Director sued over opera copyright

BEIJING - Internationally-acclaimed filmmaker Zhang Yimou is on trial this week for suspected copyright infringement of Dixi, a type of opera, known for its colorful masks, which originated in Anshun city in Southwest China's Guizhou province. Dixi is considered a national intangible cultural heritage opera.

Zhang introduced the opera in his film Riding Alone for Thousands of Miles made in 2005.

The Beijing Xicheng District Court on Tuesday heard the case, in which Zhang, together with film producer Zhang Weiping and the film distribution company, were sued by the Anshun city culture authority for not crediting Dixi to the city.