Chinese director Zhang Yimou is preparing to begin shooting his latest movie The City of Golden Armor. It is a new work following the hit drama film Riding Alone for Thousands of Miles.

 

The new movie is inspired by the modern Chinese play Thunderstorm, a classic from famous playwright Cao Yu. Before planning this movie, Zhang Yimou made a name for himself with Red Sorghum and To Live. Both these previous films were also based on classic works.

 

Producer Zhang Weiping has revealed that the story of his new movie is set in the Tang dynasty (AD 618-907). The theme involves a power struggle between the emperor, the empress and a general. There will be several large war scenes which will be shot with tens of thousands of extras – real people rather than computer graphics. The script has been planned over three years, and during this time the group of creators has been changed three times. Zhang Yimou says this is the most satisfying of all the dramatic works he has created. Together with leading actors Chow Yun-Fat and Gong Li, Zhang Yimou will start filming in February. The location will be Chongqing Wulong Sky Hole, a place of interest in southwest China.

 

The City of Golden Armors will be wrapped up at the end of year, to hit Chinese screens before 2007. The producer says the budget is about US$ 44.6 million, making it the most expensive Chinese movie production to date. They intend to earn big for this movie, not only in box office revenue but also in praise from audiences and critics.

 

(CRI January 13, 2006)