Gong Li, a second-year student at the Central Academy of Drama, ushered in an important turning point in her life. This year, the famous director Zhang Yimou was looking for the female lead actor "Jiu'er" of his new work "Red Sorghum".
At the beginning, the actress he booked was Shi Ke, but the god of fate pushed Gong Li to this role Someone recommended Gong Li to Zhang Yimou, although at first he didn't think Gong Li was like "Jiu'er", but later he found that although Gong Li's appearance did not completely match the role, her heart and personality were very consistent with the role.
Eventually, Zhang Yimou decided to decide on this key role by flipping a coin. Maybe it's providence, maybe it's Zhang Yimou's inner preference, Gong Li became the lucky one. Her performance in "Red Sorghum" is like a celestial posture, successfully breaking the boundaries and becoming a high-profile "Mou Girl" in one fell swoop.
This film not only made Gong Li shine, but also made Zhang Yimou's status to a higher level, creating a glorious era of Zhang Yimou, which had a far-reaching impact.
Since then, Gong Li and Zhang Yimou have begun a 15-year cooperation. They co-created classics such as "Ju Dou", "Hang the Red Lantern High", and "Alive", which made Gong Li win many awards and made her a household name actor.
Even Hong Kong actor Leslie Cheung is full of praise for her, thinking that Gong Li is very beautiful in front of the camera, and as soon as she appears, she feels that she is a star, and it can be said that she has her own halo when she appears.
In 1993, Gong Li's career climbed to a new peak. She co-starred with Chen Kaige and Leslie Cheung in the movie "Farewell My Concubine" swept various awards abroad, and her performance in it was highly recognized by the audience and judges.
Then, she collaborated with Chen Kaige and Leslie Cheung again to shoot the movie "Fengyue", which was directly shortlisted for the main competition unit of the Cannes International Film Festival, which further enhanced Gong Li's popularity in the international film industry.
In this way, Gong Li was successfully promoted from an ordinary drama academy student to one of the representative figures in the Chinese film industry through continuous efforts and exerting his talents, as well as some coincidences.
Her success is not only a testament to her personal struggle, but also a microcosm of Chinese cinema's emergence on the international stage.
Gong Li's love life, like her image on screen, has attracted a lot of attention and is full of dramatic stories. Her 8-year relationship with Zhang Yimou is her most well-known relationship.
This relationship originally began with the cooperation of two excellent filmmakers, Zhang Yimou was deeply attracted by Gong Li's sunshine, charm, and sexiness, and as the two collaborated on many films one after another, their relationship gradually warmed up.
However, this relationship did not go as smoothly as the outside world expected. When this relationship was exposed by the media, people found out that Zhang Yimou already had a family. Despite this, Gong Li did not leave Zhang Yimou because of this, but chose to continue the relationship.
However, this relationship failed to last after all, and only 8 years later, after filming the last scene of the movie "Shake, Shake, Shake to Grandma's Bridge", they announced their breakup.
Zhang Yimou and his ex-wife have divorced, but he failed to enter the palace of marriage with Gong Li, and the reason for such a breakup is quite lamentable. Gong Li began to feel anxious, while Zhang Yimou tended to be enough as long as the relationship was maintained well, and he was always reluctant to marry Gong Li.
In the end, Gong Li had to leave in pain.
Before breaking up with Zhang Yimou, Gong Li met Huang Hexiang, president of British American Tobacco Asia Pacific, through writer Liang Fengyi. It is said that Huang Hexiang has been obsessed with Gong Li for many years, but he can't get close to Zhang Yimou because he has the wall of fire in his hands.
When Gong Li returned to being single, Huang Hexiang immediately launched a pursuit offensive, giving Gong Li meticulous care emotionally and helping Gong Li get out of the haze of breaking up step by step.
Maybe it was because Zhang Yimou didn't give Gong Li the promise she wanted, so when Huang Hexiang proposed to get married, she readily agreed. This marriage allowed Gong Li to gradually make a name for herself on the international stage, but unfortunately it did not last long.
It is rumored that after marriage, Huang Hexiang's career encountered an accident, and he spent more time at home, but Gong Li's career was at the peak of his career, and he needed to fly around the world frequently, and the time between the two became less and less, and the relationship gradually faded, and finally chose to divorce and end the marriage.
