Forever Enthralled

Original Title: 梅兰芳
Directed by: Chen Kaige
Written by: Chen Kaige, Yan Geling, Chen Kuo-fu
Cinematography: Zhao Xiaoshi
Music by: Zhao Jiping
Country: China, Hong Kong
Genres: Biography, Drama, History
Duration: 146 min
Release Dates: 5 Dec. 2008 (China), 10 Feb. 2009 (Berlin)
Filming Dates: 19 July 2007 – 25 February 2008
Filming Locations: China (Beijing)

Synopsis:
Acclaimed Fifth Generation director Chen Kaige brings the tumultuous life of Peking Opera legend Mei Lanfang to the big screen in the highly anticipated biopic Forever Enthralled. The inspiration for Leslie Cheung’s character in Chen Kaige’s 1993 masterpiece Farewell My Concubine, Mei Lanfang was one of the greatest Peking Opera stars of modern China. An actor who specializes in female roles, he was renowned for his great beauty on stage and performed extensively around the world, famously introducing Peking Opera to Western audiences. Pulling viewers into a riveting world of musical allure and historical tumult in early 20th century China, Forever Enthralled follows Mei Lanfang’s amazing, inevitable rise to fame – from his bold challenges against his teacher as a teenager, to his US tour that brought New York to its feet, and finally to his refusal to sing during the Japanese Occupation period.

Cast

Leon Lai
Mei Lanfang

Zhang Ziyi
Meng Xiaodong

Sun Honglei
Qiu Rubai

Wang Xueqi
Shi Shanyan

Chen Hong
Fu Zhifang
Photos

Production stills

Captures

More pictures

Videos

Trailers

8:30 min   |   1258 views
2:09 min   |   1344 views
1:38 min   |   1218 views
2:18 min   |   1289 views
1:31 min   |   1222 views

Bonus

3:35 min   |   1238 views

Articles
Jan 08, 2013
Time Out Shanghai
Interview: Zhang Ziyi
Aug 01, 2008
Vogue
Gold Rush
Jul 16, 2008
China Daily
Crouching tigress, hidden reasons: Zhang Ziyi engaged
Apr 02, 2008
Independent
Zhang Ziyi: 'I don't just want to kick ass'
Jan 01, 2008
South China Morning Post
A Hard Act to Follow
Oct 01, 2007
Vanity Fair
Star of China
More articles
Bonus

• China’s official submission to 82nd Academy Award’s Foreign Language category. —IMDb
• The film was shown in competition at the 2009 Berlin International Film Festival for the Golden Bear award.
• The Scenes with Gillian Chung were cut before the release as a result of her involvement in the Edison Chen photo scandal.
• Actor Kimura Takuya was also considered for the role as an opera-obsessed Japanese army officer played by Masanobu Ando.
• Ziyi didn’t know much about chinese opera when she accepted the role of an opera performer. She learned the intricacies of Peking Opera from two teachers and learned to walk in platform shoes.
• Leon Lai and Ziyi made a duet for the movie. They sang the song “You Feel my Love” in the music video.

Awards and Nominations
Ceremony Category Recipient Result
2008 Mainland Annual Film Awards Best Actress Zhang Ziyi Won
Best Actort Leon Lai Won
Best Supporting Actor Sun Honglei Won
Best Director Chen Kaige Won
Best Cast Won
2009 Berlin Film Festival Golden Bear Chen Kaige Nominated
2009 Rail Iron Awards Best Actress Zhang Ziyi Won
Best Supporting Actor Wang Xueqi Won
Best New Performer Shaoqun Yu Won
2009 Asian Film Awards Best Film Nominated
Best Supporting Actor Wang Xueqi Nominated
Best New Performer Shaoqun Yu Won
2009 Hong Kong Film Awards Best Asian Film Nominated
2009 Golden Phoenix Awards Best New Performer Shaoqun Yu Won
2009 Huabiao Film Awards Best Film Won
Outstanding Actress Zhang Ziyi Won
Outstanding Director Chen Kaige Nominated
Best New Performer Shaoqun Yu Won
2009 Golden Rooster Awards Best Film Won
Best Director Chen Kaige Nominated
Best Actress Zhang Ziyi Nominated
Best Supporting Actor Wang Xueqi Won
Best Supporting Actor Sun Honglei Nominated
Best Sound Wang Danrong Nominated
Best Art Direction Liu Qing Nominated
Best Original Score Zhao Jiping Nominated
2009 Golden Horse Film Festival Best Supporting Actor Wang Xueqi Won
Best Supporting Actress Zhang Ziyi Nominated
Best New Performer Shaoqun Yu Won
Best Makeup and Costume Design Nominated
2009 Chinese Media Awards Best Supporting Actor Wang Xueqi Won
Best New Performer Shaoqun Yu Nominated
2009 Beijing Student Film Festival Best Film Won
Best Director Chen Kaige Nominated
Best Actor Wang Xueqi Nominated
Best New Performer Shaoqun Yu Won
2009 Shanghai Film Critics Awards Film of Merit Won
2009 Asia Pacific Screen Awards Best Film Nominated
2010 Green Planet Movie Awards Best International Actress Zhang Ziyi Won