Feng Xiaogang's film The Banquet will be premiered at this year's Venice Film Festival on September 3rd, according to Beijing-based co-producer Huayi Brothers. 　　

 

After premiering in Venice the film will then go on to tour five cities across China starting in Guangzhou. 　　

 

CEO of Huayi Brothers, Wang Zhonglei, said the film will be released in China starting September 15th, with 650 copies to be sent to cinemas nationwide. 　

 

Wang admitted the risks of not choosing summer vacation or any other holidays for the film's release, however adding that there will be no other big budget films in China's cinemas during its scheduled screening, and thus no competition. 　　

 

Feng Xiaogang saw his largest box office takings with his film A World Without Thief, which grossed close to 120 million yuan. Wang said he has confidence that this new film could earn even more.

 

Also, since The Banquet's copyright in Europe has been sold, its screening in Venice also serves to promote the film's European partner.

 

(CRI July 13, 2006)