After experiencing a failed marriage, 53-year-old Gong Li once again found her own love. In 2019, she entered the palace of marriage with France national treasure musician Jean-Michel · Jarre.
The couple participated in the Cannes Film Festival together, Gong Li personally went to the airport to pick up the airport, and then the two went to the film festival hand in hand, facing the camera with a sweet face, and the happiness was overflowing.
In April 2023, France President Emmanuel Macron's special plane arrived in Beijing, and Gong Li and her husband Jean-Michel · Jarre appeared at the airport as entourage. Some sharp-eyed netizens found that Jean-Michel · Yar also helped Gong Li carry her luggage, and this small act aroused the envy and appreciation of many people.
Gong Li's emotional road is not smooth, but she always believes in love and is passionate about love. Between her career and her relationship, she struggles to find a balance. In the end, Gong Li found her own happiness.
In 2008, the news that Gong Li chose to become a Singapore citizen caused an uproar in China. This decision occurred at the time of the Beijing Olympic Games and when the people's patriotic enthusiasm was high, and the doubts and incomprehension voices surrounding Gong Li also rose one after another.
In the face of a large number of doubts, Gong Li chose to remain silent and express his position with practical actions.
Although she has changed her nationality, Gong Li has always emphasized her identity as a Chinese actor. At an event in Toronto, she once introduced herself: "Hello everyone, I am Chinese actor Gong Li.
This persistence is not only reflected in her words, but also in her actions.
In 2018, at the Golden Horse Awards ceremony, a Taiwan female director made inappropriate remarks after winning the award, causing dissatisfaction among the patriotic actors and directors present. Gong Li was supposed to go on stage with Ang Lee to present the award, but chose to sit in silence with a serious face.
Ang Lee reminded many times on stage: "Gong Li, don't you come up to present the award with me?" Gong Li gestured with a smile and did not get up, this move won praise from the audience, and the title of "Gong Huang" became more popular.
In response to Gong Li's change of nationality, Gong Li's husband Huang Hexiang once explained to the media, saying that Gong Li's patriotism is deeply rooted in the bone marrow. She became a Singaporean citizen, on the one hand, because she is a Singapore citizen, and on the other hand, because it is more convenient to work abroad.
While this interpretation has quelled some of the controversy, it has also highlighted the contradiction between the career choices and national identity of international movie stars.
Although Gong Li has changed her nationality, she has made it clear many times at multiple award ceremonies and interviews that her identity as a Chinese is eternal. She expressed firmly: "I am a Chinese actor, this is my unchanging identity.
This firmness shows that she cherishes her cultural identity, and it also reflects her determination to do her best to preserve China's image on the international stage.
Gong Li's experience vividly illustrates how artists maintain their cultural identity on the international stage in the context of globalization. Despite the controversy caused by the change of nationality, she has always proved her incomparable love and outstanding contributions to Chinese culture and film industry with her practical actions.
She has always maintained her patriotic feelings and struggled to find a balance between her patriotism and career choices.
With the vigorous development of her acting career, Gong Li will devote more time and energy to the international stage. Her professional skills and dedication were soon recognized by the international film and television community, and she became a jury member of the Cannes International Film Festival, marking a significant increase in her status in the international film industry.
Although Gong Li's career focus has shifted to the international market, she has never forgotten her cultural roots and has always maintained a heart of love for her motherland.
In 2005, Gong Li took over the Hollywood blockbuster "Memoirs of a Geisha", playing a Japan geisha in the film. The choice of this character caused dissatisfaction among some viewers, and some even questioned her for being unpatriotic.
However, Gong Li did not back down because of this, but used her acting skills to prove the strength of Chinese actors on the international stage, and she emphasized her identity as a Chinese actor many times in interviews, and this insistence also slowly eliminated the voice of doubt.
Gong Li's international journey was not smooth, but through her own efforts and talents, she successfully overcame the challenges caused by cultural differences and language barriers, and won the recognition of the international film industry.
Her achievements are not only a personal victory, but also win more attention and respect for Chinese films in the international community.
While some criticized her makeup for being too casual and not wearing big red lips, more comments were appreciative. Many netizens think that Gong Li's nude lipstick is very beautiful and atmospheric, but wearing big red lips will look a little rustic.
