time she is also an outstanding television host.
Press breaks into CTHD studio for CYF pix
From THE SUN of November 3rd, 1999. Translated and transcribed by Wolverine at his HKSAR Top 10 site!
The Ang Lee production CROUCHING TIGER HIDDEN DRAGON (NGOR FU CHONG LUNG) starring Chow Yun Fat and Michelle Yeoh (Yeung Chi King) is heating up in Beijing. Because the cast images have not been exposed, Chinese and Hong Kong press tried to break into the studio for a shot of Chow Yun Fat. Some were even arrested.
CYF becomes Meta-Star Not only is CYF a star in real life, he's a star in the movies. CYF's image has been exploited in dozens of HK films (one thinks of the hilarious spoof of this process in Stephen Chow's SAINT OF GAMBLERS series). Here is the latest (hilarious) incarnation of CYF's iconographic presence ...
From Wolverine's a href="http://www.oocities.org/Tokyo/Towers/2038">HKSAR Top 10 site, this review of a movie currently playing in HK:
LAST GHOST STANDING
Rating : IIB
Length : 93 mins.
[ NETVIGATOR ]
When a cinema goes bankrupt, a bailiff is sent to go through the
documents and close it down. However, when he arrives, he hears eerie
noises in the office, and discovers, to his great horror, that the
poster portraits of superstars like Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan and Chow
Yun-fat have come alive, and are plotting with an evil spirit to turn
the cinema into a living hell.
By SIU SUN SING NEI for THE SUN of November 1st, 1999. Translated and transcribed by Wolverine at his HKSAR Top 10 site!
Siu Sun yesterday heard that CROUCHING TIGER HIDDEN DRAGON director Ang Lee's birthday was two days ago. Chow Yun Fat bought a cake and a coat for him. However Fat Jai not only has to tough out the cold in Beijing for this movie, he also
has to tough out the fight scenes. Fat Jai's manager Terence Chang (Cheung Ka Chun) said to Siu Sun, to keep Fat Jai from over working, he only allows him to work on two films a year. In the latter half of the year, Fat Jai will break through his killer image and star in a Fox romantic comedy LOST IN TRANSLATION. [hee hee ... very funny Jeff - WL]
October 1999:
By LAU HO LEUNG from THE SUN of October 23rd, 1999. Translated and transcribed by Wolverine at his HKSAR Top 10 site.
Hong Kong and film has already had a century of history.
In 1895 film was born in France. The next year film has already stepped foot into Hong Kong. In these 100 and some years, Hong Kong film has created numerous legends and miracles.
In the 50s and 60s Hong Kong film created nearly 300 movies, the best in terms of people to production ratio. Bruce Lee Siu Lung with his bare fists and kicks and screams of rage before each move shocked the hearts of the world's audience. Jackie Chan and John Woo (Ng Yu Sum), an actor and a director, succeeded in Hollywood just as well and created box office miracles.
Some have said that movie is nothing but a commercial game that burns money.
Right! Yet it has lighten up each era, each viewer's heart and soul.
FOREVER BEST ACTORS
From their looks to their acting they have no weak spots. They made Hong Kong film shine and created a mysterious attraction. With each era's passing there was one, the audience's unforgettable Best Actor.
Chow Yun Fat (1954- )
With A BETTER TOMORROW (YING HUNG BOON SIK), CITY ON FIRE (LUNG FU FUNG WON), ALL ABOUT AH LONG (AH LONG DIK GOO SI) he became the three time Hong Kong Film Award Best Actor winner. Currently he is working in Hollywood. Representative work : A BETTER TOMORROW
Ng Chor Fan (1911-1993)
Once starred in over 250 films, with SONG OF LIFE (YUN SUN KUK) he won the South China Best Actor. In 1950 he was chosen as one of the top five Chinese actors. Representative work : THE ORPHAN (YUN HOI GOO HUNG), THE GUIDING LIGHT (FU HOI MING DUN), IN THE FACE OF DEMOLITION (NGAI LAU CHUN HIU).
Cheung Ying (1919-1986)
With over 400 films, he won the South China Best Actor award with POOR SOULS (YUN HOI LUI HUNG). Representative work : TRAGEDY ON PEARL RIVER (JU GONG LUI), FATHER IS BACK (FOR FUT YAU LAN).
Cheung Woot Yau (1910-1985)
Starred in over 250 films. Representative work : THE GREAT DEVOTION (HOR LIN TIN HA FU MO SUM), FAMILY (GA). ... [The article continues with other category awards - WL]
From the October 14th fluff at Sanney's HK Entertainment Review. Many thanks to John Charles for circulating the info!
TVB has added three new awards to its anniversary awards: Most Unforgettable TV series (which includes DUKE OF MT. DEER [Tony Leung Chiu-Wai version], POLICE CADET, HEALING HANDS, GREED OF MAN, and MAN IN THE NET among others); Most Unforgettable Male Lead (which include Adam Cheng Siu-Chow in THE ROMANCE OF THE BOOK AND THE SWORD, Chow Yun-Fat for CHUN CHNG (lit. INTIMATE RELATIONS), Patrick Tse Yin for THE SHELL GAME (CHIN WONG CHIN WONG), and Dicky Cheung Wai-Kin for JOURNEY TO THE WEST among others); and Most Unforgettable Female Lead which include Josephine Siao Fong-Fong in DIM CHI GUM GAAN DAN (lit. NOT THAT SIMPLE, Carol Cheng Yu-Ling for MAN IN THE NET, and Esther Kwan Wing-Ho for LADY FLOWER FIST).
(SANNEY: You can vote for the TVB awards at http://www.tvb.com.hk/birthday/ . I haven't been there so I don't know how much English is on the vote site.)
Back to Chow Yun-Fat: God of Actors....
You are probably the only person who has ever accessed this web page, while I myself have logged on times since October 15th, 1998.
