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But
even though a career in dance seemed promising for the graceful
Zhang, she became frustrated with the art by the time she was
15, and opted to act instead.
She
therefore enrolled in the Central Drama Academy in Beijing,
where she received her dramatic training. Zhang Ziyi's calling
was answered when she least expected it. She auditioned for
a shampoo commercial, directed by Zhang Yimou (one of China's
most renowned directors). The director of many successful film,
including Raise the Red Lantern, used the commercial
as a way to audition actresses for his upcoming film.
Zhang
Yimou knew that Zhang Ziyi was the perfect choice for the part
of a young, rural schoolgirl in love with a schoolteacher, and
she was cast in the lead role of 1999's The Road Home
(also known as Wo de fu qim mu qin). Since Zhang Ziyi
was unknown at the time of the film's release, it will be re-released
with Sony Picture Classics in 2001 thanks to her flourishing
success.
When
The Road Home was released in China, Zhang Ziyi was given
the nickname "Little Gong Li," in reference to the mega-popular
Asian actress, Gong Li. While this may sound flattering, the
nickname is not intended to refer to Zhang Ziyi's potential
as the next Gong Li, rather, it refers to the alleged affair
that Zhang Ziyi had with director Zhang Yimou. Gong Li was once
considered the director's muse and mistress, but they broke
up in 1994. Both Zhang Ziyi and Zhang Yimou have denied the
affair.
The
Road Home won the Jury Grand Prix Silver Bear at the 2000
Berlin Film Festival.
When
Ang Lee was casting actors for his martial-arts marvel, Crouching
Tiger, Hidden Dragon (a.k.a Wo ho cang long), he
had famous Taiwanese actress Shu Qi in mind for the role of
butt-kicking aristocrat Jen Yu. But after seeing Zhang Ziyi's
performance in The Road Home, he knew she'd be the one
for the role -- and she probably only exceeded Lee's expectations.
Crouching
Tiger, Hidden Dragon became one of the biggest hits of 2000
(and the most popular foreign films in US history), and went
on to earn a roaring $130 million at the box office and garner
4 Academy Awards, among the long list of awards it won.
The
film's success ensured that Zhang Ziyi would become a familiar
face to filmgoers, as the high-flying, graceful martial artist
who shares fight scenes with Michelle
Yeoh and Chow Yun Fat and has sex with Chang Chen in the
Gobi Desert.
Her
role garnered her the Toronto Film Critics Association Award
for Best Supporting Actress in 2000 as well as the MTV Movie
Award for Best Fight Scene in 2001. She was also one of People
magazine's 50 Most Beautiful People in the World, in 2001.
Zhang
Ziyi was cast to play the villain in the summer 2001 sequel
to the successful comedy Rush Hour, appearing opposite
the comedy duo Chris Tucker and martial arts supreme Jackie
Chan. She was cast in the film without knowing a word of
English, and despite having taken English lessons, she speaks
strictly Chinese in the film (with subtitles).
She
will next be seen in another Zhang Yimou film entitled The
Warriors (a.k.a Moosah), in which she'll portray
a princess taken hostage in the period of the war between the
Yuan Dynasty and Ming Dynasty, as well as The Legend Of Zu
and the futuristic 2046. Zhang Ziyi is also set to co-star
with kung-fu superstar Jet Li for the Zhang Yimou epic, Hero.
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