Now there is a fashionable saying in China, called Wishing you prosperity......”
In 1985, Huang Yihe, who served as the director of the Spring Festival Gala for two consecutive years, moved the performance venue of the 85 Spring Festival Gala from the CCTV studio hall to the Beijing Workers' Stadium in order to bring new ideas to the audience.
This year, he invited countless popular stars and big names loved by the audience to join, including Chen Chong, the actress who returned to China for the first time after going abroad in 1981.
In the thirtieth year of the Chinese New Year's Eve, Chen Chong, who had not yet recovered from pharyngitis, appeared on the screen and said with a smile: "I have been studying in the United States for four years. I didn't plan to come back, but this year is the Year of the Ox, I belong to the ox, I calculated a hexagram, he said I can come back and see, and I also tied a red belt. Now there is a fashionable saying in China, called Wishing you prosperity......”
However, after the party, the column group received two sacks of complaint letters, and the criticism from the outside world once made the founder of the CCTV Spring Festival Gala bluntly say that he didn't want to live.
If she calls us 'China', what is she herself? ”
Probably the movie star has forgotten that she is a descendant of Yan and Huang. ”
Such a letter of accusation surprised Chen Chong and his family at a loss.
Chen Chong, who rushed back to China, felt aggrieved and incomprehensible, just because he had lived in the United States for more than four years, did he let others analyze her most ordinary New Year's greetings so much? I have been abroad for a few years, and I can't even speak Chinese polite words and auspicious words, can I still survive in Chinese society?
Chen Chong, who was speechless, was in a heavy mood and felt homeless.
01: What is suicide in fear of sin
Chen Chong was born in Shanghai in 1961 to a Kochi family, where his grandfather, maternal grandfather and parents were medical experts.
At the moment when Chen Chong was born, a group of medical students suddenly appeared in the delivery room. They visited Chen Chong's quack and fell ground, and it seemed that she was destined to spend her life in full view.
Grandpa named her"Rush"The word means the second Ah Zhong (Chen Chong's mother's nickname Ah Zhong). Chen Chong already has an older brother named Chen Chuan.
Chen Chong and his grandfather Zhang Changshao.
Chen Chong's grandfather, Zhang Changshao, was the founder of pharmacology in China. In his early years, he studied in the United Kingdom, obtained a medical doctorate, and was admitted as a member of the Royal Society. After that, he went to Harvard University in the United States for further study and was employed by Harvard. In 1940, when the country was in a difficult situation, he returned to Japan.
On December 20, 1967, Professor Zhang Changshao, who had suffered from "**", committed suicide in the institute.
That afternoon, six-year-old Chen Chong had just finished from kindergarten, and as soon as he entered the door, he was pulled into the kitchen by his mother, who squatted down and hugged Chen Chong and cried, "My father-in-law is gone, my father-in-law is dead." The little Chen Chong was very scared when he saw an adult crying for the first time.
The next day, the kindergarten children told her, "My father said that your grandfather is not dead, but committed suicide in fear of sin." "Chen Chong doesn't understand what it means to commit suicide in fear of sin.
She only knew that the father-in-law who was always reading in the study and would hold her on his lap to teach her to write was gone, and the father-in-law taught her to write "speak kindly" before leaving the day before, she hadn't finished writing those words, Chen Chong didn't understand why.
Grandfather Zhang Changshao when he was young.
And the family also changed with the departure of my grandfather.
There were many people they didn't know living in their house, and they discussed taking the house of the "reactionary academic authority" for themselves.
Chen Chong with his parents and grandmother.
Immediately after the nanny was dismissed, his grandmother Shi Ivan left Shanghai with the unit "57 Cadre School". Chen Chong's parents, who taught at the medical school, were also sent down.
Before leaving, the mother called the children to the front and left them with living expenses and a lot of advice—the gas should be turned on like this, the electric plug should be used like that, how long should the rice be cooked, and what kind of noodles should be cooked.
8-year-old Chen Chong understood her mother's worries, and she said with confidence: "I will!" I know how to cook. You can rest assured! ”
Chen Chong began to manage firewood, rice, oil and salt. The rice is also decently cooked. "Noodle and tomath fish" is her high-end dish. When his brother Chen Chuan saw this dish, he geared up and picked a large piece, but it was full of noodles in one bite, Chen Chong said with a smile: "Who made you greedy, pick a large piece!" The chunk is the one I lied to you. ”
The brother and sister lived like this, and their replies to their parents never said how they missed their grandmother or how they missed their parents. I didn't write much about the nights, Chen Chong hugged the biscuit bottle, often chewing and crying before falling asleep.
