Today in China

While the scheduled debut in China of ‘Memoirs of a Geisha‘ is February 9th, it has still not been approved by the Chinese government. It seems that the government is reluctant to give its approval because it fears violent events - similar to the ones triggered last year by a school book distorting history facts - could happen.

The cause of this is to be found in the casting of Steven Spielberg movie, consisting of three of the most famous Chinese actress: Zhang Ziyi (章子怡, Zhāng Zǐyí), Michelle Yeoh (楊紫瓊, Yáng Zǐqióng) and Gong Li (巩俐, Gǒng Lì). They will respectively play the role of a rising Geisha, her mentor and her rival. The fact that Zhang Ziyi serves a businessman who was a Japanese soldier in occupied China put her in front of the controversy more than the two others and was harshly criticized in China mainland.

Zhang Ziyi (章子怡, Zhāng Zǐyí)

Besides being named Esquire’s Sexiest Woman of China in 2005, Zhang Ziyi is a wonderfull young actress with already a nice filmography:

- The Banquet (2006)
- Memoirs of a Geisha (2005)
- Princess Raccoon (2005)
- Jasmine Women (2004)
- House of Flying Daggers (2004)
- 2046 (2004)
- Purple Butterfly (2003)
- My Wife is a Gangster 2 (2003)
- Hero (2002)
- Musa (2001)
- Rush Hour 2 (2001)
- Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000)
- The Road Home (1999)
- Touching Starlight (1996)

Michelle Yeoh (楊紫瓊, Yáng Zǐqióng)

Chinese Malaysian actress, famous in the West for a role as a Bond Girl in Tomorrow never dies.

- Untitled Sunshine Project (2006)
- Memoirs of a Geisha as Mameha (2005)
- Silverhawk (2004)
- The Touch (2002)
- Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000)
- Moonlight Express (1999)
- Tomorrow Never Dies (1997)
- The Soong Sisters (1997)
- The Stunt Woman (1996)
- Wonder Seven (1994)
- Shaolin Popey 2 - Messy Temple (1994)
- The Tai-Chi Master (1994)
- Wing Chun (1994)
- Once a Cop (1993)
- Holy Weapon (1993)
- Executioners (1993)
- Butterfly and Sword (1993)
- The Heroic Trio (1993)
- Supercop - Police Story III (1992)
- Easy Money (1987)
- Magnificent Warriors (1987)
- In the Line of Duty (1986)
- My Lucky Stars 2 - Twinkle, Twinkle Lucky Stars (1985)
- Yes, Madam (1985)
- The Owl and Bumbo (1984)

Gong Li (巩俐, Gǒng Lì)

Do I need to introduce Gong Li? She was Zhang Yimou’s favorite and lover until 1995 with her first leading role in the Red Sorghum in 1987. I’m looking forward to see her in Young Hannibal!

- Young Hannibal (2006)
- Miami Vice (2006)
- Memoirs of a Geisha, as Hatsumomo (2005)
- Eros (2004) - segment The Hand
- 2046 (2004)
- Zhou Yu’s Train (2002)
- Breaking the Silence (1999)
- The Emperor and the Assassin (1999)
- Chinese Box (1997)
- Temptress Moon (1996)
- Shanghai Triad (1995)
- The Great Conqueror’s Concubine (1994)
- Semi-Gods and Semi-Devils (1994)
- To Live (1994)
- Soul of a Painter (1993)
- Flirting Scholar (1993)
- Farewell My Concubine (1993)
- Mary from Beijing (1992)
- The Story of Qiu Ju (1992)
- Back to Shanghai (1991)
- Party of a Wealthy Family (1991)
- Raise the Red Lantern (1992)
- Ju Dou (1990)
- The Puma Action (1989)
- A Terracotta Warrior (1989)
- Mr. Sunshine (1989)
- Red Sorghum (1987)

Links
Washington Post - 2006 01 25
Memoirs of a Geisha, official movie website