The highly anticipated 3D science fiction thriller Gravity is almost here. It will hit Chinese cinema screens nationwide Tuesday.

The film starring George Clooney and Sandra Bullock, which was seven years in the making, sees astronauts on what should be a routine mission.

That is until their shuttle is destroyed during a space-walk leaving them thrown out into the void of space attached to nothing but each other.

The film's director, Alfonso Cuaron, attended a press screening here in Beijing today. CRI's Zhao Pingping was there to speak to him.

Q. "Why does it take so long to finish?"

A. "Because it took a long time to put together the technology to invent the technology to make this film. That's what took so long."

Q. "Are you familiar with Chinese films? What are your expectations and comments on Chinese films?"

A. "I think that Chinese cinema has been for a long time now, one of the fundamental cinemas in the world and it's been influencing the rest of the world. And also with the growing of the local market it's just going to create very interesting dynamics."