花旦”赵薇《夜上海》变身“花痴”(组图)
Southern Metropolis Weekly
19th May 2006
Director Zhang Yibai told Zhao Wei while acting, he requested her to be like a ‘love fool’, makes her every action exactly like a fool while looking at Dylan Guo.
Zhao Wei uses red lipstick to write on the windshield, confessing her love to Masahiro Motoki.
In the photo of the scene above, does Zhao Wei portrays the lost in the night of Shanghai feeling? CFP photo.
Zhao Wei shows off a small patch on the side of her pocket.
Why does the movie name of [The Longest Night in Shanghai] (in Chinese is read: [Ye。 Shanghai]) (some reports also called [YeShanghai]) has a mysterious full stop in between? Director Zhang Yibai said this full stop is very important; because ‘Ye’ means that this film occurs in one night. For the cast and the crew, this ‘night’ becomes even longer. Ever since the beginning of filming in Shanghai till today, [The Longest Night in Shanghai] activates once the dark arrives; operating when the sun sets, and rests when the sun rises. It’s no wonder the English translation of the movie title [Ye。Shanghai] is [The Longest Night in Shanghai].
Rams and collides her car intentionally to woo Dylan Guo’s love.
Last Wednesday night at 8, reporters paid a visit to the filming set of [The Longest Night in Shanghai]. That day, the scene took place at a car repair workshop; the plot is about Lin Xi, the role Zhao Wei plays, secretly admires Dong Dong, an employee in the workshop (played by Dylan Guo). For the chances to meet her loved one, Lin Xi often intentionally rams and damages her car, to have excuses to go to the repair workshop.
While others are usually furious when their cars have a collision, Lin Xi is instead jubilant when she rams and collides her car, she will be searching for Dong Dong once she gets off her car. This manly Dylan Guo is as sexy even while taking the toolbox with the grease and dirt moistened gloves on! He is certainly not aware that Lin Xi often rams her car to confess her love for him, in fact, on that particular night; he has planned to tell Lin Xi that he will be getting married the next day. Diector Zhang Yibai requested Zhao Wei to be a ‘love fool’ while acting, and make her every movement to be like a fool when she looks at Dylan.
Confess love using lipsticks by writing on car’s windshield.
According to the plot, most of the scenes are between Zhao Wei and Masahiro Motoki, among them there is even a part where Zhao Wei uses lipsticks to write on the car’s windshield to confess her love. Once the car’s door is shut, the car will only have these two persons, thus, both of them can’t avoid simultaneously taking care of all the work in the filming process. In the small taxi vehicle, there are a lot of equipments. Besides the mileage meter that you are familiar with, there is also the camera that often needs to be hidden. The usual situation will be, Masahiro Motoki will clap the “action” board and then Zhao Wei will press the button on the camera, and both of them will begin acting. Because there is a language barrier, there wasn’t mutual understanding between the two when they began filming. Often, Masahiro Motoki has already acted a lot of his part when Zhao Wei has yet to press start. There was once, Zhao Wei did not push the button hard enough, while the two of them were into their acting, they later realized it was a waste as nothing was recorded.
Regarding the experience of this filming, Zhao Wei said she finally sees a different Shanghai compared to the past. “The whole night of Shanghai is very much like an animation movie, on the highway with many buildings one after another, it’s like an out-of-space. Also, there is a marvelous change in the colors of the skies; the blue color at the crack of the dawn is very different from the one we usually see.”
I love crashing my car, I love having only one style.
I love that untidy hair becoming a pigtail. I love the change from a flower to a love fool.
I love the employee at the workshop, and also fall in love with the Japanese stylist that I met.
I love the true and educational sense in this new film.
I love the stylist to change my image by just using the window curtains and rags.
I love to have all the films to be my representative work, and following on I will have to fall in love with [Thank You for Having Loved Me] (in Chinese: [Xie Xie Ni Ai Shang Wo]).
Zhao Wei: It’s very exciting to communicate using body language.
Hopefully this new film will have more eastern feeling than in [Lost in Translation]
Southern Metropolis Weekly Magazine (hereafter referred as Southern):
[The Longest Night in Shanghai} is the first movie you film this year, why have you selected this script?
Zhao Wei:
[The Longest Night in Shanghai] is a story about a girl. Once I saw it, I had the feeling that I know this girl, I know I can act well, and also have a wide range of expressiveness. The script is very good; it talks about a story that occurs in one night. It is very attractive and very candid. Moreover, I have only one image in the whole movie, I don’t need to keep changing attire or hairstyle whatsoever; it is more convenient.
