'Little Gong Li' comes of age
MEETING MAINLAND actress Zhang Ziyi for the first time can be a surprising experience. Despite only turning 20 this year, the star of Ang Lee's Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is a startlingly self-assured young woman who already has a clear idea of where she is heading - and it isn't towards domesticity and a baby, at least not in the foreseeable future.
'I wouldn't be content if I allowed my life to just pass like that,' says the actress. 'I've already put in a lot of effort into training and studying. I mean no one studies and trains just to go and clean house.
'I think every woman should settle down with a family some time but I also think that she should be her own person. Having a husband who gives you money is not as meaningful as being able to stand on your own two feet. I'd be much happier if I could earn money and contribute too.' The writing on the wall is that Zhang will have plenty of opportunities to realise her wish for independence. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon may star two of the biggest names in Hong Kong cinema - Chow Yun-fat and Michelle Yeoh Choo Kheng - but Zhang has managed to step out of their shadows and steal the show. Her biggest advantage, says director Lee, is that the camera loves her.
'She is very photogenic,' he says, 'and she is a very talented actress as well.' Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is an adaptation of a series of wuxia (martial arts) novels by mainland author Wang Dulu. The cinematic version tells of martial arts expert Li Mubai (Chow) who plans to give his sword - the Green Destiny - and settle down with the woman he loves (Yeoh). But the sword is stolen by the mischievous Jen (Zhang) who sets into motion a series of unfortunate events.
'The lynchpin to the film's dramatic success is Zhang,' a review in Variety begins. 'She has a diamond-hard charisma that the camera absorbs and magnifies, and the sight of this compact young woman holding her own with larger opponents is a constant delight.' As the hidden dragon of the title - a nobleman's daughter whose demure appearance veils a wild and sometimes lethal streak - Zhang gives a laudably mature performance, despite it only being her second acting role.
Compared to other newcomers, Zhang has had an enviable start, having already worked with three of China's biggest directors. She was first plucked out of school by mainland auteur Zhang Yimou and cast in The Road Home, a film about a peasant girl's devotion to her teacher. And, although Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is only being released next week, Zhang has already completed shooting her part in Tsui Hark's coming martial arts drama Sword Of Zu.