The Lady
Release Dates:
(subject to change)
2011:
Nov. 30, France
Dec. 2, USA (LA)
Dec. 21, Belgium
Dec. 30, UK
2012:
Jan. 12, Portugal
Jan. 19, Netherlands
Feb. 2, Thailand
Feb. 9, Hong Kong
Mar. 1, Singapore
Mar. 16, Taiwan
Apr. 4, Sweden
Apr. 5, Germany
Apr. 13, USA
Apr. 19, Australia
Apr. 27, Canada
Apr. 27, Norway
May 10, Denmark
Jul. ?, Japan

On This Site:
Film Stills
Posters
Trailers
Clips & Videos
Articles & Interviews
Fact Sheet
Film Index

Official Websites:
Cohen Media Group
UseYourFreedom.com
EuropaCorp Facebook
Homerun Asia Facebook

Reviews & Quotes:
*updated 02/10*
Twitchfilm:
- beautiful, fascinating and emotionally rewarding drama that proves to be inspiring, uplifting and life-affirming in a way that is impossible to ignore.

- Michelle Yeoh gives an incredible performance as Aung San Suu Kyi, in what may well prove to be the defining moment of her dramatic career. Not only does she look almost identical to Burma's democratic hero, but she adopts the woman's mannerisms, posture, even the way she walks, to an uncanny degree.

Unrealityshout:
- Michelle Yeoh has never been better, imbuing Suu with a sincerity and grace, her performance having a subtlety that tears at your heart. You never question a single moment, look, gesture, comment, and don't ever feel like you're watching somebody Acting, with a capital A.

Cerebral Migraine:
- Yeoh manages to subdue her own very distinct cinematic persona and embody her character completely... you soon lose the sense that you are watching Yeoh play Suu Kyi, rather the effect is like watching the real life Suu Kyi play herself in a reconstruction of her own life.

Digital Spy:
- It's hard to imagine a more perfect actor for the role of Suu Kyi than Michelle Yeoh. Beyond her physical resemblance, Yeoh conveys her gentleness, power and strength.

Daily Star:
- If you recall Michelle Yeoh from her action roles in films like Tomorrow Never Dies and The Mummy: Tomb Of The Dragon Emperor, her vivid portrayal of Burmese heroine Aung San Suu Kyi is all the more powerful.

FMV:
- Yeoh is a revelation. Not only does she bear a remarkable resemblance to the real Aung San Suu Kyi, she also shows a surprising emotional range in the film's more intimate scenes.

ContactMusic:
- An emotionally involving film, with terrific central performances... Yeoh and Thewlis bring a terrific blend of intelligence, humour and steely passion.

Before It's News:
- Yeoh is nothing short of miraculous. Not only does she completely transform into the Daw Suu we all recognize - it would not be an overstatement at all to say that it's as though she's channeling her - but she also manages to convincingly bring out those aspects of her inner and interpersonal life that have not been so public. It's a robust, heartrending, simply astonishing performance that not only does justice to the film's subject, but will probably also stir many viewers to go out and learn more about the real-life "Lady."

- Thewlis exquisitely conveys the intelligence, patience, longing, adoration, and dedication of his character. He breaks your heart.

Asia Society:
- Yeoh has made it. This is no doubt her most powerful performance to date. I say: Michelle, you are The Lady!

Campus Circle:
- It is not a politically driven film but a beautiful love story in which Yeoh plays a very strong role and delivers a brilliant performance. The Lady is one of the best films I've seen in a long time.

Daemon's Movies:
- Multiple times throughout the film I had to remind myself that she (Yeoh) wasn't actually Aung San Suu Kyi, that's how good she is. she is quite majestic in this role. There is something so strong and quiet in her performance, it's probably one of the best performances by an actress this year.

Veryaware:
- Yeoh gives one of the best performances of her career. She embodies such steadfast grace and elegance while staring down the barrel of a gun. She shows no fear in her effortless portrayal of a still-living heroic icon. Thewlis turns in a pitch-perfect performance as Suu's husband/ greatest champion.

Hollywood Reporter:
- The primary reason to see The Lady - a moving biopic of Aung San Suu Kyi - is Michelle Yeoh, who gives the best performance of her career as Suu Kyi and now has an outside shot of snagging a best actress Oscar nod for her efforts.

Variety:
- more than Suu Kyi's forays into the country's politics, it is her intimate and personal story that is so compelling to watch. Forced into a life of solitude and suffering that keep her away from her family, Suu Kyi portrays the pain with beautiful dignity, and so does her family.

While Yeoh is extremely poised and dignified, Thewlis is emotionally stirring, pushing a story that in end is one of great love. The final scenes touch you.

Heyuguys:
- It's without a doubt Michelle Yeoh's finest role and best performance. She plays Aung San Suu Kyi with grace and a striking likeness. She captures perfectly her behaviour, her gestures, the wistfulness in her eyes and her strength which grows in confidence and maturity.

Howzzit:
- Michelle Yeoh, playing the role of Suu Kyi, captures the essence of "The Lady" in each frame.

Screendaily:
- Luc Besson's epic re-telling of the life of Burmese leader and activist Aung San Suu Kyi is an impressively mounted film featuring a stunning lead performance from Michelle Yeoh that deserves awards attention.

- Michelle Yeoh, so often the action-woman in martial arts films, is quite stunning in the lead role. She is glacially beautiful, elegantly poised and offering such an innate intelligence that she completely convinces as Suu Kyi.

Bangkok Post:
- Michelle Yeoh, the former Bond girl and star of many sword-fighting movies, plays Suu Kyi with calm intensity, flaunting an astonishing resemblance to the real Burmese dame that could shock the top brass in Rangoon.

Yeoh holds court in many of her confrontations with the intimidating soldiers, dwarfed by her stare, her smile and her beauty that's both gentle and fearsome. The physical likeness between the Malaysian actress and the Burmese lady is striking, even frightening from some angles. What we're able to snatch from the brief appearances of the real Suu Kyi on TV news over the past 25 years, Yeoh honours and magnifies it: The quiet strength, of course, but also the hint of sadness of a woman asked to make a sacrifice she's not even aware she has to make in the first place.

The 360:
- For Michelle Yeoh, this is definitely a role of a lifetime. She eloquently embodies Suu Kyi's tranquil defiance and wisdom and I must say that she quite scarily resembles Suu Kyi, appearance wise. The Lady is definitely set to generate some Oscar buzz for Yeoh.

Deadline:
- It contains two powerhouse performances from Michelle Yeoh whocould jump into the lead actress race. There's also David Thewlis for Supporting Actor.

Inmovies:
- Yeoh delivers a dignified, compassionate portrait of Suu Kyi.

There's no two ways about it: Michelle Yeoh richly deserves an Oscar nomination for Best Actress for her mesmerizing work in Luc Besson's The Lady.


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News
Main

"I am very proud of this movie. We believe this is a very important story to tell, because of who Daw Suu is and because of what she's fighting for - with words - for freedom, for democracy, for human rights." -- Michelle Yeoh at BIFF on The Lady

"Please use your freedom to promote ours." -- Aung San Suu Kyi

UseYourFreedom.com   (THE LADY official website)

Synopsis:
THE LADY is an epic love story about how an extraordinary couple and family sacrifice their happiness at great human cost for a higher cause. This is the story of Aung San Suu Kyi and her husband, michael Aris. Despite distance, long separations, and a dangerously hostile regime, their love endures until the very end.

A story of devotion and human understanding set against a background of political turmoil which continues today.

THE LADY also is the story of the peaceful quest of the woman who is at the core of Burma's democracy movement.

THE LADY was written over a period of three years by Rebecca frayn. interviews with key figures in Aung san suu Kyi's entourage enabled her to reconstruct for the first time the true story of Burma's national heroine.   [EuropaCorp]

The Lady News: 
© MichelleYeoh.info
[* For more news on Michelle Yeoh or site updates, please visit News page ]
[** More information to share? Please e-mail webmaster ]

Film images © EuropaCorp / Left Bank Pictures / France 2 Cinema / Cohen Media Group

(02/22/12) - Image at left: The Lady Singapore poster. The film will be released on March 1st in Singapore by Homerun Asia and Golden Village Pictures, March 16 in Taiwan by Applause Entertainment, and July in Japan by Kadokawa Pictures. For more release dates please see left column of the page.

- Released in Hong Kong on February 9th on 67 screens in 14 cinemas, The Lady had generated HKD$3 million in its first week. It held the highest per-theater average in the week. Apparently the film attracted many visitors from Mainland China too. Knowing they would not be able to watch the film in cinema in Mainland China where even the trailers and name listings of the film are banned, some people made a special trip to Hong Kong in order to watch the film. "Mainlanders used to travel across the border to watch adult movies. Today, we are going there for 'The Lady'," said a "Weibo" (a popular Chinese microblog) post. Countless "Weibo" comments from people who had seen it said how moved they were by the story of Aung San Suu Kyi and the performances in it. More posts were expressing how much they wish to see the film. "The movie world owes Michelle Yeoh an Oscar. And we owe ourselves our freedom," another post said.

The Lady is currently playing in Hong Kong, in English and Burmese with Chinese and English (part) subtitles.

- What Hong Kong film people say about The Lady:

   "This was the best and the most difficult role Michelle Yeoh has ever played among all her movies. Her performance is simply perfect!" - Ann Hui, Director
   "Michelle Yeoh is the pride of Hongkongers!" - Joe Cheung Tung Cho, Director
   "So real and exquisite under the lens... the actress even gave a speech in Burmese. Her talent is truly admirable" - Chip Tsao, Columnist of "Hong Kong Headline"
   "Looking so similar in both looks and spirit, I am touched by Michelle Yeoh's effort." - Mabel Cheung, Director
   "Michelle Yeoh's performance is amazing. Not only has she portrayed a great politician, but also she brought Aung San Suu Kyi's splendor and beauty to life." - Alfred Cheung, Director
   "Through her effort, energy, perseverance, and learning diligently, Michelle Yeoh made herself an outstanding, first class actress and artist." - Shu Kei, Director and Dean of Film and Television at the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts
   "The film has many touching moments. Michelle Yeoh is the brightest point. With her exquisite and convincing performance, she has reached another peak in her career." - Freddie Wong, Director and Film Critic

(02/21/12) - Upcoming The Lady screenings in New York City:
United Nations Association of New York, March 9
Tibet House US, March 31

- Fans in Singapore may win tickets for preview screenings of The Lady. The film will be released in the country on March 1st.
  Aware   inSing   OMY   sinema.sg

(02/17/12) Image at left: Spanish poster of The Lady.

(02/17/12)
Cinema for Peace presented premiere of The Lady
Human Rights Film Award for Aung San Suu Kyi

(02/16/12) Watch video: Woody Talk Show with Michelle Yoeh   (40:42, in English)
Thanks Night Phoomin, creative of Woody Talk Show, for making and sharing the full English version. The Thai version was aired in Thailand on Feb. 5.

(02/13/12) The Cinema for Peace Gala Ceremony was held at the Konzerthaus Am Gendarmenmarkt, Berlin, February 13th. This year the International Human Rights Film Award was awarded to both human rights activist and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi and to the movie The Lady. Director Luc Besson and the lead actress Michelle Yeoh received the award at the gala ceremony. Aung San Suu Kyi accepted the award in a video message. The prize is awarded by Amnesty International, Cinema for Peace, and Human Rights Film Network.

The Cinema for Peace gala screening of The Lady took place on February 12th during the 62th Berlin International Film Festival.

For more photos of the events please see News.