Southern:
Recently your roles are usually those low-society people? Why do you choose these roles? Are you implying that you are on the “talented” actor direction?
Zhao Wei:
Actually, I didn’t especially choose roles, just that I met them. For me, filming is acting a role well, I won’t classify them as low-society or not, and also won’t think if it is a talented or idol group or whatsoever of these matters. I feel that these low-society persons are lively. I always hope that I can act some touching roles, the ability to move people.
Southern:
There are rumors that you have already accepted to film a New Year’s movie called [Falling Leaves]. It’s a movie that reflects the life of laborers. Also the co-star is Huang Yi?
Zhao Wei:
There is no such matter, there must be some parties making this up, hope to clarify this through you magazine. They have never contacted me at all; also I definitely won’t be possible to film this movie as I have no time. After this, I will be filming a 30-episodes series called [Thank You for Having Loved Me] (in Chinese:[Xie Xie Ni Ai Guo Wo]).
Southern:
Among all the movies you have filmed to date, which one do you feel is qualified to be labeled as your ‘Representative Piece of Work’? Which movie of yours that you have most hope for people to watch?
Zhao Wei:
Of course I hope all the movies are my ‘Representative Piece of Work’, [The Longest Night in Shanghai] will definitely be one.
Southern:
[The Longest Night in Shanghai]’s story conveniently leads people to be reminded of [Lost in Translation]. The same unfamiliar pair of a man and a woman, being away from their homeland, facing with the awkwardness of language barriers, building a wonderful understanding between themselves under an exceptionally unique kind of situation, and finally both went after their different futures, returning to the life norm as before. While filming, do you feel the resemblance between this movie and [Lost in Translation]?
Zhao Wei:
Actually, It has certain similarities. It would be too good if it is really the same. [Lost in Translation] is a movie of a little sadness, and a little disappointment; we also hope to film this kind of feeling. The difference to be highlighted would be [The Longest Night in Shanghai] has more eastern atmosphere.
Southern:
In this movie, you cooperate with both new and old Japanese film kings, Naoto Takenaka and Masahiro Motoki; what is your impression of them?
Zhao Wei:
Because of the language obstacle, they don’t have many lines, they depend totally on body language to express their thoughts, and they have excellent expressing abilities. For me, it is arousing.
Southern:
Within a night’s period, did you develop any love for this Japanese stylist in the movie?
Zhao Wei:
No, the ending of the story is an open type; it will give people a space for their imagination.
Southern:
Then, do you believe love at first sight?
Zhao Wei:
Certainly I do! Everyone believes in love at first sight! Actually, this movie is not really about love at first sight. When I first met this Japanese, I am very frustrated and tried by all means to get rid of him, but later, the situation unceasingly changed.
I love the comfortable and neat feeling of filming.
I love being selected as one of the World’s 100 Most Beautiful People by [People] magazine; infers that China is being paid more and more attention.
I also love the self-satisfaction feeling of the reasonable box office results; I love to not have eye bags naturally.
I love chatting to Zhang Ziyi and Zhou Xun on personal topics, I love having no specific comparison with them.
Southern:
According to the plot, you will transform from an ugly duckling into a beautiful swan, can you reveal some details?
Zhao Wei:
Actually, I have yet filmed the part transforming into a beautiful swan, I have always been filming the ugly duckling. You have also seen it; I play the role of a dusty hair, country face taxi driver, until the end, this Japanese stylist will give me a makeover. He certainly did not bring me shopping or else, but in fact use the materials available at the scene, for example the window curtains and something like a rag by his side, and then totally changes my appearance. He told me, everyone has their own merit, I must have confidence in myself, and then I will be even more beautiful -- yeah, our movie is very positive, very healthy and very educational!
China Dream - Being selected as 100 Most Beautiful clearly indicates China is being paid more attention
Southern:
You ever mentioned that filming to you, is a matter that is somehow connected with ambition. What exactly is it that makes filming such an excitement in life for you?
Zhao Wei:
Filming is very comfortable, very neat. Although the length of a movie is quite short, but the filming time is actually very long, a scene may be filmed 3 days, I like this pursue of delicately fine way of work. Besides, it is also about the truthfulness, the extremely true feeling in a movie can inspire an actor’s emotions and performance’s feeling, unlike TV series, you can start filming by slipping a white sheet of backdrop.
Southern:
Recently you received the MTV Asia Awards, and then selected as one of the World’s 100 Most Beautiful People by [People] magazine. Are these two results indicating that Zhao Wei is becoming more and more ‘globalized’?
