Famous Chinese director Zhang Yimou's new kungfu film Hero will take part in the competition for the 2003 Academy Awards, a spokesman for Zhang and those involved in the film announced Tuesday, Huanshang Daily reports.
The shooting of the film is finished and it is now being appraised in and outside China.
Hong Kong artists expressed their approval of the film, expecting it to become a new box office hit in the year, but Miramax, the US producer of the film, showed dissatisfaction with the rhythm of the development of the plot and the acting skills of the lead actors and actresses.
Responding to Miramax's demands, Zhang said he would make improvements to Hero in the days to come. The film is expected to reach the public by October this year to catch up with the selection timetable of next year's Academy Awards.
(eastday.com July 17, 2002)