(02/12/12) Videos:
NTDTV: Report from Hong Kong - Michelle Yeoh on Playing Aung San Suu Kyi: Be a Good Person   (02:00, in Mandarin)
NTDTV: China Bans 'The Lady', Fearing Public Awakening   (02:09, in Mandarin)
BBTV: Michelle Yeoh Sharing Film Experience with Students in Hong Kong   (02:07 in Cantonese)
From Thailand: Interview with Michelle Yeoh and Luc Besson   (15:05, in English and Thai)

(02/10/12)
- The Cinema for Peace gala screening of The Lady will be held on February 12th in Berlin during the Berlinale/EFM.

- Articles:
Wall Street Journal: Myanmar Residents Scramble to See "The Lady"
New York Times: Perfect Timing for 'The Lady'
Wall Street Journal: Making The Lady: We Didn't Have the Truth Most of the Time (Luc Besson interview)

(02/08/12) - The Lady images:


- More posters have been added in The Lady Posters - U.K., U.S., Germany, Portugal, and Taiwan. The Lady will be released in Hong Kong tomorrow (Feb. 9) and in Taiwan on March 16th. Michelle is expected to be in Taiwan at the beginning of March. The Taiwan (Chinese) title of the film is "Yi Ai Zhi Ming: Aung San Suu Kyi" (In the Name of Love: Aung San Suu Kyi). And Hong Kong (Chinese) title is "Aung San Suu Kyi".

(02/07/12) - Michelle, director Luc Besson and producer Virginie Besson-Silla were in Hong Kong, attending a series of The Lady related public events including the gala premiere, press conference, and special screenings/conversations. Michelle had also been on dozens of media interviews and having discussions with students in various universities. For more photos and reports from Hong Kong promotion please visit News.

Hong Kong Standard: Let democracy bloom, Yeoh urges students


- Videos from Hong Kong:
Wall Street Journal: Michelle Yeoh on Becoming Suu Kyi   (07:05, in English Article)
am730: Special media interview   (06:54, in Cantonese w/ occasionally English)
Golden Scene: The Lady special Screening/Conversation   (01:16, in English)
Apple Daily: The Lady special Screening/Conversation   (01:44, in Cantonese and English)
NTDTV: Hong Kong gala premiere of The Lady   (01:50, in Mandarin and English)
NTDTV: Hong Kong gala premiere of The Lady   (01:54, in Cantonese and English)
i-cable: Hong Kong gala premiere of The Lady   (01:32, in Cantonese)
Apple Daily: Hong Kong gala premiere of The Lady   (01:06, in Cantonese)
AFP: Yeoh says 'lifetime opportunity' to play Suu Kyi   (00:58, in English)
i-Cable: Michelle Yeoh at HK press conference   (02:02, in Cantonese and English)
Reuters: Michelle Yeoh premieres "The Lady" in Hong Kong   (01:16, in English)
Sohu: Michelle Yeoh at HK press conference   (02:26, in Mandarin, English and Cantonese)
Yahoo: Michelle Yeoh learning Burmese for Aung San Suu Kyi role   (01:16, in Cantonese)
Apple Daily: Michelle Yeoh and Luc Besson promote The Lady in Hong Kong   (02:04, in Cantonese and English)

(02/06/12) - I always wondered whether we would see a photo of Michelle and Aung San Suu Kyi together from their meeting in 2010... This is perhaps the first and only photo of they two together which has appeared online - taken on December 7, 2010, at the Yangon International Airport in Rangoon/Yangon. All the media exposure at that time made the Myanmar officials so nervous that they blacklisted Michelle and deported her at the border when she tried to visit the country last June.

History seems turning a new page for Burma/Myanmar. Now a year later, Aung San Suu Kyi is running for the parliament and Michelle is no longer blacklisted. (photos posted by Thaung Hein)

(02/06/12) Interviews:
Film Business Asia: Michelle Yeoh Q&A
Bangkok Post: Heeding the call of history

(02/05/12) Michelle said in an interview in Thailand that she is no longer blacklisted in Burma/Myanmar. "I heard I'm no longer in the blacklist," said Michelle on Woody Talk Show which was aired in Thailand today.

Video: Woody Talk: Michelle Yeoh   (39:35, in English and Thai)

- Michelle and director Luc Besson will be attending the Cinema for Peace Gala in Berlin on February 13th to receive the International Human Rights Film Award for The Lady.

- The Lady will be the opening film at the Cinequest Film Festival (Feb. 29 - Mar. 11, in San Jose, California). (Get ticket)

- German release of The Lady has been postponed to April 5th.

(02/02/12) - Michelle and director Luc Besson arrived in Hong Kong in the evening of Feb. 2. Right before the Hong Kong gala premeire of The Lady tomorrow (3rd) night, they will be giving a talk at the University of Hong Kong from 5:30pm to 7:00pm: 'The Lady': Burma, Love and Freedom. You can watch it via Live Webcast.

- Articles/interviews:
AP: Michelle Yeoh calls Myanmar's Suu Kyi her 'hero'
The Nation: Burma in the balance (interview with Michelle and Luc Besson)
Guardian: The Lady is underground hit in Burma   (biopic of Aung San Suu Kyi has no scheduled release in Burma, but pirated DVDs have been available for months)

- Videos from Thailand:
Woody Talk Show - Michelle Yeoh interview Teaser   (00:56, in English and Thai)
AP: Michelle Yeoh on meeting Aung San Suu Kyi   (02:19)
Full video of the Thailand Gala Premiere   (in English and Thai, about 10 min)
Premiere and interview with Michelle   (04:09, English and Thai)
The Lady premiered in Thailand   (01:57)

- News photos: Michelle, Luc Besson and Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra attending the Thailand launch and gala premiere of The Lady, Bangkok, Thailand, January 31st. (For more photos of the event please see News)


(01/30/12) - Michelle and Luc Besson will attend the gala screening of The Lady in the evening of January 31 at Paragon Cineplex, Siam Paragon, Bangkok, Thailand. "Bangkok Post" reported that Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra will also join the screening. The film opens in cinemas in Thailand on Thursday.

- The Lady was screened at the closing day of the Hua Hin International Film Festival in Hua Hin, Thailand, January 29, with Michelle, director Luc Besson, and producer Virginie Besson-Silla in attendance. According to the "Screen", it was a packed house and the festival had to open a second screen. For more photos from the Hua Hin Film Festival please visit News.


- Telegraph: Michelle Yeoh planning to try to visit Aung San Suu Kyi in Burma again

- Videos from the Hua Hin International Film Festival:
The Lady screening at Hua Hin Festival   (02:24. in English)
Screening and press conference of The Lady at Hua Hin Festival   (in English and Thai)

- Upcoming The Lady promotion in Hong Kong:
Feb. 3: Hong Kong Charity Gala Premier of The Lady (with Michelle and Luc Besson)
Feb. 3: the University of Hong Kong, The Lady: Burma, Love and Freedom (with Michelle and Luc Besson)
Feb. 4-5: Special screenings and discussions with Michelle and Luc Besson. English version Chinese version
Feb. 6: the Hong Kong Baptist University, Film Seminar with Michelle Yeoh, Star of 'The Lady'
Feb. 7: Chung Chi College, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Michelle Yeoh Sharing on Filming 'The Lady'

(01/26/12) "Sina" videos from Davos, Switzerland (World Economic Forum):
Michelle Yeoh on World Economic Forum   (00:58, in English)
Michelle Yeoh's Chinese New Year Greetings   (00:08, in English)

At the World Economic Forum, "Sina" (China) reporters tried to invite Michelle and Luc Besson to join "Sina Weibo" (Chinese microblog). They were surprised when Michelle said she does not use social networking like Facebook or Twitter. Michelle laughed and said she is a dinosaur (who lives in ancient times). She disclosed that director Luc Besson does not even use e-mail. Besson described himself as a dolphin who enjoys swimming freely.

"Weibo" is the twitter-like microblog in Mainland China. And it is becoming a source for uncensored news and reports despite the fact the government keeps imposing stricter censorship rules, deleting unwanted posts, closing accounts, and even arresting people over their posts. A "Sina" reporter wrote in her "Weibo" yesterday: "'The Lady' stars actress Michelle Yeoh of China, and it is perhaps the only bright spot at the 'overcasting' economic forum. We are trying to catch Luc Besson for an interview. But, 'The Lady' is a banned movie in China, and we can not talk about the topic on Aung San Suu Kyi. What can we ask Besson if we catch him?..." One of the replies said: "Michelle Yeoh is Malaysian Chinese. No actor in Mainland China would dare to make this movie."

(01/25/12) The Lady going to Hong Kong! In addition to the Hong Kong Charity Gala Premier of The Lady by Amnesty International Hong Kong on Friday February 3rd, there will also be three special screenings of The Lady, on the 4th and 5th. Michelle and Luc Besson will attend the discussion sessions after the screenings.

Information & Tickets: English version Chinese version

(01/24/12) Videos:
DFI: Luc Besson, Michelle Yeoh and Virginie Besson on "The Lady"   (02:15)
Asia Society: Luc Besson and Michelle Yeoh on "The Lady" and Aung San Suu Kyi   (09:57)

(01/20/12) - The Lady will have its Colorado premiere at the 8th annual Boulder International Film Festival, to be held on February 16-19, Boulder, Colorado.

- Interviews/articles:
Set Decor: Luc Besson: the lady
    (director Luc Besson and producer Virginie Besson-Silla on authenticity of the production - sets, props, extras, etc.)
Huffington Post: Michelle Yeoh, Star of 'The Lady'
Gulf News: A journey of self-realisation

- Production photos:


(01/19/12) The Lady has been awarded the 2012 International Human Rights Film Award by Amnesty International, Cinema for Peace and the Human Rights Film Network. The award will be presented at the Cinema for Peace Gala in Berlin on February 13th.

(01/18/12) Michelle and director Luc Besson will bring The Lady to the 42nd World Economic Forum Annual Meeting, held from January 25-29 in Davos-Klosters, Switzerland. They will be participating in interactive sessions. The film will be shown in the evening of the 25th. Luc Besson will accept the Crystal Award, which honours artists who use their art to improve the state of the world.

(01/16/12) The U.S. release date for The Lady is set to April 13th.
  New trailer (02:24):   Apple trailer,   YouTube

(01/12/12) The Lady will be the closing film of the 2nd Athena Film Festival in New York City, February 9-12th. (tickets)

(01/10/12) - Michelle and director Luc Besson are in Berlin today promoting The Lady. For more photos of the event please visit News.


- The release date for Singapore is set to March 1st, by Homerun Asia. The data for Thailand is February 2nd.

- Links:
DailyMail: Michelle Yeoh brings the story of Aung San Suu Kyi to the big screen
ENTV video: Luc Besson Talks The Lady at Deadline Hollywood (03:51) (with behind scenes footages)

(01/07/12) The Lady will be released in Portugal on January 12th, under the title "Um Coração Dividido" (A Divided Heart), by ZON Lusomundow. Cineart will be releasing the film in The Netherlands on January 19th.
  Portuguese subtitled trailer   (02:24)
  Dutch subtitled trailer   (02:24)

(01/05/12) Articles/interviews:
Variety: Realistic, exotic look for 'Lady'
Guardian: David Thewlis: the secret surrealist
BBC video: Michelle Yeoh's film tribute to Suu Kyi (02:24)
Official Hong Kong Trailer (02:18)

(01/03/12) - Amnesty International Hong Kong announced that The Lady (Chinese title: "Aung San Suu Kyi") Charity Gala Premiere will be held on Friday, February 3rd in Hong Kong. Michelle and director Luc Besson will attend the premiere. For tickets contact   fr@amnesty.org.hk or call 2152-2061 (HKD$500, $1000 first come first serve). All proceeds go to Amnesty International Hong Kong Section Human Rights Education Charitable Trust.

