| Joan Chen |
| Chinese name |
陳冲 (Traditional) |
| Chinese name |
陈冲 (Simplified) |
| Pinyin |
Chén Chōng (Mandarin) |
| Jyutping |
Can4 Cung1 (Cantonese) |
| Born |
April 26, 1961 (1961-04-26) (age 48)
Shanghai, China |
| Occupation |
actress, film director, screenwriter, producer |
| Years active |
1975–present |
| Spouse(s) |
Jim Lau (1985-1990)
Peter Hui (1992-) |
|
|
- This is a Chinese name; the family name is Chen.
Joan Chong Chen (Chinese name: simplified Chinese: 陈冲; traditional Chinese: 陳冲; pinyin: Chén Chōng; born April 26, 1961), is a four-time Golden Horse, Asian Film Awards, AFI Award, Film Critics Circle of Australia Awards, Hong Kong Film Critics Society Award, Hundred Flowers Award and National Board of Review winning Chinese American actor, film director, screenwriter and film producer. She became famous in China for her performance in the 1979 film Little Flower and came to international attention for her performance in the 1987 Academy Award-winning film The Last Emperor. She is also known for her roles in Twin Peaks, Red Rose White Rose, Saving Face and The Home Song Stories, and for directing the feature film Xiu Xiu: The Sent Down Girl.
Biography
Early life and career
She was born Chen Chong in Shanghai, China, into a family of doctors (her grandparents were educated at Oxford and her parents were trained at Harvard).1 She grew up during the Cultural Revolution. At age 14, Chen was discovered on the school rifle range by Mao Zedong's wife Jiang Qing, as she was excelling at marksmanship. This led her to be selected for the Actors' Training Program by the Shanghai Film Studio in 1975, where she was discovered by veteran director Xie Jin who chose her to star in his 1977 film Youth (Chinese: 青春; pinyin: Qīngchūn)2 as a deaf mute whose senses are restored by an Army medical team. She soon enrolled in the prestigious Shanghai International Studies University, at age 17 (one year before one could go), where she majored in English.3
Acting career
Chen Chong first became famous in China for her performance alongside Tang Guoqiang (Chinese: 唐国强) in Zhang Zheng's (Chinese: 张铮) Little Flower (Chinese: 小花; pinyin: Xiǎo Huā) in 1979, for which she won the Hundred Flowers Award (Chinese: 百花; pinyin: Bǎi Huā Jiǎng). Chen portrayed a revolutionary's daughter in pre-Maoist China, who falls in love with the wounded soldier whom she and her mother care for. Little Flower was her second film and she soon hit the status of China's most loved actress, which earned her to be dubbed "the Elizabeth Taylor of China" by Time magazine, for having achieved stardom while still a teenager.2
In addition, Chen is famous in China for her role in the 1979 film Hearts for the Motherland (Chinese: 海外赤子; pinyin: Hǎiwài Chìzǐ). The film directed by Ou Fan (Chinese: 欧凡) and Xing Jitian (Chinese: 邢吉田) depicts an overseas Chinese family that returns to China from southeast Asia out of their patriotic feelings but encounter political troubles during the Cultural Revolution. The songs, "I Love You, China" (Chinese: 我爱你中国) and "High Flies the Petrel" (Chinese: 高飞的海燕), sung by Chen's character, are perennial favorites in China. In 1981, Chen starred in Awakening (Chinese: 甦醒; pinyin: Sūxǐng), directed by Teng Wenji (Chinese: 滕文骥).
At age 20, Chen moved to the United States, where she studied filmmaking at California State University, Northridge.
Her first Hollywood movie was Tai-Pan, filmed on location in China. She went on to star in Bernardo Bertolucci's The Last Emperor in 1987 and the David Lynch/Mark Frost television series Twin Peaks. In 1993 she co-starred in Oliver Stone's Heaven & Earth. She portrayed two different characters in Clara Law's Temptation of a Monk (Chinese: 誘僧; pinyin: Yòu Sēng): a seductive princess of Tang dynasty, and a dangerous temptress. The award-winning film was adapted from a novel by Lilian Lee.
In 1994 she came back in Shanghai to star in Stanley Kwan's Red Rose, White Rose (Chinese: 紅玫瑰白玫瑰; pinyin: Hóng Méigui Bái Méigui) opposite Winston Chao, and subsequently won a Golden Horse Award and a Hong Kong Film Critics Society Award for her performance.
