Hey folks, Harry here with the latest from all the way in Ang Lee's home of Taiwan... The China Time has conducted an interview, which Ye has been cool enough to bring into our Westerner world of Eastern admirers. Also he has a couple of pics of the RUSH HOUR 2 guys linked below... But Ang Lee now has to choose between 3 projects... THE HULK, HOUDINI and the untitled MUSICAL.... HULK is going to require a lot of pre-production, so it would probably not be the first thing to leap into... but perhaps... Personally, Ang handling HOUDINI would be a pure joy I believe... And his Musical, while probably not the best 'CAREER' move, it is the project closest to his heart I hear. Whatever his decision, I'm sure we'll be there to follow his adventures on screen... whatever he does...
Hi, Harry!
Ye is here!
Taiwan's China Time has published a telephone interview of Ang Lee:
Reporter: How did your feel when knowing you got The Best Director? What did you think about?
Ang Lee: At that moment my mind is empty, but everybody jumped up and the entire room was full of people's voice. Before that night, I was told The Best Director was not so easy to get and I just tried not to think about it, but unexpectedly, I got it! This really means something for Chinese language films, because it is very rare for them to be recognized by a mainstream American award. This means the Western world is willing to accept the Eastern culture.
Reporter: On the stage you said those tough women in your film were molded on your wife?
Ang Lee: (Laugh) My wife is not as beautiful as Yu Shu Lien, the female lead, but she is strong and shares the same personality of rebelling with Jen, because she can give you a big surprise sometimes.
Reporter: Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon has got two awards. Will you start to make the prequel right away? What is your plan?
Ang Lee: Mr. Hsu Li-Kong (one of the producer) always asks me to make the prequel and he has asked me again after I left the stage. But my physical strength was almost run out for making it. I need to take a break. Besides, I am planning a musical (Same Old Song ?), The Hulk and Houdini, but don't know which one will the first.
Reporter: How did you feel about receiving the Golden Globe from Julia Roberts?
Ang Lee: She made me laugh so much: days ago, during the ceremony of Los Angeles Film Critics Awards, she looked at me in a "mysterious way" and told me she had not plan for this fall. (Laugh). Then I finally realized why there were so many people wanted to be directors, this is so enjoyable for male directors.
A role in my musical is pretty much perfect for her. Actually, I almost made a movie with her in 1988 and I had met her at that time. Later she made Pretty Woman and became a superstar.
Reporter: After breaking the record for the Chinese in the international film industry, do you have any suggestion for Taiwan's new generation of directors?
Ang Lee: Being healthy and living longer. It is very exhausting to make a Chinese language film, but one must resist to the end. Also, do not get dizzy with success of just one film. I always feel I am very lucky ˆ if I can't make Chinese language films, I can always make English language films. Unfortunately, the mainstream Chinese language films have yet been recognized by the international market and some filming techniques are also lacking. Therefore makers of Chinese language films, no matter how big the films they are making, should all be encouraged.
Reporter: Where will you be during the (Chinese) New Year?
Ang Lee: I will fly back to New York to spend my New Year Holiday. If with my wife's permission, I can cook some New Year meals. Happy New Year To Everyone and Wish Everything Can Come Out As Planned!
On Wednesday January 24, Jackie Chan, director Brett Ratner, the producer, the art director as well as the other eight crew members of Rush Hour II has arrived in Hong Kong to look for locations. Here are two photos: PHOTO 1 , PHOTO 2
Ye Meng
