This interview with Zhang Ziyi was done with the aid of her Chinese-English interpreter. The questions from reporters were in English. A few times Zhang Ziyi used English for some simple answers. The majority of the time, she was speaking Mandarin Chinese. After discussing this with Akiko, who was one of the interviewers, I decided to translate Ziyi's answers myself instead of using interpreter's translation, since the interpreter sometimes added her own explanations into the conversation.

Q: Interesting comparing to "House of Flying Daggers"... So how is it going? You're wearing the kimono...
Zhang Ziyi: (in English) It's different! (the rest is in Chinese unless specified) In fact I feel that our costume, wardrobe and makeup are very helpful for us. They provide such an environment that we can look for the right feeling. I feel (the character) has gotten more and more under my skin. Because if you portray such a character you need to truly understand it.
Q: When did you read the book? Were you aware of the book?
Zhang Ziyi: (in English) Three years ago...uhm, in Chinese.
Q: What did you think of the story?
Zhang Ziyi: (back to Chinese) I feel it is a very rich story.
Q: Do you feel the Chinese culture and Japanese culture are similar or completely different?
Zhang Ziyi: I feel there are a lot of similarities. I'm very interested in the Japanese culture. Becuase of shooting Suzuki's movie (Note: director Seijun Suzuki's "Odoru Tanuki Goten"), I spent three months in Japan. I saw that Japan has kept the traditional culture. You can still see many people dressed in kimono walking on the Tokyo streets. At the same time you can also see very western, very modern aspects. It's a combination of the times from very traditional to very modern.
Q: What kind of research did you do for this role?
Zhang Ziyi: I feel every figure has their own character. They are people. I don't feel the characters we portray represent a culture. I feel I'm portraying a person, her story. Only this story happens to be about this woman who has this special background.
Q: How is it working with Rob Marshall?
Zhang Ziyi: I feel it has been a very good experience. I feel the director - he's very intelligent, and he's very meticulous about all the details. He also has great control over the performances and he has very clear ideas as to what he wants.
Q: Do you have any particular director or actor that you want to work with?
Zhang Ziyi: Many. There are many excellent actors in Hollywood. My favorite is Al Pacino.
Q: And how is it working with the Japanese actors in this film?
Zhang Ziyi: Very happy. With them together you can learn a lot. Because they are so natural in terms of the walking and the different aspects (of Japanese culture). They don't have to think about it. It's in their blood. Many times they have helped us. For example, like Ken (Watanabe) often says: oh it's better if you put your hands here, or, it's better if you walk like this. And Yuki (Kudoh) has been very helpful as well.
Q: So you've been working all the time, its been so busy. Do you have any breaks?
Rob Marshall: (who's just passing by) She has no breaks. I make sure of that... (laughters all around) Doesn't she look gorgeous? (Questioners: Yes.)
Zhang Ziyi: (answer the question in English) Maybe after this movie.
Q: Where do you want to go? Or do you just want to lie down on a beach or something?
Zhang Ziyi: I really want to go to London.
Q: Why? Do you want to shop or...
Zhang Ziyi: (in English) I've never been there, so I really want to go to take a look.
Q:You have a dance scene in the film. How's that?
Zhang Ziyi: It's quite difficult. Because I had to wear shoes like this high (Note: Pokkuri, the name of this type of shoe in Japan, are about 6 to 8 inches high). I remember on the day of the shoot Steven Spielberg came (to the set). He came to me, and he said - he praised me, and then he said: "I have this question - how do you get down from those shoes?" (Note: at one point Ziyi has to dance out of the pokkuri). That dance scene for me is like a scene within a scene. At that moment Sayuri is portraying a character. So she looked like she has gone a little crazy.
Q: This character in the beginning of the movie is a teenager - well, actually, she's a kid - and then later on after the war she's gotten older. Is it difficult to play? And also, like she is in a very different situation...
Zhang Ziyi: I'm very grateful the director was able to find (an actress for) my younger years. Suzuka is really very lovely, and very smart too. I feel she portrayed Sayuri's younger years - I haven't seen (the finished cut), but I feel after watching a few scenes she shot, I'm really glad. (The portraying of) my younger years is excellent. The rest of the task is left for me and I am doing the best I can. I feel I can't say how well I complete the task before seeing the movie myself. But everyone has been - (switch to English) do(ing) their best.