Tired of being cast as an exotic beauty in Hollywood films, Chen moved into directing in 1998 with the critically acclaimed Xiu Xiu: The Sent Down Girl (Chinese: 天浴; pinyin: Tiān Yù), adapted from the novella Heavenly Bath (Chinese: 天浴; pinyin: Tiān Yù) by her friend Yan Geling. She later directed Autumn in New York, starring Richard Gere and Winona Ryder, in 2000.
In the middle of the 2000s, Chen made a comeback in acting and began to work intensely, alternating between English and Chinese-language roles.
In 2004, she starred in Hou Yong's family saga Jasmine Women (simplified Chinese: 茉莉花开; pinyin: Mòlìhuā Kāi), alongside Zhang Ziyi, in which they played multiple roles as daughters and mothers across three generations in Shanghai. She also starred in the Asian American comedy Saving Face as a widowed mother, who is shunned by the Chinese-American community for being pregnant and unwed and therefore has come to live with her lesbian daughter.
In 2005, she appeared in Zhang Yang's family saga Sunflower (Chinese: 向日葵; pinyin: Xiàngrìkuí), as a mother whose husband and son have a troubled father-son relationship over 30 years. She then starred in the Asian American independent film Americanese and in Michael Almereyda's Tonight at Noon, the first part of a two part project, scheduled to be released in 20094
In 2007, Chen was acclaimed for her performance in Tony Ayres' drama The Home Song Stories. She portrayed a glamorous and unstable Chinese nightclub singer who struggles to survive in seventies Australia with her two children. Chen. The role earned her four awards including the Australian Film Institute Award for Best Actress and the Golden Horse Award for Best Actress. The same year saw her co-starring in two other acclaimed films: Ang Lee's Lust, Caution, opposite Tony Leung Chiu-Wai, and Jiang Wen's The Sun Also Rises, opposite Anthony Wong Chau-Sang, for which she received an Asian Film Award for Best Supporting Actress.
In 2008, she starred alongside Sam Chow (Chinese: 邹爽) in Shi Qi (Chinese: 十七; pinyin: Shíqī), directed by Joe Chow (Chinese: 姬诚; pinyin: Jī Chéng), as a rural mother of a 17-year-old in eastern Zhejiang province56. The same year Joan Chen portrayed in Jia Zhangke's 24 City a factory worker once fancied because she resembled Chen herself in the 1979 film Little Flower, but who missed her chance at love.
Chen narrated the MP3 audio guide Louis Vuitton Soundwalk Shanghai City Guide, one of the three audio guides for Chinese cities (Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong) produced by Louis Vuitton and Soundwalk, and released in June 2008.7
She then co-starred in Bruce Beresford's 2009 adaptation of the autobiography of dancer Li Cunxin Mao's Last Dancer, along with Wang Shungbao and Kyle MacLachlan.8
In 2009, Chen starred alongside Feng Yuanzheng (Chinese: 冯远征) and Liu Jinshan (Chinese: 刘金山) in the Chinese TV series Newcomers to the Middle-Aged (Chinese: 人到中年), directed by Dou Qi (Chinese: 斗琪), in which she played a female doctor facing middle-age problems.9 She also played the part of goddess Guan Yin in the 2010 Chinese TV adaptation of Journey to the West, directed by Cheng Lidong (Chinese: 程力栋).10
In October 2009 Joan Chen was the curator of the first Singapore Sun Film Festival, whose theme was The Art of Living Well. She selected and curated five films for screening during the festival: The Diving Bell and the Butterfly, Dead Man Walking, Hannah and Her Sisters, Still Life (Chinese: 三峡好人; pinyin: Sānxiá hǎorén) and Edward Scissorhands.1112
Personal life
Chen married her second husband, cardiologist Peter Hui, on January 18, 1992. She was formerly married to actor Jimmy Lau from 1985 to 1990. Joan and her current husband have 2 daughters and live in San Francisco, but spend part of every year in Shanghai, China with Joan's family, so their daughters can be familiar with Chinese culture.
During her early years in California Chen attended California State University, Northridge. In 1989, she became a naturalized citizen of the United States. On April 9, 2008, Chen wrote an article entitled "Let the Games Go On" on the Washington Post, about the politicization of the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing.13
Charitable work
In May 2008, Chen appeared alongside James Kyson Lee and Amy Hanaialiʻi Gilliom in a public service announcement for the Banyan Tree Project campaign to stop HIV/AIDS-related stigma in Asian & Pacific Islander communities.1415
In October 2008, Chen made the cover of Trends Health magazine alongside actresses Ke Lan (Chinese: 柯蓝) and Ma Yili (Chinese: 马伊琍) to promote the Chinese Pink Ribbon Breast Cancer Prevention campaign.
