Zhang Ziyi Quotes
"In China, we don't consider someone truly beautiful until we have known them for a long time, and we know what's underneath the skin."
After Crouching Tiger (
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon), there was a big change for me, with all the attention thrust upon me. I got lot of work: my first Hollywood film,
Rush Hour 2, and a lot of advertisements in Asia. I think for me it's a very good part of my life. I've been lucky, because I've had great characters to play. Now I really want to work with good directors.
You know, I never think I can become an actress. But it happened. Not because I dreamed it, but because it happened.
It's my first time in a lead and I have to speak English! In a Japanese accent! [on
Memoirs of a Geisha].
It was so hard working for him, but I like the challenge. We don't learn the script, every day we had to, erm ... improvise. [on working with Wong Kar-wai in '2046']
"For Western women, it's much easier to be yourself. If you want to do something, you just go and do it. In an Asian context, women are still much more modest and conservative. I want, through my roles, to express the parts in the hearts of Chinese women that they feel unable to let out."
Chinese women are much more modest than American women when it comes to clothes. We tend to show less flesh.
I've discovered that I value simplicity above all in dressing. I don't like anything I wear to be too complicated or fussy.
"Even though I've done Hollywood films, I still don't think of myself as a Hollywood actress."
"I always think it's really hard if you are Asian or Chinese to be really in Hollywood. There are not so many really great characters for you. I always think you are lucky to get offered [something like] 'Memoirs of a Geisha', but I don't think it will happen all the time."
"But I enjoy being an actress a lot, because I can feel different women's lives. I have the chance to feel like a geisha one day, and on another day maybe a scientist. That's the interesting part for me. My profession has helped me to grow up."
"I don't like kick-ass stereotypical roles. I already turn a lot down, even when they promise me a lot of money. I really want to do something in Europe. With a small movie, it can be an interesting challenge. But I have to get the right project. I don't think it's so important to go to Hollywood. All that trash that comes out of there! I don't want to do that."
"Working in Hollywood, it's clear the more money you have, the more technology you can get. So you can build a whole Japanese set. Only in Hollywood! I couldn't believe the first day I walked on the set. Rob Marshall walked me like a tourist round the set. It took 40 minutes, so how big was that? Today it can be winter, and tomorrow summer. Everything's unbelievable."
