Chinese director Zhang Yimou's martial-art turned-art house film Riding Alone for Thousands of Miles was unveiled at the 18th Tokyo International Film Festival last Saturday night. 

The festival opener screening also marks the film's global premiere. It is the first time that Zhang Yimou has worked with celebrated 70-something Japanese actor Ken Takakura. 　　

Riding Alone is the story of an epic voyage undertaken by a father on behalf of his dying son. It features veteran Japanese actor Ken Takakura and China's Jiang Wen. 　　 　　

The film is set for a release in China at the end of 2005 and in Japan in early 2006. 　　

The film cost US$ 7.2 million to produce, far smaller than Zhang's last two films, Hero and House Of Flying Daggers. 　　

(CRI October 24, 2005)