When her mother came back, she looked at Chen Chong, who had a mouth full of suppurated teeth, with tears in her eyes.
Chen Chong worked as a model for his brother, who wanted to be a painter.
02: Top stream "Little Flower".
In 1975, at the age of fourteen, Chen Chong was selected to play a little soldier of the Red Army in the movie "Jinggang Mountain". There is only one line: "Uncle Luo, Jinggangshan is lost." "Say it with tears in your eyes, with trembling lips.
Chen Chong practiced this line repeatedly against a window. But there was no way to hold back tears, let alone trembling lips. This made Chen Chong very distressed.
Soon, due to a huge political change at the top, the filming of the "Long March Trilogy" was suspended, and the crew of "Jinggangshan" was disbanded. Chen Chong's first reaction after receiving the leader's notice was to breathe a sigh of relief, this time he didn't have tears in his eyes and his lips trembling.
In 1977, the Shanghai Film Studio enrolled students in the acting training class, and Chen Chong was selected.
Chen Chong when he was in the studio.
Chen Chong, who returned home, began to rummage through the boxes and cabinets to pack up his things and prepare to live in the school, but his grandmother was worried, although this granddaughter was not a pampered sister, but after all, she never left home.
Grandma sent sixteen-year-old Chen Chong to Wukang Road. This is home to the Shanghai Actors Troupe. The cadet dormitory of the training course is a row of old bungalows.
Is your bed in**? Grandma asked, hoping that it would not be a shop on the upper floor.
That's above. Chen Chong pointed with a grin.
So high! How can it be? Grandma's brows furrowed.
Sleep in a daze, step on the air, so good! ......
Chen Chongfen was not allowed to say, grandma found a roll of cloth tape, and made a net-like fence around the iron rod at the head and foot of the bed before leaving with confidence.
Chen Chong and grandma.
The first person to see Chen Chong's future was director Xie Jin.
After the crushing of the Gang of Four, the whole of China woke up from a nightmare, and many faces were carved with the vicissitudes and sorrows of the years. Xie Jin received the book of "Youth" at this time. The task of selecting actors was handed over to Wu Zhennian in the factory.
Wu Zhennian asked Director Xie to choose in the actor training class of Shanghai Film Studio. Sixteen-year-old Chen Chong was chosen in this way.
In 1977, Chen Chong starred in "Youth" directed by Xie Jin and made a name for himself in the film industry.
Because her family is intellectual, Chen Chong did not feel that she could take acting as a career, she was very interested in English, and in 1978, 17-year-old Chen Chong was admitted to Shanghai Foreign Chinese Language College.
In his first year of college, Chen Chong was "targeted" by another director, his name was Huang Jianzhong, and he invited Chen Chong to play the heroine in a film he directed called "Little Flower".
In 1980, 18-year-old Chen Chong became the youngest winner of the Hundred Flowers Award for Best Actress in history with "Little Flower". In that innocent era, Xiaohua played by Chen Chong became a national idol.
Little Flower" Chen Chong.
And Chen Chong, who is full of honor, feels more and more frightened, surrounded by reporters and admirers, she always seems to see an eager expectation: We are waiting for you to play a better role! She experienced the pressure of "under the fame, it is actually difficult to deserve". Do you cling to these honors? Is there more possibilities in my life? Chen Chong began to hesitate.
At the same time, letters from her parents, who were lecturing in the United States, continued to give her new stimulus, and her mother sent her a tape of Elvis Presley, and as soon as the melody of "Love Me Tender" sounded, she was hit.
In 1981, Chen Chong went to the United States to study filmmaking. Chen Chong only brought a small amount of luggage, but unconsciously took away his grandfather's old photos.
Chen Chong took a photo before leaving the country.
03: **Double Heavens
When he first arrived in the United States, he brushed his teeth every morning, and the toothpaste tasted different, so Chen Chong wanted to cry, but he couldn't cry.
The pressure of money also made Chen Chong, who had no concept of money, particularly uncomfortable.
In order to earn money, Chen Chong, like all international students, worked in restaurants. The restaurant owner knew Chen Chong's fame, and whenever a guest came, he pointed to Chen Chong to show off, "This is the most popular star in the mainland." Chen Chong was so embarrassed that he felt like he had lost his country, and wanted to find a hole to get into.
Soon, Chen Chong found a casting agency. The first character had no lines, wore a Chinese cheongsam, and walked across the stage in high heels, and Chen Chong got an actor certificate in this way.
At the same time, Chen Chong met Hollywood's figure coach Liu Qing because of the opportunity to film. Liu Qing not only takes care of Chen Chong's life, but also acts as her agent.
