China's pop queen is back! After a 5-year hiatus, Faye Wong has returned, singing the theme song of China's blockbuster "Confucius". The MTV was released on Wednesday in Beijing, 16 days before the film hit the cinemas across the globe. Faye Wong's role is no doubt one of the best promotions of the film.

 

With only 64 Chinese characters, the theme song "You Lan Cao" is adapted from ancient poet Han Yu's eulogy on orchids that resonated with iconic philosopher Confucius.

Faye Wong's soothing, ethereal voice was considered perfect for conveying the lofty spirit of the song. Her return is one of the biggest surprises of the country's entertainment world. She said she did it just for "Confucius".

Faye Wong said, "Joining the film 'Confucius' means a lot to me. There's so much negative information and emotions in our world or in art productions. Among them are sharp and deep questions. And "Confucius" contains the answers. It's there throughout the ages. The film reminds us to inherit the spirit and thoughts of our ancient philosophers. It's our roots which we can't lose."

The film focuses on Confucius's life between the ages of 51 and 73, when China experienced a warring period of conflict, schemes and fights, more than two thousand years ago.

35-hundred props and sets are used to recreate the ancient scenes, a record in Chinese cinema. The screenplay has undergone 30 adaptations in two years. On board is Hu Mei, one of the best known female directors of China's vaunted fifth generation.

Leading the cast is Hong Kong veteran Chow Yun Fat, best known internationally for his role in the Oscar-winning Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. Other big names includes A-list actor Chen Jianbin and actress Zhou Xun.

"Confucius" will hold its global premiere in Beijing next Thursday before it hits the cinemas on January 22nd.