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Zhang Ziyi: Crouching Tiger
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Zhang Ziyi is a Chinese actress. The characters of her name can be literally translated as Zhāng (a surname, not to be confused with the more common Zhāng), Zǐ (child), and Yí (happiness). Her name is sometimes seen in the Western order (Ziyi Zhang). She stars in Rush Hour 2, with Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker, woos audiences with her enlightening (and physical) performance in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, and Memoirs of a Geisha (2005).
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An actress of almost eerie, otherworldly beauty and simmering intensity, Zhang Ziyi burst onto the international film scene with her role as the governor's daughter in Ang Lee's acclaimed martial arts adventure Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. Stunningly convincing despite her lack of martial arts skills, Zhang's dramatic talents were equally impressive, and she was soon cast in such highly regarded films as Zhang Yimou's Hero and big-budget stateside efforts as Rush Hour 2. Born in Beijing to a working-class family that included her economist father, kindergarten teacher mother, and an older brother, Zhang found creative outlets early with dancing and gymnastics. At the age of 11, she was accepted into a secondary school affiliated with the acclaimed Beijing Dancing College. Though her skills earned Zhang numerous awards there, she soon became frustrated with the pressures of school and began seeking other creative outlets. At 15, she enrolled in Beijing's Central Drama Academy, where she finally seemed to find her niche.
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In 2000, Zhang Ziyi broke out with the success of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, and she hasn't looked back since. She upped her fame factor with a role in the Jackie Chan-Chris Tucker buddy cop sequel, Rush Hour 2. In 2002, she reemerged in the spotlight with Hero, and again two years later with House of Flying Daggers. Zhang Ziyi ... had starring roles in 2005's Memoirs of a Geisha and Good Cook, Likes Music, and she has continued to take on a number of roles in Asian films. With a slew of projects in the works for 2008 and 2009, Western audiences can expect to see a lot more of Zhang Ziyi.
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Zhang Ziyi will be playing the Empress. Her costars will be Daniel Wu as “The Crown Prince”, Zhou Xun as the Prince’s lover, Ge You as The Emperor, and Ma Jingwu as the Minister. The film is expected to have acrobatic fight and dance scenes reminiscent of House of Flying Daggers and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. Of Zhou Xun’s role it is said she will have an elaborate dance scene and will possibly sing as well. Ziyi is ... mentioned as possibly having a dance scene. It isn’t clear if any of the actors will have an actual “leading role” or if this will be a true ensemble piece.
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When the international bestseller Memoirs of a Geisha was filmed, Ziyi Zhang played the leading role of Sayuri with Michelle Yeoh who was her co star in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and Gong Li and Ken Watanabe. For the film, Ziyi Zhang got the nomination for best actress category in Golden Globe award. In House of Flying Daggers, Ziyi Zhang has been found to lend her voice to a particular soundtrack based on a Chinese poem. In 2005, she became a member of AMPAS (Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences) to cast her vote in Academy Awards. She has the record to be the youngest member of the jury in Cannes Film Festival in 2006 in Fall, 2006, Ziyi Zhang’s latest film, The Banquet, was released. The film is set on the backdrop of Tang Dynasty.
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At 20, Zhang Ziyi is already poised to become China's top actress. The star of director Ang Lee's new film Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, Zhang steals the show from co-stars Chow Yun-fat and Michelle Yeoh. She speaks with Time Asia reporter Stephen Short about the pressures of filming and her determination to master English before a possible career move to Hollywood
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