Taiwan protests China label for Ang Lee film 'Lust, Caution'
Wednesday, 2007 August 29 - HONG KONG, AP
Taiwancriticized the Venice Film Festival on Tuesday for listing a movie byOscar-winning Taiwanese director Ang Lee as originating in "Taiwan,China," a label that suggests the self-ruled island is part of mainlandChina.
China and Taiwan split amid civil war in 1949, but Beijingstill considers self-ruled Taiwan as its territory and has threatenedto retake it by force.
In a statement on its Web site, Taiwan'sMainland Affairs Council protested the Venice event's use of "Taiwan,China" to identify movies from the island and blamed China for the move.
"The black hand of China has entered the pure world of art," the statement said.
Chinaroutinely opposes Taiwanese membership in international organizations,which it sees as conferring the status of nationhood on the island.
Amongthe movies showing in Venice with Taiwanese investment are Lee's newspy thriller, the U.S.-China-Taiwan co-production "Lust, Caution;" theJohn Woo-produced gangster thriller "Blood Brothers," a HongKong-China-Taiwan co-production; and the Taiwanese arthouse movie "HelpMe Eros."
On the Venice International Film Festival's officialWeb site, "Help Me Eros" is listed as being from "Taiwan," while theTaiwanese involvement in "Lust, Caution" and "Blood Brothers" isidentified as being from "Taiwan, China."
"Lust, Caution" and"Help Me Eros" are competing for Venice's top Golden Lion prize while"Blood Brothers," screening out of competition, is the festival'sclosing movie. The event runs from Wednesday to Saturday, Sept. 8.
Venice Film Festival organizers did not immediately respond to an e-mail seeking comment.
Askedif it lobbied Venice organizers about the "Taiwan, China" label,spokesman Weng Li at the influential state-run film company China FilmGroup, which is distributing "Lust, Caution" in China, said the companydidn't invest in the film and wasn't involved in the movie beyond itsdistribution.
The production company for "Lust, Caution,"U.S.-based Focus Features, and Lee's assistant did not immediatelyrespond to e-mails seeking comment.
Lee, renowned for hisOscar-winning films "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" and "BrokebackMountain," grew up in Taiwan before leaving for the U.S. in the late1970s, but both Taiwan and China view Lee as their hero. Lee won a bestdirector Oscar for "Brokeback Mountain" in 2006.
"Lust,Caution," based on a short story by famed Chinese writer Eileen Chang,is about a group of patriotic students who plot to assassinate theintelligence chief of China's Japan-backed World War II-era government.
It features Cannes best actor winner Tony Leung Chiu-wai, Joan Chen from "The Last Emperor," and Chinese-American pop star Leehom Wang.
--translated by LittleDevil-- (I'm not the best translator in the World, so please, if you have another version do post here. Thanks!)
王力宏與舒淇真的情轉淡？ Lee-hom Wang Shu Qi and the situation is really moderated?昨晚以「色、戒」代表團員身分出發到威尼斯影展的王力宏面對與舒淇情轉淡的問題，尷尬未答，但從他對舒淇也將以「天堂口」出席威尼斯影展的行程完全不知，也不知「天堂口」為閉幕片，種種對舒淇漠不關心的跡象顯示，他們似乎已「玩完」。 Last night "color, warning"status on behalf of members of the Venice Film Festival starting in theface with Shu Qi Idol moderated the situation, not embarrassed toanswer, but from his right Shu Qi will also be "paradise mouth" at theVenice Film Festival were totally unaware of the trip, I do not know "Ihaven" for the closing film, all right SHU qi indifferent to theindications, it seems to have been "Monotony."
據透露，舒淇幾個月前還經常出現在台北市東區王力宏家附近，但近來兩人已數月沒有互動，昨天王力宏在二手衣環保義賣網拍活動中，被記者問到與舒淇感情是否轉淡的問題時，顯得有點不自在，唱片公司主管搶答官方說法：「他們本來一直就是朋友。」王力宏本人對舒淇的事，完全不答。 It has been revealed that afew months ago Shu Qi also frequently appeared in the Taipei City nearthe Eastern Idol, but with the recent few months the two have nointeraction Idol yesterday in secondhand clothes sale nets shootenvironmental activities, a reporter asked whether the feelings and ShuQi moderated the question, seemed a bit uncomfortable and recordexecutives get A official said : "They have been our friends." Lee-homWang Shu Qi I right thing entirely not to answer.
