Criticism of Chinese movie stars Gong Li and Zhang Ziyi suggesting they're focused on increasing their personal wealth has been rebutted by director Zhang Yimou who says the two are passionate about acting and eager to do better. 

Asked to compare Chinese movie stars Gong Li and Zhang Ziyi, both of whom he worked with early in their careers, the director said they were both passionate about acting. 　　

"I think they're both natural actresses. For movies or characters they like they can study them thoroughly even if they don't rest or eat. They like their work wholeheartedly," Zhang said in an interview in the current edition of Hong Kong's City Entertainment magazine. 　　

Zhang disputed criticism that the two actresses were focused on advancing their personal fortunes and said despite their international fame, "They still hope to develop their acting." 　　

Gong has worked with Zhang on movies like Raise the Red Lantern, Ju Dou, To Live, and the director's 1987 debut of Red Sorghum. Zhang Ziyi appeared in Zhang Yimou's The Road Home which was released in 1999. 　

Both have since moved on to Hollywood. They appeared together in Memoirs of a Geisha playing rival Japanese escort geishas. Gong has appeared in Miami Vice, which is now being screened in Shanghai, and Zhang Ziyi in Rush Hour 2.

Zhang Yimou recently reunited with Gong on Curse of the Golden Flower an ancient Chinese epic also featuring Chow Yun-fat and Taiwanese pop sensation Jay Chou. 　　

Zhang said Gong has improved as an actress. "Her pace and substance in acting is more mature and she has an abundance of emotion. Now she will proactively discuss a script. She has her own opinion. I didn't see this before. She's more passionate when she faces challenges now," the veteran Chinese director said. 　

Of Chou the director said he was impressed with the pop star's display of emotion despite being a novice actor. He said Chou was nervous acting alongside big stars Chow and Gong but displayed "very strong, real emotion." 　

Zhang also confirmed he's interested in working with Jackie Chan as well as Steven Spielberg, with whom he's collaborating on designing the 2008 Beijing Olympics opening and closing ceremonies, but said no concrete plans have been made yet.

(Shanghai Daily November 21, 2006)