Source: CCTV.com

12-04-2008 09:16

Special Report:   Mei Lanfang

Before the Beijing Olympics, computer games, television and even the cinema - there was Peking Opera. Stars of the new Chinese epic about one of the greatest Peking opera stars of all time turned out for the film's premiere in a Beijing suburb Tuesday. Zhang Ziyi and Leon Lai star in "Forever Enthralled" the story of the life and career of Peking opera star Mei Lan Fang.

Stars of the new Chinese epic about one of the greatest Peking opera stars of all time turned out for the film's premiere in  a Beijing suburb Tuesday.

Mei Lan Fang has been dead for many years but he remains a household name in China. Born in the late 19th century he earned international acclaim as a performer and was the first Peking Opera artist to popularize the art around the globe. He still is fondly remembered for his patriotic refusal to perform between 1937 and 1945 when China was invaded by Japan.

Leon Lai plays Mei Lan Fang, while Zhang Ziyi plays Meng Xiaodong, another famous opera performer of the 1920s.

Still of film Mei Lanfang

For director Chen Kaige, the film is considered something of a comeback. Chen is best known for 1993's Oscar nominated "Farewell My Concubine'. His last film, the 2005 epic fantasy "The Promise' was panned by critics.