王力宏的師妹楊丞琳以粉絲姿態直接表達對師兄的愛慕，記者問楊丞琳，「如果王力宏跟舒淇手牽手談戀愛，妳會有什麼反應？」楊丞琳說：「他喜歡誰都好，我不會吃醋，反正我現在已經在他身旁，而且我可以在他身邊很久。」 Idol, 32, Rainie YAng gesture to fans far and directexpression of the love, the reporter asked Rainie Yang, "Lee-hom WangShu Qi walked hand in hand with love, you would react?" Rainie Yangsaid : "He likes everyone, and I will not feel jealous, and anyway Ihave now Beside him, and but I can to him a long time. "
楊丞琳主持「我猜」4年多以來，作過市場調查，她問男生、女生喜歡誰，100人之中，有80人說王力宏，連幫她弄頭髮、洗頭的人，每次只要洗到王力宏的頭，都開心到爆。 Rainie presided over the "Guess Guess Guess" over the past fouryears, and made a market survey, she asked boys and girls who like, 100people, 80 people said Gorageous even help her get hair, the hair ofpeople, as long as each wash to the first clip, happy to burst.鬼靈精楊丞琳講了一堆崇拜王力宏的話，就扯開了舒淇話題。 Coming Rainie Yang made a pile of Idolworship, then the screeching of Shu Qi topic.
今年王力宏跟舒淇都有作品到威尼斯影展參展，大陸導演、演員到影展都會互相捧場，王力宏跟舒淇或許有機會碰面，王力宏說，不知導演李安是否會安排，接著又說，但李安導演在威尼斯應該會忙昏頭，再次避開舒淇。 This clip with Shu Qi have works to the Venice Film Festivalexhibitors and the mainland director, the actors to each other filmfestivals will join with Shu Qi Idol may have the opportunity to meetwith Lee-hom Wang said, I wonder whether director Ang Lee, went on tosay, but director Ang Lee in Venice will be the first faint busy againavoid Shu Qi.
(Images: Focus Features, Haishang Films, Sil-Metropole Organisation, Ltd, Shanghai Film Group Corp., )
Venice film festival unveils Ang Lee's steamy spy thriller
Agence France-Presse
Last updated 11:33pm (Mla time), 2007 August 30
VENICE,Italy -- The Venice film festival on Thursday was set to unveilTaiwanese director Ang Lee's steamy spy thriller "Se, Jie" (Lust,Caution) as its 75th anniversary celebration got into full swing.
Thetense drama set in Shanghai in the 1940s stars novice actress Tang Weias a resistance spy who slowly, creepily, lets her target, a powerfulpolitical figure played by Tony Leung, "worm his way into her heart."
Basedon a short story by popular Chinese writer Eileen Chang and set inJapanese-occupied Shanghai in the 1940s, the film's many sex scenes areas explicit as they are emotionally ambiguous.
"I found somedark and obscure elements to adapt for my film" from a story that runsto only 28 pages, said Lee, whose "Brokeback Mountain" took the GoldenLion here in 2005 as well as the best director award at last year'sOscars.
...
Wednesday's opening gala of the festival, which runs through September 8...
...
Despitea preponderance of British and US entries this year -- totalling nineof the 22 candidates for the Golden Lion in the main competition -- thefestival also boasts a sizeable Asian contingent.
Festivaldirector Marco Mueller let drop Wednesday that the "surprise film" tobe screened next week will be from an Asian country, specifying onlythat it is a country other than China, South Korea or Japan.
"Onlyfrom Asia do we have that special kind of present," Mueller said,adding: "It will be a brand new film -- he's still mixing it -- by anAsian master."
All 22 of the films in competition will be world premieres, a feat achieved only once before -- last year.
Another22 films will vie for prizes in the avant-garde Horizons and HorizonsDocumentaries categories, while 13 will be screened out of competition.
...
Chinesedirector Zhang Yimou, who won Golden Lions for "The Story of Qiu Ju"(1992) and "Not One Less" (1999), will head the jury made up ofdirectors only, as was the case with the festival's 50th anniversary.
"It'sthe first time I've taken part in an all-directors jury, and I haveevery expectation that we will work with success," Zhang said Wednesday.
All but six of the 57 films will be world premieres, including 15 of the 19 American selections.
Oscar-winningdirector Ang Lee says his new spy thriller Lust, Caution has receivedthe most restrictive "NC-17" rating in the United States, but he hopesthe movie will change public perception that the category is reservedfor pornography.
"In the past, NC-17 movies were equated withpornographic movies. Most movie theaters don't show them," Lee said atVenice airport after arriving to attend the city's film festival, whereLust, Caution is competing for the top Golden Lion prize.
"Wehope to send the message in the United States that NC-17 is arespectable category and that it's not pornography. It's justunsuitable for children," Lee said.
Footage of the interview was posted on the Chinese news website Sina.com yesterday.
The NC-17 rating - the most restrictive rating - bans viewers under 17.
Lust,Caution, based on a short story by famed Chinese writer Eileen Chang,is about a group of patriotic students who plot to assassinate theintelligence chief in the Japanese-backed Chinese government duringWorld War II.