Zhao Wei:
Being selected as [People]’s Most Beautiful People, I am also very surprised. That day, there was an American reporter calling to tele-interview, and asked me a string of questions like an investigation, regarding where I was born and where did I graduate, and also asked my opinion concerning beauty so on. I feel that [People]’s selection is not merely based on the affirmation of you beautiful appearance, but is more of the recognition of your achievement. Being selected by [People], I think this indicates that China is now being paid more and more attention.
Southern:
Recently, you are becoming more updated in fashion. Are you personally very dedicated towards Christian Dior?
Zhao Wei:
Yes, I feel that Dior’s design is more towards the young, unlike some popular brand. Because those that buy are usually rich, thus the designs are more matured. Dior even promotes tank top and stuff like that from time to time.
Personal Dream - Satisfactory box office results does not mean not filming TV series.
Southern:
You film at night everyday, and your eyes are so big, but you do not have eye bags at all! What a miracle.
Zhao Wei:
Really? Eye bags, maybe I naturally don’t have it. Last time some people say, you need to go get rid of your eye bags, I strangely asked: “Hmmm, where are eye bags?” I don’t have any special treatment; maybe it is by sleeping more and drinking less water?
Southern:
For you, In which field do you view appraisal more importantly? Movies, series, music or even the fashion?
Zhao Wei:
I view each of them as important. I have always felt why can’t my career advance in unison? When my movies box office are satisfactory, people will come and ask me if I will stop filming series; when my series viewing ratio is high, then people will ask if I am changing to be behind the TV screen, or some said that since my career is good, then my love life is definitely not smooth? In any cases, I don’t believe so; I hope I can do my best in every aspect.
Southern:
Heard that Zhang Ziyi came to visit you at work? Is your relationship very good?
Zhao Wei:
Zhang Ziyi came visiting? That is again media’s false report. But privately, my relationship with Zhou Xun, Xu Jinglei and the rest of the ‘Four Big Flowers’ is not bad. In this circle, everybody knows that, my relationship is good with everyone. I can talk about personal topic with everyone.
Southern:
Will you intentionally compare the career advancement of the ‘Four Big Flowers’ and so on?
Zhao Wei:
For me personally, I won’t. Because the four of us are just too different, our merits are totally different. Maybe the roles that Zhao Wei acted, they all can’t act, or the films they acted are totally not suitable for me. Thus, there is no common comparison.
Lady Taxi driver Zhao Wei’s appearance revealed.
In [The Longest Night in Shanghai], Zhao Wei acts as a disheveled lady taxi driver. In the whole movie, she only has a suit of gray rustic working uniform. Her messy hair is simply plaited into a pigtail reaching her shoulders; the right side of her head even has a bunch of untidy hair that wouldn’t be pressed down no matter what.
Perhaps you may not know that, this image is a result of consideration and efforts. Because there is only one appearance, thus the designer puts in as much effort as possible to give it more details, to enhance the layers and colors, but at the same time preserving the status of the role. All Zhao Wei’s attire, from the inner layer to the outer one, from top to bottom; are all branded, and it is certainly not an easy task to wear the branded to look like a plain-dressed female employee.
Zhao Wei’s white shirt and gray coat, comes from Japanese brand “Zucca”, this year’s summer new style. The shirt is especially Zhao Wei’s favourite. For the same style of attire, Zhao Wei has 4 sets, to be changed along the long filming. All clothes were newly bought, but all undergone the designer’s special handling. For example, on Zhao Wei’s gray jacket, small floral patches are added behind the collar and by the sides of the pocket. Zhao Wei says that this is to express the role that she is acting to be more ‘pitiful’. The pants she wears, every set must be artificially dirtied at the same position, and Zhao Wei has to wear these dirty pants walking back and forth for the entire night. Even the little ornaments that Zhao Wei wears are designed with much effort. According to the plot, Zhao Wei had always secretly admired the car repair workshops’ Dong Dong, thus the bracelet she wears, and also the chain on her purse, are all made out of thrown materials from the car repair workshop. Zhao Wei introduced, these small details, are all the creation efforts of the designer. But in the film, there will be no scene where they are focused on, and audience may not even notice them.
Meanwhile Zhao Wei’s hairstyle, ever since she filmed [The Longest Night in Shanghai], Zhao Wei needs to preserve that head of exceptionally untidy hair; a comical one. To mess up the same shape untidy bunch of hair everyday is definitely not an easy job; the hair designer rejected a number of creation before confirming this ‘style’. This bunch of hair, according to the script will have an even important detail. At the end of the movie, when the Japanese stylist designs a new image for Zhao Wei, he will amazingly transform this bunch of hair into a small pigtail.
Jin Nan/Article Zhang Tong/Pictures
Translated by Rain(Malaysia), edited by Wee.
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