The general release of The Lady in Hong Kong is February 9th, distributed by Golden Scene Co.Ltd. Image at left: Hong Kong poster of The Lady (Aung San Suu Kyi).

- The Taiwan release date is set to March 16th. Distributed by Applause Entertainment.

- The Lady was selected for Hua Hin International Film Festival in Thailand, which will take place from January 26 to 29.

(01/02/12) The First Art of Freedom Film Festival was launched on December 31st at Tawin Center in Rangoon/Yangon, Burma/Myanmar by the country's two leading pro-democracy luminaries, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and comedian Zarganar (both are featured in the film The Lady). Showcasing short films and documentaries, the Burmese film festival will run through January 4th. According to the media, the festival received 180 submissions and the films screened were not approved by the strict Film Censorship Board.

AP: Myanmar Artists Test Recent Freedoms Through Film
Sea Globe: New film festival offers directors the chance to express themselves away from the censors' gaze


1. audience watching a greeting message from Michelle and director Luc Besson during the showing of 'The Lady' at the opening ceremony
2. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi speaks at the opening ceremony
3. Zarganar, a popular Burmese comedian, film actor and director, who was sentenced to 59 years in prison in 2008 and was freed last October after serving three years, speaks at the opening ceremony

(01/02/12) Interviews/articles:
Empire video: Michelle Yeoh on The Lady   (05:05)
Flicks and Bits: Michelle Yeoh Interview For The Lady - Out Now In The UK
Sky News: Aung San Suu Kyi Biopic set for release

(12/29/11)

- The Lady interview with film footages and behind scenes. Luc Besson's interview is in French. Michelle's and David Thewlis's are in English with French subtitles.
  WikiCine video: The Lady - Interview de Susan Wooldridge   (13:56)



- Interviews/articles:
  TimeOut London: Michelle Yeoh on playing Aung San Suu Kyi
  IndieLondon: The Lady - Michelle Yeoh interview
  BBC: Yeoh's challenge in playing 'hero' Suu Kyi
  CineMoi: The Lady review
  Mirror: Michelle Yeoh born to play role of Aung San Suu Kyi

(12/28/11) - 3 clips from The Lady:
  Goodbye   (01:17)
  Visa canceled   (01:31)
  Road to Shwedagon   (03:26)

- Interviews:
  NTDTV: Michelle Yeoh on playing Aung San Suu Kyi   (04:17, in English and Mandarin)
  Digital Spy: Michelle Yeoh on 'The Lady': 'It was like riding a wave'   (interview 04:35)
  Female First: Michelle Yeoh Interview page 1 page 2

(12/27/11) Articles/interviews:
  Sky News: Biopic Of Aung San Suu Kyi Set For Release   (interview video 05:16)
  Orange: The Lady - Michelle Yeoh interview
  Press Association: Yeoh on Burma ban after The Lady

(12/23/11)
- British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) rated The Lady "12A," as it "contains moderate violence and bloody moments." Total running time is listed 132 minutes. The film will be released in U.K. on December 30th.

- Video/audio interviews with Michelle during The Lady promotion in the U.K.:
  Press Association: Yeoh honoured to play The Lady   (02:01)
  Heyuguys: The Lady's Michelle Yeoh   (YouTube)   (06:24)
  AP: Michelle Yeoh Is 'The Lady'   (02:25)
  Guardian (audio): Film Weekly podcast   (29:44. Michelle's part starts at 19:10)

(12/20/11)
- Watch videos:
  Film clip: Goodbye   (01:17)
  Hong Kong subtitled trailer   (02:22)
  German dubbed trailer   (02:38)
The film is scheduled to release in Germany on March 15 and in Hong Kong on February 2 (unconfirmed), 2012.

- Articles/interviews:
Impact: An interview with producer Andy Harries
BBC: David Thewlis says he cried at The Lady script
BBC video: Actor Thewlis on Aung San Suu Kyi biopic   (02:03)
Independent: Michelle Yeoh: Crouching tiger, hidden dragon, political prisoner
Indian Express: Being Suu Kyi

(12/17/11) New images from The Lady:


(12/16/11) - Michelle was on BBC this morning.   BBC Audio: Michelle Yeoh on playing Aung San Suu Kyi   (05:32)

- NTDTV report and video: "The Lady," A Film about Aung San Suu Kyi   (02:36)

- VOA videos:
  Luc Besson and Michelle Yeoh on "The Lady"   (06:25)
  The Lady Movie Premiere in New York   (04:49)

(12/15/11) Below are some excerpts from the one hour live web chat with Michelle, hosted by UK's Stylist, Dec. 15th. The full conversation can be seen at Stylist. Quite a few fans from China participated in the chat - I'm not surprised (not just because of the chat hour - evening time in Asia - was perfect for them). "Come to Hong Kong to watch it!" Michelle said to her fans in Mainland China where even the film listing and trailers are banned.

Q: Is the replica of Daw Suu's house in Thailand still there?
Michelle: no - the house was taken down.

Q: When Luc Besson said he wants people in Burma, North Korea, and "a couple of other countries" pirate this movie so they can watch, did he include China?
Michelle: We would love for The Lady to be watched everywhere in the world - piracy is not something that we normally endorse but if that's the only way that this message can be embraced by everyone so be it.

Q: Before you decided to take the film, had you ever thought about the effects that may occur to you after taking the film? Because it's politically sensitive.
Michelle: The Lady to me is an incredible love story - it's not a movie that tries to teach you about politics. However, it makes you remember how important and vital democracy is to everyone. As an actor, story-telling is what we do.

Q: You worked with so many great directors, what did they inspire you to become such great actress in the world? Will you consider to be director one day?
Michelle: I'm very lucky to have worked with many great directors who I believe are the soul of a movie. I have no aspiration to be one because I love the creative process but I don't love the attention to detail and not to have a life while filming.

Q: Who are your favourite co-stars and which roles did you enjoy the most? What is the difference between working in Hollywood and Asia?
Michelle: I'm very blessed to have had the opportunity of working with the most incredible artists in front and behind the camera and they have all remained dear friends. The difference working in Hollywood and Asia is the budget - otherwise the commitment and passion to make the best film is universal.

Q: You are such an inspiration. Do you think it's still a barrier in Western mainstream media to showcase strong Asian roles that don't stereotype? What steps can we as Asian women do to change that?
Michelle: It's very important that we are strong in our own portrayals in Asian movies to break the stereotype - we Asian women have always been strong, run the household, remaining feminine at the same time. I believe that our Western friends should already know that.

Q: Do you think it is very difficult for asian actors particularly actress to get a good role in hollywood?
Michelle: Any actor will tell you it's always difficult to find a good role - it is important for us as filmmakers to create the good roles in our own country as we are rich in culture, history, diversity and landscape.

Q: It is a pity that we cannot enjoy it in China. What particular experience would you like to share with our Chinese fans?
Michelle: The Lady continues to be a great learning experience, a philosophy in life that will continue to teach me to be a better person. I sincerely hope that all my friends in China will be able to share it with me.

Q: Though The Lady would be probably forbidden in China, I still wish Michelle to visit China more often to give us some chances to see you personally... we Chinese fans will certainly support the movie by all means
Michelle: I will find every possible opportunity to visit China as we have a beautiful country and even more beautiful people!

Q: I am studing acting. can you teach me how did you prepare your roles?
Michelle: For me depending on the role - research, understanding, discipline and communication, especially with your director and co-stars. Remember it is a collaborative effort.

Q: Hope all the Malaysian fans can watch The Lady soon and also meet with you... As a student it is quite difficult to attend an event like film premiere.
Michelle: I will talk with the distributor in Malaysia and see how I can make it easier for students to attend a film premiere or I will just have to attend as many screening as possible.

... ... ...
Michelle: Merry Christmas!

We also learned a few more things:
- There won't be a premiere in the U.K..
- Michelle will definitely come to Malaysia and Thailand to promote The Lady. She may travel to Bangkok next January or February for the promotion of the film. Premieres in Malaysia and Singapore are under arrangement.
- "My focus is on The Lady at least for another six months and I have not decided what to do next," said Michelle. "I haven't given thought to the next film because I feel that The Lady needs my full attention now."

(12/14/11) - Michelle and David Thewlis will appear on UK's Channel 5 "Live with Gabby" this Friday, December 16th. The Lady will be released in U.K. on December 30th.

- Rebecca Frayn, the script writer of The Lady, speaks of - The untold love story of Burma's Aung San Suu Kyi

- Full video on The Lady Asia Society Screening/Q&A in New York City   (42:16)
  featuring the introduction speeches by Ang Lee, Michelle, and Luc Besson, and the Q&A session after the screening.
  "I think Aung San Suu Kyi, Michelle, Luc, they have something in common. They have faith. They sacrifice themselves for the bigger cause. They surrender themselves to be a vehicle that really inspires us." - Ang Lee

(12/13/11) - Join Michelle in the live web chat at UK's Stylist. This Thursday, December 15th: 1PM UK time, 8AM Eastern (New York) time.

- Reports and videos from the New York premeire at the Asia Society, Dec 11:
  Asia Society: Michelle Yeoh and Luc Besson Discuss 'The Lady,' Aung San Suu Kyi   (with videos)
  NTDTV: 'The Lady' premiered in New York with Michelle Yeoh   (01:52. in Mandarin & English)
  RFA: 'The Lady' premiered in New York   (01:08)

(12/12/11) - Michelle was featured on NBC's "TODAY" show, Dec. 12.
Video: 'Geisha' star transformed into 'Lady'   (02:12)

- Michelle and Luc Besson attended the New York premiere of The Lady and Q&A at Asia Society in New York City on Dec. 11.

Video: Michelle and Luc Besson talks about 'The Lady' at Asia Society   (01:38)

Articles / reports:
Corcoran: Michelle Yeoh and Luc Besson on The Lady
Bernama: Malaysian Actress Michelle Yeoh "More Than Happy" To Do Bollywood Film
FoundAsians: The Lady - Michelle Yeoh as Aung San Suu Kyi


(12/12/11) Myanmar Times: Luc Besson asked to direct film on General Aung San

(12/10/11) - "For Your Consideration" Oscars ADs: Best Actress - Michelle Yeoh.   Best Supporting Actor - David Thewlis.

Best Actress Best Supporting Actor	Best Actress Best Supporting Actor	Best Actress

- New film stills: Michelle Yeoh (Aung San Suu Kyi) and David Thewlis (Michael Aris) in The Lady.


(12/10/11) Twenty years ago, on December 10th, 1991, the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony was held for Aung San Suu Kyi in Oslo, Norway. Aung San Suu Kyi's husband, Dr. Michael Aris, and their two sons, Alexander Aris and Kim Aris (aged 18 and 14 at the time), accepted the Nobel Peace Prize on her behalf (acceptance speech), while she herself was under a house arrest in Rangoon (Yangon), Burma (Myanmar) by the military regime.


The photos above is a REAL photo (left) and a film still (right) of Dr. Michael Aris with their sons, Kim and Alex, at the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony for Aung San Suu Kyi.

After spending a total of 15 years during the past two decades under house arrest, Aung San Suu Kyi was released on November 13, 2010, after her latest 7 year term of detention expired.

Now China's Liu Xiaobo remains the only Nobel Peace Prize laureate imprisoned. Liu is currently serving a 11 year jail sentence by the Chinese communist government. Liu's wife, Liu Xia, an artist and poet, has been under house arrest - without a charge.

(12/09/11)
Before It's News: Film review: Luc Besson's Aung San Suu Kyi biopic, "The Lady" (an excellent review)
Video: The Seven Sees: "The Lady" interview with Michelle Yeoh   (04:22)
Screen Daily: Michelle Yeoh immersed herself in the life of Burmese dissident Aung San Suu Kyi for The Lady
    According to the "Screen" article, Andy Harries and Rebecca Frayn had previously obtained approval for the film project from Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's late husband, Dr. Michael Aris (played by David Thewlis in the film) before he passed away in 1999.

