Stellar cast in revolution film

A state-funded film about China's communist revolution opens today at SkyCity Cinemas in honour of China's national day as part of the entertainment group's effort to woo the "growing and important" Chinese market here.

New Zealand and Australia will be the only countries outside Asia to screen Jian Guo Da Ye, or the Founding of the Republic, commissioned to mark the 60th anniversary of the People's Republic today, says the group's head of distribution, Milt Barlow.

"This is the first fully Government-funded film we will be screening, but we saw the production for its theatrical values rather than as a Chinese propaganda tool," Mr Barlow said.

The film features Jackie Chan, Jet Li, Zhang Ziyi (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon) and Stephen Chow (Kung Fu Hustle) and was described in an AP report as an effort to attract young Chinese normally turned off by Government propaganda. It retells the story of communist triumph over the Kuomintang known to all Chinese, and chronicles the birth of communist China under Mao Zedong.

"The Communist Party's propaganda department has been forced to adapt to get its message across to reach savvy youngsters normally disdainful of official media," the report said.

"Meanwhile, Chinese filmmakers who made good abroad are sensing the huge potential of the mainland market - and know it's politically smart to get on board with the anniversary film to ensure future success."

The film opened in China on September 17 and set a record for a film's first day in that country, taking US$2.2 million in its first nine hours of release. It is now screening at 1450 theatres throughout China.

With more than 600 tickets already booked, the anniversary film's star power seems also to be working in the New Zealand market, and SkyCity is looking at this movie possibly setting a box office record at its Cinema Asia, launched last December.

"The Chinese just love going to the movies, and they are a growing and important market for us," Mr Barlow said.

"But for this film, we have had immense interest locally, and not just from the Chinese community."

Jim He, secretary-general of the United Chinese Association of New Zealand, says it is an honour for local Chinese to be able to watch the film here, and it will add "extra joy" to the community's anniversary celebrations.

Thousands of Chinese are also expected to gather outside the TelstraClear Events Centre in Manukau this morning for their national day rally.