Zhang Ziyi Wallpapers
Ziyi Zhang (birth name Zhang Zi-Yi) was born on February 9, 1979, in Beijing, China. She is a famous Chineese actress. Zhang Ziyi height 5' 5"/165 cm.
Zhang Ziyi is the daughter of an economist father and a kindergarten teacher. Raised with her older brother in an urban, working-class part of Beijing, Zhang Ziyi was originally interested in dance and gymnastics. Her entry into the dance world came when she was 11, as she was accepted to a secondary school affiliated with Beijing Dancing College. During the four years that she was trained in dance, Zhang Ziyi managed to pick up some awards, including one at the National Young Dancer competition.
Even though a career in dance seemed promising for the graceful Zhang, she became frustrated with the art by
the time she was 15, and opted to become an actress instead. Zhang Ziyi enrolled in the Central Drama Academy in Beijing, where she received her dramatic training. Zhang's calling was answered when she auditioned for a shampoo commercial, directed by Zhang Yimou (one of China's most renowned directors). The director of many successful films, including Raise the Red Lantern, Zhang Yimou used the commercial as a way to audition actresses for his upcoming film. Zhang Yimou knew that Zhang Ziyi was the perfect choice for the part of a young, rural schoolgirl in love with a schoolteacher, and he cast her in the lead role of 1999's The Road Home (also known as Wo de fu qim mu qin). The Road Home won the "Jury Grand Prix" Silver Bear at the 2000 Berlin Film Festival, and was later rereleased by Sony Picture Classics, thanks to Zhang's flourishing success.
When The Road Home was released in China, Zhang Ziyi was given the nickname "Little Gong Li," in reference to the mega-popular Asian actress, Gong Li. While this may sound flattering, the nickname is not intended to refer to Zhang's potential as the next Gong Li; rather, it refers to the alleged affair that Zhang Ziyi had with director Zhang Yimou. Gong Li was once considered the director's muse and mistress, but they broke up in 1994. Both Ziyi Zhang and Zhang Yimou have denied the affair.
When Ang Lee was casting actors for his martial arts marvel, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (a.k.a. Wo hu cang long), he had famous Taiwanese actress Shu Qi in mind for the role of butt-kicking aristocrat Jen Yu. But after seeing Zhang Ziyi's performance in The Road Home, he knew she was the one for the role. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon became one of the biggest hits of 2000 (and the most popular foreign film in U.S. history at the time), and went on to earn a roaring $130 million at the box office and four Academy Awards. The film's success ensured that Zhang would become a familiar face to filmgoers, as the high-flying, graceful martial artist who shares fight scenes with Michelle Yeoh and Chow Yun Fat. Her role also garnered her the Toronto Film Critics Association Award for Best Supporting Actress in 2000, as well as the MTV Movie Award for Best Fight Scene in 2001.
Zhang Ziyi was cast to play the villain in the summer 2001 sequel to the successful comedy Rush Hour, appearing opposite the comedy duo Chris Tucker and martial arts master Jackie Chan. She was cast in the film without knowing a word of English, and despite having taken English lessons, she speaks strictly Chinese in the film (with subtitles).
Roles have been pouring in for Zhang Ziyi, most notably in hits like Hero (2002) and House of Flying Daggers (2004). After 2004's Jasmine Women (a.k.a. Mo li hua kai), Zhang starred in the 2005 musical feature, Operetta tanuki goten. She is keeping busy in 2005 with roles in Memoirs of a Geisha and Good Cook, Likes Music.
In 1992 Banderas made his Hollywood debut with The Mambo Kings (1992). Because he did not speak English at that time, his dialogue for the film was taught to him phonetically. Banderas shot to international fame with his sensitive performance as a lover of Tom Hanks' AIDS-infected lawyer in Philadelphia (1993), then played opposite Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt in Interview with the Vampire: The Vampire Chronicles (1994). Banderas further established himself as one of Hollywood's leading men after co-starring in Evita (1996) opposite Madonna in the title role. In 1998 he won acclaim for his portrayal of Zorro, opposite Anthony Hopkins and Catherine Zeta-Jones, in The Mask of Zorro (1998). For the role as Zorro Banderas took training with the Olympic national fencing team in Spain, and practiced his moves with real steel swords, then he used the lighter aluminum swords in the movie. He also took a month-long course of horse-riding before the filming. He later returned to the role in The Legend of Zorro (2005). In 1999 Banderas made his directorial debut in Crazy in Alabama (1999), starring his wife, Melanie Griffith. He received critical acclaim for his portrayal of Mexican artist David Alfaro Siqueiros opposite Salma Hayek in Frida (2002). He reprises his role as Puss in Boots in the next installment of the 'Shrek' franchise.
Antonio Banderas established himself as internationally known Latin heartthrob with charismatic looks, and was chosen as one of the 50 most beautiful people in the world by the People magazine in 1996. He won numerous awards and nominations for his works in film, including three ALMA awards and three Golden Globe nominations, among many other. Since 1996 Banderas has been married to American actress Melanie Griffith and the couple has one daughter. Outside of his acting profession, Banderas has been a passionate soccer fan and a staunch supporter of the Real Madrid Football Club. He shares time between his two residencies, one is in the United States, and one in the South of Spain.