(12/07/11) - Another chance to see Michelle/The Lady in New York City! Tuesday, December 13. For details and tickets see Reel Pieces with Actress Michelle Yeoh and a Preview of The Lady

- More interviews/reviews/articles:
Shockya: Exclusive: Michelle Yeoh Talks About The Lady
Campus Circle: The Lady: Michelle Yeoh in a Touching Role
Asia Society: Michelle Yeoh is 'The Lady'
Canada: Whistler Film Festival: Michelle Yeoh trusts her instincts portraying Aung San Suu Kyi

(12/06/11) - The film has already been sold in more than 50 countries. More release dates: February 16, Malaysia. February 17, U.S.A..

- The Lady was awarded the "Coup de Foudre du Public" by French industry paper "Ecran Total" and cultural channel "Canal Plus". The prize, honouring film success with French cinema audiences, was determined via audience survey.

- The Lady will be screened during the 2011 FIA Annual General Assembly in New Delhi, India, on Decemebr 7th.

- More articles and interviews:
MSN India: Suu Kyi biopic, a risky journey for director Besson
Hindustan Times: It's difficult to stop us: Luc Besson
Philippine Generations: A Rising Star (interview with Jonathan Woodhouse who plays Alexander Aris)

(12/05/11)
Outlook India: 'The Lady' is My Most Passionate Film: Michelle Yeoh
Hindustan Times: We lied and stole for the film: Michelle Yeoh
Open: The Lady Looks the Part (interview)
HITFIX: Interview: David Thewlis on adult love, social change and 'The Lady'
SWAN: 'I was in tears': Luc Besson talks about The Lady
Forge: Interview: Andy Harries

EllE video: Michelle on Aung San Suu Kyi/The Lady   (03:40)

(12/04/11) - A special The Lady screening and Q&A will be held in New York, Sunday December 11th. The event is presented by Ang Lee, Asia Society, Open Society Foundations and Human Rights Watch. Screening will be introduced by Ang Lee. Followed by a Q&A with Michelle and director Luc Besson, and a reception. (time & location)

- Another screening will be held on December 13th by French Culture in New York, followed by a Q&A with producer Virginie Silla. (time & location)

(12/04/11) If you are in LA area and if you haven't... don't miss the special one week Oscars run for The Lady at Laemmle's Music Hall, ends Dec. 8!


(12/04/11) The Lady premiered in India as the closing film of the 42nd International Film Festival of India, Goa, India, December 3rd.


(12/02/11) Telegraph TV video: Aung San Suu Kyi and Hilary Clinton hug during US Secretary of State's visit to Burma (Myanmar)   (00:58)

Following in the footsteps of The Lady film, it is difficult not to pay attention to the subject of the story - Daw Suu and her people.

Coincidentally, the film has been caught up in a sequence of historical events: while filming the final scene of the story in Bangkok, Thailand, Aung San Suu Kyi was released from her house arrest (November 13th, 2010). This week, at the same time when the film hits big screens in Paris and Los Angeles, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton visited Burma/Myanmar and met with Aung San Suu Kyi in Rangoon/Yangon. And next week, December 10th, 2011, will be the 20th anniversary when Aung San Suu Kyi's family members accepted the Nobel Peace Prize on her behalf in Oslo, Norway.

"If we go forward together, I'm confident there will be no turning back from the road to democracy," said Aung San Suu Kyi in a news conference, "We are not on that road yet, but we hope to get there as soon as possible with our friends." (Washington Post)

According to AFP, on her plane to Burma, Hillary Clinton watched The Lady in her cabin, which was given to her as a gift before the film releases in cinemas.

Below are some news photos on the historical meetings of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi with Hillary Clinton. (have to say Michelle's Suu DOES look like the real Daw Suu - a lot - just a younger version...)


- Fox News: Director: Star of New Aung San Suu Kyi Biopic Banned From Burma

(12/02/11) - The International Press Academy announced yesterday the nominations for the 16th annual Satellite Awards (formerly the Golden Satellite Awards). Michelle was nominated as Best Actress for her performance in The Lady   (2011 International Press Academy Satellite Award Nominees). The awards ceremony will take place on Sunday, December 18, in Beverly Hills, California.

- EuropaCorp Videos:
  The Lady world tour   (04:20)
  The Lady with Luc Besson in France   (02:22)

- Luc Besson and Michelle will be featured on French Face au film: la presse, Dec. 4th, 5th, and 7th. (image)

- New film reviews:
Daemon's Movies: Luc Besson's THE LADY Movie Review - Quite Majestic!
Working Author: The Lady Review

(12/01/11)
Indiewire: Michelle Yeoh and the "Emotional Roller Coaster" of "The Lady"
VeryAware: THE LADY's Michelle Yeoh and David Thewlis Talk Political Struggles, Love Stories, & Prosthetic Ears

(12/01/11) Cohen Media Group will hold EXCLUSIVE ONE WEEK LOS ANGELES ENGAGEMENT for The Lady at Laemmle's Music Hall, from Friday, December 2nd to Thursday, December 8th. Get your tickets NOW!


(1) "For Your Consideration" Oscars Ad, published in Variety
(2) "Cohen Media Group is proud to honor 'The Lady' Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi, on her historic candidacy - the next step in a journey to bring freedom to the nation of Burma ..."
(3) earlier web ad by Cohen Media Group

(11/29/11)
- AFP: 'The Lady': Myanmar's Suu Kyi biopic on release . The film hits theatres in France and French speaking region of Switzerland on November 30th.

- L'Express: Michelle Yeoh: "Vais-je aider Aung San Suu Kyi en agissant de la sorte?" (Google translation)

- The Lady soundtrack is available on iTunes.

(11/28/11) Watch videos:
  EuropaCorp: Behind scenes & film clip   (in French, 02:08)   Luc Besson commentary on filming with Michelle one of the most famous true events (Danubyu, 1989)
  Michelle Yeoh and Luc Besson on Laurent Ruquier, On est pas couche (French & English):  part 1 (18:11),  part 2 (13:21)

(11/26/11) - Michelle/The Lady was featured on several TV shows in France today. Watch videos:
  JT20h: Michelle Yeoh on "The Lady"   (French & English. 04:21)
  France2: The ou Cafe: Michelle Yeoh, Virginie Besson-Silla, Luc Besson, Jean Todt   (French & English. 40:43)
  TV5MONDE: Michelle Yeoh, the icon of Rangoon in "The Lady" YouTube, TV5   (French & English. 08:40)

- The official soundtrack album of The Lady is scheduled to come out digitally on November 28 in Europe. Audio CD is set to be released on December 6 and is available as an import on Amazon.
  The Lady soundtrack details
  Listen to 8 full tracks
  Listen to short samplers of all 32 tracks

- There will be many The Lady preview screenings throughout France on Nov 28th and 29th, ahead of the general release in France on the 30th. (Find locations)

- Cohen Media Group continues to screen The Lady in Los Angeles and New York from November to next January, for AMPAS and guild members only. (Oscar Screening Guide)

(11/25/11) - EuropaCorp video: The Lady Paris premiere   (01:32)

- Articles & Interviews:
  IPS: The Screen Speaks for Suu Kyi
  New York Post: Well-timed launch
  Le Figaro: Interview with composor Eric Serra (in French. Google translation)
  Digital Journal: And the Oscar could go to...Michelle Yeoh
  Hollywood Reporter: Signs of the Apocalypse From the 2011-12 Awards Season
      "Michelle Yeoh, who is Asia's most famous female action star and a former Bond girl, may score her first Oscar nod for playing Aung San Suu Kyi, Asia's most famously demure and soft-spoken leader."

(11/22/11) Paris premiere of The Lady was held at Gaumont Capucines, November 22nd. All main cast and crew members attended the event - Michelle Yeoh (Aung San Suu Kyi), David Thewlis (Michael Aris), Jonathan Raggett (Kim Aris) , Jonathan Woodhouse (Alexander Aris), Luc Besson (director), Virginie Silla (producer), Andy Harries (producer), Jean Todt (producer), Rebecca Frayn (Scriptwriter), and Eric Serra (composer). See News for more photos from the event.


(11/21/11) Reuters: Myanmar's Suu Kyi - from prisoner to likely MP

(11/20/11) - Ahead of the film release in France (Nov. 30), UGC cinema network will be having preview screenings on Tuesday Nov. 22 at locations including Paris, Normandie, Lille, Rouen, Bordeaux and Lyon. (locations and schedules)

- The U.K. release date is set to December 30th. Distributed by UK's Entertainment Film Distributors. (More release dates are listed at the left column.)

- The Lady will be the closing film for the 42th International Film Festival of India. The festival will also include a retrospective of another 7 selected films by Luc Besson.

- Michelle and Luc Besson were on "Vivement Dimanche" today, a popular Sunday TV show in France. The program was recorded on November 16 in Paris. See News for photos.

- FilmSlate: Interview: Luc Besson, Michelle Yeoh and David Thewlis Discuss 'The Lady'

- lsJDD: Michelle Yeoh, "le modele" de la paix (google translation)

(11/18/11) - New film clip: Rangoon hospital   (02:07)

- Video: The Lady at the Doha Tribeca Film Festival, Oct 29   (02:32)

(11/17/11) - More film clips from EuropaCorp, in English and Burmese with French subtitles:
Film clip 3: leaving Oxford for Burma (01:16)
Film clip 4: Shwedagon Pagoda speech (01:26)

- Michelle and Luc Besson will attend the closing ceremony of the 42th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) on December 3rd.

- Win The Lady tickets (France. ends Nov 30)

- The Lady was shown at the Amiens International Film Festival in France today with director Luc Besson in attendance.

(11/15/11) The Lady is the official selection at the 42th International Film Festival of India, Goa, India (Nov 23 - Dec 3) and the 11th Whistler Film Festival, British Columbia, Canada (Nov 30 - Dec 4).

(11/14/11) The soundtrack of The Lady will be available on November 28th, two days ahead of film's French theatrical release. It consists of 32 tracks - 31 composed by Eric Serra plus "Soldier of Love" by Sade. Here you can listen to 2 of the tracks on YouTube:
  "Rangoon Family Home" (01:54)
  "Seytcha Seytcha" (02:10)
Full list of the tracks and more sample music at Le Label Digital.

(11/11/11) - Video: Gold Derby talks to Michelle Yeoh about 'The Lady'   (12:18)

- Hollywood Reporter: Michelle Yeoh Calls Aung San Suu Kyi an 'Iconic Female Asian Figure'

- CNN Talk Asia: Action star Michelle Yeoh takes on Aung San Suu Kyi.   Interview videos:
  Becoming Aung San Suu Kyi   (03:02)
  Meeting Aung San Suu Kyi   (03:30)

- DP/30 interview video: The Lady, actress Michelle Yeoh   (30:23)

(11/10/11) Watch Second French trailer!   (02:08, English and Burmese with French subtitles)

(11/10/11) Report and videos from the LA Times Envelope Screening Series The Lady on Nov. 3:
'The Lady': Luc Besson, Michelle Yeoh on Myanmar's Suu Kyi
'The Lady': Luc Besson's film about Myanmar's Suu Kyi was risky business
'The Lady': Re-creating 15 years of house arrest

(11/09/11) EuropaCorp released several film clips for French audience, in English and Burmese with French subtitles:
Film clip 1: after the 1990 election (01:54)
Film clip 2: Suu and Michael's phone call (01:56)

(11/07/11) - The Lady received the MPAA rating "R" for "violence including some bloody images." The film is being distributed in the U.S. by Cohen Media Group.

