Zhao Wei | |||||||||
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Chinese name | 趙薇 (Traditional) | ||||||||
Chinese name | 赵薇 (Simplified) | ||||||||
Pinyin | Zhào Wéi (Mandarin) | ||||||||
Jyutping | Ziu6 Mei4 (Cantonese) | ||||||||
Born | 12 March 1976 Wuhu, Anhui, China |
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Other name(s) | Vicki Zhao,Wei Zhao | ||||||||
Occupation | Actress, singer | ||||||||
Genre(s) | Mandopop | ||||||||
Years active | 1993 – present | ||||||||
Spouse(s) | Huang Youlong (2008 - present) | ||||||||
Official Website | http://www.zhaowei.com.cn/ | ||||||||
Awards
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Zhao Wei is a Chinese film actress and pop singer. Audiences sometimes refer to her by her English name, Vicki Zhao.[1] Zhao is the actor of China Film Group Creative Artists Centre.She is the vice-president of the China Film Perfomrance Academy,executive member of the council of China Enviromental Socitey.She is considered one of the "Four Young Dan actresses" in China (四小花旦), along with Xu Jinglei, Zhang Ziyi and Zhou Xun.[2]
After being chosen to work as an extra on a filming set, Zhao developed a love for acting. While studying at Beijing Film Academy, Zhao participated in various film projects. Zhao's breakout role as a leading actress was in Princess Pearl, a Taiwanese television series. In 1999, after Princess Pearl was broadcast, Zhao also began a singing career with her first album, Swallow. After her breakthrough, Zhao had been involved in a number of controversies about her personal and professional lives, for posing in a dress resembling a Japanese war flag.After several times apology to public,mainland people forgive her.In 2005,Zhao selected as the "most beautiful chinese woman" in a national wide ballot.
Zhao burst into international stardom in films like Stephen Chow's Shaolin Soccer (2001), So Close (2002) and the epic Warriors of Heaven and Earth (2004). In John Woo's historical epic Red Cliff (2009), she played warrior princess Sun Shangxiang. She gain positive reviews from the Associated Press: "But the biggest surprise in the cast is Chinese actress Zhao Wei, who steals the show with her portrayal of Sun's spunky tomboy sister Sun Shangxiang." [3]For her achievment in movie,television and music,Japan media called her China No.1 actress.UK's Independent called her "Chinese box office darling".[4]
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Born and raised in Wuhu, Anhui Province, China, Zhao is the second of two children born to Zhao Jiahai (Chinese: 赵家海; pinyin: Zhào Jiāhǎi), an appliance designer, and Wei Qiying (Chinese: 魏启颖; pinyin: Wèi Qǐyǐng), a schoolteacher.[5] She has one older brother, Zhao Jian (Chinese: 赵堅; pinyin: Zhào Jiān) (born 1971). She graduated from Teachers’ College Elementary School (Shi Fan Fu Xiao) and Teachers’ College High School (17th Secondary School Shi Fan).
At the time, Zhao claimed to have never considered the prospect of an acting career, once explaining, "I thought actresses had to be beautiful, and I thought I was ordinary".[1] When she was 17 years old, a filming crew arrived in Wuhu looking for extras for the film Hua Hun, starring Gong Li. Afterwards, Zhao decided to pursue an acting career. Looking for ways to leave town, Zhao looked for opportunities to enroll in a film school. She later discovered a new film arts school in Shanghai, opened by the renowned director Xie Jin. At the age of 20, Zhao received first class results in her entrance exam to Beijing Film Academy's Performance Institute. She graduated from there in 2000.[6]
Zhao received her first experience in front of the camera in 1993 when she was chosen to act as an extra in Hua Hun, a film starring Gong Li. In 1995, after completing her high school exams, Zhao decided to star in her first television series, Yu Tian You Gu Shi. The same year, she was hired by Xie Jin, the director that opened Xie Jin's Star Academy, to star in one of his movies, Penitentiary Angel. This was the first time she had a substantial role in any work. Zhao herself did not find her performance fulfilling, but treated it as a valuable experience. "I was too young to understand the role," she claimed, "but if you've been in a film by a famous director, no matter how well you did, then other less-famous directors will want to use you."[1]
After playing minor roles in various series and films, Zhao received her first leading role in a series called Sisters in Beijing. There, she was spotted by famous Taiwanese romance writer Chiung Yao, who was looking for actors. At the time, Chiung Yao commented that Zhao was a little chubby but talented. In 1997, Zhao had lost some weight and was offered one of the leading roles in Chiung Yao's television series Princess Pearl. Filming the television series Princess Pearl was an arduous task for Zhao and her co-stars. Zhao herself acknowledged the intensity of filming:
