CITY GUIDE >Photo
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CITY GUIDE >Photo
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The Chinese global blockbuster
By Xu Wei (Shanghai Daily)
Updated: 2008-07-21 16:46 "I truly wanted to capture the courage and wisdom of the Chinese people and their culture," Woo says. "The characters in the movie are true to life. I try to make them believable and really touching." "Red Cliff" tells of the delicate relationship between Zhou Yu (played by Leung) and Zhuge Liang (played by Kaneshiro), two legendary and rival war strategists. They form an unlikely alliance in 208 AD to resist an attack by the Han emperor. "The two talents admire, respect but take precautions against each other," says Cannes winner Leung. "Once again, director Woo vividly depicts brotherhood from various angles. It's his signature." Supermodel Lin Chi-ling stars opposite Leung, playing the famous beauty Xiao Qiao, Zhou's wife. To prepare for the part, she took lessons in the tea art and Chinese calligraphy. Actor Hu Jun, who plays the brave general Zhao Yun, says that 95 percent of his performance is in fight scenes. "Woo has good control of the ambience, rhythm and visual elements of storytelling on film," Hu says. "I have learned a lot from him." Outside of Asia, "Red Cliff" will be released in a single, condensed film in December. Woo expects big global box office. The director's next project is another Chinese film, "1949," this time a romance -- unusual for him -- set against World War II and the Chinese civil war. Shooting is expected to begin in Shanghai early next year. "You'll have many chances to find me working here," he says.
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