Gong Li
- Actress
- Producer
- Additional Crew
Born in Shenyang, grew up in Jinan, the daughter of an economics
professor. Loved music from childhood, and dreamed of a singing career.
After failing to gain entrance to China's top music school in 1985,
applied for and was admitted to the Central Drama Academy in Beijing,
from which she graduated in 1989. While still a student, was cast as
the female lead in
Red Sorghum (1988)(aka "Red
Sorghum"), the initial directing effort by
Yimou Zhang. China's best-known actress in
the West, she was named Best Actress at the 49th Venice International
Film Festival for her role in
The Story of Qiu Ju (1992) (aka
"The Story of Qiu Ju"). Made a series of successful films with
Yimou Zhang, a collaboration that apparently
ended with the breakup of their personal relationship in 1995 and
Gong's subsequent marriage to a tobacco company executive.