We shot 18 to 20 hours a day. There were two groups of actors. One shot during the day, one at night. Frequently I'd have to do both. A few times I worked so hard that I actually threw up from the exertion. But I was young then. I didn't get tired easily. And I never complained about the working conditions. I thought that's just how it was supposed to be. Now I know that's wrong. But at the time I had no clue. Whatever they'd give me, I'd do. And as soon as I was done working I could just fall asleep. They'd say, 'Go to sleep,' and I'd go right to sleep.—[1]
The hard work of the cast yielded unexpected results. After Princess Pearl was broadcast, it enjoyed the highest ratings in China.[1] Zhao quickly rose to prominence. In 1999, she became the youngest actress to win the Golden Eagle Awards for "Best Actress."[7] Zhao's performance received critical acclaim in Taiwan as well; Zhao was named as one of Taiwan's "Top Ten Most Outstanding Individuals in Television Industry." Following this, she continually to star in a number of successful television series and movies and released a number of well-sold albums.
Following her role Princess Pearl, Zhao became a prominent actress in China. In 2000, Zhao starred in a romantic-comedy, ming-dynasty based drama series Treasure Venture, alongside Taiwanese heartthrob Nicky Wu. With her huge success as an actress, feeling that she had achieved all she could in television, she went on to star in a few movies in Hong Kong. In 2001, she guest starred in the box office hit Shaolin Soccer alongside Hong Kong actor, director, and producer Stephen Chow. In there, Zhao played an unattractive bun maker, turning away from the cute image she had earned from her role in Princess Pearl. The actress herself expressed disgust at her image in the movie, commenting: "Have you seen it? I looked disgusting in it."[8] However, Zhao feels her role in Shaolin Soccer was also a learning experience for her. "I wanted a challenge", Zhao commented in an interview. "And he really gave it to me. In China people think I'm cute; he didn't let me look cute. People say I have big eyes; he taped them down. My old characters were all kind of wild; here I was very subdued. Everything I did before, he reversed."[1]
Also in 2001, she filmed another series written by Chiung Yao titled Romance in the Rain. Zhao participated on a romantic comedy produced by Wong Kar-wai under director Jeff Lau as "Princess Phoenix" in Chinese Odyssey 2002 together with Tony Leung, Faye Wong, and Chang Chen. Zhao was nominated for "Best Supporting Actress" at 39th Golden Horse Awards.[9] In 2002, Zhao worked with actresses Shu Qi and Karen Mok in So Close.[1]
After filming Romance in the Rain, Zhao began to focus on filming movies. In 2003, Zhao starred in four films - My Dream Girl, Warriors of Heaven and Earth, Green Tea, and Jade Goddess of Mercy. Each film was critically acclaimed and presented Zhao in a different role. One of these four films, Jade Goddess of Mercy, was directed by Ann Hui, a well-known director in Asia.[1] It co-starred Nicholas Tse, a popular singer-actor from Hong Kong. After much speculation over who would receive the female lead in Hui's new film, Jade Goddess of Mercy, the lead role (An Xin) was finally offered to Zhao. Starring in the film elevated Zhao's stardom even more. Zhao received critical acclaim for her role. In 2004, the 10th Movie Academic Society presented her the "Golden Phoenix Award" for her role in Jade Goddess of Mercy.[10] Reviews were generally positive. In TIME Asia magazine's review of Jade Goddess of Mercy, reviewer Bryan Walsh commented: "Despite plot twists that strain credulity, the film works, thanks mostly to Zhao's soulful performance as a cop torn between love, duty and motherhood. With her elfin stature, Zhao couldn't intimidate a jaywalker, but her convincing portrayal confirms her status as one of China's best actresses."[11] On numerous occasions, Zhao has told reporters about the respect she has for Ann Hui, the director of the film. In an article by Time Asia, Zhao recalled: "In the morning, when I'd come to the set, Ann would scrutinize my face and eyes to see if they were bright or dull. And she'd say, 'I can see you slept well last night.' She really understood the actors she was working with, as if we were precision instruments."[1]
In 2004, Zhao was cast to dub the character Princess Fiona when Shrek 2 was released in China.[12] Further, she won the "Favorite Actress" award (the equivalent of a Best Actress award) at the 11th Beijing Student Film Festival for her performance in Warriors of Heaven and Earth[13],and nominated Hundred Flowers Award for Best Actress,Hun even though she only had 25 lines of dialogue in the entire movie.
