....aaaand she's saying no.
It's a no with a long list of "official" reasons in all likelihood (schedule conflicts and whatnot), but the Chinese press is going straight for the jugular, suggesting that the very revealing, all-nude scenes she would have had to shoot with Zhang Ziyi - including one where the characters write on each other's bodies - were the culprit. Shu notoriously started her career very young with a few Cat. III flicks and a nude photoshoot (Google is your friend, unless you're at work), after which she always tried to distance herself from anything even remotely associated with nudity, so it's understandable. Zhang is still trying to convince Shu and her management, but speculation as to whom will be her next choice should negotiations fail is already heating up, with netizens suggesting names like Fan Bingbing (not a snowball's chance in hell), Ruby Lin, Yao Chen, and even bigger (and much more unlikely) stars with international appeal like Zhou Xun, Gong Li, Maggie Cheung and Li Bingbing, not to mention the usual Tang Wei nomination - who will be busy shooting Kim Tae-Yong's 만추 (Late Autumn) anyway.
Although the "all nude" (Zhang included) buzz will probably dominate any news regarding it, the film does sound intriguing. Adapted from an acclaimed novel by Chinese American novelist Lisa See, 雪花与秘扇 (Snow Flower and the Secret Fan) tells the story of Lily and her fellow laotong (think sworn sisters, but with a much more intimate relationship) Snow Flower, during one of the most tumultuous periods in 19th century China. They experienced foot binding, and spent their life in seclusion, isolated from the outside world. The scene I mentioned before involves 女书 (nushu, female writings), a bonafide writing system women in Hunan province secretly created, mixing phonetic renderings of Chengguan dialect with almost decorative nuances, lingo which they often "painted" on things. A naked body sounds like a decent canvas, doesn't it?
Film will be directed by Wayne Wang of Chinese Box and The Joy Luck Club, while Zhang will star but also produce.
[Mtime]
It's a no with a long list of "official" reasons in all likelihood (schedule conflicts and whatnot), but the Chinese press is going straight for the jugular, suggesting that the very revealing, all-nude scenes she would have had to shoot with Zhang Ziyi - including one where the characters write on each other's bodies - were the culprit. Shu notoriously started her career very young with a few Cat. III flicks and a nude photoshoot (Google is your friend, unless you're at work), after which she always tried to distance herself from anything even remotely associated with nudity, so it's understandable. Zhang is still trying to convince Shu and her management, but speculation as to whom will be her next choice should negotiations fail is already heating up, with netizens suggesting names like Fan Bingbing (not a snowball's chance in hell), Ruby Lin, Yao Chen, and even bigger (and much more unlikely) stars with international appeal like Zhou Xun, Gong Li, Maggie Cheung and Li Bingbing, not to mention the usual Tang Wei nomination - who will be busy shooting Kim Tae-Yong's 만추 (Late Autumn) anyway.
Although the "all nude" (Zhang included) buzz will probably dominate any news regarding it, the film does sound intriguing. Adapted from an acclaimed novel by Chinese American novelist Lisa See, 雪花与秘扇 (Snow Flower and the Secret Fan) tells the story of Lily and her fellow laotong (think sworn sisters, but with a much more intimate relationship) Snow Flower, during one of the most tumultuous periods in 19th century China. They experienced foot binding, and spent their life in seclusion, isolated from the outside world. The scene I mentioned before involves 女书 (nushu, female writings), a bonafide writing system women in Hunan province secretly created, mixing phonetic renderings of Chengguan dialect with almost decorative nuances, lingo which they often "painted" on things. A naked body sounds like a decent canvas, doesn't it?
Film will be directed by Wayne Wang of Chinese Box and The Joy Luck Club, while Zhang will star but also produce.
[Mtime]
Shu Qi naked with Zhang Ziyi? Yes please.
This isn't news, it's marketing. Well played, Zhang, well played.
I'm reading the book now...I would die to watch Zhang Ziyi and Shu Qi co-starring in a movie, but also Zhang Ziyi-Zhou Xun would be a great pairing. I remember the scenes the two had together in THE BANQUET...the only ones I remember with pleasure from that film...they were really hot, and considering they shall play two very close friends...
MY PENIS DEMANDS THAT SHE SAYS YES DAMMIT!
This book could make for quite the interesting movie. I just hope that they don´t play up the HAI GUYZ NUDE CHIXX0RZ too much in marketing - it seems like it could cheapen the whole movie right quick, and that would be a shame.
That said, I could definitely see Zhou Xun there. She has a lot of presence quite aside from being supercute.
We've all seen Zhang Ziyi (pretty much) naked (google is your friend, indeed!) and we've all seen Shu Qi naked. I don't think we'll ever see Zhou Xun naked.