- Hollywood Reporter: Michelle Yeoh Garners Praise at AFI Fest for 'The Lady'
    "The primary reason to see The Lady -- a moving biopic of Aung San Suu Kyi... 'for her non-violent struggle for democracy and human rights' -- is Michelle Yeoh, the 49-year-old Malaysian actress who gives the best performance of her career as Suu Kyi and now has an outside shot of snagging a best actress Oscar nod for her efforts," said the article. It also features a 42 min video of an excellent interview of Michelle. (you can also watch the video on YouTube)

- AFP: Aung San Suu Kyi thanks Besson for film of her life story

(11/07/11) Director Luc Besson will start a promotion tour on The Lady in several cities in France ahead of the French theatrical release (Nov. 30):
  Monday, November 7: UGC Villeneuve d'Ascq.
  Tuesday, November 8: Gaumont Thillois
  Wednesday, November 9: UGC STRASBOURG
  Thursday, November 10: UGC LUDRES
  Thursday, November 17: Gaumont AMIENS
  Friday, November 18: Pathe Docks 76 ROUEN

(11/05/11) Los Angeles premiere of The Lady took place during the 25th AFI FEST, Friday November 4th, at Grauman's Chinese Theatre in Hollywood. For more photos from AFI FEST please see Event Photos.


Examiner: AFI Presented by Audi celebrates 25 years
Veryaware: AFI FEST Review: The Lady
Movieline: Michelle Yeoh Met With Standing Ovation at AFI Fest Premiere of The Lady

News videos:
AFIFEST: THE LADY red carpet interviews   (01:33)
MaximoTV: Michelle Yeoh on the red carpet   (01:00)
MaximoTV: THE LADY Gala Screening red carpet   (02:35)

(11/03/11) Amnesty International France: AI supports the film The Lady:
Original French article   Google English translation

(11/03/11) YouTube videos:
French dubbed trailer
Chinese subtitled trailer   (* this was the version which was published on all Chinese major video sites until it was banned and ordered to take down by the communist authorities)

(11/02/11) Some reports and reviews from the Doha Tribeca Film Festival:
  BBC: Doha Tribeca Film Festival inspired by Arab Spring
  Peninsula: DTFF ends with The Lady
  Variety: The Lady
  HeyUGuys: The Lady review

(11/01/11) Videos: Interview with Michelle Yeoh and Luc Besson on Korea TV.
    Part 1 (15:30)   Part 2 (15:30)   Part 3 (15:30)
The interview was in English (with Korean subtitles). Filmed during the Busan Film Festival earlier in the month.

(11/01/11) A sequence of screenings of The Lady are taking place in Los Angeles ahead of the award season, including:
  - Tuesday, Nov. 1, Hollywood Film Society / Screen Actors Guild screening, followed by Q&A with Michelle Yeoh and director Luc Besson
  - Wednesday, Nov. 2, Variety Screening Series 2011, followed by Q&A with Michelle Yeoh and Luc Besson
  - Thursday, Nov. 3, LA Times Envelope Screening Series 2011, followed by conversation with Michelle, David Thewlis, and Luc Besson
  - Friday, Nov. 4, AFI FEST 2011 (Los Angeles premiere), with Michelle, David Thewlis, and Luc Besson
  - Saturday, Nov. 5, more Hollywood Film Society / Screen Actors Guild screenings
  - Tuesday, Nov. 8, KCET Fall 2011 Cinema Series, followed by Q&A with David Thewlis

(10/29/11) The Lady was shown as the closing film of the 3rd Doha Tribeca Film Festival in Doha, Qatar. For more photos see Event Photos.


(10/28/11) Links:
  RFF 2011: "The Lady" by Luc Besson - Interview
  Heroic Mamma: Aung San Suu Kyi (blog post)
  Aung San Suu Kyi Film "The Lady" Reportedly Banned in China

(10/28/11) The Lady won Audience Favorite Active Cinema Award at the Mill Valley Film Festival early this month.

(10/27/11) The Lady opens the 6th International Rome Film Festival today. For more photos please visit Event Photos.


Press conference video (40:04)

AP: Film on Myanmar activist opens festival
AFP: Besson opens Rome film fest with Suu Kyi biography
Hollywood Reporter: Rome Film Festival: Luc Besson's 'The Lady' Opens Show

(10/25/11) Italian Grazia magazine published an interview with Aung Kang Suu Kyi on October 5th, entitled "Aung San Suu Kyi: Freedom Passes Through Even YouTube." Here are some excerpts when Suu Kyi talked about the film, The Lady, and actress Michelle Yeoh. The original article was in Italian. Interview translated by April and Marco and edited by Dean.

Let's talk about the film "The Lady" that was directed by Luc Besson - a story inspired by your life, a true story, according to the film director.
    "In the days following my release from house arrest, the actress Michelle Yeoh, who plays me in the film, came to visit me at my home. We spent some hours together, and I told her some events of my life. I found her very beautiful, curious, and intelligent. I felt a bit confused since so many things were happening in such a short period of time [after my release]. My son Kim, whom I had not seen for ten years, was with me. So, in that circumstance I was not very focused on the film's plot."

The film is an adaptation of your life story, does it please you or disturb you?
    "I'm glad that the story is being told through such an expressive art form and is able to reach millions of people around the world. I hope that it may inspire young people and all those men and women who, like me, believe in the values of freedom and respect for the human rights. At the same time, I'm also a little bit embarrassed - I'm not a person who loves to show my personal life publicly. The personal events that deeply touched and marked my life - and the lives of my relatives - are very delicate subjects. The actress, during our meeting, reassured me on this, so I trust her."

You must be curious to see the film, I suppose.
    "I will not be able to see it. The film will never come here. The same actress [Michelle Yeoh] tried to come back to Burma in June, but the authorities refused her entry at the airport and included her name on a blacklist of undesirable people. So, I'm afraid that my wish to see the film will be unfulfilled, like many others I have. I will settle for what my children will tell me."

The images from the film set, Michelle Yeoh (former Bond girl opposite Pierce Brosnan in "007, Tomorrow Never Dies") with colorful dresses and elegant, fragrant flowers in her hair, by the physical appearance she looks a lot like you...
    "She is taller and younger than me. And more beautiful. As I have said many times, I don't do any special treatments to my appearance. I like the colorful things, this is true, like Burma is a country under the sun, full of plants and gardens. The flowers, however, I put them in my hair as a sign of gratitude to the people who love me and have the habit of giving me jasmine and orchids. And also because I like their smell."

(10/24/11) NTDTV video: Interview at TIFF with Michelle Yeoh, the actress who plays Aung San Suu Kyi (04:45, interview in English with Chinese subtitles)

(10/23/11) - The Lady will start the limited Academy Engagement theatrical run in Los Angeles on December 2nd, at Laemmle's Music Hall Beverly Hills.

- NTDTV: The Lady Banned in China
  TV report video   (04:13. in Mandarin with English subtitles)
  article (scroll down for English text)

(10/20/11) The Lady official website: UseYourFreedom.com. It features a "Wall of Freedom" that everyone may participate. At the lower right corner it has information on the film The Lady.

"Please use your freedom to promote ours." -- Aung San Suu Kyi

(10/19/11) The Lady has been selected for the 22nd Stockholm International Film Festival (Open Zone) (Nov. 9 - 20) in Sweden. The redcarpet screening will be held on Nov. 11, with two more screenings on Nov. 13 and 15.

(10/18/11) The Lady has been selected by the American Film Institute for its Centerpiece Gala screening at the 25th edition of AFI FEST 2011 (Nov 3 - 10). It will be shown on Friday, November 4th, 7:00 p.m., Grauman's Chinese Theatre. The film will also have two screenings on Nov 3rd and 5th during the AFM (American Film Market). (report)

(10/17/11) Videos from the Spotlight on Michelle Yeoh/The Lady during the 34th Mill Valley Film Festival, October 8th.
  Part 1: Onstage interview with Michelle Yeoh (02:58)
  Part 2: Onstage interview with Michelle Yeoh (01:28)
  Part 3: Michelle Yeoh receiving the MVFF Award (01:51)
  Part 4: Interview with Luc Besson and Michelle Yeoh (07:34)
  Part 5: Besson and Yeoh answering questions from audience (05:20)

(10/16/11) Immediately after the Asian premiere at BIFF, the news of The Lady was largely reported in many Asian territories in multiple languages - Chinese, Korean, Japanese, Thai, etc.. Especially in Mainland China, dozens of media run reports on the press conference and premiere of The Lady, along with photos of Michelle and Luc Besson. There is no Chinese title for the film yet, so the film was referred as "Aung San Suu Kyi" in Chinese movie databases and by the media. People were talking about the film on forums and Weibo (a Chinese version of Twitter) with excitement.

That certainly made the communist authority nervous. According to leaked information, a secret order was issued. Just overnight, the film was deleted from "Mtime" and "Dou Ban", the two largest movie databases and discussion sites (like a Chinese version of IMDb). And, previously published film trailers "mysteriously" disappeared from major Chinese video sites.

Sadly, when the name of Aung San Suu Kyi became unbanned in Burma/Myanmar, when the people in Burma can finally say her name proudly and loudly after decades, the people in China are forbidden to know this extraordinary individual, an international icon for freedom, democracy, and human rights.

Image above is the cover of the Chinese movie magazine, "Cinema World", published in September. The slogan written in Chinese is "Yao Zi You!" ("Want Freedom!")

The Lady is slated for release in Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea and Hong Kong early next year.

(10/16/11) Videos from the Busan Film Festival:
  The Lady press conference (longer version)   (15:16)
  The Lady press conference (shorter version)   (06:40)

"I am very proud of this movie. We believe this is a very important story to tell, because of who Daw Suu is and because of what she's fighting for - with words - for freedom, for democracy, for human rights." -- Michelle Yeoh at BIFF on The Lady

(10/12/11) The Lady had its Asian premiere at the 16th Busan International Film Festival (BIFF), October 12th, Busan, South Korea. For more photos of the event please visit BIFF photos.

Hollywood Reporter: The actress and director Luc Besson praised the freeing of the Burmese comic
AFP: Michelle Yeoh, Luc Besson laud Myanmar releases

The Lady is set for U.S. release in December.

(10/11/11) Time Out Hong Kong: Michelle Yeoh Interview

(10/11/11)
I had an opportunity to attend the Spotlight on Michelle Yeoh / The Lady at the Mill Valley Film Festival on Saturday October 8th. It was such a beautiful and unforgettable evening - meeting Michelle at the red carpet, watching "The Lady", listening to the Q & A session with Michelle and director Luc Besson, and witnessing the special MVFF festival award ceremony for Michelle.

The film screened was the 127 minute version, the new cut director Luc Besson finished just a few days before Saturday. The theatre had a technical problem that disabled subtitles for the film, so the Burmese speaking parts had no English subtitles. The director explained a few things before the screening, and for the rest, we used our "intelligence" to guess what the Burmese lines (there are plenty) meant (Besson was told we are a very intelligent crowd and so figured we would know what was going on). :-)

I do not intend to give any spoilers, as I'm sure whoever visits this page would like to see the film for his/her own self. The film was beautifully made, with powerful performances, realistic set details, some shocking scenes and many touching moments. It was clearly a work of love. Michelle, as Aung San Suu Kyi, is simply stunning. There was a long ovation when the end credits started to roll. Tears were in many people's eyes. The audience also gave standing ovations when Michelle and Luc Besson were introduced respectively on stage for the Q & A following the screening.

I'm eagerly waiting for The Lady to be released soon in the U.S. theatres so I can go watch again!