2005 proved to be a successful year for Zhao after she won the Best Actress award at the Shanghai International Film Festival and tied with Zhang Ziyi for the Huabiao Award, the highest governmental award towards the film industry.[13] Both were for her performance in A Time to Love. Zhao once again won "Best Actress" for her performance in A Time To Love at The 8th Changchun China Film Festival in 2006.[14] Finally, after a four year break from television series, Zhao starred as Yao Mulan in a remake of Lin Yutang's Moment in Peking (2005 Television Series). When audiences compared Zhao's Yao Mulan with the previous actress who portrayed Yao Mulan, 80% of audiences preferred Zhao's performance.[15]
Asia Times reviewed "Zhao Wei is grace and elegence,who controled each sense."[16] In conjunction, she was ranked No. 4 on Forbes' 2006 List of Top Chinese Celebrities.[17] In June 2006, Zhao was selected by voters as the "Most Popular Mainland Actress" at the 2nd Top Chinese TV Drama Awards.[18]
Following her performance in Moment in Peking (2005 Television Series), Zhao went on to star in two films in 2006. The first of these two films, The Postmodern Life of My Aunt, premièred at film festivals around the world, including the Toronto International Film Festival. Her guest starring role in the film resulted in Zhao's second Best Supporting Actress nomination at the Golden Horse Awards and first nomination(Best Supporting Actress) at the Hong Kong Film Awards.[19] Meanwhile, Zhao portrayed a taxicab driver in her 2007 film The Longest Night in Shanghai, in which she starred alongside Japanese actor Masahiro Motoki and Taiwanese actor Dylan Kuo (郭品超).[20]
In 2006, Zhao took an exam for a Masters' class in directing at her alma mater, Beijing Film Academy. After passing with flying colors, Zhao returned to Beijing Film Academy in September 2006 as a graduate student in the Directing Department. Currently, she is studying under the instruction of the famed director Tian Zhuangzhuang.
Zhao's 2007 television series is titled Thank You for Having Loved Me. For her role in the series, Zhao received a salary of 100,000 RMB per episode,she is the first actress whose salary beyond a-class actor.[21] After three months of filming during the summer in Shanghai, the series was completed in September 2006. It is scheduled to be broadcast possibly by the end of 2006.[22] In 2007, it was also announced that Zhao had been cast as Sun Shangxiang in John Woo's latest blockbuster, Battle of Red Cliff.[23] In early 2008 Zhao was cast to play the role of Pei Rong of in Chen Jiagang's film Painted Skin. She nominated Hong Kong Film Awards,Golden Rooster Awards and Asian Film Awards.
In early 2009 she was cast to play the main role of Hua Mulan in Jingle Ma's film Mulan.[24][25]Zhao Wei gain her the forth Hong Kong Film Awards nomination for Mulan.Asia Weekly(aka Yazhou Zhoukan) said "Zhao's strong performance made the role is full of vitality. ".[26]Singapore's MovieXclusive.com said "Thankfully, Ma doesn’t make a wrong casting choice for his lead actress. "Mulan" is anchored by a strong performance by Vicki Zhao Wei, the wide-eyed expressive star vividly portraying her character’s sorrow, anguish, fear and terror."[27] She has also starred in "14 Blades" along with Action Star Donnie Yen which was released in 2010.Zhao Wei won her third favorite actress award in Beijing Student Film Festival.
