Deng Xiaoping, late leader of China's ongoing reform and opening up drive, has appeared on movie screens across China since Wednesday, the sixth anniversary of his death.
The work of Chinese director Ding Yinnan, the movie Deng Xiaoping features the former leader's last 20 years, a period when great changes took place in China.
The movie depicts several historical events, including Deng's evaluation of Mao Zedong, negotiations with former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher over Hong Kong and the decision to build special economic zones in China.
"It's an honor for me to be the director," said Ding. "The movie expresses people's yearning for this admirable leader."
Actor Lu Qi said it was quite a challenge to play Deng as an old man "because he is so familiar to people."
The movie was produced at a cost of 20 million yuan (US$2.4 million). "It's not the most expensive one in China, but it involves much that cannot be valued in money terms alone," Lu said.
About 150,000 people participated in the performance. More than70 public departments were involved, even making special trains, the rostrum of Tian An Men in Beijing and Shanghai's Nanpu Bridge available for filming, according to insiders.
"We received a warm welcome and full cooperation from all departments concerned, making the movie the fruit of public effort," said Ding.
"It proves that people have deep love and respect for Deng Xiaoping," Ding added.
Ding has directed several movies about Chinese leaders such as Sun Yat-sen, the forerunner of the Chinese democratic revolution, and Zhou Enlai, the first Premier of the People's Republic of China.
(Xinhua News Agency February 20, 2003)