In 1984, 23-year-old Chen Chong married Liu Qing, who was 8 years older than him.
In 1985, Chen Chong, who returned to China to pay New Year's greetings, caused an uproar in China because of his speech at the Spring Festival Gala.
Chen Chong, who returned to the United States after being lost, did not receive any decent role within a year. She thought about changing careers.
But then, more than ten newspapers and magazines reported on Chen Chong's experience of being selected as Meimei: In the parking lot, an oriental girl walked by, and a car drove next to her, and the car suddenly made a turn and intercepted her ......
It was Laurentiis, the producer of "Taipan". The intercepted was 25-year-old Chen Chong.
Chen Chong at the time of "Taipan".
In 1986, Chen Chong, who was studying in the United States, was accidentally discovered by Hollywood producers and was invited to play the heroine Meimei in the movie "Taipan", officially stepping into Hollywood and becoming the first Chinese actor to be accepted as a member of the American Film Institute.
After the release of "Taipan", Chen Chong fell into the ** whirlpool again, mostly accused, how can a pure little flower who has won the "Hundred Flowers Award" in China appear half-naked in foreign films?
Chen Chong's brilliant start in Hollywood became her biggest drop in her home country.
Fortunately, in the second year, Chen Chong took advantage of the role of the queen in "The Last Emperor" and turned around gorgeously.
In 1986, "The Last Emperor" was filmed in Beijing, Shenyang, and Rome.
The 25-year-old Chen Chong plays the role of Queen Wanrong, who first married at the age of seventeen. In an unusual cave room scene, the filming was suddenly stopped by Chen Chong, and the actor who played the little emperor was not familiar with the wearing of court dresses, so he pulled off the inner and outer clothes of the "queen" in a hurry. The unexpected nudity made Chen Chong embarrassed and shocked, and the scene was interrupted there.
Chen Chong told the director that this shot should be counted as an accident, which is inconsistent with the original plot and does not want to be used in the film. However, Bertolucci thought that the clumsy mistake of the "little emperor" had an unexpected effect, and insisted on using the original one.
The two sides did not budge, and the atmosphere froze.
Chen Chong left the filming site. She understands the weight of this play, but the pressure that "Taipan" has brought to herself and her family before makes her afraid.
Eventually, Bertolucci made peace. After seeing Chen Chong's charm, he was naturally unwilling to give up. He also had to admit that she was in possession.
In 1987, Chen Chong shone in the world film industry, and her performance in "The Last Emperor" impressed Westerners: "A Chinese girl with a noble temperament and extraordinary personality!" ”
Chen Chong's film appointments have increased, with her husband Liu Qing as an agent, and her emotions and work, private life and career have gradually become one. Inevitably, a spat arose.
At first, there was a disagreement on the handling of the work, which caused a dispute, and then it turned into a big quarrel, and the quarrel gradually became a habit, arguing back and forth, separating and reuniting. Love has lost its vitality, and marriage will inevitably come to an end.
In 1988, the two ended their marriage.
04: Good news: The work won the award & Bad news: The work was banned
Chen Chong after "The Last Emperor" was almost overwhelmed by the script, and Chen Chong was unwilling to repeat it. After several selections, the female fighter with hideous scars in "Hero's Blood" was chosen.
Since "Hero's Blood", Chen Chong has made the audience recognise her every time he plays a role. It wasn't until the American drama "Twin Peaks" that Chen Chong used the role of Joey to show her oriental, soul-taking beauty.
Chen Chong and David Lynch, director of "Double Blade".
On Chinese New Year's Eve in 1991, 30-year-old Chen Chong made a wish for himself: "In the new year, I want to find a lifelong partner and marry him before the end of the year." ”
Soon Chen Chong received a friend ** who wanted to introduce a doctor to Chen Chong. At that meeting, Chen Chong was moved, but he didn't see the other party's attitude. And in the subsequent ** chat, the two gradually chatted about confidants.
Chen Chong and her husband met for the first time.
In January 1992, Chen Chong and Peter held their wedding in the courtyard of a friend's house.
A friend once asked: What did Peter say about you filming passion scenes. Chen Chongdao: Someone always told Peter after watching it, and said, "Hey, your wife's naked play is good enough." Peter deliberately replied, "You haven't seen her at home, it's much better than that." ”
Chen Chong described her husband: "His temperament is more stable than mine, and he is easier than mine, and he is as reliable as a rock." With him in my life, I have become a little stronger than my own nature. ”
In 1994, Chen Chong won the Golden Horse Award for Best Actress for starring in the movie "Red Rose and White Rose". Director Guan Jinpeng praised Chen Chong: "Even the voice, body, a finger, an eye, and an eyebrow can act."