On April,11 2010, Zhao gave birth to a baby girl in Singapore.[28]Zhao received the blessing from media and audience.[29]
In May,27 2010, Shanghai International Film Festival announced that Zhao Wei will make her comeback as a Jury member,[30] working with John Woo, Leos Carax and the others acclaimed jury members.[31] In June 12,2010, Zhao Wei drawing an explosion of photographers' flashes and fans' cheers throughout the day, at Shanghai International Fiml Festival, said she was pleased to see such a good turnout from the press. [32]
As a result of her fame, in the early of her stardom career,Zhao Wei has been a regular subject of tabloids caused by the Japanese Flage Issue. In December 3,2001, a woman named Zou Xue published a picture of Zhao wearing a dress with a Japanese military flag on the cover of Fashion Magazine.[33] The public saw it as a sign of disrespecting government policy, as well as the sensibilities of the Chinese. The Chinese public, sensitive over the war with Japan, responded furiously. Zhao's relations with mainland audiences became strained.In December 9,newspaper Beijing Evening News and network Sina.com published Zhao's apologize letter to the nation.[34] [35] In 17 December,Zhao apologied again by a famouse tv show Entertainment Live which broadcasted 200 tv stations and 100 radios in China for this apologize.[36] But, at a concert(28 December,2001), she was tackled by Fu Shenghua, a construction worker who said his grandparents had been killed during the war.[37] Reflecting upon his actions, Fu told a Chinese magazine: "I know what I did wasn't right. But I believe my cause was just... As a famous Chinese person, she should have been aware of such an important event in Chinese history."[1] But a china authoritic newspaper,Beijing Youth Daily,made a special report about the result which they investgated through two months.Fu lied to the media,there isn't any person of his family died during the war,and he also isn't a construction worker,he is jobless for years.The reporter said it's hard to have a conversation with him,his logic is extremly.After this report published,chinese media which hype up this incident,stop hyping,and seldom mention again.[38]
In 2004, Zhao was embroiled in further controversy when Zou Xue accused Zhao Wei of beating her when she was in a pregnant state. (Zou was the same woman who published the picture of Zhao wearing the dress with a Japanese flag). Zhao and Zou had worked as business partners to open the bar Z1 in Beijing.[33] Zou claimed that Zhao had instructed her chauffeur to hit Zou after a business dispute between the two in July. At the time, Zou was eight months pregnant. In response, Zou filed a lawsuit and asked for compensation of 2,246.6 yuan, as well as a public apology. Zhao denied hitting Zou and avoided involvement in legal matters, continuing to film her television series Moment in Peking.[39]
After filing a lawsuit against Zhao, Zou welcomed journalists, while Zhao ignored them. Zou also claimed that Zhao often used drugs with her friends at their bar, Z1. In addition, she told the press that Zhao was often vulgar and abusive towards her staff. In response, Zhao's brother, Zhao Jian, protested that Zou purposely published the picture of Zhao Wei in the "Military Flag" dress as an attack against her.[33]
During 2003-2004, a few of Zhao's movies, such as Green Tea, Jade Goddess of Mercy, and A Time to Love failed to receive high box office earnings. Because of this, the media characterized Zhao as the "bane of the box office", or "box office poison." When reporters confronted Zhao about this, she has expressed discomfort and frustration. In response to this label, Zhao commented:
I don't mind people saying I'm not good. I know my own weakness and limits, but I've always tried my best in what I do. To label me as the 'bane of the box office' just because the earnings of a couple of movies are not ideal is not fair. Besides, a movie's success does not depend on a single person. Hence, such talk is very biased and subjective. Anyway, this is not the first time, so I feel there's no need to respond to such baseless remarks.—[40]
After winning the Best Actress Award at the 2005 Shanghai International Film Festival, Zhao became the subject of controversy. Several mainland reporters felt she did not deserve the award.[14] In 2006, Zhao became involved in more tabloid speculation. Rumours spread that she was fighting with actresses Sun Li and Li Bingbing over a role as a "salon girl" in Falling Leaves. Zhao cleared up these rumours by stating she would not be acting as a "salon girl."[41]
