[2010.06.14] FILM FESTIVAL JURY DUTY IS A LEARNING OPPORTUNITY FOR VICKI ZHAO

The 13th Annual Shanghai International Film Festival has already officially opened two nights ago, with 300 foreign and Chinese film stars present. However the focus had to be the new mother Vicki Zhao Wei. In order to thank her for agreeing to be on this year's jury soon after giving birth, the event presented her with flowers. Zhao Wei at the jury press conference was reluctant to talk much about her personal life, but after the event she immediately updated her blog and expressed that this was a great learning opportunity. At the same time she also greeted fans who she has been away from. Within a hour after the update the blog already attracted several thousand hits with many well wishes.

Zhao Wei wrote on her blog, "Shanghai is still just as beautiful and familiar, one day she will be like Paris and attract romantic tourists from all over the world. The film festival is taking place as scheduled. I have been to many film festivals but this is the first time that I am on the jury. In the next few days I will have to watch several movies everyday to select and evaluate, it will be a great learning opportunity. In the evening there will be an opening ceremony and red carpet, the mild temperature should be suitable for a long dress, wish me luck! And good wishes to friends who have been waiting for such a long time!"

John Woo (Ng Yu Sum) is this year's Golden Goblet jury chair. He at the opening ceremony gave a speech. He said, "I am a little nervous. Foreigners in general know two lines of Shanghainese, 'How are you, thank you', then they receive brilliant smiles and sincere friendship. When I was courting my wife I secretly learned Nanjing accented Putonghua from my mother in law and fooled my wife over. This trick is very useful." He even said, "Hopefully the team and I will be able to give a good performance and protect everyone's favorite films." The event even presented French director Luc Besson with a Film Art Lifetime Achievement Award. He happily expressed that he has not received such a treatment even at his own country and thanked everyone for their care. He even joked that the lead actress of his next film will be a Chinese girl and his heart already was set on someone. He also said that he had to salute his mentor Ng Yu Sum and good friend Jet Li (Lee Nin Kit). In addition, Chen Kaige received the outstanding Contribution Award.

After the opening ceremony, Michelle Yeoh (Yeung Chi King) dined with industry friends. Attendees included Shawn Yue Man Lok, Daniel Wu (Ng Yin Cho), Richie Jen (Yam Yin Chai), Mr. and Mrs. John Woo, Jung Woo-Sung, Barbie Hsu (Tsui Hei Woon) and Mr. and Mrs. Derek Yee Tung Sing. When departing, Yeung Chi King was with two foreign friends. She even jokingly hid before her friends and seemed to be somewhat intoxicated. When she descended the stairs she tripped, luckily her friends immediately held her. Jung Woo-Sung perhaps was surprised with the paparazzi and hid behind the door, finally he stood still for press photos.