As someone who came from Beijing, China, The Lady also touched me in more personal ways. The images of the massacre during the student demonstrations reminded me of none other than the 1989 Tiananmen Massacre in Beijing... during that tragic night the brother of one of my good friends was killed by the soldiers. The same as the people in Burma, the people in China have been struggling for the basic human rights under the communist rulers, and many have lost their own freedom and even lives in that process. Director Luc Besson said during the Q & A that he is in general against piracy, but he hopes people in Burma can watch this film even from pirated sources. I wanted to add: do not forget about the people in China. In fact, when the news of this film broke out in China, the typical reaction from Chinese netizens was: "This is a must see!" "The government will ban this film. Hope we can watch it from pirated sources!"

For anyone who may not know, Aung San Suu Kyi's name, along with many "sensitive words", which include "democracy", "freedom", "Nobel Peace Prize", etc., are actually banned at some popular community forums in Mainland China. While Burma/Myanmar recently lifted ban on the websites such as Facebook and YouTube, these sites (and many others) remain blocked in China. China's own Nobel Peace Prize laureate is still being locked up in jail (see Fact Sheet below).

I wish for one day, people in both Burma and China will be able to watch this film freely, in cinema, without fear.

(10/10/11) San Rafael Patch: Actress Michelle Yeoh Dazzles as 'The Lady' at MVFF34

Some news photos from the Mill Valley Film Festival, Oct. 8. For more photos of the event please visit Event Photos.

Spotlight on Michelle Yeoh/The Lady, The Christopher B. Smith Rafael Film Center, San Rafael, California, USA


(1-2) Q&A with Michelle Yeoh and Luc Besson after the film screening
(3-4) Zoe Elton, Director of MVFF Programming, prsenting the MVFF spotlight award to Michelle
(photos from "cozycot" and "Patch")

(10/03/11) The Lady Theatrical Trailer (02:16):
  English: YouTube   Yahoo Movie
  French: YouTube   Europe 1

(09/28/11) The Lady has been selected to be the closing film for the 3rd Doha Tribeca Film Festival, runs from October 25 to 29, Doha, Qatar. Director Luc Besson commented: "I am pleased and honored that The Lady has been selected to close DTFF, and that our premiere in the Middle East will take place in Qatar. I was deeply inspired and touched by Aung San Suu Kyi's personal story and her ongoing fight for democracy, and hope that through this film her cause and voice will be better known and shared with audiences around the world."

(09/28/11) New images from The Lady:

(1) Director Luc Besson and Michelle Yeoh   (2-3) Michelle Yeoh as Aung San Suu Kyi in The Lady


(1) Aung San Suu Kyi and Michael Aris   (2) Michael Aris with Kim and Alexander   (3) David Thewlis as Michael Aris

(09/27/11) TIFF YouTube: Festival 2011: THE LADY Press Conference (45:22)

(09/23/11) The final cut of The Lady is said to be about 127 minutes. Apparently the director did some additional edits after the TIFF screening.

(09/23/11) The Lady will be screened at the En avant les 1eres festival on Saturday October 15, 9:00PM in Salon-De-Provence, France.

(09/21/11)
- The 34th Mill Valley Film Festival - tickets on sale for general public:
  Spotlight: Michelle Yeoh/The Lady, Oct. 8
  Active Cinema panel: Can a Film Make the Difference, Oct. 9

- The 16th Busan International Film Festival: The Lady gala presentation will have two screenings on Oct. 12, 7:00PM and Oct. 13, 4:00PM. On the BIFF official site, the running time of the film is listed as 132 minutes instead of 145 minutes listed for TIFF and MVFF. Is it a trimmed version...?

(09/18/11)
- Video/Audio:
BBC: Aung San Suu Kyi film premiers at Toronto Film Festival (02:36)
CBC Podcast with Michelle Yeoh and David Thewlis (from 44:44 to 62:28, Michelle Yeoh and David Thewlis on The Lady)
CBC interview with Luc Besson (02:00)

- Entertainment Weekly: Luc Besson argues the benefits of piracy as 'The Lady' lands deal

- "The Lady" Portraits: Michelle, David Thewlis, and Luc Besson during the Toronto Film Festival at Guess Portrait Studio on September 12.

(09/16/11)
HitFix: Michelle Yeoh enters the best actress race as 'The Lady'
Indiewire: TIFF: The Lady - The Story of Aung San Suu Kyi

More videos from TIFF:
Reuters: Michelle Yeoh is The Lady   (01:58)
Thompson on Hollywood: Anne Thompson Interviews Michelle Yeoh   (15:24)
Euronews Cinema: Toronto lancia The Lady   (02:15)
Burmese and Michelle Yeoh at TIFF   (08:57)

(09/14/11) - Deadline: Toronto: Distribution Deal For Luc Besson's The Lady Puts Michelle Yeoh And David Thewlis In Oscar Race
    U.S. distribution Cohen Media Group has bought the U.S. rights to The Lady. The company "plans to release the film for an Oscar-qualifying platform release late this year to capitalize on strong performances by Michelle Yeoh, who plays Suu Kyi, and David Thewlis, who plays her Oxford professor husband Michael Aris." The film will get a wider release in early 2012, according to the report. "The distribution deals came quickly after the film premiered Monday evening at Roy Thomson Hall, where Besson, Yeoh and Thewlis received a rousing standing ovation."

- Articles:
Postmedia News: 'The Lady' offers life-altering messages for the masses
LA Times: Toronto 2011: Real-life drama behind Michelle Yeoh's 'The Lady'

(09/13/11) Michelle will receive the Mill Valley Award at the 34th Mill Valley Film Festival (MVFF). Presented by the California Film Institute, the festival runs October 6 to 16 in San Francisco Bay Area. Spotlight and Reception for Michelle Yeoh/The Lady will take place on Saturday, October 8, 7:30pm. The screening of The Lady will be followed by an onstage conversation with Michelle, who will be joined by director Luc Besson. On Sunday, October 9, 2:00pm, Michelle and Luc Besson are also scheduled to participate in an Active Cinema panel discussion entitled "Can a Film Make the Difference?"
    Information & Tickets: Spotlight on: Michelle Yeoh/The Lady   Active Cinema panel discussion

(09/12/11) Michelle, David Thewlis, Luc Besson and Rebecca Frayn attended The Lady press conference and gala premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival, September 12th.

Video: The Lady press conference at TIFF (49:28)

Reports:
Hollywood Reporter: Toronto 2011 - Bond Girl Michelle Yeoh on Being Deported From Burma
National Post: TIFF Press Conference Diaries - The Lady teaches everyone what a hero is
AFP: Myanmar democracy leader's struggle debuts on film
VOA: Film Bio of Aung San Suu Kyi Debuts in Toronto
Irrawaddy: "I Lived and Breathed Suu Kyi": Michelle Yeoh
Reuters: For Michelle Yeoh, "The Lady" is role of lifetime

The Lady press conference at TIFF


The Lady gala premiere


Michelle greeted by fans and Burmese pro-democracy supporters showing their thanks for The Lady
(for more photos of the events please see TIFF event photos)

(09/08/11) Strombo/CBC will be interviewing Michelle during the TIFF next week. You may sign up to be an audience at CBC Strombo Tickets. Choose the show date: Tues Sept 13 - 11:15am - Michelle Yeoh.

(09/06/11) Paris Match: The Lady de Luc Besson: grandeur Dame (interview with Luc Besson, in French)

"The Lady will not be released in Burma, but I hope it can be watched by all Burmese through a pirated source," said Luc Besson in the interview. "Today, in Burma, you can go to jail for four years because you have 'Time' magazine with you. There are 2,100 political prisoners in the country." Besson described The Lady as the most beautiful love story he's heard since Romeo & Juliet.

Photo at left: Michelle Yeoh and director Luc Besson at the film set in Thailand - replica of Aung San Suu Kyi's Rangoon house


(09/02/11) A press conference for The Lady will be held on September 12th, 2:30 PM, in Malaparte. There will be five The Lady screenings at the upcoming Toronto International Film Festival.
  Sept 12: 08:30 AM, SCOTIABANK THEATRE 4 (Press & Industry)
  Sept 12: 09:30 PM, ROY THOMSON HALL (Public Premium Screening, TIFF Gala presentation)
  Sept 13: 11:00 AM, VISA SCREENING ROOM (Public)
  Sept 14: 11:45 AM, SCOTIABANK THEATRE 2 (Press & Industry)
  Sept 17: 06:00 PM, SCOTIABANK THEATRE 2 (Public)

(09/02/11) Form Variety:

Virginie Besson-Silla (producer) says with "The Lady" she first fell in love with the story, and marketing issues were secondary. "When I read the script it was just such an amazing story that I thought it had to be told to the world," she says.

The Lady should give both Michelle Yeoh, who plays Aung San Suu Kyi, and David Thewlis, who plays her husband, a shot at nominations.

"It would be amazing, and so helpful for Burma, if the film could do something in the awards because when we decided to do the film it was really to raise awareness of what is happening over there," Besson-Silla says.

(08/31/11) - The Lady will be shown at the 16th Busan International Film Festival, running from October 6 to 14.

- The Greek release date is set to December 1st.

(08/31/11) Mizzima: Burmese cast members talk about 'The Lady'
Excerpts:

"I've never seen Michele Yeoh face to face before. When I saw her in shooting at close range, I was surprised how much she resembled Daw Suu. Her acting in this film was prefect."

"The film crew used a helicopter in a mass rally scene. There were about 2,000 people in this scene shot in the big field. As an aide, I stayed very close to Daw Suu behind the stage. I stood on the ladder behind the stage.

I felt as if I were really in a mass rally when I saw the big crowd in this scene. Then I realized I was crying."

(08/30/11) CBC poll: Which TIFF film would you most like to see?

(08/30/11) French teaser trailer of The Lady (00:51)
Pay attention to the voices on the sound track, which the English trailer doesn't have, especially toward the end.

(08/30/11) Luc Besson on The Lady (excerpts from recent interviews):

Moviefone: Did Aung San Suu Kyi get to see any of the finished film?
Luc Besson: No. And she doesn't want to. You know, she's living in one of the most oppressive regimes in the world, so I think that the fact that she doesn't want to see the film is a way of protecting herself. Because the film is not showing the government on a good day, so I think she wants to protect herself and say, "You know, I have nothing to do with the film. I've not seen the film. I was not asking for the film." So there's nothing that they can reproach her about the film.

CNN: Why was Michelle Yeoh the best person to play this character, do you think?
Luc Besson: When you met an actress and you feel that it's the role of her life, you have 50 percent of the job done. She was so involved in it. She learned how to speak like her, to move like her. She was -- impregnee. I don't know the word in English. Like a sponge with the character. And when you talk to her about the part, you can tell. And the second thing is, she's looking 70 percent already like Aung San Suu Kyi.

ComingSoon: I'm hoping to see it in Toronto, because I love Michelle Yeoh.
Luc Besson: It's the best part ever for her; she's amazing in the film.

(full interviews and the CNN video transcript)

(08/26/11) The Lady has been selected as the opening film for the 6th International Rome Film Festival (out of competition), which runs from October 27 - November 4. Michelle will attend the European festival premiere with director Luc Besson and actor David Thewlis.

(08/23/11)
- Watch Teaser Trailer of The Lady   (00:51)

  LA Times: Shepard Fairey explains new poster for Aung San Suu Kyi movie

- Toronto International Film Festival Gala presentation: The Lady
(public screenings: 9:30pm Monday September 12, 11:00am Tuesday September 13, 6:00pm Saturday September 17)

Luc Besson takes on the inspiring true story of Burmese prodemocracy activist, leader and political prisoner Aung San Suu Kyi (Michelle Yeoh) and the tenacious longdistance bond she maintained with her British husband, Michael Aris (David Thewlis) while under house arrest for over a decade.

