[2014.05.19] JOHN WOO PROMOTES THE CROSSING

courtesy of singtao.com

courtesy of on.cc

Song Hye-Kyo of course is happy to hear being called Asia's prettiest star

Masami Nagasawa, Zhang Ziyi, John Woo, Tong Dawei, Song Hye-Kyo, Huang Xiaoming

Zhang Ziyi looks less than pleased after hearing Song Hye-Kyo being called Asia's prettiest star

Masami Nagasawa and Zhang Ziyi share a happy toast 

John Woo succumbs to tears when speaking about his lymphoma diagnosis, much to Takeshi Kaneshiro's surprise

Huang Xiaoming praises Song Hye-Kyo's extraordinary grace
courtesy of mingpao.com

The John Woo (Ng Yu Sum) directed film THE CROSSING (TAI PING LUN) held an overseas press conference on the 17th in Cannes. The 6 actors from China, Japan and Korea appeared together for the first time.

Ng Yu Sum brought Zhang Ziyi, Song Hye-Kyo, Takeshi Kaneshiro (Gum Sing Mo), Huang Xiaoming, Tong Dawei, Masami Nagasawa, the grandest Chinese film cast in Cannes, to meet the press. Also unveiled for the first time were a director production special and a simply designed international concept poster. The production special revealed a lot of excitement from the film.

Ng Yu Sum said that the film wanted to express romance in the times of war, the tough kindness of humanity and the beautiful hope after a tragedy. He has always wanted to make this subject. Because everyone always thought that he was an action film director, they did not believe that he would be able to make a good romantic love story. Ng Yu Sum said, he hoped to bring hope to the audience with this film.

THE CROSSING was about the life and death romance of six characters for over 50 years starting in the 40s; Zhang Ziyi played a lower class woman who ran into the Tong Dawei played KMT military communication officer; Gum Sing Mo played a Japanese military doctor who had a bitter romance with the Masami Nagasawa played Japanese girl; Huang Xiaoming's KMT general and Song Hye-Kyo's rich girl were united.

The director admitted that after reading the script he was in tears. People at war were not free, but this was not a heavily sad story. This story was a very strong drama, with romantic love, beginning and ending, as well as a little humor.

To stress the special meaning of this film to him, Ng Yu Sum directly responded to the cancer rumor. "Earlier I was diagnosed with lymphoma, that night I saw a very poor film. Then I thought, so far I still have not made a perfect film. Was this the regret that I would take with me? Later the doctor cured me and I went back to work anew. To me, work is life."

Speaking of working on this film, the actors all said that they were very honored to be able to work with Ng Yu Sum. The film production to them was a memorable experience.

Masami Nagasawa said, this time she had the most scenes with Gum Sing Mo. He was her idol. She also said, "I have particularly liked Takeshi Kaneshiro since I was little." The audience laughed, even Gum Sing Mo could not help but laugh. When asking the final question Song Hye-Kyo remembered to have a little fun at his expense, as she lightly said, "Since I was little, I have liked Takeshi Kaneshiro's films."

Zhang Ziyi, Song Hye-Kyo, Masami Nagasawa all said that Ng Yu Sum was like a father. Huang Xiaoming even said, "Director Ng Yu Sum is my idol, this time is also the most emotional big production that I have been a part of." He even personally performed dangerous battle scenes and almost injured his face during a bomb blast. His face still had a dark shade.

After the press conference, a Taiwan reporter asked Huang Xiaoming, "How does it feel to play a couple with Asia's prettiest female star Song Hye-Kyo?" He praised Song Hye-Kyo. "She truly is very beautiful" He also said, "Before I became famous I have watched many of her television series. She is very lovable. When we were acting, she worked hard to communicate with me in Chinese."