娱乐英语新闻:Gong Li: "I don't fear mistakes"

"I am very lucky to have met him," she says calmly, as if talking about an old friend. "Among all the directors he understands me the best. In one word, our cooperation is unique. I remember all the takes and music of the films we made together.

"As a cinematographer-turned-director, he knows the importance of capturing the subtle changes of an actor's facial expressions, from the look in one's eye to the slightest movement of one's eyebrows... He always lets the actors tell the story through their expressions, rather than by speaking the lines."

She has not seen Zhang's latest film A Simple Noodle Story, the slapstick version of Coen Brothers' Blood Simple, but is aware of the criticism.

"Maybe he just wants to make something fun and easy at this stage of his life," she says. "I have noticed the changes in his works in recent years, although I would rather see him maintain his good old style...I think those (old) works will be remembered forever in people's heart."

Gong says she would love to work with Zhang again, because "he is such a good director". But she denies she will join Zhang's next film, a war epic titled 13 Girls of Nanjing.

"13 girls! Think about it!" she laughs. "I do not like to share the spotlight, I need enough space to display my acting skills."

Gong says she has never thought about writing a script or directing a film herself. She just wants to be an actress.

"That's the only thing I can do," she says. "I don't want everything. That will distract me from acting."

But someday, she does see herself teaching acting in college, or becoming an animal photographer.

"Taking a good camera and shooting photographs of animals in Africa, that's one of my dreams."

Nation's most recognizable showbiz face Gong Li on the world stage shares her acting philosophy and relationship with acclaimed director Zhang Yimou.