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Red Cliff script leaked

Part of the script for Red Cliff (Chi Bi) - John Woo's latest war epic, which is currently in production - has been leaked on the Internet.

The script was posted anonymously on an online BBS. It is the second time Red Cliff's script has been leaked. One month before, on the same website, 25 scenes were revealed. This time 14 scenes were added. The leaked drafts seem genuine as they are consistent with what Woo has talked about in past interviews.

Though an incomplete version, the script has created a big stir among netizens. Some feel the lines are too modern for a story that originally took place more than 1,700 years ago, while others commented on the solid structure. Nobody has claimed responsibility for the leaks.

Searching for Jia Baoyu

Director Li Shaohong (pictured) is searching high and wide for an actor to play Jia Baoyu in her TV drama A Dream of the Red Chamber.

Jia is the lead character in the novel, one of the "four classics" of Chinese literature. There is already a much-loved TV series, made in 1987, and a couple of film, theater and opera adaptations.

The China Times in Taiwan and the Sin Pao Daily News in Hong Kong have also joined in the search for a star, via their newspapers and websites.

Wang Xiaoshuai goes for gold

Eight movies have been confirmed for competition in the 58th Berlin International Film Golden Bear, organizers have confirmed.

The films are from China, Brazil, Mexico, Britain, the United States, Poland and Germany.

Chinese director Wang Xiaoshuai, who won a Silver Bear with Beijing Bicycle in 2001, will this time present In Love We Trust (Zuo You).

The film tells the story of a mother whose firstborn has cancer and she resorts to unusual measures to save it. Liu Weiwei, Zhang Jiayu and Yu Nan are in the leading roles.

Golden Bear winner Paul Thomas Anderson from the United States will present There Will Be Blood.

The film recounts the remarkable story of an unsuccessful silver miner who rises to become an oil magnate, in the early 20th century.

Channeling Patrick Swayze

Hong Kong director Johnnie To's new film, Linger (Hudie Fei), starring budding mainland actress Li Bingbing, will premiere next January.

Li says that the 20 million yuan ($2.6 million) film is To's version of Ghost, which starred Patrick Swayze. After being killed in a car accident, a man's soul lingers on earth to stay with his lover. Taiwan singer Vic Zhou (of boy band F4) also stars.

The film's Chinese title literally means flying butterfly, because a butterfly symbolizes rebirth, which is the story's main theme, Li says.

To, famous for his action movies, says he now wants to explore different genres. Ivy Ho, scriptwriter of the beloved Hong Kong romance Comrades: Almost a Love Story (Tian Mimi), wrote the script.

China Daily

(China Daily 12/14/2007 page18)