Paradise the key to success

Impression Hainan veered off into a new direction from the three previous productions in the series, a key decision from the outset.

"Whenever we go somewhere, we first discuss what the tourists want to see there," said director Zhang Yimou. "Hainan has ethnic groups, the poet Su Shi in the Song Dynasty (960-1279) wrote famous poetry here and the story that was adapted into the most famous Chinese ballet, Red Detachment of Women, happened here. But to most of today's tourists, Hainan is a paradise resort destination that allows them to escape from the hustle and bustle back in the city.

"When the financial crisis hit the world, depressed people in the city slowed down and anxiously looked for answers to the way ahead. Everybody wants to relax, enjoy life and get close to nature. It is what I enjoy here and we would like to share it with every audience.