On January 8, 2010, Chen attended alongside Nancy Pelosi, Nicole Kidman and Joe Torre the ceremony to help Family Violence Prevention Fund break ground on a new international center located in the Presidio of San Francisco intended to combat violence against women and children. During the ceremony, Chen performed an excerpt from the documentary play, "The Thumbprint of Mukhtar Mai" (presented as part of "Seven").161718
On January 15, 2010, Chen was set to appear, along with other Asian American personalities in a series of videos supporting the Center for the Pacific Asian Family.19
Filmography
Actress
Director
Writer
Producer
Other media
Awards and nominations
Other recognition
- In 1992 People magazine chose her as one of the 50 most beautiful women in the world.
- Chen inspired indie rock band Xiu Xiu, named after her film Xiu Xiu: The Sent Down Girl.
- Chen was chosen by Goldsea Asian American Daily as one of the "100 Most Inspiring Asian Americans of All Time".
References
- ^ Corliss, Richard (April 5, 1999), "West To East", TIME (USA) 153 (13), http://www.time.com/time/asia/asia/magazine/1999/990405/joan_chen2.html
- ^ a b Stokes, Lisa Odham (October-December 2005), "Sensuously Elegant: An Interview with Joan Chen", Asian Cult Cinema (USA) (48): 51–61
- ^ Tom Kagy."Heavenly And Hearthy." Goldsea Asian American Daily. August 1992.
- ^ TCM.com
- ^ "Film Role Sparks Mother Hen Instinct for Joan Chen". CRI English. September 12, 2007. http://english.cri.cn/3086/2007/09/12/1261@273191.htm. Retrieved 2007-09-12.
- ^ HongKong Cinemagic Forum -> 17 / Shi Qi
- ^ "Louis Vuitton Soundwalk". I LVOE LV: Louis Vuitton Resource Center. June 29, 2008. http://www.ilvoelv.com/2008/06/louis-vuitton-soundwalk.html. Retrieved 2009-04-30.
- ^ "Kyle MacLachlan, Bruce Greenwood, Joan Chen & Jack Thompson to star in Mao's Last Dancer". Inside Film magazine. February 27, 2008. http://www.if.com.au/News/View.aspx?newsid=783. Retrieved 2008-02-27.
- ^ "《新人到中年》剧照曝光 刘金山为陈冲闪婚(图)" (in Chinese). Sina.com. 2009-01-22. http://ent.sina.com.cn/v/m/2009-01-22/07332353089.shtml. Retrieved 2009-04-30.
- ^ Xie, Tingting (2009-01-02). "Joan Chen Plays Goddess in Monkey King Drama". CRI English. http://english.cri.cn/6666/2009/01/02/1261s438733.htm. Retrieved 2009-04-30.
- ^ Lim, Cheryl (3 October 2009). "Joan Chen in Singapore for Sun Film Festival". Channel NewsAsia. http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/entertainmentfeatures/view/1009061/1/.html. Retrieved 2009-11-27.
- ^ "The Sun Film Festival". Singapore Sun Festival. http://www.singaporesunfestival.com/2009/event-details.php?id=sunfilm&cat=FILM. Retrieved 2009-11-31.
- ^ Chen, Joan (April 9, 2008), "Let the Games Go On", Washington Post (USA), http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/04/08/AR2008040802907.html
- ^ "Banyan Tree Project Feature Asian & Pacific Islander Stars in Latest HIV/AIDS Anti-Stigma Public Service Announcements". Reuters. May 20, 2008. http://www.reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS199319+20-May-2008+PRN20080520. Retrieved 2009-04-30.
- ^ The Banyan Tree Project Official Site
- ^ "Family Violence Prevention Fund Will Break Ground on a New International Conference Center and Exhibit Hall in San Francisco's Presidio on Friday, January 8". Earthtimes. January 8, 2010. http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/family-violence-prevention-fund-will,1112890.shtml. Retrieved 2010-01-12.
- ^ "Pelosi, Kidman, Torre Help FVPF Break Ground on New International Center". Family Violence Prevention Fund. http://www.endabuse.org/content/features/detail/1431/. Retrieved 2010-01-15.
- ^ Bigelow, Catherine (January 13, 2010). "S.F. Symphony Black and White Ball details". San Francisco Chronicle. http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/01/12/DDBI1BGK1G.DTL. Retrieved 2010-01-21.
