Gong Li hopes to share wartime woes with Koreans
By Lee Hyo-won
Gong Li toured Seoul, Monday, for her latest film “Shanghai,” and hopes the World War II thriller will resonate with Koreans, who know the pain of war.
“This is a big-budget Hollywood movie that captures Hollywood’s perception of Asia. Korea has experienced war and I would imagine that the movie will resonate well with the Korean people,” Gong told reporters at the Shilla Hotel in downtown Seoul.
“Shanghai” is about an American secret agent, Paul Soames (John Cusack), who investigates a friend’s death in Japanese-occupied Shanghai.
Sixty days before the Pearl Harbor bombing, Soames senses a conspiracy is underway and tries to stop the disaster by befriending triad boss Anthony Lan-Ting (Chow Yun-fat) and his attractive wife Anna (Gong), an underground freedom fighter. Ken Watanabe co-stars as a Japanese military intelligence officer.
The Chinese actress said she chose the project because of its intriguing storyline and characters.
“The writer worked on the scenario for nine years and I was drawn to the realism and integrity of the script. I play the role of a woman who returns home after living abroad, in order to support the independence movement of her country like many other women during that time.
“My character is a very alluring, wise and strong-hearted woman. As a Chinese person, I felt a strong sense of responsibility in portraying the part well.”
Gong has forayed into Hollywood through such films as “Memoirs of a Geisha” and “Hannibal Rising,” and gave words of encouragement to the increasing number of Korean actors venturing into Tinseltown.
“Acting is a profession without regionalism, and you don’t always remain in one place. You can film anywhere if there is a project at hand. I am a Chinese actress but I was fortunate enough to have encountered foreign cultures and lived abroad. I shot about five Hollywood films and the experience has broadened my perspective.
“Many Korean actors are debuting overseas and I would like to congratulate them. I hope they make new waves in Hollywood and create new trends and cultures,” she said.
In the meantime, Gong herself would like to have a stronger presence in Korea. Though she has been an iconic figure here since appearing in the 1980s and’90s in films such as “Raise the Red Lantern” and “Farewell My Concubine,” it is her first official visit to promote a movie.
“I’ve been in Korea several times to shoot advertisements and such but this is my first official visit. If given the chance I would love to visit again, for example, if my movie is invited to compete at the Pusan (Busan) International Film Festival,” she said.
As much as the event marked a rare session with Gong here, the venue was packed with reporters.
The actress, who was praised by her co-star Cusack as resembling the Mona Lisa (which she said was extremely flattering), appeared svelte and younger than ever in a simple white blouse with a diadem-studded belt fastened over a pair of stylish black slacks tapered at the ankle.
When asked the secrets to maintaining her looks, the 45-year-old said it was due to a healthy state of mind.
“I don’t really have any special secrets. I think it’s a matter of how you control and balance the state of your mind. I try to balance my professional life with my private one.”
Gong’s next film, a Chinese remake of the Mel Gibson comedy “What Women Want,” is slated to open in Chinese theaters soon. “Shanghai” will be released in Korea on Thursday.