?The Hong Kong version of a still from Gordon Chan's new movie "Huapi," or "Painted Skin." [Photo: ent.sina.com]

A Hong Kong version still of Gordon Chan's new movie "Huapi," or "Painted Skin," was recently released.

"Painted Skin" is a thriller centering on a vampire-like woman who eats the skin and hearts of her lovers. The film is adapted from the ancient novel "Liaozhai Zhiyi," or "Strange Stories from a Chinese Studio," written by Pu Songling during the Qing Dynasty.

The still of actresses Zhou Xun and Vicky Zhao has an eerie feel. Zhou, who plays a fox sprite, appears in the photo as a human, while white-headed Vicky Zhao weeps tears of blood.

The movie will premiere on September 28.

(CRI August 20,2008)