Red Roses and White Roses
In February 1995, Chen Chong was elected as a jury member of the Berlin Film Festival. Soon, she called her friend Yan Geling and said that the films she selected were all the same and lifeless, and she wanted to shoot them herself.
In 1997, Chen Chong resigned from all roles and devoted himself to the filming of "Heavenly Bath", filming in **, the process was very difficult, Chen Chong slept on sleeping pills, and could only take a bath once a week.
Wen Xiu in "Heavenly Bath" was originally scheduled to be Fan Bingbing, but considering the nudity scenes in it, Fan Bingbing gave up. Chen Chong chose Li Xiaolu instead, sixteen-year-old Li Xiaolu is very mature and has good lines, but he has always refused to cooperate with the naked scenes in the film, Chen Chong can't ask so much for a child, and finally found a stand-in to make up for the exposed scenes.
"Heavenly Bath" won seven awards including Best Director at the 35th Golden Horse Awards. However, due to illegal filming and illegal exhibitions in other places, he was banned in China after the release, and Chen Chong was also banned for three years and was not allowed to film.
The film "Heavenly Bath" awards ceremony.
After "Heavenly Bath" was released in the United States to critical acclaim, Chen Chong went on to direct "Autumn in New York" in 2000, earning the company $100 million.
05: Criticism and doubts will pass, but the work will always be there
In 2003, Chen Chong, Zhang Ziyi, and Jiang Wen collaborated on the movie "Jasmine Blossom" adapted by Su Tong**, Chen Chong played a supporting role, and Jiang Wen made a cameo. On the filming set, Chen Chong was slightly hunched back when he relaxed, Jiang Wen looked at Chen Chong from the side after filming, and reminded her that her body should not be discharged, and she should straighten her chest and raise her waist.
Chen Chong and Jiang Wen.
In 2006, Jiang Wen told Chen Chong that there was a role in his new play that was none other than Chen Chong, and Chen Chong remembered that Jiang Wen had indeed told her a story before. So there is the "wet" Dr. Lin in "Sunny Days".
In the same year, Chen Chong played the role of "Mrs. Yi" in "Lust and Caution", a hostess who hides needles in the cotton.
After that, Chen Chong shifted the focus of filming to China, and said in the interview: "I feel that after the age of 40, I have more self-confidence. ”
In 2016, Chen Chong partnered with Wu Junmei to participate in the costume drama "The Legend of Ruyi" and entered the palace. It is the configuration of the queen and the concubine again, which makes people dream back to "The Last Emperor".
At this time, Chen Chong already had two daughters. The eldest daughter was admitted to Harvard, and the younger daughter showed interest in acting.
Chen Chong's family. Long before Chen Chong became pregnant, the rumors that she abandoned her twins were in a uproar.
Later, Chen Chong was a guest on "Kefan Listening" to explain that at that time, it was because an acquaintance's friend had a child and couldn't stay, so he gave some financial help, and was later adopted by another pair of friends.
It's just that netizens have not agreed with this explanation all along.
Compared with the eldest daughter who was obsessed with her studies and was admitted to Harvard, the youngest daughter Xu Wenshan seems to want to inherit her mother's career as an actress. On December 13, 2019, Chen Chong and his youngest daughter Xu Wenshan participated in the movie "Manslaughter".
Chen Chong and his youngest daughter Xu Wenshan.
In 2021, Chen Chong's mother passed away, and Chen Chong posted: My tears are so hot and my words are so pale. The long article details the memories with his mother, which makes people cry when they read it.
In September last year, the movie "Solid as a Rock" directed by Zhang Yimou was released, and the director's wife played by Chen Chong made a few appearances but had a strong aura, and the sentence "Shinong Industry and Commerce" became the finishing touch of the movie. is as steady as a rock in this scheming man's play.
Solid as a Rock" Chen Chong.
Today, Chen Chong is 63 years old.
The first half of her life was filled with a lot of criticism and doubts. However, it is undeniable that from China to Hollywood, from the Hundred Flowers Award actress to the Oscar judges, she does not stop for honor, but constantly breaks through herself and explores more possibilities in life.
06: I don't want you to be a person who has more money than happiness
When filming "Heaven and Earth" in the United States, the world's major ** thought that Chen Chong would win the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress, but in the end he was defeated. On the day of the announcement, he happened to encounter the tax bureau to check the accounts, and Chen Chong was extremely depressed.
Peter, who rarely goes home at noon, came back to comfort Chen Chong: "They just want to ask you for more money, just give it to them." I don't want you to be a person who has more money than happiness. ”
Chen Chong and her husband Peter.