Director Feng Xiaogang is planning to move the Chinese classic painting Han Xizai Hosts an Evening Banquet to the big screen next year.

   
It is the first time that Feng, who has won many awards at the Chinese Oscars -- the Golden Rooster and Hundred Flower Film Festival, has tried to direct a swordsmen film.
   
An international cast will be chosen for this New Year film of 2006, according to reports. Besides Ge You, who has been a favorite star in Feng's films, Gong Li will also play a leading role. Other cast include Fan Bingbing, Kim Sing-moo from Taiwan and Jang Dong-gun from South Korea.
   
However, the filmmaker said the cast decisions had not been completed yet.
   
The ancient painting was done by renowned Chinese artist Gu Hongzhong and tells the story of Han Xizai, a scholar during the Southern Tang Dynasty in the 10th century.
   
The filmmaker revealed that more than US$10 million would be invested in the film.
   
The film, a Chinese version of Hamlet, is now being approved by the national film authority, who told the filmmaker a week ago that everything was going well. Shooting for the film is expected to begin early next year.

(Shenzhen Daily November 16, 2004)