[2009.09.12] ZHANG GUOLI AND CHEN KUN CALL EACH OTHER FATHER AND SON

courtesy of takungpao.com

The China Film Group and other companies produced important Revolution history film THE FOUNDING OF A REPUBLIC two nights ago held its global premiere at the Beijing Olympic center. Directors Han Sanping and Huang Jianxin led key actors Tang Guoqiang, Zhang Guoli, Xu Qing, Vivian Wu Kwan Mui, Chen Kun, Guo Xiaodong, Liu Ye, Eva Huang Shengyi, Huang Xiaoming, Ning Jing, Chen Daoming, Tony Leung Ka Fai and others in attendance. Over 300 people from the media covered the event. The film has been scheduled for a nation wide release next Thursday (September 17).

The film gathered over 100 stars from the Chinese film industry. They not only did not take a salary but also did not mind any "sacrifice". Playing a villain in the film Liu Yiwei generously said, "At the 60th anniversary of the founding of the Republic, there are many different ways to express patriotism -- like playing a villain." Leung Ka Fai humorously said, "After I performed I still didn't know what my character's name was, after looking at the event's poster I realized that my role was called 'Representative'." Guest star Jackie Chan performed the song NATION (GOK GA) and revealed that when Director Han approached him he asked him what character he would like to play. He honestly said that he would like to play Mao Zedong. However Director Han said that he did not look the part. Then he said he wanted to play Zhou Enlai. Director Han still said that he did not resemble the role. Finally he left the decision to Director Han.

With over 100 film stars, many were only able to guest star. Some were even cut from the final edition, one of them was big director John Woo (Ng Yu Sum). He however did not mind at all and even joked, "I played a Kuomintang military official with a little stutter. If it wasn't cut, today I should be able to be on the stage with substance actors like Leung Ka Fai." Later he also expressed that the cut proved Director Chang Cheh was right. Director Chang once rejected his performance and felt that he was more suitable for directing. Thus the cut was correct.

Zhang Guoli and Chen Kun in the film played Chiang Kai-Shek and his son. Zhang Guoli praised Chen Kun's performance was as a big leap forward. They even built a great relationship due to this collaboration. Zhang Guoli expressed that after the wrap he often remembered him so they would exchange messages. He called Chen Kun "Jing-er" while Chen Kun called him "Father". As for Wu Kwan Mei who played Mrs. Chiang Soong Mei-Ling, Zhang Guoli did not know her before hand, but at their first meeting she called him "darling" and he was caught off guard. Thus their distance was pulled closer. How did he respond to Wu Kwan Mui at the time? He awkwardly said, "I didn't dare to respond! This isn't my culture."

In addition, Han Sanping revealed that the film told three years to write. Most of the film were historical facts that did not go through story arrangement to increase entertainment value. The Liu Ye played Red Army soldier although did not have an original form was also based on many soldier's image. As for the nearly 45 minutes cut from the film, Zhang Guoli ached over his nine scenes that were completely cut. The remaining 30 scenes all had different levels of cuts. Han Sanping said that the cuts did not damage the film's continuity. Instead the story had more continuity because it was more tightly knitted. However he still comforted the actors that with a box office he would release a complete version. As for the actor's volunteer performance, Zhang Guoli revealed that Director Han once promised that if the box office exceeded 180 million, he would pay some symbolic salary to all the actors. As for the payment method Director Han said that their salary will be directly deposited into their charity foundations. Jet Li (Lee Nin Kit) and Andy Lau Tak Wa already agreed.