- ^ "A Community Unites to 'Silence the Violence'". US Asian Wire. January 15, 2010. http://www.usasianwire.com/release.php?id=416428582. Retrieved 2010-01-21.
- ^ Soundwalk. Accessed Sept. 17.
- ^ Louis Vuitton Soundwalk. Accessed Sept. 20, 2009.
- ^ Shanghai International Film Festival - International Jury in history: 2008 - Joan Chen
- ^ "The Most Famous Chinese Actresses in the World". Women of China Magazine Publishing House. November 12, 2008. http://www.womenofchina.cn/Profiles/Celebrities/207441.jsp. Retrieved 2009-12-15.
- ^ Asian American International Film Festival 2007
- ^ Hong Kong Film Critics Society
- ^ Red Rose, White Rose: Film Facts
- ^ National Board of Review of Motion Pictures:: Awards
Articles and interviews
- "The Last Empress", by C. Mark Jacobson. Interview. December 1987. p. 146-147.
- "In Praise of Actors: Joan Chen", by Peter Rainer. American Film. Volume 15: Issue 8. May 1990. p. 32.
- "Heavenly And Hearthy", by Tom Kagy. Goldsea Asian American Daily. August 1992.
- "Chen Reaction", by Alison Dakota Gee. Movieline (USA). December 1993. p. 54-59, 88.
- "West To East", by Richard Corliss. TIME (USA). Volume 153: Issue 13. April 5, 1999.
- "Joan of Art", by Richard Corliss. TIME (USA). April 5, 1999.
- "The Sent Down Girl", by Steven Schwankert. Beijing Scene. Volume 5: Issue 8. May 7, 1999.
- "Joan Chen: Guerilla Director", by Michael Sragow. Salon.com. May 27, 1999.
- "Reel Poetry", by Kevin Berger. San Francisco (USA). July 2000. p. 51.
- "Joan Chen: Whether it's China or Hollywood, this actress/director tells it like it is", by Franz Lidz. Interview. August 2000. p. 80-81.
- "An Interview with Joan Chen",by Michelle Caswell. Asia Source. November 2000.
- "Is Joan Chen Done with Hollywood?" Goldsea Asian American Daily. January 28, 2003.
- "Empress and Enigma". China Daily. October 25, 2003.
- "Joan Chen's Wild Side", by Malinda Lo. Curve. Volume 15: Issue 4. June 2005.
- "The Face Behind Saving Face", by Kenny Tanemura. Asian Week. June 3, 2005.
- "Sensuously Elegant: An Interview with Joan Chen", by Lisa Odham Stokes. Asian Cult Cinema (USA). Issue 48. October-December 2005. p. 51-61.
- "Joan Chen on Filming Lust, Caution in Shanghai: Follow One's Heart.", by Liu Qing. The Chinese Mirror. February 28, 2007.
- "The Many Faces of Joan Chen.", by Glen Schaefer. The Province. October 3, 2007.
- "Joan Chen returns to Chinese film.", by Min Lee. The China Post. October 17, 2007.
External links
| Persondata |
| NAME |
Chen, Joan |
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES |
|
| SHORT DESCRIPTION |
actress, film director, screenwriter, producer |
| DATE OF BIRTH |
1961-4-26 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH |
Shanghai, China |
| DATE OF DEATH |
|
| PLACE OF DEATH |
|
![Precious Find [VHS]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/21M4MJJPJ9L._SL160_.jpg)
![Clip Star in the movie, The Last Emperor. Plays the character "Ma" in the movie, Saving Face. Talented actress, who has experience as a ... Video](/viewVideo.html?title=Joan Chen Actress and CSUN Alumna in Saving Face&videoType=YouTube&summary=Star in the movie, The Last Emperor. Plays the character "Ma" in the movie, Saving Face. Talented actress, who has experience as a ...&link=http://www.youtube.com/v/Qhxnq1mlGKo&fs=1&source=uds&autoplay=1&thumb=http://2.gvt0.com/vi/Qhxnq1mlGKo/default.jpg&celebrity=Joan Chen)
![Clip Star of the movie, "The Last Emperor". Video](/viewVideo.html?title=Joan Chen&videoType=YouTube&summary=Star of the movie, "The Last Emperor".&link=http://www.youtube.com/v/0zFkj3Cb_Oo&fs=1&source=uds&autoplay=1&thumb=http://2.gvt0.com/vi/0zFkj3Cb_Oo/default.jpg&celebrity=Joan Chen)
