Posted by: Ayub
Jet Li Update - 10/15/06 12:06 AM
This is taken from 'That's Beijing' magazine. A Beijing publication for the foreign community in Beijing.
For now Li is concentrating his efforts on charity work. In January, the Red Cross society of China appointed him a 'philanthropic ambassador', recognising his efforts to raise awareness of mental health issues among young people. He has also established his own charity, the ONE Foundation for victims of natural disasters. Li says,
''My character in Fearless is close to my experiences in real life. China's economy has been growing fast and peoples' lives are all also much better than in the past. Yet, despite this, a quarter of a million people commited suicide in 2003. Fearless was simply a step towards encouraging young people to see clearly though the illusion of life, to see what is truly important to oneself.''
Li's new found altruism has not interrupted his acting career. His next film, Rogue, features Li as an assassin who has ignited a bloody crime war between rival Asian mobs. Jason Stratham (Transporter) plays an FBI agent (cue bad American accent) determined to bring down Li after his partner is murdered. Filmed in Vancouver, Rogue is currently in post production. Li Claims,
''I have retired from traditional martial arts movies, I will still make action movies though.''
Li is also working on a modern day interpretation of the Chinese literary classic Journey to the West. The collaboration is currently in developmental stages, with Li playing the monk Sun Wukong, and both stars sharing the title of executive producer.
With the pending Jackie Chan collaboration, Li's retirement from martial arts movies fails to be seen.
''I've been making movies for 26 years, but after all this time, my desire to learn and do the best I can never wavers. Every new film is a new challenge and I try the best I can to make the movies my fans want to see.''
For now Li is concentrating his efforts on charity work. In January, the Red Cross society of China appointed him a 'philanthropic ambassador', recognising his efforts to raise awareness of mental health issues among young people. He has also established his own charity, the ONE Foundation for victims of natural disasters. Li says,
''My character in Fearless is close to my experiences in real life. China's economy has been growing fast and peoples' lives are all also much better than in the past. Yet, despite this, a quarter of a million people commited suicide in 2003. Fearless was simply a step towards encouraging young people to see clearly though the illusion of life, to see what is truly important to oneself.''
Li's new found altruism has not interrupted his acting career. His next film, Rogue, features Li as an assassin who has ignited a bloody crime war between rival Asian mobs. Jason Stratham (Transporter) plays an FBI agent (cue bad American accent) determined to bring down Li after his partner is murdered. Filmed in Vancouver, Rogue is currently in post production. Li Claims,
''I have retired from traditional martial arts movies, I will still make action movies though.''
Li is also working on a modern day interpretation of the Chinese literary classic Journey to the West. The collaboration is currently in developmental stages, with Li playing the monk Sun Wukong, and both stars sharing the title of executive producer.
With the pending Jackie Chan collaboration, Li's retirement from martial arts movies fails to be seen.
''I've been making movies for 26 years, but after all this time, my desire to learn and do the best I can never wavers. Every new film is a new challenge and I try the best I can to make the movies my fans want to see.''
When I saw the West vs. East match...it rang a bell somewhere. Wasn't there an article in Classical Fighting arts that referenced this?
