Hong Kong director Stanley Tong's new film project to remake the Chinese folktale Mulan has been approved by the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television.

 

Guo Shu, representative of the movie's investor, said the film would focus on the legendary Chinese maiden Mulan's 12-year experience disguised as a male soldier. Chinese star Zhang Ziyi has reportedly read the script and is considering playing Mulan.

 

The folktale about a young girl who disguises herself as a man and charges into war to replace her aged father was animated by Disney in 1998 and won an Oscar for best music in 1999. Guo said the remake of Mulan would interpret the traditional Chinese values embodied by Mulan — a child's devotion to parents, bravery and loyalty.

 

 

"How did Mulan spend 12 years in the army? Was there a romance? What happened to her? What kind of people did she encounter? We are going to answer these questions in the film," said Guo, explaining the story itself tells much about war and peace and about the roles and relationships of men and women in traditional Chinese culture.

 

(Shenzhen Daily March 21, 2006)