Shu Qi

Early life

Born in Xindian township, Taipei County (now New Taipei City), Shu Qi went to Hong Kong at the age of 17 to seek a film career. She began in the softcore pornography modelling industry, appearing in the Chinese edition of Playboy. She eventually came under the management of Hong Kong film producer Manfred Wong, who signed her to several Hong Kong Category III films such as Sex & Zen II (1996).

Career

1996–1999: Early roles

Shu starred in Derek Yee's 1996 film Viva Erotica, about the erotic film industry in Hong Kong, with Karen Mok and Leslie Cheung. She received the Best Supporting Actress award for her performance in Viva Erotica at the 16th Hong Kong Film Awards in 1997. She has since appeared in Hong Kong films such as Portland Street Blues (1998), City of Glass (1998), the box office hit Gorgeous (1999), Stanley Kwan's The Island Tales (1999) and Hou Hsiao-hsien's Millennium Mambo (2001), making her transition into mainstream acting.

2002–2009

In 2002, Shu starred in the French film The Transporter, the first installment of the Transporter franchise. This marked her first foray into the American market. Among Shu's earlier notable works were The Foliage (2004), a romance film set in Yunnan during the Cultural Revolution. She won the Best Actress award at the 13th Shanghai Film Critics Awards for her performance. Shu worked with Hou again in Three Times (2005), which competed at the Cannes Film Festival and won Shu the Best Actress award at the Golden Horse Awards. In 2006, Shu starred in the third installment of the gangster film My Wife Is a Gangster alongside Korean actor Lee Beom-soo.

She then starred alongside Tony Leung Chiu-wai and Takeshi Kaneshiro in the crime drama Confession of Pain (2006). In 2008, she had a small but memorable role in the American romantic comedy New York, I Love You. Shu served as a jury member at the 58th Berlin International Film Festival in 2008, and the 62nd Cannes Film Festival in 2009. The same year, she was honored at the Huabiao Awards as Best Actress for the Taiwan and Hong Kong region for her performance in the romantic comedy film If You Are the One, directed by Feng Xiaogang. The romantic comedy was the highest-grossing Chinese film of the year.

2010–2023

Shu starred in Journey to the West: Conquering the Demons (2013), directed by Stephen Chow and loosely based on the Chinese literary classic Journey to the West. The film overtook Lost in Thailand to become the highest-grossing Chinese movie. Shu reunited with Hou in his first wuxia film, The Assassin (2015), starring as the title character. The film received overwhelmingly positive reviews at the Cannes Film Festival, and Shu won the Best Actress award at the Asian Film Festival. It was selected as the Taiwanese entry for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 88th Academy Awards but it was not nominated. The same year, she starred in the blockbuster film Mojin: The Lost Legend, adapted from popular adventure novel series Ghost Blows Out the Light.

In 2016, Shu, Feng Shaofeng and Victoria Song starred in the Chinese remake of My Best Friend's Wedding. She was also cast in fantasy comedy The Village of No Return, which premiered at the first day of Spring Festival in 2017. In 2017, Shu starred in Stephen Fung's The Adventurers alongside Jean Reno and Andy Lau. Shu appears in the 2019 science fiction film Shanghai Fortress, adapted from the 2006 novel Once Upon a Time in Shanghai. In 2023, Shu served as a jury member at the 80th Venice International Film Festival.

2024–present

In June 2024, Shu was invited to become a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. She starred in the Bi Gan's science fiction detective film Resurrection (2025) which debuted at the Cannes Film Festival. The film was deemed polarizing as it divided critics at the festival. Shu made her directorial debut with the film Girl (2025), which was shortlisted for the Golden Lion at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival.

Modeling and other ventures

From 2006 to 2009, Shu was selected by Kenzo Takada to be global spokesperson of the third advertising campaign for its successful fragrance Flower by Kenzo.{{cite web|url=https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/hqylss/2007-06/05/content_887737.htm|title=舒淇担任FlowerbyKenzo全球代言人 |trans-title=Shu Qi becomes global spokesperson for Flower by Kenzo|language=zh|work=China Daily|date=June 5, 2007|access-date=April 1, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200812224614/https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/hqylss/2007-06/05/content_887737.htm|archive-date=12 August 2020|url-status=live}} She also worked as a spokesperson for Shiatzy Chen.

