Asian Cinema Scene: ZZ Top(less) Photo Scandal
Filed under: Celebrities and Controversy, Fandom, Newsstand, Cinematical Indie
Ah, the perils of going topless.
When last we checked in with Zhang Ziyi, her latest film, Chen Kaige's Forever Enthralled, in which she stars as a Peking Opera singer, had just opened. The film did just fine at the Mainland Chinese box office, but wasn't able to duplicate its success in Hong Kong and may be a "tough sell outside of Asia" because of its unfamiliar subject matter and lack of "dramatic development," according to Variety. The film will be playing in competition at the Berlin Film Festival next month.
That might be that for Ms. Zhang at the moment, were it not for the recent publication of revealing photographs of her on a beach ... in and out of a bikini ... with her billionaire Israeli fiance being extremely playful. Reportedly, Ms. Zhang is "enraged" about the photos. More importantly, as Grady Hendrix commented at Kaiju Shakedown, "One wonders if these photos might earn her the same fate as Edison [Chen] (exiled) and Tang Wei [Lust, Caution] (blacklisted) for being sexy in public."
Despite various rumors, Ms. Zhang has not nabbed any Hollywood roles since Memoirs of a Geisha, so if Asian producers get antsy about casting her because of the controversy -- she's never been wildly popuar in China to begin with -- she may be kaput. That conceivably could have happened after she's married -- it still seems a common thing for Asian actresses to retire from the entertainment industry after they marry so as to concentrate on marriage and family -- but it would be a great shame it that happened too soon to the talented Ms. Zhang, especially when all the photos show are two people, who are actually engaged to marry, enjoying one another's company.
Jeremy Renner Wants To Be An Avenger
Directors We Love: Jim Jarmusch
Indie Roundup: 'Sweetgrass,' 'Clarkworld,' 'Broken Embraces'
Shelf Life: Fight Club_thumbnail.jpg)
Watch: Famous 'Matrix' Scene Re-Created with LEGOs
_thumbnail.jpg)
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
1-14-2009 @ 10:36PM
MCW said...
"Reportedly, Ms. Zhang is "enraged" about the photos."
Oh noes, I didn't realize getting naked on a beach would lead to a photo being taken of ME!
Reply
1-15-2009 @ 5:03AM
Nick said...
It'd be a shame if she quit movies or was blacklisted by a ridiculously oppressive culture. She's fantastic on screen, and I don't see any reason why she could work in other countries if the work dried up in China. She has enough goodwill from cinephiles and directors for her work in Zhang Yimou's films and 2046, among many other things, that I doubt she'll sitting at home any time soon.
Reply
1-15-2009 @ 6:15AM
MCW said...
The films that have been released here with her name on it have for the most part been awful... critically acclaimed as usual, but awful. I hold out no hope for her.
1-15-2009 @ 11:58AM
ronmoses said...
Pics or GTFO.
Reply
1-15-2009 @ 12:02PM
MCW said...
Rather than linking directly to them, I'll just say they are on Egotastic.com.