Ziyi Zhang speaks during a conference in Seoul for her latest movie.
Ziyi Zhang, China's top actress came to town yesterday to promote her latest movie, "The Banquet". The epic film, which also stars Daniel Wu and is directed by Feng Xiagang, was recently screened at the Venice Film Festival.
"I have starred in many epic films but I am very satisfied with director Feng's unique style of filmmaking", Zhang said, in a news conference held at the Sheraton Walkerhill Hotel in Seoul.
"The Banquet" deals with the tragic life and death of a woman who lived during China's Tang Dynasty. In this epic film loosely based on Shakespeare's "Hamlet", a man named Li murders his brother to become emperor. Li tries to go after his murdered brother's wife, Empress Han, played by Zhang. But Han has only eyes for her stepson, played by Wu. The film has opulent sets, colors and unfolds like a piece of dance.
Director Feng dispelled rumors that "The Banquet" was aiming for the upcoming Oscars. Feng stressed that he made the movie with audiences in China and East Asia in mind. He added that anyone familiar with calligraphy could relate more closely to the movie.
Zhang, a popular actress among Koreans, said that she is a fan of Korean movies such as Park Chan-wook's "Old Boy". If given a chance, she would like to work with Lee Young-ae, who starred in the hit television drama "The Jewel in the Palace", and Park's "Sympathy for Lady Vengeance".
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