Shu has been representing Frederique Constant in Asia as a brand ambassador since 2008. In 2009, she, along with Frederique Constant and Paint-a-Smile Foundation, repainted the murals on the walls of the cardiology department at the Beijing Children's Hospital.

Shu was also Emporio Armani's Asian ambassador for its Fall/Winter 2010 collection. and is also the brand spokesperson for Bulgari in China. Since 2023, she has been announced as Global Brand Ambassador of Bulgari. In February 2023, Shu has been Global Spokesperson for American high-end fashion house Michael Kors. In March 2023, American luxury beauty brand Tom Ford Beauty announced Shu as their brand ambassador for Fragrance and Make-up for the China and Asia-Pacific regions. In October 2023, Italian luxury fashion house Bottega Veneta announced Shu Qi as Global Brand Ambassador, which she also appeared in an exclusive campaign of the brand.{{cite web|url=https://www.vogue.com.tw/article/bottega-veneta-shu-qi|title=快訊！Bottega Veneta 正式宣布舒淇擔任全球品牌大使|trans-title=News flash! Bottega Veneta officially announces Shu Qi as global brand ambassador|language=zh-TW |work=VOGUE Taiwan|date=October 26, 2023|access-date=October 26, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231026084908/https://www.vogue.com.tw/article/bottega-veneta-shu-qi|archive-date=October 26, 2023 |url-status=live}} In September 2024, Tom Ford Beauty named Shu as its global ambassador. In January 2025, American luxury beauty brand Estée Lauder named Shu as its global spokesperson for skincare.

Personal life

Shu married Hong Kong actor-director Stephen Fung in 2016. The two, who met on the set of the romance drama Bishonen in 1997, remained friends for 20 years, but only dated for four years prior to marriage.