After rising to prominence, Zhao became actively involved in commercial work. In 2001, she was selected as one of China's Top Ten Most Popular Commercial Models. Her nomination was a result of her commercial work for Red Earth and Amoisonic Mobile Phone. The same year, Zhao was ranked second on "China's Top 10 Artiste for Advertisement" list.[10] For her successful career in Asia, South Korea's television KBS's "Commercial Queen in 3 countries", Zhao ranked 1 in China ,rank 1 in Japan, rank 2 in South Korea.[42] On several occasions, Zhao has also been praised by the media for her sense of style. At the Lycra Channel Young Award (known as the China Fashion Awards since 2004), Zhao was chosen as the "Stylish Actress" in Mainland China.[43] The same year, MTV China also selected Zhao as the "Most Stylish Asian Actress." Zhao also garnered another fashion award at the 2004 Pierre Cardin Awards.[10] Zhao was awarded the "Stylish Female Artist" and "Stylish Actor" at the China Fashion Award (CFA) in 2005.[44] In 2007,Zhao won her the third "Stylish Actor" in China Fashion Awards.[45]The same year,she won Stylish Female Artist in MTV China Style Gala.[46]
Throughout her career, the media have engaged in considerable speculation about Zhao's personal life, including relationships with several of her co-stars. However, Zhao has attempted to keep her relationships private. In 2001, Zhao broke up with her long-term boyfriend. As a result, Chiung Yao wrote her the song "Zuihou Yici Fenshou" (最后一次分手), directly translated as "The Last Separation." In 2004, Zhao ended her relationship with Wang Yu. After Zhao's refusal to star in Princess Pearl 3, actress Huang Yi was selected to replace Zhao in her famed role as "Xiao Yan Zi." When Zhao's past boyfriend, Wang Yu , began dating Huang Yi in 2005, it became a popular subject in the media.[47] The media often depicted a feud between the two actresses. Zhao herself has not expressed any regret regarding her relationship with Wang Yu. "After becoming an artiste, I've gained a lot, but I also lost many things. I got a job that I like; I had many opportunities, and I also got many kinds of love."[48]
On occasion, Zhao has discussed her love life with reporters. "I'm not anxious. I have several friends who are over thirty years old, and they are also unmarried. So there's really no hurry. Right now, career comes first..." Zhao Wei stressed that she will not give up her acting career even after she gets married, as acting is her passion. "If I stop acting, I will not have anything to focus on. Life will be so empty, and I definitely can't endure such emptiness. So, my would-be husband must understand me on this issue."[40]
Zhao has been married to Singaporean businessman Huang You Long since 2008. The couple's first child, a daughter, was born on April 11, 2010.[49]Hong Kong "Next Magazine" reported an explosive scandal that gossip star Zhang Ziyi is Huang Youlong's illegal mistress during Zhao's pregnancy.[50][51]
Faye Wong, Na Ying, Han Hong are Zhao Wei's best friends,chinese media named them as "Queen Club(天后团)".[52]After a party in 2008 Cannes Film Festival, Song Hye-kyo and Zhao becomes friends.[53]
After rising to prominence, Zhao has been actively involved in projects for various causes. In 2002, Zhao Wei donated 100,000 yuan to China Youth Fundation's "Hope Project".[54] In 2004, Zhao set up a scholarship fund in Wuhu, her hometown. In 2005 she was appointed as a spokesperson and ambassador for the United Nations Children's Fund and China Youth Concern Committee's "Awareness for Children Affected by AIDS" campaign; she also created the song "来得及的明天" (Pinyin: lai de ji de mingtian, English: Still Time for Tomorrow) as the theme song for the campaign.[55] In 2006, Zhao, along with her former classmate Chen Kun, was chosen to represent YALU, a fashion company. YALU had set up a fund of 5 million RMB to help the construction of new villages in China.[56] Recently, Zhao attended a charity banquet in December 2006. The banquet, held in Beijing, raised money for the Yanran Angel Foundation, an organization established by Zhao's friend Faye Wong.[57]
The next morning of Sichuan 2008 5.12 Earthquake, Zhao donating 100,000 yuan to China Red Cross.[58]Soonly, she donating again to China Child ren and Teenagers' Fund to consturct a Spring Bud ebuilding School, 500,000 yuan.[59]