And her attitude of not seeing in the unexpected world and insisting on herself is an important factor that makes her "Gonghuang".
Gong Li not only has an important influence in the acting industry, but also plays a role in cultural exchange. In April 2023, France President Emmanuel Macron invited Gong Li to visit China with him, fully demonstrating Gong Li's international popularity and influence in this diplomatic event.
Her experience shows that she has become one of the important representatives of Chinese culture on the international stage, and she has spread and interpreted China's excellent culture through her performance charm and strength.
Behind the title of "Gong Huang", it is not only a high recognition of Gong Li's superb acting skills, but also a full recognition of her unique personality style. From her debut as a "Mou Girl" to now becoming a world-renowned international movie star, Gong Li has always insisted on showing her distinctive characteristics.
In an interview, Gong Li has publicly stated that she prefers to maintain an independent style rather than follow the crowd, which is not only reflected in her professional performing arts, but also in her image shaping in daily life.
Gong Li's acting skills are known as a model in the same industry, and her grasp of the role can always be deeply rooted in the hearts of the people and bring strong feelings to the audience. Whether it is the image of "Jiu'er" created in "Red Sorghum", or the role of "Juxian" played in "Farewell My Concubine", Gong Li can present the inner world of the characters with a very infectious performance.
It is this persistent insistence on performance and deep understanding of the role that makes Gong Li always occupy an irreplaceable position in the entertainment industry.
Leslie Cheung admired Gong Li, thinking that she was very charming in front of the camera, and as soon as she appeared, people felt that she was a star, and her noble temperament seemed to be naturally formed. This irreplaceable charm, combined with her deep understanding of the role and superb acting skills, made Gong Li firmly occupy a place in the Chinese film industry, and also paved the way for her later international influence.
At the 2024 Cannes Film Festival, Gong Li's choice of nude lipstick instead of big red lips sparked widespread discussion. However, more comments are praising her makeup for being very beautiful and atmospheric, and many netizens said that compared with big red lips, she can highlight Gonghuang's temperament and charm by wearing nude lipstick.
This attitude of not following the crowd reflects the unique temperament of Gonghuang.
Gong Li is not only an image on the screen, but also praised for her behavior in reality. The performance at the 2018 Golden Horse Awards ceremony made the title of "Gonghuang" deeply imprinted in the hearts of the audience.
With her unique and powerful image of "Gonghuang", she has shown the world the charm and strength of Chinese actors.
Although she is over half a hundred years old, Gong Li's influence in the international film industry is still huge. She has been active in the film industry and has contributed to the Chinese film industry. On April 5, 2023, Gong Li once again attracted public attention with a new identity.
When France President Emmanuel Macron visited Beijing on a special plane, attentive netizens found that Gong Li also stepped off the plane, and she accompanied her husband Jean-Michel · Jarre, showing another side of her as a cultural ambassador, this visit not only reflects her international influence, but also shows her important role in promoting Sino-French cultural exchanges.
Despite the decrease in the number of works in her acting career, Gong Li still maintains excellent creativity. She is very careful in the selection of roles, striving for perfection in every appearance, so that the quality of the work is always at a high level.
Whether in the movie or on the red carpet, Gong Li's every appearance will attract widespread attention and discussion from the media and the audience On May 15, 2024, Gong Li walked on the Cannes red carpet for the 20th time, becoming a topic of conversation again The age is about to enter 60 years old, but she is still in excellent condition, wearing a pink sequin evening dress, and her gestures are full of confidence and calmness.
While Gong Li has made extraordinary achievements in her personal career, she has also devoted herself to promoting the development of Chinese films. She has actively promoted Chinese films on many international occasions, striving to win more international opportunities for Chinese filmmakers.
In addition, she is actively involved in domestic film festivals, providing mentorship and support to young filmmakers.
From participating in "Red Sorghum" to becoming famous, to the controversy caused by immigration, to visiting China on the special plane of the President of France in 2023, Gong Li's life course is like a legendary movie. Her story not only reveals the growth process of an actor, but also reflects the gradual rise of Chinese cinema.
Gong Li has always adhered to her identity as a Chinese actor, and proved her love and contribution to Chinese culture and film industry with practical actions, her experience tells us that no matter what kind of challenges we face, as long as we stick to our original intention and insist on ourselves, we can shine brightly on the stage of life.