时事资讯:《建国大业》引来明星国籍之争

【英文原文】

Movie With 100 Stars Presents A Question: Who＊s Chinese?

A film planned for the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China promises to have more stars than any other movie in history. To fulfill that promise, its producers have looked abroad, reigniting an old debate about who, really, is Chinese.

'The Founding of a Republic,' ('Jianguo Daye' in Chinese) an all-star epic recounting the founding of the PRC, will feature more than 100 stars, producers say. The cast includes kung-fu stars Jet Li and Jackie Chan, Zhang Ziyi, Stephen Chow, actor and Cantopop king Andy Lau, and not one, but two, Tony Leungs: Tony Leung Ka-fai and Tony Leung Chiu-wai. Directors John Woo, Feng Xiaogang and Chen Kaige also have acting roles.

Many of the stars are participating on a pro bono basis (in Chinese, as are the other links). Some only have cameos and guest roles that see them on screen for only a few seconds. Chinese Web users have taken to calling the film the one with the 'the largest number of superstar utility men in history.'

Many play a character quite different from their usual roles. Zhang Ziyi, perhaps the world's best known Chinese actress, plays a woman who represents the literary and art circles. With her hair in a bun and dressed in simple white shirt and gray woolen outfit, she looks quite different from her common Hollywood star style. Jackie Chan plays a newspaper reporter, while director Feng Xiaogang plays Du Yuesheng, one of the most powerful gangsters in modern China.

The state-owned China Film Group is producing the film, with Chairman and Chief Executive Han Sanping directing. China Film Group has reportedly invested 30 million yuan, or about $4.4 million, in the film, which is slated for release on Sept. 17, two weeks ahead of the Oct. 1 anniversary.

Many Chinese Web users are excited about the film. But some are raising the issue of actors with Chinese roots but who aren't Chinese citizens and whether they are appropriate for a move about modern China's founding. In an article published on Mop.com, some 30 stars were revealed to be 'foreigners,' including director Chen Kaige (U.S.) and Zhang Ziyi (Hong Kong).

In recent years, the trend of Chinese celebrities taking up foreign citizenship has upset many vocal Chinese Web users. Jet Li, for instance, recently confirmed that he became a Singaporean citizen in June, to some scathing criticism on the Chinese Internet.

'Jianguo Daye' is no exception. 'Friends from all over the world take the trouble to help our nation shoot such a mainstream movie. What spirit!' said one sarcastic Mop user. Said another Web user: 'The establishment of the People's Republic of China needs support from foreigners.'

Others shrugged off the foreign citizenship as an increasing fact in a modern China still opening up to the world. 'As long as the movie is good,' said one. 'If we are to really open up, thoughts should be considered as important as behavior.'