In March,29,2010, Zhao donated 200,000 yuan to Yunan government,where suffered worst drought of half century.[60]In April,17, the third day after Qinghai Yushu Earthquake,Zhao donated 200,000 yuan to China Fundation for Poverty Alleviation.[61]
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
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1994 | La Peintre | Extra | |
1995 | Penitentiary Angel | Ding Jing'er | |
1996 | East Palace, West Palace | "The Bus" | |
Sisters in Beijing | Bai Xiaoxue | Television series, first major role | |
1997 | Princess Returning Pearl I | Xiao Yan Zi | Television series, breakthrough role The 17th Golden Eagle Awards for Best Actress |
Magic Formula | Luo Man | Television series | |
1998 | The Lion King II: Simba's Pride | Kiara | dubbing actress |
Kang Xi Incognito Travel II | Yu Qing'er | Television series | |
Old House Has Joy | Jixiang | Television series | |
1999 | Déjà Vu 2000 | Wei Wei | |
2000 | The Duel | Princess Phoenix | |
Treasure Venture | Lu Jianping | Television series | |
2001 | Shaolin Soccer | Ah Mui | |
Romance in the Rain | Lu Yiping | Television series | |
2002 | So Close | Sue | |
Chinese Odyssey 2002 | Ah Feng (Phoenix) | Nominated-39th Golden Horse Film Festival for Best Supporting Actress | |
2003 | Warriors of Heaven and Earth | Wen Zhu | The 11th Beijing Student Film Festival for Favorite Actress Nominated-27th Hundred Flowers Awards for Best Actress |
My Dream Girl | Zhang Ning | ||
Green Tea | Wu Fang, Lang Lang | ||
2004 | Shrek 2 | Princess Fiona | dubbing actress in China version |
Jade Goddess of Mercy | An Xin | The 12th Golden Phoenix Awards for Female Actor | |
2005 | A Time To Love | Quran | The 8th Shanghai International Film Festival for Best Actress The 11th Huabiao Film Awards for Outstanding Actress The 8th Changchun Film Festival for Best Actress |
Moment in Peking | Yao Mulan | Television series Nominated-26th Feitian TV Awards for Outstanding Actress Nominated-2nd Top Chinese TV Drama Awards for Best Leading Actress The 2nd Top Chinese TV Drama Awards for Favorite Actress |
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2006 | The Postmodern Life of My Aunt | Liu Dafan | Nominated-43rd Golden Horse Film Festival for Best Supporting Actress Nominated-27th Hong Kong Film Awards for Best Supporting Actress The 14th Beijing Student Film Festival for Favorite Actress Also for The Longest Night in Shanghai |
Fast Track Love | Chen Xiaoxiao | Television series | |
2007 | Thank You For Having Loved Me | Tan Yuwei | Television series |
The Longest Night in Shanghai | Lin Xi | The 14th Beijing Student Film Festival for Favorite Actress Also for The Postmodern Life of My Aunt The 10th Shanghai International Film Festival press prize for Most Attractive Actress The 12th Golden Phoenix Awards for Special Jury Award Also for Painted Skin, Red Cliff I&II and The Founding of a Republic |
|
My Blueberry Nights | Leslie | dubbing actress in China version | |
2008 | Red Cliff I | Sun Shangxiang | Nominated-28th Hong Kong Film Awards for Best Supporting Actress |
Painted Skin | Peirong 佩蓉 | Nominated-3rd Asian Film Awards for Best Actress Nominated-27th Golden Rooster Awards for Best Actress The 12th Golden Phoenix Awards for Special Jury Award Also for The Longest Night in Shanghai, Red Cliff I&II and The Founding of a Republic |
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2009 | Red Cliff II | Sun Shangxiang | Nominated-29th Hong Kong Film Awards for Best Supporting Actress |
A Lady's Epic | Tian Sufei | Television series | |
Mulan | Hua Mulan | Nominated-29th Hong Kong Film Awards for Best Actress 2010 Vietnam DAN Movie Awards for Favorite Chinese Actress The 19th Shanghai Film Critics Awards for Best Actress Also for 14 Blades The 10th Changchun Film Festival for Best Actress |
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The Founding of a Republic | Member of CPPCC | ||
2010 | 14 Blades | Qiao Hua | The 17th Beijing Student Film Festival for Favorite Actress The 19th Shanghai Film Critics Awards for Best Actress Also for Mulan |
Year | Film | Notes |
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2011 | Untittled Zhao Wei's Debut | This motion picture will start shooting in the winter of 2010. |
2007 | Angel's Suitcase | Music Video,the tittle song of Zhao Wei's sixth album Angel's Suitcase |