Hollywood is an oddly traditional place for a dream factory. I suppose that someone out there has written lots and lots already on how mainstream Hollywood has attempted to define 'normal' or preserve traditional gender roles as much as some directors and writers on the edge have attempted to push those barriers of acceptability.

One of the last barriers to come down in Hollywood has been the one that stands in the way of a true female action hero. You know what I mean: a woman who is strong, intelligent, and doesn't get saved by the hero or gets injured and has to stand back while he saves the world. There have been some attempts: Linda Hamilton's character in T2 and Sigourney Weaver's Ripley were all pretty damn good too, while still paying lip service in some way to traditional roles of motherhood, bad or good.

The new Hong Kong film actress has been getting the sorts of roles that acresses in Hollywood would kill for. Imagine, if you will, what Heroic Trio would have been like if Hollywood had made it, or how watered-down Michelle Yeoh's character would have been in Police Story 3: Supercop.

Michelle Yeoh

Just like Jet, Michelle Yeoh was well-established in Hong Kong before she came to North America. Her work in Police Story 3: Supercop, Wing Chun, and Heroic Trio will help you to understand how her abilities were wasted in Tomorrow Never Dies.

International Movie Database

The Internet Movie Database is a real find, if you don't already know about it. They have a very good filmography to get you started, with a large number of links for happy surfing.

Girls on Film

has some info on Michelle Yeoh and Brigitte Lin on their Emma Peel Memorial Page. Apparently, this site started as a way of avoiding a thesis (oh boy, I've never done that. Not.) There isn't much evidence of traffic here lately, but it's still a lot of fun to go through.

Interview in TVGen (TV Guide Entertainment Network)

This is a good interview, giving some of Michelle's background as a former Miss Malaysia, dancer, and how she does her own stunts.

Anita is sometimes called the "Madonna of Hong Kong". She's a top-level singer and entertainer, famous for the number of costume changes that she makes during the length of a concert, as well as being an award-winning actress. In addition, she's one good martial artist on film. Is there something that Anita can't do?

International Movie Database

An excellent listing of the over twenty films that Anita Mui has worked in.