Beijing is fueling its preparation for the 2008 Summer Olympic
Games with another tribute film production in the making.
Li Zhaolin, soon to lead
the cast in The One, speaks during the ceremony to mark
the start of shooting, on Sunday, June 10, 2007.
The One, which is based on the story of Liu Changchun,
the first Chinese to compete in the Olympics, started shooting on
Sunday in the sprinter's hometown of Dalian city, says the Chinese
web portal Sina.com.cn.
Officials from the State Administration of Radio, Film and
Television, the Beijing Olympic Organizing Committee and the Dalian
city government, attended the ceremony held at the Dalian
University of Technology, where the late sports pioneer worked as a
teacher.
Liu Changchun struggled to represent China at the 1932 Los
Angeles Summer Games, having been pressured to represent the puppet
state set up by Japanese invaders. His toughness and strong mind
inspired many Chinese athletes.
The One is being produced by the Beijing Forbidden City
Film Company as a tribute to the upcoming Beijing Olympics next
summer, when China holds the sports gala for the first time.
Olympic gold medal holder Liu Xiang was invited to lead the
cast, but had to give up shooting due to a tight training
schedule.
Instead, Li Zhaolin, an amateur sprinter with acting experience
gleaned from his study at the prestigious Central Academy of Drama,
will take on the role.
The film is set to hit the big screen early next year. Worldwide
athletes attending the Beijing Games will also have the change to
enjoy it, according to the Sina report.
(CRI June 11, 2007)
