Zhang, Cheung and Jang Talk Dangerous Liaisons

BUSAN, South Korea -- Korean hearththrob Jang Dong-geun, along with Chinese actresses Zhang Ziyi and Cecilia Cheung, made an appearance at the Busan International Film Festival to a throng of reporters who could barely squeeze into the Cultural Center at Shinesgae Department Store Friday afternoon.

The trio were in town to promote their latest film, Dangerous Liaisons, a Chinese remake of the classic Les Liaisons Dangereuses, which in turn was a theatrical adaptation of the 18th-century French novel Les Liaisons Dangereuses by Pierre Choderlos de Laclos. The most famous remake was the 1988 drama starring Glenn Close, John Malkovich and Michelle Pfieffer.

“Dangerous Liaisons was one of my favorite works,” said Zhang. “It was a very memorable experience. It was wonderful to work with Jang Dong-geun.”

Zhang, who is currently suing US-based Chinese online news outlet Boxun News over prostitution claims, managed to avoid questions on the topic. In June, she also launched legal action against Hong Kong's Apple Daily newspaper and its sister weekly Next Magazine over claims that she was paid for sex with one-time rising Chinese political star Bo Xilai and others according to AFP.

The three, along with Korean director Hur Jin-ho, focused mostly on the positive film experience, as well as Cheung and Jang’s previous work together.

“It’s been a long time since we’ve worked together, but he hasn’t changed,” she said. When commenting on them both becoming recent parents, she noted, “I could see the eyes of a mature man as a father.”

Cheung, who gives a riveting performance as Mo Jieyu in the film, also expressed the challenges of playing the role. “I tried to understand what kind of stress she was under and how she would face the challenge,” she said.

Jang was especially challenged in the film, not only having to speak in Chinese, which he was given praise for from the director and actresses, but from stepping out of the traditional roles he was used to playing.

“I didn’t necessarily want to play a playboy, but I want to move away from my previous image and roles. Once I got used to the directors style, I could have a wider perspective on the film.”

The film will open to wide release in Korea on October 11.

Dangerous Liaisons Screenings

CODE	THEATER	TIME	INFORMATION
013	Haneulyeon Theater	10-05 16:00	*	Lotte Cinema Centum City 2	10-07 17:00	*
774	Lotte Cinema Centum City 7	10-12 16:00	*

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