Filmography

Film

Acting roles

Filmmaking credits

Television series

Discography

Awards and nominations

Main article: List of awards and nominations received by Shu Qi

References

References

1. Kok, Chloe. (2020-04-16). "Taiwanese actress Shu Qi turns 44, wishes family and friends good health". The Straits Times.
2. Chak, Ashlyn. (2024-09-27). "How actress Shu Qi went from soft-porn to mainstream cinema, and now filmmaking".
3. Huang, Zih-Wei. (2012-12-30). "舒淇童年蘿莉萌樣瘋傳！ 含苞少女照遭起底".
4. (April 24, 2013). "2013 Forbes China Celebrity 100 List: Fan Bingbing in Top Spot".
5. (May 6, 2014). "2014 Forbes China Celebrity List (Full List)".
6. (May 13, 2015). "2015 Forbes China Celebrity List (Full List)".
7. (September 22, 2017). "2017 Forbes China Celebrity List (Full List)".
8. (August 20, 2019). "福布斯中国发布100名人榜 吴京黄渤胡歌位列前三".
9. Cam, Lisa. (2020-04-16). "Shu Qi in 5 unforgettable moments: the Taiwanese soft-porn actress who transitioned to award-winning star".
10. (23 May 2016). "Shu Qi : From Cat III to Cannes". [[EasternKicks]].
11. (20 May 2011). "Shu Qi, beauty of the underworld". [[Taipei Times]].
12. "The Foliage". China.org.cn.
13. (16 June 2004). ""The Foliage" won an award as Best Actress (Shu Qi) in the 13th Yong Le Cup Shanghai Film Critics Awards in China". Mei Ah Entertainment.
14. "Three Times". Festival De Cannes.
15. (13 November 2005). "'Kung Fu Hustle' Wins Golden Horse Award". The Washington Post.
16. (7 December 2006). "Taiwanese Star in Korea to Promote New Gangster Film". The Chosun Ilbo.
17. (16 July 2006). "Shu Qi and Xu Jinglei". Variety.
18. Sun, Andrew. (2008-02-05). "Talented and in demand Shu Qi on jury duty for Berlin Film Festival".
19. (2009-05-23). "The Feature Film Jury".
20. (19 June 2009). "FILM REVIEW: The odd couple". Taipei Times.
21. (30 August 2009). "Zhang, Woo honored at China awards". The Hollywood Reporter.
22. (10 March 2013). "Film Review: 'Journey to the West: Conquering the Demons'". Variety.
23. (21 May 2015). "Hou Hsiao-Hsien's Wuxia Epic 'The Assassin' Astonishes Cannes". Indie Wire.
24. (16 March 2016). "'The Assassin' Sweeps 10th Asian Film Awards". Variety.
25. McNary, Dave. (2015-09-10). "Taiwan Selects 'The Assassin' as Oscar Entry".
26. (20 December 2015). "'Mojin: The Lost Legend' Rules China's Box Office, Breaking Records". CRI English.
27. Borys Kit. (20 May 2015). "'My Best Friends' Wedding' Chinese Remake Finds Stars". The Hollywood Reporter.
28. (25 November 2016). "Fantasy comedy starring Shu Qi set to be screened on Spring Festival". China Daily.
29. (4 July 2016). "Jean Reno-Starrer 'The Adventurers' to Shoot in Czech Republic". Variety.
30. (21 September 2017). "Aliens on the big screen".
31. Rosser, Michael. (July 13, 2023). "Venice film festival unveils full juries for 2023 edition". [[Screen International]].
32. (13 July 2023). "Biennale Cinema 2023 The international juries of the 80th Venice Film Festival". [[Venice International Film Festival.
33. (2024-06-25). "The Academy Invites 487 New Members for 2024: See the Full List". [[Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences]].
34. "'Resurrection' Review: Bi Gan's Dream Scenario Is The Perfect Cure For Insomnia – Cannes Film Festival".
35. "‘Resurrection’ Review: Bi Gan’s Extravagant Act of Surrender to the Seductions of a Century of Cinema".
36. (July 25, 2025 }} Republished as: {{cite news). "Shu Qi's directorial debut shortlisted for Golden Lion". Taipei Times.
37. (June 9, 2007). "舒淇晕乎乎换衣遮春光 超低胸装登船险摔倒(图)". [[Sohu]].
38. "Watchmaker Frederique Constant teams up with movie star Shu Qi in a children's charity initiative". Moodie Report.
39. (2009-01-05). "Shu Qi To Front Paint A Smile Campaign". Look to the Stars.
40. (August 2010). "Shu Qi - the new face for Emporio Armani". Luxos.
41. (5 February 2023). "Wrapped up in the luscious curves of the #Serpenti icon, #Bulgari's Global Brand Ambassador, #ShuQi, graces the cover of #ElleChina's February 2023 edition. #StarsInBulgari". [[Bulgari]] on [[Twitter]].
42. (2 March 2023). "官方宣佈舒淇將成為 Michael Kors 全球品牌大使！". Popbee.
43. (3 March 2023). "品牌全球代言人舒淇倾情演绎全新MICHAEL Michael Kors春季系列广告大片". [[Elle (magazine).
44. (7 March 2023). "Tom Ford Beauty Names Shu Qi Attaché". [[Women's Wear Daily.
45. (7 March 2023). "自然真挚，风情万种。TOM FORD BEAUTY正式宣布演员@舒淇 成为品牌香氛与彩妆形象大使。以摩登动人之姿，尽释女性多面魅力。一抹#TF16斯嘉丽红#，是银幕魅力的经典之红。". [[Tom Ford (brand)#Tom Ford Beauty.
46. (October 26, 2023). "Bottega Veneta Taps Shu Qi as Global Brand Ambassador". [[Women's Wear Daily.
47. (September 24, 2024). "Tom Ford Beauty names Shu Qi as global ambassador". Jing Daily.
48. (January 8, 2025). "舒淇出任 Estée Lauder 代言人，活動上擦的「裸棕色」唇彩太美，網友們都在求同款". The Femin.
49. (3 September 2016). "'The Assassin' star Shu Qi marries HK actor-director Fung". The Seattle Times.
50. (3 September 2016). "Shu Qi and Stephen Fung announce marriage after denying long-time romance". AsiaOne.
51. Raup, Jordan. (2022-02-25). "Hou Hsiao-hsien to Finally Embark on Shulan River This Year & Announces New Project with Chang Chen".
52. Hiciano, Lery. (24 July 2025). "Shu Qi's 'Girl' shortlisted at Venice Film Festival".
53. Naman Ramachandran. (August 4, 2025). "Shu Qi, Lee Sinje Netflix Thriller ‘The Resurrected’ Unveils First Teaser (EXCLUSIVE)". [[Variety (magazine).