TIFF Programmer's Note:

From one of the world's most ambitious craftsmen of large-scale cinematic entertainment comes this sweeping account of a true hero of our time.

In 1988, Aung San Suu Kyi returned to her native Burma from Oxford, where she had lived for many years. Her visit was prompted by news of her mother's deteriorating health, but the country was in an uproar. Burma's military leader, General Ne Win, stepped down, and protestors quickly filled the streets of Naypyidaw to demand democratic reform. Those protestors were beaten and their message suppressed. The charismatic and politically engaged Suu Kyi, whose father was a martyr for Burmese independence, found herself called upon to lead Burma out from under the shadow of military dictatorship as the General Secretary of the newly formed National League for Democracy. In 1990, a general election was held and the NLD won, but Suu Kyi was held under house arrest by the military junta. She remained a prisoner in her own home for most of the next fifteen years.

Filmed largely in Thailand and Burma, whose beautiful cities, fecund jungles and diverse cultures fill the screen with dynamic colour and rich detail, The Lady tells the story of Suu Kyi's simultaneous triumph and tragedy. Michelle Yeoh eloquently embodies Suu Kyi's tranquil defiance and wisdom -- yet her political struggle is only half of the story. Played with great tenderness by David Thewlis, Michael Aris was Suu Kyi's British husband and tireless advocate, and he is the film's second protagonist. Through the months and years he and Suu Kyi were unable to be see one another, Aris worked to raise awareness of injustice in Burma and campaigned for his wife's nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize (which she won, though she was unable to accept it in person), all the while suffering her absence, struggling with his own illness and trying his best to be a good father to their two sons.

At once epic and intimate, disturbing and galvanizing, The Lady celebrates the struggle of a people and the difference that a single strong-willed individual can make in the world.

(08/22/11)

(click to enlarge)

The image at left is a teaser poster of The Lady featuring Michelle Yeoh, designed by American contemporary artist Shepard Fairey, who created the portrait of Aung San Suu Kyi (middle image) in June 2009 when the imprisoned Nobel Peace Prize laureate turned 64. The photo at right is The Lady advertisement at an UGC Cinema in Paris.

(08/06/11) HAPPY BIRTHDAY MICHELLE!!

(08/05/11) First footage from The Lady and an interview with the director:
    CNN video: The life of Suu Kyi comes to film   (06:32 )

(07/26/11) The world premiere of The Lady will take place at the 36th Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) (Sept. 8-18). Gala presentation. Running Time: 145 minutes. (Variety report)

(07/19/11) Cineart will be releasing The Lady in the Netherlands on December 22, 2011.

(07/08/11) More film stills:

Michelle Yeoh as Aung San Suu Kyi in The Lady

(07/01/11) - The French release date has been re-scheduled to November 30, 2011. German release of The Lady has been set to March 15, 2012.

- The film is expected to be screened at a number of international film festivals in the fall.

(06/30/11) PRESS RELEASE

    "On June 22nd, 2011, I was denied entry to Burma. The immigration authorities treated me cordially but deported me upon arrival for no reason and without providing any justification. I was shocked and terribly saddened by this action. I harbor no ill will resulting from this incident and continue to remain fond of Burma and the Burmese people. I continue to cherish hopes to see this country continue its progress towards peace and democracy and to be able to return soon.

    Michelle Yeoh
    June 30th, 2011"

AP: Yeoh 'Saddened' by Deportation From Myanmar
CNN: Michelle Yeoh Barred From Entering Myanmar

(06/29/11) The Myanmar government has now put Michelle on a blacklist and denied her entry into Myanmar/Burma last week (not a surprise). She was deported the same day as she arrived at Yangon on Wednesday, June 22.
  Time: Burma Deports Hollywood Star Michelle Yeoh
  Radio Free Asia: Actress Yeoh Blacklisted, Deported

(06/08/11) Focus Online Interview with Michelle Yeoh : On a par with Gandhi and Mandela
The original article, by Harald Pauli, is in German. Thanks Joachim Schulz for English translation and Dean for edits.

(05/26/11) Film description from Left Bank Pictures:

A Luc Besson film, THE LADY is one of the greatest love stories set against a background of polictial turmoil which continues today. It is the extraordinary story of how Aung San Suu Kyi (Michelle Yeoh) and her husband Michael Aris (David Thewlis) gave up their happiness at great cost when the wife's country called upon her. Yet despite distance, long separations, danger and an actively hostile regime their love endured until the end.

THE LADY tells the story of Burma's democracy movement and the woman at the centre of it, it's inspiration and hope. Burma's desperate struggle still goes on today and both "The Lady", as she is popularly known and the country still refuse to give up their goal.

(05/12/11) Michelle Yeoh Hopes Aung San Suu Kyi Biopic Will Raise Awareness
    Michelle said in an interview that director Luc Besson is currently editing the film and is eyeing a world premiere at the Venice Film Festival which runs from Aug. 31 to Sept. 10.

(05/10/11) - Image at left: from EuropaCorp's Cannes Market Line-up 2011

- Michelle Yeoh talking about The Lady:

Reporter: What other projects are you working on?

Michelle: I finished with filming the Lady and we hope it will be out in October to meet all of you. This has been a very very special... it's almost not a movie anymore. It's about an iconic woman, a heroine of our times, a truly legendary figure. What her cause for the people of Burma, for basic human rights, for freedom, is something we should be very aware of, and I think this movie will do that.

Reporter: Has this been your most challenging role to date?

Michelle: I think the sense of responsibility for this one is a lot higher. Everybody knows who she is and what she represents. You feel a great sympathy and empathy towards that. At the same time you want to ensure that all the people who have supported her continue to support her, sacrifice themselves for the cause, the people of Burma. It's a factual movie. We are not trying to demonize or glorify anybody. We do not try to change, because it is an incredible love story to start off with, but then I think anything to do with her will always have to be political.

Reporter: Did you have any concerns about playing such a role?

Michelle: There was no consideration whether I would or not. This was like a role that's been waiting for me. Concerns are always there, I think, whenever you go into a movie, big or small, because you feel that you want it to be successful, because it's not just your efforts but so many people who have put their efforts into that film.

My next movie actually that's coming out is Kung Fu Panda 2. In a sense I'm very blessed, as an artist I do get the options of doing very very dissimilar kinds of roles, from an old goat in Kung Fu Panda 2 to The Lady at the end of the year.

Reporter: Do you see any similarity between the character (Aung San Suu Kyi) and yourself?

Michelle: (Laughs) I would never dare to compare!
(transcript from the interview video on April 24, 2001)

(04/18/11) Director Luc Besson on The Lady - from recent interviews in U.K..

    '... Shot in Thailand, with a few clandestine missions across the border into Burma, The Lady is as close as possible to real life, Besson says -- so close that reality and fiction were difficult to separate. They created an exact replica of the house in which Suu Kyi was imprisoned for 15 of the last 22 years, from 2,000 photographs, even using Google Earth to check the dimensions and the position of the trees. Besson says: "You should have seen the face of her son when he came to see it. He couldn't believe it. He looked everywhere and the only thing he said was, 'The piano was not here, it was over there.'" The Thai and Burmese crew were also stunned when Yeoh walked on set dressed as Suu Kyi. "Every morning, it went completely silent. She never came as Michelle. On the set she was always Aung San." ... "It's not so much about the film, I just feel so proud that the story is told. You're just not going to believe the story of this woman. I'm crying even in the editing room."'   (Guardian)

    '... (Besson) describes (the film) as "a kind of Out Of Africa-type biopic". "It's a big thing," he adds. "it's 230 minutes long and it starts in 1947 when she's two years old and runs until 2007 when she's still under house arrest." ... "But it's a fascinating true story -- you can't believe what this woman had to deal with. Her enemies are so sneaky, I just want to kill them all."   (Metro)

Read more...

(04/14/11) French TV Canal + Cinema is going to air "Luc Besson: Cinemascope" on April 20, 22:25. The 55 minute documentary will include pictures from The Lady and interviews with the director, taken during the Bangkok filming. Rerun: April 22, 11:35 and April 26, 09:50.

(03/31/11) - During recent interviews in Malaysia and Hong Kong, Michelle revealed that she did a lot of research personally in order to portray the role of Burma's democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi. She had collected a lot of materials, read almost 50 books, and listened to many interviews. She said she was not trying to imitate Aung San Suu Kyi. She was trying to understand her. "I feel very proud to play the character of such an influential woman," said Michelle.

Michelle had a chance to meet Aung San Suu Kyi personally toward the end of the Thailand shooting last December. She recalls they had great time together. She said meeting with Aung San Suu Kyi was like visiting an auntie. "She is very nice, frank and straight forward," said Michelle. "She talked about the times during her house arrest. She is elegant, smart, strong, and talented." Michelle said that Aung San Suu Kyi had seen some of her action films before. Kim Aris, Suu Kyi's younger son who was on the filming set, is a fan of Michelle and even suggested (jokingly?) they should add some action scenes to the new film. (okay, okay, they didn't...)

Many people commented that Michelle and Aung San Suu Kyi look very much alike. Asked about how similar they are, Michelle said after meeting with Aung San Suu Kyi she indeed felt they have a similar build and looks. She revealed that at one point they were curious who was taller and so they took off shoes and compared their heights - "We have the same height!"

- UK's dialect/voice coach Mel Churcher spent many months in Paris and Bangkok last year, coaching Michelle in her portrayal of Aung San Suu Kyi.

- Earlier this month director Luc Besson was in UK for a film screening. During interviews he said he's currently finishing work on The Lady. "The Lady is a biopic of 40 years of history of Burma and Aung San Suu Kyi," said Besson. According to "Screen," The Lady is likely to be ready for Toronto (September). The film is scheduled to release on October 5 in France and on October 27 in Germany. The UK release date has not been announced yet and it's possibly in November.

Excerpts from "Screen International" UK interview:

SI: How did you have the idea to make this film about Aung San Suu Kyi?

LB: I knew her and the story since she had won the Nobel Prize. I had read articles. Michelle Yeoh, who I knew from before, came to see me and said she would love to make this film as an actress and produce it with a friend of hers in England. She said "can you help to produce? Of course, I'd love for you to direct but you probably have other things to do." I said "you're right, I have other things to do but let's see if I can help."

I read the script and I was like - what! I didn't really know the real story about her love story and her life. I said to Michelle, "I know you are looking for a director. Maybe I've got one!" So she was thrilled. Then I met the English coproducer Andrew (Harries) and the writer.

SI: How involved is Aung San Suu Kyi?

LB: It's her story. She knows we're making the film. She has never read the script but she knows we're making the film. I've talked to her.

(02/09/11) Film stills:

1. Michelle Yeoh stands bathed in sunlight during shooting for The Lady, Nov. 24, 2010
2-3. Michelle stars as Aung San Suu Kyi


1. Aung San Suu Kyi, played by Michelle Yeoh, receives gifts from well wishers
2. Khin Maung Yin (L) plays a Military Intelligence officer talking to a Burmese general played by U Htun Lin

(02/02/11) EuropaCorp 2011 EFM line-up:

      THE LADY is an epic love story about how an extraordinary couple and family sacrifice their happiness at great human cost for a higher cause. This is the story of Aung San Suu Kyi and her husband, michael Aris. Despite distance, long separations, and a dangerously hostile regime, their love endures until the very end.

      A story of devotion and human understanding set against a background of political turmoil which continues today.

      THE LADY also is the story of the peaceful quest of the woman who is at the core of Burma's democracy movement.

