*Detested In China?
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Archived from the IMDb Discussion Forums — Zhang Ziyi
Elijahohmy — 18 years ago(February 23, 2008 08:18 AM)
Intresting insights from the Chinese population here* I have heard some stories and I guess they were true. Quite a pleasant and decent actress though IMHA
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ruolingw — 18 years ago(March 02, 2008 03:19 PM)
I really dont care for Zhang. She needs to polish her acting skills instead of polishing her gold-digging charms. She is very much disliked in China. How she arose to fame is luck, timing and a face that caters to Westerners taste, especially the taste of Western Asianphilia men such as her new beau the Jewish media tycoon - hes alledgedly the biggest individual share-holder of Times Warner. She is a master in using what shes got to get what she wants - hey good for her but nothing that you want to put her on a pedestal for. She really does not deserve to be putting on the pedestal as a representative of China in the West as there are many more talented and/or better looking and/or better respected Chinese actresses. Chinese do hate her (just look at the amount of negative media exposure in China about her - you don't get that much concerted negativity for nothing) and most Chinese cannot understand why shes chosen over and over again by Western media as the most beautiful or most influential actresses out of China. Shes more famous in China for being Cosmetics spokesmodels and gossips about her "digging" high-power men than her acting. Her best acting so far was in her debut movie and there has been no improvement since then - that really says a lot about her talents. Jealousy has nothing to do with all the negativity that she's got - Gong Li does not get it, neither does the new muse of Ang Lee Tang Wei ("Lust, Caution"). It's her.
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semperscriptira — 18 years ago(March 09, 2008 09:37 PM)
I'm agreeing with ruolingw. She's not that talented, and she does seem quite spoiled. There's something about her that gives me a bad feeling. She's not as artistic as some of her fellow Chinese actors. She seems to want to go for all the glam, the roles that'll get her attention. I much more prefer Michelle Yeoh.
I really appreciate actors who are humble and true to their work, like Tony Leung. I don't want a director motivated by money, nor a lawyer or doctor who does the same. They should respect the field of work they're in and attempt to do their best at it. Similarly, an actor should try his or her best to act, not to earn money, especially if they're already know and have money to support themselves. I can understand why an actor would go for commercial roles if he or she needed the money, but when established ones go for them, unless it's because they need a break from all the seriousness, I disagree with their decisions. It's like being too lazy to actually put in the effort to make a quality interpretation of the character. It's upsetting. I kind of feel that way about Zhang Ziyi, especially in House of Flying Daggers when she dances. It seemed like they were just flaunting her skills as a dancer, although it was well done and interesting. I just don't get the impression that she challenges herself very much.
"Come Fly With Me" - Frank Sinatra -
Scifi71 — 18 years ago(March 09, 2008 10:07 PM)
(I really appreciate actors who are humble and true to their work)
Sounds like Gong Li to me. Great representation of beauty and class and a great role model. When I think of THE Chinese actress, I think of Gong Li. Tony Leung roles are bit risque for my taste(The Lover, Lust Caution) but he is a good actor. I like Ken Watanbe. Ziyi likes being famous and hopes to maintain it by promoting herself a lot and how ver she can. Who could blame her -
giro_o — 17 years ago(August 18, 2008 05:35 AM)
Why do supposed advocates for Chinese actresses choose to canabalize their cause by making it dichotomous.
Zhang Ziyi is increidbly beautiful and talented.
Gong Li is incredible beautiful and talented.
The logic behind comparing them? -
ElectricEye — 17 years ago(April 09, 2009 10:02 AM)
I like Gong Li, but not as much as Ziyi Zhang. If I were to compare two beautiful Chinese actresses, I'd compare ZZ Vs. Tang Wei.
I think it is sort of true what it is said bout ZZ, but come on: many western actors have done the exact same thing; you know the names!
But that's nothing to be criticized (btw, it's not to be praised either): But, be honest: Even you and I will do the exact same thing: take advantage of our 5 seconds of fame to get one more hour. I think she have done it right, she have found the way, and if there's anything to improve in her acting (not that I'm saying there is), now it is the time to do it, and become a genuine fine actress.
I think, in the end, most of this criticism, it may come to jeallousy.
Protective, Detective, Electric Eye -
jnagarya-1 — 16 years ago(May 05, 2009 04:38 AM)
"She seems to want to go for all the glam, the roles that'll get her attention."
It isn't only her decision. It is also the decision of the director.
And NO ONE puts themselves in front of a movie camera who DOESN'T want attention.
In short: jealousy distorts and omits inconvenient facts in order to personally attack. Jealousy insists that MOST actors DON'T seek attention which is obvious nonsense. -
jnagarya-1 — 16 years ago(May 05, 2009 04:43 AM)
"It's like being too lazy to actually put in the effort to make a quality interpretation of the character. It's upsetting. I kind of feel that way about Zhang Ziyi, especially in House of Flying Daggers when she dances. It seemed like they were just flaunting her skills as a dancer, although it was well done and interesting. I just don't get the impression that she challenges herself very much."
- Note that "they" are not all named "Zhang Ziyi". In other words, you are bashing her for a decision which was not her's alone.
- If you'd watch the "Making of" on "House of Flying Daggers" you'd see a clip of her PRACTICING the dance in "street clothes" OFF CAMERA. And if you listen to the commentary on the film itself, you'll hear her admitting mistakes, and speaking to how difficult particular parts were AND the kinds of WORK that's spelled W-O-R-K she did on the film.
- She learned English in order to do (such as) "Memoirs of a Geisha"; and her English continues to improve. THAT requires more of the same: W-O-R-K.
- She had to do lines in Japanese in "Princess Raccoon". THAT takes what is called W-O-R-K.
ALL of that is about CHALLENGING herself.
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thomvic — 13 years ago(July 06, 2012 07:25 PM)
I think Ziyi Zhang is a very talented actress. She is charismatic and if you're going to work in the film industry - let's face it - there has to be something about you that will draw audiences to you. It's great to have someone in a profession who respects the quality of work of what they do. But come on - one of the main reasons we all work is to earn a living as well and if something comes your way that will pay handsomely then most people would consider it.
It's just like Angelina Jolie doing so many actions roles - Tomb Raider, Wanted, Salt - many people say she goes for the same sort of roles - but then she does movies like Changeling and A Mighty Heart which shows what a great actress she is. Ziyi Zhang has done a lot of martial arts films but then she has done dramatic roles like Memoirs of a Geisha. If she wants to promote herself in the West then there is nothing wrong about it - that's where the money comes from after all.
If I'm going to be in a profession, I of course want to do it as best as I can and respect the work I do but when it comes down to the crunch, you need to eat as well.