Chen Yifei's directorial debut will open on movie screens in early April, even though the artist and business tycoon passed away before filming was complete.
Crew members on The Barber said the movie will open on April 10th, the one year anniversary of Chen's death from a gastric hemorrhage.
The movie is now in post production, said a member of the film crew, who declined to be identified. Featuring strong artistry and a sentimental mood, The Barber will be made a classic to realize the unfinished dream of the late director Chen.
Starring mainland's actor Chen Kun and actress Zeng Li, The Barber tells the tale of a sad love triangle set in the 1920s.
Chen, particularly noted for his oil paintings, collapsed from overwork during the shooting of The Barber. Insiders said he would often work for days without a break on the film.
Renowned Hong Kong director and producer Ng See-yuen took over directing the film after Chen's death. Ng is Chen's good friend and originally the art director for The Barber.
(Shanghai Daily December 13, 2005)
