News Links - 8/25/06

[dleedlee]

Director Ann Hui surprised that Chow Yun-fat agreed to appear new film
http://mdn.mainichi-msn.co.jp/entertain ... 6000c.html
http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/00 ... 250321.htm

Chinese Director Jiang Wen's Baby on the Way
http://en.chinabroadcast.cn/3086/2006/0 ... 131140.htm

Stephen Chow's Lead Actress Shows Too Much Skin
http://en.chinabroadcast.cn/3086/2006/0 ... 131100.htm

Promo Cartoon Portrays "King and Clown" Star's Life
http://en.chinabroadcast.cn/3086/2006/0 ... 131047.htm

Review: RIDING ALONE FOR THOUSANDS OF MILES
http://www.filmthreat.com/index.php?sec ... ws&Id=9266

Hong Kong Celebs Unite Against Candid Photos
http://en.chinabroadcast.cn/3086/2006/0 ... 130967.htm

Gillian Chung's Current Condition - very sad
http://en.chinabroadcast.cn/3086/2006/0 ... 131016.htm
Hong Kong star's changing room photo on magazine cover stirs outcry
http://www.canada.com/topics/entertainm ... 49&k=35236
Vulgar photos draw fire in Hong Kong
http://english.people.com.cn/200608/24/ ... 96465.html
'I did not allow free viewing'
http://newpaper.asia1.com.sg/news/story ... 86,00.html
Outcry over Chung pics unabated
http://www.thestandard.com.hk/news_deta ... con_type=1

Some post incident photos
http://ent.daqi.com/bbs/00/712617.html

Winston Chao, Angelica Lee shooting Sun Yat Sen film
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?fi ... &sec=North

Bruce Lee's family tries to guard his legacy against Chinese entrepreneurs looking to turn a profit.
http://www.calendarlive.com/movies/cl-c ... =cl-movies

Vietnam: Film wins big distribution deal
http://vietnamnews.vnagency.com.vn/show ... 1FIL250806

Old photos of Jackie and Zhang Ziyi - Rush Hour 2?
http://ent.daqi.com/bbs/00/706024.html

The Banquet: Three More Final Posters
http://en.chinabroadcast.cn/3086/2006/0 ... 130991.htm

[Brian Thibodeau]

Director Ann Hui surprised that Chow Yun-fat agreed to appear new film
http://mdn.mainichi-msn.co.jp/entertain ... 6000c.html

Hmm... looks like another one to add to my list of hopefuls to see at the Toronto film fest...

[Brian Thibodeau]

Hong Kong star's changing room photo on magazine cover stirs outcry
http://www.canada.com/topics/entertainm ... 49&k=35236
Vulgar photos draw fire in Hong Kong
http://english.people.com.cn/200608/24/ ... 96465.html
'I did not allow free viewing'
http://newpaper.asia1.com.sg/news/story ... 86,00.html
Outcry over Chung pics unabated
http://www.thestandard.com.hk/news_deta ... con_type=1

From the Electric New Paper Story
"The two girls held a teary press conference on Tuesday in Shenzhen, where they had been filming a movie, to condemn Easyfinder's actions."

From the Standard story:
"A tearful Chung appeared on television Thursday night telling of her distress over the publication of the photos."

Whenever I'm shopping in Chinatown, and I bring large stacks of VCDs or DVDs up to the counter in certain media shops, I have time to peruse the Hong Kong magazines that line the counters as the clerks ring through the order. I believe Easy Finder is often one of these. One thing I notice, in between all the celebrity gossip and ads for health spas and facial treatments, are the (occasionally unflattering) photos of famous and semi famous people in varying states of undress, most of the time seemingly taken while the subjects frolic on a beach or in a swimming pool, or indulge in other shenanigans in public spaces.

Now, I realize that Chung was shot in a rather private space, entirely unexpectedly, and indeed, I hope that this might lead to a crackdown on backstage security at concert sites, but I have to wonder if the outcry surrounding this incident is in direct proportion to the level of celebrity that Gillian Chung represents, and the publicity a whole bunch of people who don't know her can attain by stepping up on their moral soapboxes. I'm sure there would be outrage if even a lesser star was photographed in such a vulnerable position (unless of course she was some Category III starlet), but would the resulting uproar be given such extensive press coverage? Who knows.

