Chinese helmer He Ping ("Warriors of Heaven and Earth") is wrapping up "Wheat," a high-profile historical action drama about the women left behind when their men have gone off to war -- and the lies they are told to keep them from knowing the awful truth.

A poster of "Wheat". [sina.com.cn]

Pic, which stars Fan Bingbing, Wang Jue and Wang Zhiwen, was produced on a budget of $6 million by Xian Film Studio, Beijing Polybona and his own company Beijing Classic Culture.

Pic is in post-production, with completion skedded for spring 2009 and eyeing a possible fest slot in May. Distribution in China will be through Polybona.

"Wheat" is also latest addition to the slate of new Hong Kong- and China-based foreign sales company Distribution Workshop, which is headed by "Infernal Affairs" producer Nansun Shi and former Media Asia sales chief Jeffrey Chan.

Distribution Workshop's slate also includes Gary Oldman starrer "Rain Fall," a big-budget police actioner set in Tokyo and helmed by Max Mannix. Japanese- and English-language is produced by Satoru Iseki ("The Emperor and the Assassin.")