Hong Kong actor Tony Leung Chiu- wai plays theintelligence official Mr Yi, while Chinese newcomer Tang Wei playsstudent Wang Jiazhi who seduces Yi to pave the way for theassassination.
The movie also features Joan Chen from The Last Emperor and Chinese- American pop star Leehom Wang.
Varietyreported earlier that the movie, which has not been released, featureslovemaking from "provocative" sexual positions, implied oral sex, andfull female frontal nudity.
Lee said, however, China, which doesnot have a ratings system, and his native Taiwan have cleared themovie. He said Taiwanese censors did not ask for any edits.
"Taiwan is more open than the United States these days," he said.
Lee distanced himself from the controversy over the country label for Lust, Caution, a US-China-Taiwan co- production.
TheTaiwanese government has criticized Venice organizers for listing theTaiwanese involvement of the film as from "Taiwan, China."
Taiwan's Lee Ang back in Venice with steamy spy thriller
Posted: 2007 August 31, 0256 hrs
Lee Ang (2nd L) and actors from film 'Lust, Caution' arrive for the movie screening at the 64th Venice Film Festival.
VENICE,Italy - Taiwan's Lee Ang, victorious in Venice two years ago with"Brokeback Mountain," was back Thursday, this time with erotic spythriller "Se, Jie" (Lust, Caution) as the world's oldest film festivalhotted up.
The tense drama set in Shanghai in the 1940s starsnovice actress Tang Wei as a resistance spy who slowly, creepily, letsher target, a powerful political figure played by Tony Leung, "worm hisway into her heart."
Based on a short story by popular Chinesewriter Eileen Chang and set in Japanese-occupied Shanghai in the 1940s,the film's many sex scenes are as explicit as they are emotionallyambiguous.
"Sex in my film? It's just the search for oneself.What I wanted to show was none other than ambiguity," said Lee, whose"Brokeback Mountain" also garnered the best director award at lastyear's Oscars.
...
Meanwhile, stars were arriving to the shores of the Lido in waves...
...
Wednesday's opening gala of the festival, which runs through September 8...
...
Despitea preponderance of British and US entries this year -- totalling nineof the 22 starting candidates for the Golden Lion in the maincompetition -- the festival also boasts a sizeable Asian contingent.
Festivaldirector Marco Mueller let drop Wednesday that a 23rd "surprise film"to be screened next week will be from an Asian country, specifying onlythat it is a country other than China, South Korea or Japan.
"Onlyfrom Asia do we have that special kind of present," Mueller said,adding: "It will be a brand new film -- he's still mixing it -- by anAsian master."
All 23 of the films in competition will be world premieres, a feat achieved only once before -- last year.
Another22 films will vie for prizes in the avant-garde Horizons and HorizonsDocumentaries categories, while 13 will be screened out of competition.
...
Chinese director Zhang Yimou, who won Golden Lionsfor "The Story of Qiu Ju" (1992) and "Not One Less" (1999), will headthe jury made up of directors only, as was the case with the festival's50th anniversary.
All but six of the 57 films will be world premieres, including 15 of the 19 American selections.
'Atonement' kicks off 75th anniversary Venice film festival
Posted: 2007 August 30, 0215 hrs
VENICE, Italy - British psychological drama "Atonement", starring Keira Knightley, opened the 75th anniversary Venice film festival on Wednesday.
With a preponderance of British and US entries this year, the festival will also provide a first glimpse of the new erotic spy thriller from Oscar-winning Taiwanese director Lee Ang.
Lee joined "Atonement" director Joe Wright, Knightley and co-star James McAvoy on the red carpet for the gala opening of the prestigious film fest, the world's oldest.
...
Ang Lee was to unveil "Se, Jie" (Lust, Caution), set in Shanghai in the 1940s and based on a short story by Eileen Chang.
"No story of Eileen Chang's is as beautiful or as cruel as 'Se, Jie,'" said Lee, whose "Brokeback Mountain" took the top prize in Venice in 2005.
Although this year marks the 75th year of La Mostra's existence it is the 64th festival here since some war years were skipped.
All 22 of the films in competition will be world premieres, a feat achieved only once before -- last year.
...
But the programme remains true to its traditional eastward orientation.
...
Another 22 films will vie for prizes in the avant-garde Horizons and Horizons Documentaries categories, while 13 will be screened out of competition during the festival, which runs through September 8.
...
Chinese director Zhang Yimou, who won Golden Lions for "The Story of Qiu Ju" (1992) and "Not One Less" (1999), will head the jury.
All but six of the 57 films will be world premieres, including an unusually large number of the 19 American selections: 15.
Post time 25-8-2007 01:02 PM