And when the star herself, as well as her singing partner, start booking television appearances to cry on cue about the whole thing—since private frustration and lawsuits are never enough—I really have to wonder if this isn't just one fantastic opportunity for all involved. Gillian becomes even more loved, sells more albums for her record company and draws even bigger concert crowds, lots of hitherto unknown representatives from human rights and women's organizations become de facto go-to people for the media the next time this happens, and Easy Finder magazine, after paying a hefty fine that probably barely matches the revenue (not to mention the free publicity) they brought in with this one issue alone, starts rigging cameras in hotel bathrooms...

[cal42]

You're certainly very cynical, Brian. But sadly probably correct.

[Brian Thibodeau]

You're certainly very cynical, Brian.

I tell myself this all the time, but I never listen.

[dleedlee]

I'm typically a cynic too, but I guess I'm also naive too. In this case, I think her pain is real. Our perception is colored by the Paris Hilton, Lindsay Lohan and Pamela Andersons of our world.


I posted an update above, but here it is again.
Gillian Chung's Current Condition - very sad
http://en.chinabroadcast.cn/3086/2006/0 ... 131016.htm

[Brian Thibodeau]

She absolutely SHOULD be hurt and offended. I would be too if someone saw me backstage in my bra...

I just think the TV appearances to cry and rebut are unnecessary...as is the sulking, the "female protectors" the Fort Knox change rooms etc. etc...

From the China Broadcast article:

During supper time, reporters found Gillian to be sitting alone looking very upset. She didn't look the least bit interested in her supper; she only sat there with her head down and occasionally looking at her cellphone. Then finally, her partner and friend, Charlene walked over to start a conversation. By then, we finally saw Gillian reveal a tiny smile.

So the suddenly-compassionate reporters just found her like that, did they?

After the photo, she went to stare out the window.

Good sweet feathery god, am I the only insensitive bastard who smells a performance in all of this?



Paris Hilton should BE so cunning...

[dleedlee]

I guess I just want to believe she's not faking it. Besides, it's not like the Twins don't know how to promote something. And aren't you giving Gillian too much credit for her acting skills then? You must be watching too much WWE !

Actually, I've been thinking more along the lines of Lee Eun-ju, the actress who committed suicide over her nude scene role in The Scarlet Letter.

[Brian Thibodeau]

I guess I just want to believe she's not faking it. Besides, it's not like the Twins don't know how to promote something. And aren't you giving Gillian too much credit for her acting skills then? You must be watching too much WWE !

Actually, I've been thinking more along the lines of Lee Eun-ju, the actress who committed suicide over her nude scene role in The Scarlet Letter.

I want to believe these celebrities aren't faking it, too. But celebrity culture being what it is, everything has to take place in a public arena.

I got the impression from the Lee Eun-ju case that she DIDN'T spend weeks crying to the press about her role in SCARLET LETTER, and instead just went and ended her life out of the public eye because she really didn't want the attention, a sure sign of someone who was truly depressed and didn't want the media and her fans to "save" her.

Gillian has every right to be hurt, to be upset, to cry a bit. What the magazine did was improper by most moral standards. But these obvious performances—at least the way China Broadcast describes them—indicate she's also quite capable of manipulating the same press in her favour.

[ewaffle]

This section of the forum is wonderfully useful as a way to get a quick look at the official and unofficial views of the various cultures and political systems in which the Chinese people participate.

The way that an issue is seen from very different points of view is striking--Rashomon, anyone? What really stood out is the coverage in the "People's Daily" which seems to value institutional privileges over individual rights. The Hong Kong Television and Entertainment Licensing Authority and the Secretary for Commerce, Industry and Technology are both mentioned before Gillian Chung makes an appearance.

Intriguing stuff and once again a very big thank you to dleedlee for his work here.