The action-fantasy film The Promise, also known as Wu Ji, will premiere on December 15th, debuting at the Shanghai Concert Hall, according to Shanghai United Cinema Lines, the city's leading cinema chain.
Director Chen, Chen's wife Chen Hong, the producer of The Promise, lead actor Jang Dong-gun, as well as actress Cecilia Cheung and actor Liu Ye will attend the premiere and take questions from the audience. This week major cinemas, including Shanghai Film Art Center, Studio City Cinema and Paradise Warner Cinema City, started selling tickets for the premiere.
Shao Zhenhua, manager of Shanghai Film Art Center, said more than 80 percent of the total of 1,118 premiere tickets at his cinema have been sold. He believes The Promise will be the year's box office champion.
Paradise Warner Cinema City will have a special screening on December 14th. Only 32 VIP guests have been invited to the formal attire event. They can speak with Chen after the film ends.
Each ticket is 1,888 yuan (US$233) and the cinema said only eight were left.
Li Lan, manager of Paradise Warner Cinema City, said: The film retains Chen's fabulous artistic style and boasts magnificent scenes with amazing stunts.
With a budget of more than US$35 million, the epic saga set in ancient Asia is a story about fate, love, loyalty and hatred. The movie will represent the Chinese mainland for a chance at a Best Foreign Film nomination at the Academy Awards.
(Shanghai Daily December 12, 2005)