      THE LADY was written over a period of three years by Rebecca frayn. interviews with key figures in Aung san suu Kyi's entourage enabled her to reconstruct for the first time the true story of Burma's national heroine.

(01/19/11) From Malaysia's "Daily Chilli":

      After three months of hard work, playing Myanmar freedom fighter Aung San Suu Kyi in The Lady, our very own Michelle Yeoh could finally take a breather as filming of the biopic was wrapped up on Jan 18.

      In an exclusive e-mail to The Daily Chilli, Michele Abitbol-Lasry, the publicist for EuropaCorp-Left Bank Pictures-France 2 Cinema, the maker of The Lady confirms that the eagerly awaited film is already in its post-production.

      "We have yet to set a release date for the movie in Malaysia and are still looking for a distributor," says Abitbol-Lasry.

      But definitely, The Lady will be released worldwide later this year.

      "Michelle and Luc Besson (the director) are very busy at the moment. The shooting is finished and they're doing the post-production," she adds. "We would like to have all press be done when the film opens in each country."

(Note: some related articles quoted Michelle saying: "When I got the script, I thought: either my agent wants to kill me or he's telling me I need a challenge." I would like to point out this sentence was actually published by the Guardian in January 2009. Michelle was talking specifically about her North Pole film Far North and in no way was referring to The Lady. )

(01/11/11) EuropaCorp announced today that the release date of The Lady is set for October 5, 2011.

(01/07/11) Filming of The Lady has been resumed quietly in Paris.
Deadline: Luc Besson Filming 'The Lady' In Secret

(01/05/11) Production photos from The Lady:

1. Michelle Yeoh as Aung San Suu Kyi in The Lady   2-3. Luc Besson directing The Lady

(12/22/10) - French article (l'Express): Sur le tournage du nouveau film de Luc Besson sur Aung San Suu Kyi   (English traslation)

- Video reports from Hong Kong and Taiwan on Michelle and The Lady:
  Apple Daily Hong Kong (01:42. in Cantonese)
  Apple Daily Taiwan (01:08. in Mandarin)
(12/19/10) Film stills from The Lady:

The Guardian: Aung San Suu Kyi's tragic love and incredible life come to the big screen

There is about three weeks of filming left and it is due for an autumn release, according to The Guardian report. Producer Andy Harries said the film will be set between 1988 -- when Aung San Suu Kyi left Oxford to visit her sick mother and ended up staying -- and 1999, the year Aris died after being diagnosed with cancer. Aris had been forbidden from entering Burma, a decision that left Aung San Suu Kyi with the almost impossible decision of whether to stay or go.

(12/17/10) Photo at left: Symbol of dignity  Michelle Yeoh plays Burma's tenacious heroine Aung San Suu Kyi in Luc Besson's The Lady   (EuropaCorp / Left Bank Pictures / France 2 Cinema)

"...Yeoh not only strongly resembles the lissome Nobel laureate, but also occupies the part so convincingly that Besson calls it 'perfect for her.' 'From the moment I saw this actress,' says Thein Win, a Burmese actor playing a member of Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD),' I thought, 'She is Daw [Aunt] Suu.'

"The Lady's Thailand scenes have to be shot discreetly, mainly, it seems, to mollify the Thai government, which is forging closer relations with Burma's generals. To avoid offending the authorities, who would possibly order the shoot shut down, scripts carry a deliberately insipid working title (Dans la Lumiere) that gives no clue to their content. Cast and crew have signed confidentiality agreements. And TIME is the only publication allowed on the set.

"If secrecy is one obsession, authenticity is another. The sets - Suu Kyi's dilapidated house, her cell in Rangoon's Insein jail - are the results of meticulous research; many of the cast are from Burma. The realism often overwhelms exiled actor Thein Win, who not only plays an NLD member but is one. He attended party meetings with Suu Kyi before fleeing Burma in 1991. And he wept real tears during the scene in which Yeoh as Suu Kyi bids farewell to her sons before her incarceration. 'It was heartbreaking to watch,' Thein Win says." (TIME)

TIME exclusive on The Lady:
   The Lady: Aung San Suu Kyi's Fight for Freedom
   Q&A: Luc Besson
   Q&A: Michelle Yeoh

(12/16/10) Filming is taking place at Park Town, Oxford, England.

Aung San Suu Kyi received a B.A. degree in Philosophy, Politics and Economics from Oxford University and met her future husband Dr. Michael Aris there. The family were residing in Oxford when Aung San Suu Kyi returned to Burma (in 1988) to tend to her ailing mother (and she has remained in Burma since).

(12/09/10) After seven weeks, the location shooting in Thailand is wrapping up this week. "75 percent of the movie has been shot here," said a managing director of Siam Movies Productions, a Thai company that is providing services on the production. Shooting took place in Bangkok and nearby locations, including Muang Thong Thani, Khlong Song in Pathum Thani, and the old Bangkok airport. Filmmakers used Thailand to stand in for Burma, and hundreds of Thai people were hired to portray Burmese, according to the Bangkok Post newspaper.

Early in the year, both director/producer Luc Besson and Michelle visited Burma in order to research for the film.

Production will be moving to London for a two-week shoot, followed by a fortnight studio shoot in Paris, according to "Variety." The film is scheduled for delivery spring/summer 2011.

Photo at left: (L to R) Michelle, Kim Aris (Aung San Suu Kyi's younger son) and Anthony Aris, twin of Aung San Suu Kyi's late husband, in Bangkok, Thailand at the end of October, 2010.

(12/07/10)

left: Michelle Yeoh   right: Aung San Suu Kyi
Rangoon, Burma, Dec. 7, 2010 ("BBC" image)

On Monday, December 6, Michelle met with Aung San Suu Kyi as well as with members of the NLD (National League for Democracy, Aung San Suu Kyi's political party) in Rangoon (Yangon), Burma (Myanmar). Michelle spent the day at Aung San Suu Kyi's lakeside home in Rangoon and and they had dinner together Monday night. "Michelle Yeoh spent all day with Aung San Suu Kyi discussing the film... They met and had a light-hearted discussion -- even joking around a bit," Nyan Win, Aung San Suu Kyi's lawyer and spokesman, spoke about Michelle's visit. "She showed us some production stills on her camera from the movie in which she had dressed like Aung San Suu Kyi. The two of them look very much alike and have a similar build."

On Tuesday, December 7, Michelle was seen in a waiting room at the Yangon International Airport, sitting together with Aung San Suu Kyi and her younger son, Kim Aris (who resides in the U.K.) who was allowed to visit his mother for the first time in a decade. The Associated Press reported that Michelle boarded the same flight with Kim Aris, to Bangkok, Thailand.

Yangon International Airport, Rangoon, Burma, Dec. 7, 2010

Photos: 1. Michelle at the airport   2. Michelle smiles to photographers along with members of NLD as she departs   3. Kim Aris, younger son of Aung San Suu Kyi, shows victory sign to her supporters as she bid farewell to him. Kim Aris was allowed to visit his mother for the first time in a decade   (photos from "AP" and "This is London")

[Note] Both Aung San Suu Kyi and Michelle Yeoh are Buddhists, originated in Southeast Asia (Michelle is a Malaysian of Chinese ethnicity), and received their college education in England. Michelle herself has been involved in various humanitarian activities.

News links:
    Radio Free Asia: Yeoh Mulls Suu Kyi Biopic
    Bangkok Post: Thailand stars in Suu Kyi film
    AFP: Michelle Yeoh to star in Suu Kyi film

(11/13/10) Production began in Thailand on October 18th under the French title "Dans La Lumiere" (Into the Light). It was kept as a top secret. Some of the actors did not even know who they would be playing when flying to Bangkok. According to French media, director Luc Besson had been working on the film project in the summer, and all participants were required to sign confidentiality agreements.

Earlier development of the project:

- During the promotion of her new film Reign of Assassins in late September, Michelle revealed that her next film project has been fixed and it will be an arthouse film. She did not give any details. Instead, she just said she promised the director that she would leave it up to him (the director) to announce the film. Michelle said she will be busy with the project until next February or March.

- In June, Cinema for Peace published their support to the Aung San Suu Kyi film project.

Photo at left: Jaka Bizilj, the founder and chairman of the Cinema for Peace, talks to Michelle about the project during the annual Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) in New York, September 2010.

- In May 2010, it was revealed that French director Luc Besson and his EuropaCorp have come on board. Luc Besson will be directing the film with Michelle playing the main lead. The tentative title of the film was The Divided Heart (originally Freedom From Fear), penned by Rebecca Frayn. It was described as a "poignant love story."

- In November 2009, U.K. "Screen Daily" mentioned that Michelle was attached to play Burmese political leader Aung San Suu Kyi in a biopic/drama being developed by British film companies BBC Films and Left Bank Pictures.

- As early as in February 2008, British media reported that U.K. producer Andy Harries of Left Bank Pictures was making a £5m drama for the BBC based on the life story of Burmese democracy leader and Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi. According to the reports, the script, tentative titled "Freedom From Fear," was penned by filmmaker and novelist Rebecca Frayn, and Michelle was in talks to play the lead.

  "It's not just a political story - it's a tragic love story. This is a woman educated at Oxford, married to an Englishman and who has two sons. She goes to her homeland to help for a few months and it turns into a 20-year house arrest," said producer Andy Harries. "It's a love triangle. She is torn between her love of her country, which looks to her as a symbol of hope, and her family. Her husband, who spent 10 years campaigning for her, died of cancer having been denied entry to see her and she still remains estranged from her children. We are talking about someone who is the Nelson Mandela of Asia."

Fact Sheet:
    1. The Burmese people don't use surnames and thus they can appear to change their names at will. The name "Aung San Suu Kyi" derives from three parts: "Aung San" (meaning "victory"), is the name of her father (General Aung San, the hero of Burmese independence who was assassinated when she was two years old). "Suu" is the name of her paternal grandmother, and "Kyi" is one of the names of her mother, Khin Kyi. The name by which she is known to those privileged to be on a first name basis with her is "Suu."
    2. On December 10, 1991, Aung San Suu Kyi's two sons, Alexander Aris and Kim Aris (aged 18 and 14 at the time), accepted the Nobel Peace Prize on her behalf (acceptance speech) in Oslo, Norway, while she was serving a house arrest term in Rangoon (Yangon), Burma (Myanmar). She had been unjustly detained by the government of Myanmar (Burma) for 15 out of the past 21 years. She was released on November 13, 2010, after her latest 7 year term of detention expired.
    3. In more than 100 years of history of the Nobel Peace Prize, there were three laureates who were under detention when they were honored: Carl von Ossietzky, a German journalist and pacifist imprisoned in a Nazi concentration camp (1935); Aung San Suu Kyi, a Burmese opposition leader under house arrest by Myanmar's ruling junta (1991); and Liu Xiaobo, a Chinese dissident imprisoned by the Chinese communist government on a 11 year jail sentence (2010). China now is the only country in the world where a Nobel Peace Prize laureate is being kept in prison. Chinese human rights lawyer Gao Zhisheng, the thrice-nominated candidate for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2007, 2008, and 2010, who was unjustly arrested and brutally tortured by the Chinese government, is now "missing."

Links: 
Burma Campaign UK: a Biography of Aung San Suu Kyi
Official Website of the Nobel Prize: a Biography of Aung San Suu Kyi
TIME: Photos: Freedom for Burma's Aung San Suu Kyi
The Independent: The return of Burma's accidental heroine (photos)
The Guardian: Aung San Suu Kyi: the private photo album
New York Times: Michael V. Aris, 53, Dies; Scholarly Husband of Laureate
Irrawaddy: Solitude and Dignity
Wikipedia: Aung San Suu Kyi
Aung San Suu Kyi: Freedom from Fear

* Special thanks to YTSL and Dean for the help with text editing

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