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Zhang Ziyi was given the Golden Statue Award for the Best Actress for her performance in2046

The next day, a New York Times film critic said in his film review, "It is an amazing and thrilling film! Zhang Ziyi's performance in the bamboo forest will become a classic shot in terms of the actress' performance, the action arrangement, and acoustic design."

With the screening ofHeroandHouse of Flying Daggers, Zhang Ziyi once again became the favorite of North American audience and film reviewers.

The film was nominated for the "Golden Globe Award for Best Foreign Language Film" in December 2004. It not only became a legend in Chinese film history, but also solidified Zhang Ziyi's status in the film circles.

 2046:A New Breakthrough

In Wong Kai-Wai's film2046, Zhang Zifi had her first dance hostess role, that of Bai Ling, who lives in the room2046. Bai Ling arrives in Hong Kong all by herself, with no one to turn to. In the room next to2046lives Zhou Muyun (starring Liang Chaowei), and the story rolls on between the two. In the very beginning, Bai Ling is not serious about her relationship with Zhou, but gradually, she finds herself in love with the man. However, to her heartbreak, Zhou does not want to love any woman.

In order to play the role well, Zhang Ziyi studied in great detail how to be a dancer hostess in the 1960s. She went to ballrooms, trying to figure out the dance hostesses' manner, and practiced dancing in high-heel shoes. Though it turned out she didn't have to dance in the film, she learned from the experience what it feels like to be a dance hostess.

The character Bai Ling is imbued with kind of tragic obstinacy, and what she is confronted with is not moral, systematic, or of society. Zhang Ziyi, while retaining Bai Ling's individuality, well expresses the character's interior conflicts and her inability to change. Zhang's performance in2046was hailed as her most wonderful to date, even better than that inCrouching Tiger Hidden Dragon.

In March 2005, Zhang was given the Golden Statue Award for Best Actress for her performance in2046, winning all-round affirmation from the mainstream Chinese film circles with her excellent acting.