Chinese Actress Zhang Ziyi attended the premiere of Hollywood film “Avatar: Fire and Ash” in Hainan recently. Coincidentally, French actress Juliette Binoche’s documentary film “In This World” was also showcased at the Hainan International Film Festival during the same period. After finishing her work, Zhang Ziyi went to support Juliette Binoche and the two actresses showed mutual appreciation. Zhang Ziyi shared a photo of them together on Weibo and expressed her thoughts after watching the documentary.
On December 9th, Zhang Ziyi praised Juliette Binoche’s directorial debut, “In This World,” on Weibo. The film documents the collaborative creation and touring process of the dance drama “In I Where” by Juliette Binoche and Indian choreographer Akram Khan, showcasing the improvisation, collisions, rehearsals, and final stage presentation during the creative process, exploring art creation, humanity, and body through a scriptless and non-traditional stage recording.
Zhang Ziyi wrote, “Juliette Binoche blends the tension of her starring stage play ‘In I Where’ with the texture of documentary films, creating a unique artistic expression where dance, drama, and film coexist, forming a distinctive style.”
According to Zhang Ziyi, the two actresses had a small gathering after the screening where they discussed topics ranging from love and career to family and dreams. Following the emotional context of the film, they shared thoughts on the fragility and entanglement of love, as well as the complexities of relationships.
Zhang Ziyi specifically mentioned, “Interestingly, two women with an age sum of over a hundred years, throughout the conversation, never mentioned anything about aging anxiety. The notion of ‘anxiety of aging’ has not yet invaded our world!”
Oscar-winning actress Juliette Binoche, who is 15 years older than Zhang Ziyi and aged 61, is a renowned French actress who has worked with Hollywood on films like “The English Patient” and “Chocolat.”
Fans revealed that Zhang Ziyi developed a liking for Juliette Binoche after watching the film “Three Colours: Blue” during her time studying traditional dance at Beijing Dance Academy Affiliated Middle School.
In July 2007, during the Dior brand’s anniversary Paris Fashion Week, Zhang Ziyi met her idol Juliette Binoche and they took a photo together. In December 2014, they appeared at the 25th Singapore International Film Festival opening ceremony after 7 years, with their reunions often mentioned in media reports.
On December 3, the American company “20th Century Industry” announced the Chinese voice cast for the Hollywood blockbuster “Avatar 3,” which includes Zhang Ziyi, Deng Chao, Sun Li, and Huang Xuan. On December 8, director James Cameron and the four Chinese voice actors filmed a red carpet group photo together with Zoe Saldana, who plays Neytiri in the “Avatar” series.
After her trip to Hainan, Zhang Ziyi attended a brand event in Beijing on December 11, alongside mainland Chinese actress Zhou Yi and actor Deng Wei. Zhang Ziyi appeared confident, with her hair tied back in a ponytail and wearing a black and white jumpsuit that made her look younger. Netizens praised her for being “simple and elegant” and “unbeatably youthful.”